Greetings one and all and welcome to TLFG's Christmas and New Year Special - I can't believe it's that time of year again.
Below you will find match maps for the next two weeks showing where to find all the men's matches in the top 11 levels of the game and all the women's ones in the top eight.
At the moment I've written previews up until this Friday 28 December and I'll endeavour to write some up-to-date ones for the weekend once Boxing Day is out of the way.
Interestingly, the games are quite spread out with only a few leagues having games on Boxing Day whilst others are only playing on weekends as usual.
There's no Premier League or EFL football in London this Saturday so it's a great opportunity to explore the scores of great non-league clubs which inhabit the city instead.
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| Barnet could go top if they beat Sutton United on Boxing Day - tickets |
Sunday 29 December is when you'll be able to see the capital's top clubs with four Premier League and four EFL games scheduled for then.
I had great hopes of watching one or two games last week but I ended up seeing none.
Midweek football when you're on early shifts and have a young family is a challenge, with games on my doorstep at QPR the only really viable option and there weren't any this week.
On Saturday I was fairly certain I would go to watch the R's against Preston and a free ticket was forthcoming but I didn't as the opportunity to donate blood platelets and plasma came up instead.
For various reasons, donations fall at this time of year but the need doesn't as people still have accidents, fall unwell, have traumatic births or need ongoing treatment for a whole range of conditions.
Donation centres are open every day except Christmas itself so if you've got a couple of hours free, think about saving someone's life or making it a lot better - more info here.
Aside from that, Non-League Day 2025 planning continued with a catch-up meeting with charity partners Prostate Cancer UK.
I also had a chat with some of the team at Athletic Bilbao who provided me with a list of English clubs they want to work with on the day.
There's still loads to do and only three months to go but it keeps me going and I love it!
I'm hoping to make my first trip of the season to Harrow Borough on Boxing Day when they host local rivals Hayes & Yeading United in a derby.
Where will you be headed?
With one game kicking off at 11am it will be possible to see two games on Thursday but be aware that most National Rail services including the Elizabeth Line and large sections of London Overground will not be running but Tube and bus services should be fine - full details here.
THE WEEK AHEAD
The highlights of the next two weeks include games in the Premier League, EFL, National League and loads of other matches in our local non-league and women's competitions.
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.
MATCH MAP 23-27 DECEMBER
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Thursday fixtures - purple pin
Friday fixtures - black pin
TLFG DAILY DIGESTIn the following section I list, by day, 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 23 December
Isthmian League North
Friday fixtures - black pin
MATCH MAP 28-29 DECEMBER
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
MATCH MAP 30 DECEMBER-3 JANUARY
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Monday fixtures - yellow pin
Wednesday fixtures - turquoise pin
Friday fixtures - black pin
MATCH MAP 4-5 JANUARY
Saturday fixtures - blue pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
Sunday fixtures - orange pin
TLFG DAILY DIGEST
Monday 23 December
Isthmian League North
Walthamstow v Haringey Borough @745pm - all eyes turn towards Wadham Lodge on Monday as the Christmas feast of football gets underway with this north London derby in the eighth tier. Sadly neither side are pushing for the title but with two games in hand, the 'Stow could well get themselves into the play-off race. Haringey suffered relegation from the Isthmian Premier last season and are in the bottom three again so they badly need to get something here. Tickets are £10 on the gate
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Thursday 26 December
Premier League
Thursday 26 December
Premier League
Chelsea v Fulham @3pm - the biggest game of Boxing Day is this derby between two very near neighbours at Stamford Bridge. Both sides come into this on the back of disappointing 0-0 draws with Everton and Southampton respectively. Despite this, the clubs are having good seasons with the Blues in second and the Cottagers challenging for a top-eight finish. The smart money in these games is always on Chelsea as they have utterly dominated these derbies in recent years, losing just once in 25 games. Tickets have sold out but if you're absolutely loaded, hospitality packages are still available from £950!
