TLFG: 9-15 September 2024

Welcome one and all to this week's TLFG.

I'm going to begin by saying I think I'm actually shaking a little bit with excitement after Actonians recorded a spectacular 4-0 win over QPR in the women's West London Derby.

As someone who lives in Shepherd's Bush and has supported QPR's men's team for over 40 years - this afternoon has left feeling a bit like Declan Rice.

Sadly I couldn't go - I'm at work until after 11pm and I'm writing this on my break.

With former A's boss Danny Harrigan returning as the new R's manager, there was even more anticipation than normal.

Millwall host Luton in a spicy looking game on Saturday - tickets

Although Actonians had made a stronger start to the season than QPR, I would never have foreseen a result like this.

New golden girl Dior Knorr set the tone with an early goal, her fourth in four appearances, and it seemed to go downhill for the visitors from there.

Further strikes from Amber Dredge, Amina Hanif and Merle Redhead-Ling followed at regular intervals as Oliver Yazdi's side cruised to victory.

I'm still in awe at what Linda Fox and the team of volunteers at the club have achieved over the years and the shrewd appointment of Yazdi and a whole new coaching team seems to be paying dividends.

Now joint second in their fourth-tier division surrounded by teams who spend considerable sums financing their squads, Actonians really deserve a closer look.

For me, as a fan, the first priority is for the team to do enough to stay up as other clubs' resources completely dwarf what we have available.

And guess what? With 10 points from the first four games, we've already exceeded what the relegated teams accrued over the whole of last season!

Anyway, it's incredibly early days and all could still go spectacularly wrong, but just let me have this moment please.

Lastly this week, many thanks to Noel L from Norfolk and Martin B from Dorset for donating to TLFG's coffee-drinking fund. I really, really appreciate it.

THE WEEK AHEAD  

Over the next few days we've got international football at Wembley, the Premier League returns and there's a full programme of EFL and National League games. 

Lower down the pyramid we've got the next round of the FA Cup and at youth level there are some eye-catching U21 and U18 games.

In the women's game, some matches in the FAWNL Plate top the bill.

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 9 September

Isthmian League North

Redbridge v Haringey Borough @745pm - just over 48 hours since their last meeting in an FA Trophy tie, these two will do it all over again in the league. Despite losing all of their league games, the visitors won that match on Saturday 3-1 and are still going strong in the FA Cup. With two wins from four, the Motormen are doing okay but they'll need to quickly improve their performance to avoid another defeat here. Tickets are £10 on the gate

SCEFL Division 1

SC Thamesmead v SOUL Tower Hamlets @745pm - the hosts have only won once this season and sit in lower midtable as a result. The visitors got transferred from the ECL over the summer and are a win away from a place in the top five. Tickets are £8 on the gate

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Tuesday 10 September

UEFA Nations League

England v Finland @745pm - the Three Lions began life under interim boss Lee Carsley by winning 2-0 in Dublin against Ireland on Saturday. The performance impressed many so it will be interesting to see how they fare against the Finns at Wembley. Markku Kanerva's side made a disappointing start in their first group match, losing 3-0 to Greece. Tickets

Professional Development League

There are a couple of U21 games at lunchtime on Tuesday which means you can easily see two games today. QPR face Sheffield United whilst Charlton Athletic entertain Crewe Alexandra. With the former being played at Loftus Road at 1pm, it would seem to be the ideal choice if you're heading to Wembley later in the evening - entry is usually by donation 

National League

Barnet v Altrincham @745pm - in a strange bit of scheduling we also have this fifth-tier match in north-west London, just a few stops up the line from Wembley. The Bees travelled to the north-east to play leaders Gateshead in one of the biggest games on Saturday but lost 2-0 to miss the chance to go third. Still in the play-off places, they should start as marginal favourites against Alty although they recorded a handsome 4-0 win over Ebbsfleet United in their last game. Tickets

