TLFG: 16-22 September 2024

Greetings everyone and welcome to the latest edition of TLFG.

How has your week been?

Unbelievably, I made it to three games over the last few days and ticked off a new ground in the process.

The first was on Tuesday lunchtime when I headed to Loftus Road to watch a very young QPR side get thrashed 6-0 by Sheffield United in a development match.

Then on Wednesday night I made the short journey to the Quintin Hogg Memorial Ground in Chiswick to see Actonians Reserves take on Richmond & Kew in a London & South East Women's Regional League game.

Despite making a disappointing start to the campaign following promotion, R&K had a great evening and opened up a 2-0 half-time lead.

A few promising moves came to nothing for the A's before a thunderous effort nearly took the net out to give the hosts a 3-0 win.

Actonians' American captain Mara Bramwell makes her presence felt against Abingdon United 

It was the first cold night of the autumn and a jumper and coat were definitely in order.

Located on the north bank of the Thames by Chiswick Bridge, the QHMG is a fine modern 3G facility which is so new it doesn't exist on Google Maps.

It's quite similar to Rectory Park but doesn't have any covered seating and I don't think there were any refreshments available which I think renders it of no use in the Women's National League and the top six levels of men's non-league football.

It is, however, absolutely fine for Step 7 and below with Surrey Premier County side AFC Cubo currently using it as their home ground.

Today (Sunday), I returned to watching the first team but instead of heading to the aforementioned Rectory Park, my daughter and I went to Bedfont Sports as I presume the former was already booked up.

Located very close to the runway at Heathrow, this ground is famous for fans being able to watch football and airliners at the same time and my five-year-old was pretty thrilled by the experience - particularly on the walk back to Hatton Cross as they fly right over your head!

Today's opponents were Abingdon United, who play in a parallel fourth-tier division to Actonians, in the Preliminary Round of the Women's National League Plate.

Even with several senior players rested, it was apparent that the A's have a good young squad this year and they were at it from the off.

Numerous chances came and went before Ikraam Mohamed prodded home from a corner on 26 minutes before Khyri McKenzie doubled the lead two minutes later.

Mohamed was on target again shortly before the hour after a bad mix-up in the visitors' defence and that was it.

Many more chances came and went but it ended 3-0 and they now travel to Chatham Town in the next round in two weeks.

So what have you been up to? 

I'm going on to early shifts at work tomorrow so my chances of seeing any games this week look slim but you never know.

Lastly this week, many thanks to Chris from Germany for donating to TLFG's coffee-drinking fund. I really, really appreciate it.

THE WEEK AHEAD  

Over the next few days we've got games in the Premier League, EFL, EFL Cup, National League, FA Trophy, FA Vase and FA Youth Cup on the male side.

The Women's Super League gets underway this week, the Championship continues and as well as National League games, we've also got the next round of the Women's FA Cup too.

As always, please make sure you check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or the venue or kick-off time has changed - this is highly possible for some of the lower non-league clubs. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found on the following match maps. If you've never used them before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the drop down menu at the top of the map page to make sure you get all the information. Games are listed from top to bottom in date order so Monday's games (yellow pin) will appear first and Sunday's (orange pin) last. Games are also ranked in terms of status so the higher the division, the higher up the list they will appear on each day.

Donate to TLFG's coffee-drinking fund here

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

It should also be noted that the top four levels are for fully professional teams. Level 5 has a mixture of professional and semi-professional teams, while Levels 6-10 will see most players paid but it will vary from no more than travel expenses at the bottom, right up to several hundred pounds a week at the top.

MIDWEEK MATCH MAP

Monday fixtures - yellow pin

Tuesday fixtures - green pin

Wednesday fixtures - turquoise pin

Thursday fixtures - purple pin

Friday fixtures - black pin

WEEKEND MATCH MAP

Saturday fixtures - blue pin

Sunday fixtures - orange pin

    

TLFG DAILY DIGEST

In the following section, I list what are in my opinion the most notable games of the week and give some brief reasons for my choice. Check the maps above for kick-off times, ticket info and directions.