Championship
Watford v Portsmouth @3pm - Saturday's 2-1 loss at Burnley left the Hornets one point and one position outside the play-off places. On Thursday they face one of the division's bottom five but it could be tougher than a first glance might suggest as Pompey are side on the up. With 11 points from six games, they're in much improved form and their 4-1 thrashing of Coventry on Saturday showed what they're capable of. Interestingly, the sides haven't met at Vicarage Road since 2011 and on that occasion, Watford won 2-0. Tickets
League One
Leyton Orient v Crawley Town @1pm - in one of the day's earlier kick-offs, the O's will be looking to pick up their fourth win in five matches. Although down in 15th, they're only six points off the all-important top six so they've still got plenty to play for. Sussex club Crawley saw their recent run of good results end at Peterborough United and they'll arrive at Brisbane Road in the bottom four. Tickets
Charlton Athletic v Cambridge United @3pm - we've got a very similar match-up at The Valley where the midtable Addicks host a relegation-threatened side. Nathan Jones' team gave their fans an early Christmas present by beating Northampton Town 5-0 on Saturday, a result which leaves them only four points adrift of the play-off spots. Charlton are also unbeaten in nine games against Cambridge, with their last defeat coming way back in 1992. Tickets
League Two
AFC Wimbledon v Swindon Town @3pm - the Dons missed the chance to move into the top three on Saturday as they narrowly lost to promotion rivals Chesterfield. On Boxing Day they have a great opportunity to make amends as they play a troubled Swindon side who've spent most of the season at the wrong end of the table. However, they pulled off an impressive 3-1 win over Grimsby Town to send them into Christmas in the best of spirits. Tickets
Bromley v Newport County @3pm - the Ravens struggled to get to grips with life in the EFL in the opening months of the season following their promotion but now they've hit some form. Unbeaten in seven games and up to 13th, things are looking promising. Welsh club Newport are only a point behind and unbeaten in five themselves so this could be close. Tickets
National League
Barnet v Sutton United @3pm - the Bees lost top spot on Saturday as they could only draw with Halifax. Still level on points with new leaders York City, there's no need to panic. It's a different story for fellow Londoners Sutton though who are now winless in three and down to 13th after losing to Tamworth on Saturday. These two haven't played since 2021 and that occasion, Barnet won 2-0. Tickets
Dagenham & Redbridge v Braintree Town @3pm - the Daggers' mini revival came off the rails at struggling Wealdstone on Sunday as they were soundly beaten 3-0. They'll hope for much better against another one of the strugglers who make the journey down from northern Essex. Tickets
National League South
Aveley v Hornchurch @1pm - as we descend into the lower tiers, the number of derbies increases. The first being this one on the far east of town. Both of these sides were playing in the Isthmian League for years but now they're both in the sixth tier and usually draw a decent crowd for games like this. After a superb first season at this level, the hosts are really struggling this year and find themselves seven points adrift of safety coming into this. The Urchins won promotion at the end of last season and are 13th, well clear of the drop zone. Will the Millers enjoy a Christmas miracle? Head to Parkside to find out. Tickets
Enfield Town v Boreham Wood @3pm - the Towners came up with Hornchurch but have found the step up far more challenging. Level on points with Aveley in the bottom four, things are looking bleak for the north London side. Here they face local rivals who are unbeaten in 10 games and third in the league - an away win looks likely. Tickets
Isthmian League Premier
Cray Valley PM v Chatham Town @3pm - the game of the day in the seventh tier for me takes place at the Artic Stadium. CVPM won the Isthmian South East title last season and had a memorable run in the FA Cup which saw them take local EFL side Charlton Athletic to a replay. They've taken to this new level like ducks to water and find themselves in second after winning 4-2 at Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday. The Chats lost in the play-offs last season and after a slow start are back in the top six again. The hosts are five points behind leaders Dover but have a game in hand so a win here could be huge. A big crowd is expected, so much so that you will have to buy tickets in advance - there will be no sales on the day
Isthmian League South Central