Dagenham & Redbridge v Sutton United @745pm - with only one win from seven games this season, the Daggers have made an underwhelming start. However, they're only two points behind the U's whose early form has deserted them. On Saturday, they lost 3-0 at home to Boston United to extend their winless run to four games. Tickets

Southern League Premier South

Walton & Hersham v Hanwell Town @745pm - the Swans made the long journey down to Devon to play Plymouth Parkway on Saturday and came back with all three points after a 2-1 win. The result also put them top of this seventh-tier division. The Geordies also headed west to play Taunton Town and fought out an entertaining 3-3 draw which kept them in the top six. Both these sides are also playing FA Cup ties this week and they have the option of postponing midweek games to prepare, pretty much every other participating club has, but these two are carrying on regardless. Tickets

Isthmian League South Central

Harrow Borough v Rayners Lane @745pm - there are a good selection of eighth-tier matches on Tuesday but this is definitely my pick. As regular readers know, the Boro are my non-league club of choice and they've made a superb start to the season following relegation, winning all four of their opening fixtures to top the division. On Tuesday they play local rivals Rayners Lane who are new to this level following promotion. The sides met in the Middlesex Senior Cup last season and it was the visitors who won 4-0 despite Harrow then being two levels above them. With a new management team in place and a radically different squad, the hosts are now a very different proposition. The Lane also decided to sack their manager on Sunday so it will be interesting to see who they have in the dugout. Tickets are £10 on the gate

CCL Premier North

British Airways v North Greenford United @745pm - in the ninth tier, there's an unbeaten record to be protected at Spelthorne Sports' ground. NGU dropped their first points of the season last week with a draw against Egham Town but they returned to winning ways on Friday at Wokingham Town. Four points clear at the top after eight games, it's looking good. BA are new to this level following their promotion and they're handling things well. Currently sixth, they've already become the division's draw specialists so will hope to get something here. Tickets will be available on the gate

SCEFL Division 1

Clapton CFC v Lewisham Borough @745pm - the biggest crowd of the night in the 10th tier will almost certainly be found at London's oldest ground, the Old Spotted Dog. These sides played in games which pulled in a whopping total of 584 fans on Saturday - a huge amount for this level. Despite the large attendances, both lost. CCFC are in the play-off places and should start as favourites. Tickets are £5 on the gate

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Wednesday 11 September

Isthmian League North

Sporting Bengal United v Basildon United @745pm - topping the bill on Wednesday night is this match in the eighth tier. After two consecutive promotions, SBU are playing at this level for the first time and doing pretty well. Ninth after four games, they're holding their own. They face a tough test here as Basildon are second and only being kept off the top by goal difference. Tickets will be available on the gate

CCL Premier South

Balham v Redhill @745pm - the hosts have made a worrying start in what looks set to be a competitive division. Second from bottom, they do have games in hand which should give them hope. The visitors have made a cracking start and are on level points with leaders AFC Whyteleafe but they have two games in hand so look like the team to beat. Tickets will be available on the gate

SCEFL Division 1

Croydon v Halls AFC @745pm - the Trams won their big game against Clapton CFC on Saturday in front of 201 fans. The thrilling 4-3 victory saw them preserve their one-point lead at the top. The visitors are another side to be playing at a new level for the first time this season and they've won three of their five games to be well placed for a push further up the table. Tickets will be available on the gate

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Thursday 12 September

FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round

Corinthian Casuals v Shoreham @745pm - originally scheduled for last week, the only match I'm aware of in London on Thursday is this U18 match in Tolworth. The winners will be at home to Eastbourne Borough in the next round. Tickets will be available on the gate

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Friday 13 September

Premier League Cup

There are two games in this U21 competition on Friday. Beginning with a group stage, Charlton Athletic welcome Leeds United to The Valley and QPR take on Preston North End at Hayes & Yeading United. Both matches start at 7pm and tickets should be available on the gate - online tickets should also be available for the Charlton one but check the club's website as the week progresses