Monday 16 September

Essex Senior League

Ilford v Romford @745pm - the Foxes are having issues hosting games at Cricklefield and have therefore played all of their five fixtures away from home. It is for this reason that this game has been moved to Redbridge's home at Oakside. With all the travelling, they've only managed to pick up three points and are in the relegation zone. The visitors have had a much better start, sit fourth and should be favourites going into this derby. Tickets will be available on the gate

FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round

The next round of the country's most prestigious U18 competition gets underway this week and there are ties every day except Saturday. On Monday, the local derby between Dartford and Erith Town would be my pick of the games

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Tuesday 17 September

EFL Cup Third Round

Brentford v Leyton Orient @745pm - after narrowly losing to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday, the Bees return to League Cup action on Tuesday night. They've drawn League One strugglers and fellow Londoners Orient who have only won one league game this season. Although starting very much as second favourites, the O's managed to cause an upset in the last round by beating the higher-ranked Millwall but this presents a significantly harder challenge. Games like this present groundhoppers and casual football watchers with a rare chance to watch a game at the often sold out GTech so don't miss your chance to get tickets

QPR v Crystal Palace @745pm - just up the road in Shepherds Bush, the R's will be looking to pick up a notable scalp in another London derby. These sides were very similar size clubs for many years but the Eagles have now established themselves in the top flight whilst QPR have become a staple of the Championship. For many Rangers fans, this is all about the return of former star Eberechi Eze who moved to Palace four years ago and he's likely to receive a warm reception. In terms of club honours, the League Cup represents QPR's greatest ever triumph. They won it by beating West Brom in 1967 and also made the final in 1986. Palace have never won it but they put out a very strong side in the last round and it's believed they could be taking it very seriously this year. Tickets

Premier League International Cup

Crystal Palace v Real Sociedad @7pm - in an unfortunate bit of scheduling, the Eagles' U21 side are also playing the same night. This competition sees young sides from the Premier League and around Europe first compete in a group stage before moving on to the knockout rounds. All matches are played in England. Palace are the reigning champions and were runners-up the season before that. The visitors play in the third tier in Spain and are making their debut in the competition this season. This match is being played at Sutton United and tickets are available

FA Cup Second Round Qualifying Replays

Wingate & Finchley v Cray Wanderers @745pm - after fighting out a 1-1 draw at Flamingo Park on Saturday lunchtime, these two Isthmian Premier sides will have to do it all again. There's little to choose between them in the league at the moment so it could well go to penalties. Neither side have made it beyond the qualifying rounds before and with the draw for the next round on Monday, they should know who they'll be playing if they progress. Tickets

Barking v Gorleston @745pm - the ninth-tier Blues are the lowest-ranked London club left in this season's FA Cup after a 2-2 draw in Norfolk. It could've been so much better for Jonny Fowell's side as they were 2-0 up but sadly couldn't hold on. The visitors play a level above them in the Isthmian North so beating them will definitely represent an upset. Tickets are £10 on the gate

Isthmian League South East

Beckenham Town v Margate @745pm - it seems the Becks are going through a weird cycle of boom and bust in recent years. Two seasons ago they pushed for the title and last season they were so bad, they required a reprieve to stay up. The 2024/25 campaign has got off to another flyer and they're top. Unbeaten after six matches, they next face a Margate side who were relegated from the Isthmian Premier last season and who arrive on the back of a resounding 4-0 win at Bognor in the FA Cup. Tickets will be available on the gate

CCL Premier North

Egham Town v Amersham Town @745pm - with boss Jordan Berry back from his stint at Harrow Borough, the Sarnies have made a solid start. Currently fourth in this ninth-tier division, they look set to challenge for a play-off place as they did the last time he was in charge. On Tuesday, they face a visit from a team who are riding the crest of a wave. Amersham romped to the CCL Division 1 title last season and have started well again. They're only eighth at the moment because they've played fewer games than everyone else as a result of the sensational FA Cup run they're also on. Saturday saw them beat Isthmian League club Burgess Hill Town in Sussex as they achieved their best ever performance in the competition. Tickets will be available on the gate