Harrow Borough v Hayes & Yeading United @3pm - in the eighth tier, this local derby tops the bill. For more years than I can remember, Harrow have always played Hendon on Boxing Day but following last season's historic relegation they're now in different divisions so another old rival gets to visit. H&YU also suffered relegation to this level last season and the two are neck-and-neck just outside the play-off places coming into this. If all goes according to plan, this is where I'm planning to spend the day. Tickets are £10 on the gate
SCFL Division 1
Chessington & Hook United v Banstead Athletic @11am - if you want to see at least two games on Boxing Day then you're lucky enough to have this early kick-off in the 10th tier. Both sides are knocking around in midtable but it is a groundshare derby so should be worth a watch for that reason alone. Given the game should be finished by 1pm, you should be able to make quite a few of the 3pm kick-offs but Kingstonian and Walton & Hersham are closest. Tickets will be available on the gate
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Friday 27 December
Premier League
Arsenal v Ipswich Town @815pm - the Gunners warmed up for this game by emphatically beating Crystal Palace 5-1 at Selhurst Park to stay third. Conversely, the Tractor Boys ended up on the wrong end of a big deficit as they lost 4-0 at home to Newcastle to go second bottom. The newly promoted side are going to have to do something special to stay up and something even more spectacular to win here. Their last league triumph over Arsenal in north London was in 1979. Tickets are only available to members whilst hospitality packages are available from £695
Premier League
Arsenal v Ipswich Town @815pm - the Gunners warmed up for this game by emphatically beating Crystal Palace 5-1 at Selhurst Park to stay third. Conversely, the Tractor Boys ended up on the wrong end of a big deficit as they lost 4-0 at home to Newcastle to go second bottom. The newly promoted side are going to have to do something special to stay up and something even more spectacular to win here. Their last league triumph over Arsenal in north London was in 1979. Tickets are only available to members whilst hospitality packages are available from £695
Essex Senior League
Woodford Town v Buckhurst Hill @745pm - the non-league pick of the night is the Roding Valley Derby in north-east London. These clubs are located just two stops apart on the Central Line so Ashtons should be well worth a visit as the hosts look to go top with a win. Tickets are £7 on the gate
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Saturday 28 December
Isthmian League Premier
Cray Wanderers v Hendon @3pm - the top six levels all had games on Boxing Day and have decided they need more time to recover but not so the teams in the Isthmian League and Southern League who are out again after only one day's rest. There aren't any obvious standout games in the seventh tier so I recommend you head south-east to watch London's oldest club as they welcome the Greens to their new ground. They're on level points in lower midtable and with only one defeat in six, it's Cray who should start as favourites. Tickets
Isthmian League South Central
Uxbridge v Kingstonian @3pm - there's a much more mouthwatering contest to consider in the eighth tier where the team in third host the side in second. Farnham Town are currently seven points clear at the top but the second-placed K's have two games in hand and are still in contention if they keep the wins coming. Although Uxbridge also have a game in hand, they're 12 points back so making sure of a play-off spot would seem to be their main priority. Tickets are a very reasonable £5 on the gate
CCL Premier South
Balham v Tooting & Mitcham United @3pm - in the ninth tier there aren't any top-of-the-table clashes so it's all about the derbies. The first of which is this all-south London affair at Imperial Fields. Geographically, Balham and Tooting are neighbouring areas that are just one stop apart on the Northern Line so it should be no surprise to learn that they groundshare. In this particular game it's the tenants who are at home but they're struggling and down in the bottom two. The Terrors, on the other hand, are pottering around in midtable and are the more likely to come out on top. Tickets will be available on the gate for £8
Essex Senior League
Barking v Romford @3pm - there's another groundshare derby between two local rivals in east London too. This one should be closer than the one above as only a point separate them. Romford, the tenants, are just ahead in sixth but the Blues have a game in hand as the two battle to get into the play-off places. Tickets are £10 on the gate
SCEFL Division 1
SOUL Tower Hamlets v Clapton CFC @3pm - there's another derby on the east side of town where the teams in fifth and seventh in this 10th-tier division meet at the Mile End Stadium. There's only two points between them but the home team also have two games in hand on CCFC. The visitors are one of the best supported teams anywhere in the country at this level and usually generate a great atmosphere. Tickets are £7 on the gate