Isthmian League South Central

Sutton Common Rovers v Westfield @745pm - with landlords Carshalton Athletic in FA Cup action on Saturday, this match has been brought forward to give us a bit of bonus eighth-tier action. SCR are hovering around midtable whilst the visitors are in the top four. Tickets are £11 on the gate

ECL Division 1 South

Cannons Wood v May & Baker @745pm - the visitors are the highest ranked of the London based clubs in this division. It would be Hackney Wick but they play their games way out in Essex. Fifth at the time of writing, M&B have played a game more than most of those around them so their position in the play-off places is precarious. The hosts are 12th but have two games in hand so winning this should put them firmly back in contention. This is being played at Aveley and tickets will be available on the gate

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Saturday 14 September

Premier League

Crystal Palace v Leicester City @3pm - with the international break now over, the top flight returns. In south-east London, the Eagles welcome the Foxes for what should be an evenly-matched game. With only a point each from their opening three games, both could really do with a win. Leicester lost the last time the sides played, around 18 months ago, but were on a seven-game unbeaten run against Palace before that so they've had the better of this relationship in recent years. Tickets are only available to members whilst hospitality packages start from £285

Fulham v West Ham United @3pm - on the banks of the Thames on the west side of town, we've got this derby to enjoy. It also features two very well-matched teams who have four and three points respectively. The Cottagers did a resounding double over the Hammers last season, scoring seven goals and conceding none in the two games between them - it should be a bit closer this time. Tickets are on general sale but there are very few left. Click here for hospitality information

Championship

Millwall v Luton Town @1230pm - in the day's early game we've got a potentially spicy encounter in South Bermondsey. Both sets of fans are among the more lively in this division and as a QPR fan I've experienced some hairy moments when they've visited Shepherds Bush. As I understand it, the early kick-off is primarily for the TV cameras but I'm sure the police are pretty happy about it too. The Lions struggled for a large part of last season but successfully avoided the drop, with boss Neil Harris appointed near the end of the campaign to get them over the line.The Hatters, on the other hand, fought valiantly to stay in the Premier League and entertained many with their battling performances but ultimately didn't have enough and came down. Still with a decent squad at their disposal, their start has been pretty disastrous. With only one point from four games, pressure is really building on manager Rob Edwards and The Den is the last place he'll want to be going in that position. Tickets

Watford v Coventry City @3pm - the Hornets have made a fine start but saw their 100% record end at the hands of Sheffield United in their last game before the break. Still third, they should start as favourites against a Sky Blues team who've won only one of their four games. However, Mark Robins' side are unbeaten in five against the Hertfordshire club, a run which stretches back to 2020. Tickets

League Two

AFC Wimbledon v MK Dons @1230pm - one of the biggest games of the day, certainly in terms of significance, takes place at Plough Lane. Most of you know about the huge rivalry between these two following the relocation of the original Wimbledon to Milton Keynes in 2003 and said rivalry is no less intense 21 years later. To make aggrieved AFC fans even more annoyed, MK dominated matches between these two from 2017 until March this year when a very late goal saw AFC finally win to spark wild celebrations. TLFG reader Liam B was left nursing what you might call 'happy' bruises for days after! Tickets are always tightly controlled for this fixture so you'll need to be a member to have any chance of getting one

Bromley v Notts County @3pm - if you can't get in the match above, the other fourth-tier game on offer is also well worth a watch. With seven points from five games, the Ravens have made a solid start. On Saturday they face the Magpies who are one of the biggest clubs in the division - only former Premier League club Bradford City draw bigger crowds. The visitors are one of only two unbeaten teams in the division and arrive in second place. Interestingly, despite the difference in size between the two clubs, Bromley are unbeaten in six against the East Midlands club. Tickets

