Welcome one and all to this week's TLFG.
As I write this, it's Monday morning, it's raining steadily outside and I'm about to meet up with blog reader Liam B to go on the latest of my A-Z of football club runs.
Today we're doing F and rather than just run to Fulham which is local to both of us, we've decided to meet at Craven Cottage and then attempt to run along the river to Fisher who play in Rotherhithe.
I'm not certain of the mileage but he's capable of ultramarathon distance and I did my half two weeks ago so let's see what happens.
Back on the football-watching front, I managed two games last week.
First up I went to Loftus Road on Tuesday to see QPR U21s narrowly lose 1-0 to their counterparts from Bristol City in what was a pretty entertaining game.
Then on Sunday, I made my first visit to Rectory Park since February to see Actonians play Dartford in their crucial Women's FA Cup Third Round Qualifying match.
I say crucial because the prize money on offer is substantial and makes a huge difference to clubs, particularly independent women's ones like the A's.
Sunday's tie was worth £4,000 to the winners and Dartford, from the division below, stood in the way.
The gap between the fourth tier and decent fifth tier sides like the Darts is small and they appear to be clearly well resourced, turning up with enough subs and support staff to fill two benches.
The Kent club were a big, physical side who asserted themselves well and saw a goal ruled out for offside shortly before Actonians took the lead.
Jennie Brereton's ball into the box found the onrushing Dior Knorr who rounded the keeper and finished well.
The teenage striker who joined in the summer has been a revelation and is well clear in the race for the club's golden boot already.
Thereafter it was pretty much Dartford who dominated things.
German goalkeeper Elisa Dogor, who got hitched on Saturday, pulled off some fine saves to keep them out before Knorr scored a second with 12 minutes to got after a fine through ball from Kat Turner.
This visibly lifted the pressure and although around nine minutes of time were added on at the end, Actonians held on for the win and the money.
Right, I've got to get myself to Craven Cottage - have a great week.
THE WEEK AHEAD
With the international break now over, we've got a full Premier League and EFL programme to look forward to.
Aside from that, we also have games in the Women's Champions League, National League, Isthmian League, Southern League and a load of ties in the First Round of the FA Vase.
On Sunday there are a few men's non-league games but it's mainly about women's football with the WSL and FAWNL League Cup taking centre stage.
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.
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 14 October
Middlesex Premier Cup First Round
Hillingdon Borough v CB Hounslow & Abbots @730pm - the hosts don't get mentioned in here all that often, largely because they've had a pretty lean last few years. Finishing in the CCL Division 1's bottom four in two of the last three seasons, there hasn't been much to shout about. This year has seen a much brighter start, currently seventh and with games in hand on most of those above them, things look promising. On Monday, they play a side from the level below them in the opening round of this cup competition and should start as favourites
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Tuesday 15 October
Professional Development League
Charlton Athletic v Ipswich Town @1pm - this lunchtime U21 game ensures the possibility of being able to do a 'double' on Tuesday. Being played at Dartford's ground, you'll have more than enough time to get to second match later in the day. As for this game, the Addicks are currently top of Group South in this league, whilst Ipswich are five points behind in fourth. Tickets should be available on the gate for no more than £5
Kent Senior Cup Second Round
Bromley v Dartford @745pm - when I started writing this blog in the 2011/12 season, these two were both in the sixth tier and enjoying some decent derby games. Thirteen years later, three divisions now separate them following two promotions for the Ravens and one relegation for the Darts. Now in the EFL, it's good to see Bromley still entering this competition and hosting games. On paper they should win but I'd expect a fair few youngsters to be given a go which should even things up a bit.