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Sunday 29 December
Premier League
Crystal Palace v Southampton @3pm - there's a bumper programme of top-flight action on Sunday. The Eagles picked up a decent point at Bournemouth on Boxing Day meaning that they've now only lost one of their last eight. Sadly, half of those games have been draws so they're still only three points above the relegation zone. With only one win all season, the Saints are rock bottom and in real trouble but now have new manager Ivan Juric in charge so it will be interesting to see how they do. Tickets are only available to members
Fulham v AFC Bournemouth @3pm - on the west side of town, two of the division's surprise packages meet at Craven Cottage. The Cottagers created all the headlines on Thursday when they came from behind to beat old rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time since the '70s. The Cherries are doing even better. Up in sixth, they've enjoyed wins over the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United this season but they haven't won here since 2018. A tiny amount of tickets were available but they many have gone by the time you read this
Tottenham Hotspur v Wolverhampton Wanderers @3pm - with only three wins from their last 10 games in all competitions, Spurs are down to 11th and the pressure's really building on boss Ange Postecoglou. Wolves were really struggling to get away from the bottom three so they dispensed with the services of Gary O'Neil. He's been replaced by former Porto, Fenerbahce and Olympiakos boss Vitor Pereira who's made an immediate impact, winning his first two games to lift them out of the relegation zone. Tickets are only available to members and hospitality packages have sold out
West Ham United v Liverpool @515pm - now unbeaten in four, the Hammers are up to 13th and well clear of the drop zone. However, they'll have to be at their best on Sunday as leaders Liverpool pay them a visit. They've only won one of the last eight home games against the Reds and got thrashed 5-1 at Anfield in September when they exited the EFL Cup. As with Fulham above, a tiny number of tickets are available via the club's official re-sale exchange
Championship
Watford v Cardiff City @3pm - the Hornets grabbed an injury-time winner over struggling Portsmouth on Boxing Day to move into the top six. The Bluebirds, on the other hand, are having a campaign to forget, With only four wins from 22 games, it's no surprise to find them in the bottom two. Interestingly, they've won on their last three visits to Vicarage Road so there is some hope. Tickets
League One
Charlton Athletic v Wycombe Wanderers @1230pm - the Addicks built on their 5-0 drubbing of Northampton Town just before Christmas with a 2-1 triumph over Cambridge United on Boxing Day. Up to 11th, they're now only four points adrift of the play-off places. Make no mistake though, the visiting Chairboys should be very tough opponents. Currently second, they're in a title fight with Birmingham City and Wrexham who have far bigger budgets but they're more than holding their own. Tickets
Leyton Orient v Cambridge United @3pm - a couple of points behind Charlton, the O's are actually in better form and building some momentum. They've managed four wins from their last five, with the 4-0 win at promotion-chasing Barnsley the most eye-catching result. The struggling U's are back in London for the second time in three days and desperate for a win to boost their fight against relegation. Tickets
League Two
Bromley v Swindon Town @1230pm - in the day's other early game, the rapidly improving Ravens will be hoping to break into the top 10. Their impressive 5-2 win over Newport County on Thursday took their unbeaten run to eight games. Swindon are in real turmoil off the pitch but with only one defeat in four, they've hauled themselves out of the relegation zone. Tickets
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Monday 30 December
League Two
AFC Wimbledon v Gillingham @8pm - there's only one game on today but it's a decent one in the fourth tier. At the time of writing (Sunday morning), the Dons are fifth and potentially just a win away from going second. However, with most teams in their division playing on Sunday, things could change a lot by the time this kicks off. The table is tight and it's possible that they could slip four places if results go against them. The Gills are a midtable side from Kent who haven't really threatened to do anything since their relegation to this level at the end of 2021/22. Given it's a relatively short and straightforward journey, they should be expected to bring a reasonable amount of fans. A survey earlier this year found they were rated the second 'most popular' away supporters by rival League Two fans - I know at least one person who would strongly disagree! Tickets