National League

Barnet v Braintree Town @3pm - the Bees were runners-up in the fifth tier last season but came unstuck in the play-offs. After eight games, they're sixth which means they look likely to challenge again. After losing to leaders Gateshead last weekend, they bounced back with a 2-1 win over Altrincham in midweek. However, boss Dean Brennan gave an angry interview after the game criticising the moaning of his own team's fans. How this affects things going forward will be interesting to see. As for this match, Essex club Braintree have just come up from the National League South (NLS) and have yet to settle with only one win to their name so far. Tickets

Dagenham & Redbridge v Gateshead @3pm - the Daggers avoided relegation by just four points last season in what was a very tight race to beat the drop. The opening weeks of 2024/25 hadn't been great but then they got a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Sutton United on Tuesday to propel them up to 14th. Here they welcome the current leaders. The Heed finished sixth last season and won the FA Trophy so they will provide formidable opposition. Tickets

FA Cup Second Round Qualifying

This weekend sees the next instalment of FA Cup action. We've had three rounds already with teams in the seventh to ninth tiers battling it out to get this far. At this point, teams in the sixth tier enter the draw so if any minnows make it past this round, they'll have done superbly well. From the London area, ninth tier Barking and Harefield United are still going strong but they've been drawn away and are playing outside the capital. The winners of each tie receive £3,375 and the losers £1,125. There are numerous ties taking place around London but here are my top three:

Cray Valley PM v Chesham United @3pm - CVPM had the season of their lives last year. Winning the Isthmian League South East, they also made it to the FA Cup First Round where they drew 1-1 with near neighbours Charlton Athletic at The Valley. The replay was far more one-sided but it was a great moment for the club. Now up in the seventh tier Isthmian Premier, they're in the top four again and should pose a very real threat to the Generals who play in the division above them. Tickets

Enfield Town v Peterborough Sports @3pm - the only tie in London between two sixth-tier teams takes place at Donkey Lane. The Towners have made a dreadful start to life in the NLS with seven defeats from eight leaving them second from bottom. Although they have two wins under their belts, the visitors haven't enjoyed a much better start in the National League North so this should be close. Neither club have ever made it beyond the qualifying rounds so they'll be hoping this is their year. Tickets

Walton & Hersham v Farnborough @3pm - a big crowd should be expected at the Elmbridge Sports Hub too. The Swans are a point off top spot in the seventh tier Southern League Premier South and Farnborough, who don't play a million miles away, are among the frontrunners in the NLS. W&H required a replay to get past eighth tier Hanworth Villa in the last round. With average attendances of almost 800, I'd expect this to get well over 1,000. Tickets

Isthmian League South Central

Rayners Lane v Raynes Park Vale @3pm - there aren't any blockbuster fixtures in the eighth tier but we do have the 'Rayne' derby! Despite the similar name, these two clubs are nowhere near each other - certainly not in London terms. In fact, Tithe Farm is 15 miles to the north-west of Grand Drive so it was even further than I thought. On the pitch, RPV are having the better season and should make the play-offs after falling just short last time. Tickets will be available on the gate for £10

CCL Premier South

Corinthian Casuals v AFC Whyteleafe @3pm - there are some really interesting-looking games in the ninth tier on Saturday but I've gone for this as they're both TLFG clubs, they're fifth and second respectively and they've scored a whopping 43 goals between them so far. The sides were two divisions apart last season but CCs got relegated from the Isthmian League and the Leafe won promotion from the SCEFL Division 1. Tickets are £10 on the gate

SCEFL Division 1

Forest Hill Park v Clapton CFC @3pm - there aren't any 10th tier top-of-the-table clashes in London this weekend so I'd always recommend going to watch a CCFC game instead. Both sides are in the top seven and expected to challenge for a play-off place and the visitors always travel in good numbers and create a good atmosphere. This is being played at the Ladywell Arena near Lewisham. Tickets will be available on the gate for £6

