TLFG: 2-8 September 2024

Welcome to this week's TLFG.

I'm going to have to keep this a bit shorter than normal for now as my wife's laptop has failed and she's got to take mine on a work trip to Birmingham in the next few minutes.

I've got full match maps and also previews up until Friday.

From my own point of view, I made it to two of three games I had targeted last week - getting to the Actonians away games at London Bees and AFC Sudbury which were both new venues for me.

The FA Youth Cup continues this week 

Saturday's trip to watch Harrow Borough at Metropolitan Police was a step too far and it's a bit of luck I didn't go as a family crisis occurred which saw a relative end up in an Egyptian police cell but they're out now and all is back to normal - relatively!

THE WEEK AHEAD 

This week sees the first international break of the season so the biggest men's clubs are having the week off. Matches in League One and League Two top the bill. We've also got some games in the EFL Trophy, the next round of the FA Trophy and FA Youth Cup plus the Women's Champions League and Championship both get underway 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 2 September

National League South

Aveley v Dorking Wanderers @745pm - after last season's run to the play-offs, the Millers have got off to a very disappointing start and they're now winless in six and in the relegation zone. On Saturday they made the long journey to Torquay and picked up an encouraging point. On Monday they welcome opponents from Surrey who were in the fifth tier last season and have only lost once since their relegation. Tickets

Boreham Wood v Worthing @745pm - the hosts also suffered relegation last season and have made a very similar start to Dorking with only one defeat from their six games. Sitting just outside the play-off places, they face a Worthing side who have conceded a whopping 13 goals in five games, the second worst in the division, despite sitting comfortably in midtable. Tickets

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Tuesday 3 September

EFL Trophy

Leyton Orient v Arsenal U21 @7pm - the action in Southern Group E gets underway at Brisbane Road on Tuesday. If you've never heard of this competition, it features all the clubs in League One and League Two and a few U21 sides from clubs higher up the pyramid. It begins with a group stage, progresses to knockout rounds and finishes up with a final at Wembley. The O's have made a disastrous start to their league campaign, losing all four matches, but somehow won at Millwall in the EFL Cup. Arsenal, even with this young side, should fancy their chances of getting something here. Tickets

Bromley v Cambridge United @745pm - following their promotion from the National League, this will be the first time the Ravens have played in this competition. After winning their first two league games of the season, they've now lost a couple so a morale-boosting victory over a team which is struggling in League One wouldn't go amiss. Tickets

National League South

Hornchurch v Farnborough @745pm - the Urchins have lost more than they've won since getting promoted by they're keeping their heads above water. Farnborough, on the other hand, have won four of their six games to find themselves in the play-off places as we move into September. Tickets

FA Cup First Round Qualifying Replays

Cray Wanderers v Larkfield & New Hythe @745pm - London's oldest club travelled down to Kent to play ninth tier L&NH on Saturday but only managed a 1-1 draw despite playing two levels above them. Cray have never made it beyond the qualifying rounds and although they should win this, their early league form suggests they'll struggle to set a new record this season. Tickets

Hanwell Town v Sheppey United @745pm - the Geordies also spent their Saturday afternoon in Kent playing lower-division opposition and they, too, only managed a 1-1 draw. Sheppey are a different proposition to Larkfield as they are likely to challenge for the title in the eighth tier and are well capable of causing an upset here. Tickets

Walton & Hersham v Hanworth Villa @745pm - these sides produced a thrilling 3-3 draw on Friday night which saw the Swans score a late equaliser to avoid becoming the victims of a notable upset. Hanworth did superbly well against the team from a level above them but you'd think that back on home soil, W&H will probably get the job done. Tickets

Haringey Borough v Brightlingsea Regent @745pm - the hosts suffered relegation from the Isthmian Premier last season and have found it hard to adjust to the Isthmian North, losing all three of their games so far. Brightlingsea are also in the division but are doing considerably better, meaning the London club did well to draw 1-1 and force this replay. Tickets

Hayes & Yeading United v Margate @745pm - these two eighth-tier sides ground out a 0-0 draw on the Kent coast on Saturday meaning they have to do it all again at the SkyEx on Tuesday. The hosts have made it beyond the qualifying rounds numerous times in their history and start as favourites in my book. Tickets are £12 on the gate