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Wednesday 1 January
Premier League
Brentford v Arsenal @530pm - as one of the smallest clubs in the division, the Bees are still punching well above their weight. Although winless in three, they're 12th and above Manchester United. Since beating the Gunners in one of their first ever Premier League games in 2021, they've failed to win any of the following six matches against them. Brentford have the second best home record in the league and were unbeaten there until just before Christmas when Nottingham Forest took all three points. Arsenal have won on their last three visits and haven't conceded a goal, so you'd expect another tough evening for the hosts. Tickets are only available to members
Championship
QPR v Watford @1230pm - roughly fifteen miles separate these clubs, I know I did a club charity walk between them in 2011, so it's seen as a bit of a derby. It doesn't feel like it, but over the course of history, it's the R's who have dominated with 52 wins to Watford's 35. However, on current form that is not the case as the Hornets are unbeaten in three against the club from W12. The sides last met at the end of November and ground out a 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road. On paper, Watford are the better side and a win here could put them fifth. Tickets
Millwall v Oxford United @1pm - half an hour later on the south-east side of town, the Lions will go in search of their first win of the Christmas period after picking up only one point from their festive matches against Norwich and Coventry. Still without a permanent manager following the departure of Neil Harris, the table would suggest they've got a decent chance of a win here as Oxford are in the bottom five. However, former Millwall boss Gary Rowett has recently taken over at the Kassam Stadium and won his first two. Tickets
National League
Sutton United v Aldershot Town @3pm - with all our local League One and League Two clubs playing away, the focus next moves to the fifth tier. Following their relegation from the EFL, it's increasingly looking like this is becoming a season of consolidation for Sutton. Down in 12th, the south London side are really struggling for consistency and seem trapped in the midtable doldrums. All is not lost though as the play-off places are only five points away - they just need to build and keep some momentum. The Shots are more concerned with beating the drop. Only a point above the bottom four, they need every win they can get. Tickets
Wealdstone v Boston United @3pm - with both sides fighting relegation, we've got a six-pointer at Grosvenor Vale. The Stones are just about keeping their heads above water but with only one win in five, only goal difference is keeping them out of the drop zone. The Pilgrims are finding life very tough following promotion and come into 2025 eight points adrift of safety. Tickets
National League South
Boreham Wood v Slough Town @3pm - Luke Garrard's side are in cracking form at the moment with their Boxing Day win over Enfield Town leaving them just a point behind leaders Torquay United. In my head, I perceive the Rebels to be one of the sides who should be right up there too but the records show that they've never really challenged since joining this division in 2018. They're far more commonly found around midtable, finishing 11th last season and that's where they start this match too. I was also surprised to discover that this will be the first league meeting between the two since 2006-07. Back then, both clubs were fighting relegation to the eighth tier. The Wood did a spectacular double over Slough winning the two games 10-0 on aggregate to stay up, whilst the Berkshire side eventually finished bottom. Tickets
Southern League Premier South
Chertsey Town v Walton & Hersham @3pm - my game of the day in the seventh tier is this big local derby in Surrey. Both have enjoyed promotion to this level in the last couple of years and the games between them have drawn big crowds - 1,143 attended the reverse fixture in August which the Swans won 3-2. Still very much in the hunt for a play-off place, it's the visitors who will start as favourites. Tickets
Isthmian League South Central
Raynes Park Vale v Kingstonian @3pm - this groundshare derby was a very easy pick in the eighth tier. Not only do they use the same stadium but the sides are both in the mix for promotion. After spending most of last season in the top five, RPV fell agonisingly short and saw Westfield claim the final play-off place instead. The K's ended the campaign getting relegated to this level and then moving to Grand Drive at the beginning of this season, making it their fourth home since leaving Kingsmeadow in 2017. They're currently second but lost 4-2 when the sides last played in August - hopefully we'll get another load of goals here. Tickets are £10 on the gate