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Sunday 15 September

Premier League

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal @2pm - one of the biggest matches of the season takes place at the THS on Sunday. The North London Derby (NLD) is right up there with any of the world's most hotly-contested rivalries and don't even think about getting a ticket without being prepared to spend several hundred pounds. It's still very early in the campaign but the Gunners are unbeaten in four against Spurs, have won on their last two visits to N17 and have made the better start to this campaign too. However, they do have some notable absentees like the suspended Declan Rice but new signing Raheem Sterling could make his debut following his move from Chelsea. Tickets are not available

Premier League Cup

Chelsea v Brentford @12pm - if you can't get a ticket for the above, then you could head to Kingsmeadow for this U21 game instead. Not nearly as big an occasion as the NLD, it's still a derby and, if you're driving or even cycling, you should have just enough time to travel the eight miles to Actonians' match at Bedfont Sports at 3pm to do a double. Tickets are £7

SCEFL Premier

Stansfeld v Kennington @3pm - with their landlords Cray Valley PM hosting an FA Cup tie on Saturday, Stansfeld have had to move their ninth-tier game to Sunday. Both teams are in the bottom four so we appear to have an early season six-pointer on our hands. Tickets will be available on the gate

FAWNL Plate Preliminary Round

Actonians v Abingdon United @3pm - after fielding a young side and losing to London Bees in the Determining Round, the A's have ended up playing in the lesser Plate competition rather than the League Cup. That loss was the only one they've suffered so far and they come into this on the back of an impressive 4-0 derby win over QPR. The visitors, who hail from Oxfordshire, play in a parallel fourth-tier division but haven't begun quite as well. If Actonians play a full-strength team then they should start as favourites. This match is being played at Bedfont Sports rather than their normal home at Rectory Park. Tickets are £5 

FAWNL Division 1 South East

Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Cambridge United @2pm - unless they receive an influx of quality players soon, it looks as if the Tangerines will be heading out of the league. With four losses from four games and 19 goals conceded, it's looking bleak for the west London club. Cambridge are sitting snugly in midtable and should start as strong favourites. With groundworks scheduled to begin at their home ground shortly, this match has been moved to Hanworth Villa. Tickets will be available on the gate

QPR v London Seaward @2pm - somewhat surprisingly, the only other team in the division without a win and sitting in the relegation zone are the R's. At one point during the summer, rumours abounded that the club were going to spend some serious money on their women's team and really push for promotion. Sadly that hasn't transpired and despite some reasonable signings, the new management team have yet to get a tune out of them. Seaward haven't fared much better and are just above them in the table - therefore this is a big one for both. This is being played at Hayes & Yeading United and tickets will be available on the gate

ERWFL Premier

Haringey Borough v Watford LFC @2pm - in the fifth tier the hosts should be ones to watch in the title race to win this division. Third behind Real Bedford and Luton Town last season, it looks like the main challenge will come from Royston Town this year. The visitors, who are not affiliated to the men's team, are new to this level after promotion and will do well to get anything at Coles Park. Tickets will be available on the gate

L&SE Women's Regional League Division 1 North

Dulwich Hamlet Reserves v Brentford @2pm - the standout clash in the sixth tier sees the top two meet in south-east London. Both have 100% records coming into this game but the Bees have a much better goal difference. A large part of this is down to their signing of Ashley Cheatley from fourth tier Ashford Town. I'm not going to hide my distaste for how Brentford are going about things this season. Despite having more resources at their disposal than the other 11 teams put together, they still failed to win the title last season. Rather than sack their coaching team, they've decided to pay some players and effectively buy their way out of a league full of amateur clubs. If I was the coach, I'd feel pretty humiliated. What's even worse is the fact that they're celebrating every win like they've just beaten Chelsea which, in my opinion, shows very little class. If you're going to pay your way out, do it by all means, but realise you've ruined the league for the year, get on with it and don't shout about it too much. To show just how desperate Brentford look for doing this and what level they're playing at, this match is being played on a park pitch - I hope Dulwich stuff them!

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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