Barking v St Neots Town @745pm - there's a tie between two ninth-tier teams at Mayesbrook Park as a goal 20 minutes from time earned the Blues a 2-2 draw in Cambridgeshire on Saturday. Since reforming in 2006, the best Barking have done is make the Third Round Qualifying so they've still got a way to go to match that. Tickets are £10 on the gate 

CCL Premier North

North Greenford United v Egham Town @745pm - the hosts have got off to a blistering start in the league and still have their 100% record after six games. Three points clear at the top, they next welcome another side in the top five. Win this too and they'll have to be regarded as serious title contenders. Tickets will be available on the gate

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Wednesday 4 September

UEFA Women's Champions League

In the opening round of this competition, four teams are put into a group and they play a mini tournament over a few days at the same venue. Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Rangers and Rosenborg have been drawn together for a series of matches at Boreham Wood's ground. On Wednesday, Atletico Madrid play Rosenborg at 12pm and Arsenal and Rangers meet at 730pm. The winners will meet in the final and the losers and third-place play-off on Saturday. Tickets for all games are available from

Arsenal

SCEFL Premier

Glebe v VCD Athletic @745pm - with 13 points from five games, the Vickers are unbeaten and top of the league. That could change if Holmesdale win on Tuesday but they will have three games in hand to get themselves back in front. Glebe were among the promotion contenders last season but they've still to find their feet this time and are in midtable. Tickets will be available on the gate

Essex Senior League

Woodford Town v Takeley @745pm - the hosts are another one of the early pacesetters in the ninth tier. Top and undefeated after four games, the north-east London club have FA Vase finalists Great Wakering Rovers hot on their heels but getting anything out of Takeley will be tough as they're a top-four side too. Tickets will be available on the gate

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Thursday 5 September

FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round

There are matches in this U18 competition most days this week but on Thursday that's all there is. There are eight ties spread all over the capital with the likes of AFC Croydon Athletic, Corinthian Casuals, Erith Town and Hanwell Town all hosting games. Given it's an FA competition, be prepared to pay a nominal entry fee at each game - it shouldn't exceed £5

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Friday 6 September

FA Trophy First Round Qualifying

Kingstonian v Eastbourne Town @8pm - one of the best things about groundshares is we often get teams drawn at home in the same rounds of cup competitions meaning we get bonus games on Friday nights or Sunday afternoons. This is one such game as Raynes Park Vale are at home too. This national knockout competition is for clubs in the fifth to the eighth tiers with its final at Wembley. This tie sees two eighth-tier clubs who are both eighth in their respective divisions meet at Grand Drive so it should be close. Tickets are £10 on the gate

Essex Senior League

Barking v West Essex @745pm - if you're on the east side of town, then this ninth-tier match would appear to be your best option. Both are in midtable and both will be coming into this off the back of games on Tuesday night so it's a tight turnaround for them. Tickets will be available on the gate for £10

FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round

Langley v Hilltop @745pm - this is one for the hardened groundhoppers among you. Langley don't have a home of their own and currently play their senior matches at Uxbridge. However, this is being played at Grasshoppers rugby club which is walkable from either Osterley Tube station on the Piccadilly Line or Syon Lane on SWR from Waterloo

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Saturday 7 September

League One

Charlton Athletic v Rotherham United @3pm - with there being an international break this weekend, the highest level game on offer is this one at The Valley. Nathan Jones' side have made a solid start but suffered their first reverse last weekend when they lost 2-0 at Reading. The Millers finished bottom of the Championship last season and have continued to find life tough in the the third tier. However, they picked up an important win against Huddersfield Town last time out. Tickets

UEFA Women's Champions League

The mini tournament which began earlier in the week concludes on Saturday at Boreham Wood with a third place play-off between Atletico Madrid and Rangers at 12pm and a final which sees Arsenal take on Rosenborg for a place in the next round at 730pm. Tickets are available for each game separately. The kick-off times mean you can easily do a treble and see three games on Saturday with nearby non-league sides Belstone and Hadley offering good 3pm options