Tickets
Southern League Premier South
Walton & Hersham v Gosport Borough @745pm - fourth and with a game in hand on the top three, the Swans are the top TLFG club in this in this seventh-tier division. On Tuesday they welcome a Gosport side who are towards the wrong end of the division but have a couple of games in hand after a fine run in the FA Cup. Sadly that run came to an end at Wealdstone on Saturday but they'll hope to now refocus and get on with the task of climbing the table. Tickets will be available on the gate for £12
London Senior Cup Second Round
Harrow Borough v QPR U21 @745pm - it's a big night at Earlsmead and at TLFG Towers where my favourite non-league and pro clubs meet in a competitive game. Harrow required an injury-time equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw against Leatherhead on Saturday, a result which kept them second in the Isthmian South Central. The R's U21 side have been shambolic at times this season but also quite hard to predict. Over the course of a week last month, they lost 6-0 to Sheffield United on the Tuesday, won 7-0 against Preston on the Friday and lost 6-0 to Burnley the following Tuesday. Things have become a bit steadier since then but it's hard to know what kind of side is going to turn up. Tickets are £10 on the gate
Middlesex Senior Cup
Northwood v Brentford U21 @745pm - bar one drawn game, the hosts have lost every match they've played so far this season so it's unsurprising to see them bottom of their eighth-tier division and on the hunt for a new manager. On Tuesday they welcome a young Bees side who take this competition very seriously. They've made two of the last four finals, winning one and losing the other on penalties. It could be another tough night for the Southern League club. Tickets are £10 on the gate
Isthmian League South Central
Raynes Park Vale v Farnham Town @745pm - Tuesday also gives you a chance to take a look at the mighty Farnham who already look set to achieve another promotion after running away with the CCL Premier South last season. Top of this eighth-tier division and having already thrashed second-placed Harrow, they next take their unbeaten record to Grand Drive. RPV finished just short of a play-off spot last season but they're up in the top six again and should be able to pose the leaders a few challenging questions. Tickets are £10 on the gate
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Wednesday 16 October
UEFA Women's Champions League
Arsenal v Valerenga @8pm - Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall has just had a week to forget. A 0-0 draw at home to struggling Everton followed by losses to Bayern Munich and biggest rivals Chelsea has left them in some difficulty. On Wednesday they welcome one of Norway's top clubs to the Emirates for what can only be described as a must-win game. Valerenga are well clear at the summit of the Toppserien but did lose 1-0 to Juventus in their last Champions League game last week.
Tickets
Essex Senior League
Woodford Town v White Ensign @745pm - if you'd prefer a men's game instead then I'd recommend a trip to north-east London where the hosts will look to win one of their games in hand and go top of the division. Woodford lost out in the play-offs last season and will hope to go one better this time. White Ensign, who hail from Southend, are in midtable and should be beaten
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Thursday 17 October
L&SE Women's League D1 North
Clapton CFC v Hackney @745pm - the pick of the action on Thursday takes place at the Old Spotted Dog which is the oldest football ground in London. It's also an east London derby so should be well worth a watch. Likely to be the last game under lights at this venue before the end of the year, CCFC usually draw excellent crowds for this level so there should be a decent atmosphere. The merchandise stall is also well worth a visit too. Suggested entry to women's games is £5 but there's a concessionary 'Pay What You Want' offer for a large group of people including local residents, trade union members, the unemployed and refugees - have a look at the full
list to see if you qualify
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Friday 18 October
Premier League International Cup
Crystal Palace v Sporting Lisbon @7pm - get your weekend underway by watching some of Europe's up-and-coming talent at Selhurst Park in this U21 game. The Eagles won this competition last year and made the final the year before that. They began the defence of their title with a draw against Real Sociedad in their opening group game so they'll hope for a win here. This will be Sporting's first game of their campaign.
Tickets
Essex Senior League Cup
Romford v Stanway Rovers @745pm - there are also several non-league games on Friday with this the best of what's on offer. The hosts had a great season last year which saw them make the play-offs and win the FA Vase at Wembley. The top of the ESL is really tight at the moment with only three points between first and fifth. Romford and Stanway are both in this leading group so we could have quite a match on our hands here. This match is being played at Barking and tickets will be available on the gate for £8
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Previews for 19 & 20 October to follow
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.
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!
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