CCL Division 1

London Samurai Rovers v Windsor & Eton @745pm - Tuesday night gives you the chance to take a look at another side who've made an impressive start. Playing at this level for the first time since re-forming in 2023, the visitors are really making people sit up and take notice. With 10 wins from 11 games, the Berkshire club are four points clear at the top already. LSR, on the other hand, are winless in 10 and really struggling - there looks like being only one winner. This match is being played at Hanworth Villa and tickets will be available on the gate

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Wednesday 18 September

SSML Premier

London Lions v Colney Heath @8pm - the highest level game on offer on Wednesday is this rather unremarkable ninth-tier match at Rowley Lane. The hosts are going along well enough in eighth whilst the visitors, who hail from the outskirts of St Albans, are in 10th. Tickets will be available on the gate

CCL Division 1

Staines & Lammas (Middlesex) v Westside @745pm - clubs in TLFG's catchment area have made a bright start, filling six of the current top 10 positions in this 10th-tier division. The hosts have just enjoyed promotion from the SPCFL and are more than holding their own in that group. Westside are also up there so this should produce an evenly-matched contest. This is being played at Abbey Rangers and tickets will be available on the gate

SPCFL Premier

Dial Square v Addlestone @745pm - talking of the SPCFL, the hosts are now up to the 11th tier and well worth keeping an eye on. Dial Square was the name originally used by Arsenal and this club was formed in 2020 by a Gunners fan who was disillusioned with the way Stan Kroenke was running them. They play just down the road from Abbey Rangers (mentioned above) at Chertsey Town's ground and this match sees them play Addlestone in a derby. Tickets are £5 on the gate

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Thursday 19 September

FA Youth Cup First Round Qualifying

Today is all about matches in this U18 competition. There are three games spread around the capital but it's the one between Barking and Ware which most interests me. The Blues had a superb run in this last season and went all the way to the Third Round where they took Millwall to extra-time at The Den before losing 5-3. They've still got to win many more matches just to equal that run but it would be great to see them get close again. Tickets will be available on the gate

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Friday 20 September

Women's Super League

Chelsea v Aston Villa @7pm - the WSL gets underway on Friday night with this match at Kingsmeadow. The Blues won the title again last year but they're having to begin this campaign without the legendary Emma Hayes at the helm. She's been replaced by French coach Sonia Bompastor who won pretty much everything with Lyon as a player and manager. They've brought in a number of new players too including Lioness Lucy Bronze who's likely to make her debut here. Villa finished a disappointing seventh last season and they've brought in a Lioness of their own in the form of Katie Robinson. They also spent £250,000 on Brazilian striker Gabi Nunes to give them a bit more firepower. Adult tickets are £16 and there are only a few left

Professional Development League

Watford v Charlton Athletic @1pm - if you're also around earlier in the day then you've got the chance to see this U21 game too. It's being played at Vicarage Road so it's a great chance to get that groundhopper tick on the cheap if you've never been. I haven't seen any ticket details yet but it shouldn't be more than £5 - check on the day for all the latest info

FA Vase Second Round Qualifying

Enfield Borough v Frenford @745pm - the next round of this national knockout competition for clubs in the ninth and tenth tiers gets underway on Friday. The hosts play a level below Frenford so will do well to win. Both sides are fairly new to the Vase but both have previously made it as far as the Second Round proper. This match is being played at Wingate & Finchley and tickets will be available on the gate

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Previews for 21 & 22 September to follow - use the match maps to see what's on

GET INVOLVED

If you're going to see a game, whether you're a local or a visitor, please let me know what you've  been up to. If you're interested in reviewing a ground in the London area for this blog then get in touch. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels.

NEED HELP?

Got any questions about visiting London? Don't hesitate to ask - be they football or more general travel/touristy queries. I do not charge for this advice like some other sites so don't hold back!

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below, via X/Twitter or even by good old email.

Has this blog been helpful? Donate to TLFG's coffee-drinking fund here