Women's friendly

Chelsea v Feyenoord @12pm - the Blues welcome Dutch opposition to Kingsmeadow for this pre-season game as they prepare to defend their WSL title. Although one of the biggest names in the Netherlands, the visitors only managed an eighth-place finish last season. If you want to see at least two games on Saturday afternoon, then the early kick-off should give you time to get to one of the nearby non-league matches at Corinthian Casuals, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Raynes Park Vale or Westside. These will all finish in plenty of time for you to get to the Arsenal game above if you want to then do a third. Tickets

National League

Sutton United v Boston United @3pm - The U's got off to a good start and have only lost one of their six matches but they're also three without a win, meaning they're starting to slip down the table. The Pilgrims scraped into the National League North play-offs last season and went on to win them to return to the fifth tier for the first time since 2002. Depending on your mode of transport, and if you get lucky with the traffic, you could probably even get to this match after the Chelsea one too. Tickets

Wealdstone v York City @3pm - both these sides successfully fought battles against relegation last season but have experienced contrasting fortunes in the early part of this campaign. The Stones made a poor start under new boss Matt Taylor but after losing their first three, they're now unbeaten in three and have a win under their belts. With only one defeat from six, the visitors are in the top six but head to Grosvenor Vale having lost all four matches they've played against the London club over the last two seasons. Tickets

National League South

Enfield Town v Maidstone United @3pm - the Towners were another side to enjoy play-off glory last season but you have to wonder if they were ready for life in the sixth tier given their worrying start. With six defeats from seven, they're in the bottom three. Kent club Maidstone had a great 2023/24. They too made the play-offs but will be most remembered for their run to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup which included a stunning win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road. Sadly, they've also struggled so far and sit just above the relegation zone. Tickets

Hampton & Richmond Borough v Boreham Wood @3pm - two clubs from TLFG's catchment area meet at The Beveree. The hosts have been inconsistent so far and are floating around lower midtable but their 1-0 win at Weymouth in midweek will have raised spirits. The Wood are playing in this division for the first time since 2015 following their relegation and, like Sutton, are starting to slide after a positive start. Tickets

Welling United v Torquay United @3pm - the Wings are often among the strugglers in this division but manage to keep their heads above water and this season has begun in a way which suggests that form might continue. Former EFL club Torquay are one of the biggest clubs in the NLS and are second after a strong start. Tickets

Isthmian League Premier

Carshalton Athletic v Lewes @3pm - the MOTD in the seventh tier, in my opinion, takes place at Colston Avenue in south London. The Robins are in the top 10 and made comfortable progress in the FA Cup last weekend as they saw off Haywards Heath Town. Although top with a 100% record, the same can't be said of the Rooks who suffered one of the biggest upsets of the First Round Qualifying, losing at home to ninth tier Harefield United on penalties after drawing the initial tie in Middlesex. Tickets

FA Trophy First Round Qualifying

Raynes Park Vale v Beckenham Town @3pm - there are numerous ties featuring eighth-tier clubs all over London on Saturday but this match would appear to be the best in my opinion. Both currently in the top three of their respective divisions of the Isthmian League, this match at Grand Drive should be well worth a watch. Tickets are £10 on the gate

SSML Premier

Cockfosters v London Lions @3pm - in the ninth tier we've got a north London derby. Situated at the end of the Piccadilly Line, Chalk Lane is just across the road from the station so is really easy to get to. The visitors play a little to the west on the other side of Barnet. Currently seventh and sixth and only a point apart in the table, the two matches between these sides last season produced 13 goals so hopefully we'll get similar levels of entertainment here. Tickets are £10 on the gate

SCEFL Division 1

Croydon v Clapton CFC @3pm - the Trams are currently top of this 10th-tier division after making a great start to the campaign. However, their lead is slim and three teams are queued up just a point behind them. One of those sides are CCFC so first place is potentially up for grabs. There's been a lot of online build up to this game with the hosts really trying to get a big crowd and there's no doubt the visitors will travel in good numbers. Aside from the football, there will be a number of attractions for all the family to enjoy including face painting, a bouncy castle and hook a duck! Tickets are £7

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Sunday 8 September

Women's Championship

Charlton Athletic v Portsmouth @2pm - the season gets underway in the women's second tier this weekend. The Addicks missed out on the title and promotion by one point last season so should be among the favourites to challenge again. Last Sunday they held WSL side Aston Villa to a 2-2 draw which should give them some confidence. Pompey are new to this division after winning promotion from the FAWNL. My friend's niece is young goalkeeper Eve Annets. She signed for Manchester City in the summer and was promptly loaned to Portsmouth so hopefully she'll get a game here. The match is being played at The Valley and tickets are £10 online. They become £2 more if you buy them on arrival

London City Lionesses v Newcastle United @2pm - there's a lot of excitement about these teams too. Both have received significant investment over the last few months with American millionaire Michele Kang funding LCL and Saudi owners pumping money into the Magpies. Swedish legend Kosovare Allsani and England's Demi Stokes are just two of the players who have been brought in by the sides in a show of purchasing power that's probably never been seen at this level of the women's game. This will be LCL's first competitive match at their new Hayes Lane home which they share with Bromley. Tickets

FAWNL Southern Premier

AFC Wimbledon v Oxford United @2pm - the Dons return to Plough Lane after picking up their first win of the season against Cheltenham Town. With four points from three games, they should be satisfied with the start they've made following promotion. The visitors are usually among the challengers in this division with their fifth-place finish last season their lowest for a while. Currently fourth, they should provide the hosts with a good workout. Tickets

Watford v MK Dons @2pm - the Hornets have also accrued four points from their first three games following relegation from the Championship. On Sunday they take on the bottom club and victory would appear to be almost certain. MK Dons were a solid enough side last season but lost most of their squad to big spending Real Bedford in the division below over the summer. After three games they've scored one goal and conceded 17 - relegation looks assured already. This match is being played at Wealdstone. Tickets

FAWNL Division 1 South East

Actonians v QPR @2pm - it's West London Derby day in the fourth tier as these two local rivals battle for supremacy. The A's finished one place and two points below the R's last season despite doing the double over them in the derby games. Both sides have experienced managerial change over the summer and styles have altered significantly. What makes this match even more anticipated than normal is that QPR have brought in Danny Harrigan as manager. He presided over Actonians' most successful season ever in 2022/23. With seven points from three games, the hosts have started well whilst QPR are still looking for their first league win. The match is being played at Rectory Park in Northolt. Tickets are £5 online in advance or £5 cash only on the gate. Sadly I won't be there but I've got a piece in the printed programme which you can buy on arrival

Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Norwich City @2pm - each season there's usually one team which really struggles and barely gets a point. Sadly for the Tangerines, it looks like it's going to be them. After a really great 2023/24 which saw them finish fourth, they lost star player Ashley Cheatley to Brentford and a number of others departed too. They've lost all three of their opening games and suffered a 7-0 drubbing at Dulwich Hamlet last weekend. It's likely to get even worse here as the Canaries are one of the title favourites and have won every game. This match is being played at Hanworth Villa as Ashford are having a new pitch installed. Tickets are £5 on the gate

London Bees v Dulwich Hamlet @2pm - both sides are new to the division following relegation and promotion respectively and this will be a good measure of how good they are. With one point from three games, the hosts have yet to get going but they've had a very tough run of fixtures so I don't want to judge them just yet. Dulwich, with the momentum of promotion and cheered on by large crowds, could do really well this year. With two wins from three, their only setback was a 3-2 loss to Norwich who will beat most teams this season. Form suggests at least a point for the visitors but let's see. This is being played at the Bees Stadium which is part of The Hive complex in north London. Tickets

London Seaward v Cambridge United @2pm - after a bright start saw them win at Chesham on the opening weekend, the hosts' results have tailed off sharply with back-to-back losses to Dulwich in the league and cup and a 5-0 defeat to Norwich. Granted, those were tough opponents so this match against Cambridge, who have also only won one game, will be another good yardstick of how well these two sides are likely to fare this season. This is being played at Redridge's ground and tickets will be available on the gate - I haven't seen a price but it's likely to be £5

L&SE Women's League Premier

Fulham v Ashford United @230pm - if you want to visit a Premier League club's training ground then head down to Motspur Park for this match. The Cottagers are the biggest name in this division and should really be winning it this year after finishing third in a decent title battle with Dulwich Hamlet and Dartford last season. The visitors avoided relegation by a point in 2023/24 so they'll do well to get anything here. Tickets

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?

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