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Friday 3 January
Essex Senior League
Woodford Town v Stanway Rovers @745pm - the standout fixture on Friday night features Woodford again. Last week they took on Buckhurst Hill in the Roding Valley Derby but only managed a 2-2 draw which saw them lose ground on the leaders. The top club in question are Stanway Rovers so this game is about as big as it gets in this division. The visitors are currently five points clear but Woodford have two games in hand - the stakes are high. Tickets will be available on the gate for £7
Romford v Takeley @745pm - elsewhere in the division there's also a decent looking game between two of the top seven. The hosts lost their derby with Barking on Saturday to slip five points adrift of the play-off places. Takeley had no such problems as they crushed Sawbridgeworth 6-0 away on Boxing Day to move a point behind Woodford. If the hosts are to challenge for promotion, you feel they have to win games like this. Tickets are £8 on the gate
CCL Premier North
Harefield United v Hilltop @730pm - if you want a bargain elsewhere in the ninth tier, the Hare are offering half-price entry of £4. Currently ninth, a place in the top five is only six points away and they've got games in hand on all of those above them so they've got a great chance. Hilltop used to be covered by this blog but they've moved their games out of London so don't appear here as often. They're a club with roots in the Somali community and they could do with a few more points to get well clear of the relegation zone
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Saturday 4 January
Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United @1230pm - Spurs' disappointments continued on Sunday as they conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 with struggling Wolves. With only one win in seven league games, their chances of re-qualifying for Europe are diminishing. It's a different story for the Magpies who have hit a rich vein of form with four consecutive wins propelling them into the top five. They've also won four of their last five games against Tottenham so the smart money would appear to be on them. Whatever happens there should be goals. Despite their recent struggles, Ange Postecoglou's side are second only to leaders Liverpool in the scoring charts. Tickets are only available to members and hospitality packages have sold out
Crystal Palace v Chelsea @3pm - the Eagles found the early part of the season to be quite a challenge but one of the highs was a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in September. Over the last few weeks they appear to have got some of their mojo back and have become the most in-form team in the bottom half with 11 points from six games. Aside from that draw, their record against the Blues is atrocious, losing the last 14 prior to this season. Their last win was at Selhurst Park in 2017. Chelsea were flying until just before Christmas. After thrashing Shamrock Rovers in the Conference League, they then surprisingly drew with Everton and lost to Fulham and Ipswich. Normally this would be an away banker but I'm not so sure now. Tickets are only available to members and hospitality appears to have sold out
Championship
Watford v Sheffield United @3pm - the festive period offered the Hornets the chance of breaking into the top six and starting to establish themselves there. An injury-time winner over struggling Portsmouth saw things start reasonably if unconvincingly but they then lost back-to-back games against Cardiff and QPR who were also hanging out towards the wrong end of the table. Consequently they're down to eighth but are still only two points adrift of the play-off places. The Blades are third and focused on getting an automatic promotion place but they are winless in three and having a bit of a wobble themselves. Also, Vicarage Road is not a happy hunting ground for the Yorkshire club - they haven't won here since 2009. Tickets
League One
Charlton Athletic v Reading @3pm - three wins on the bounce have given Addicks fans hope of challenging for a play-off spot but they just can't break free of midtable. Still 11th and six points shy of sixth, they need to keep the momentum going if they're to keep up. The Royals have had all kinds of well documented off-pitch problems but they're somehow managing to remain competitive. Also on a three game winning run, they're fifth. The Berkshire club also won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in August. Tickets
Leyton Orient v Shrewsbury Town @3pm - a few miles to north on the other side of the Thames, the O's are in even better form and moved ahead of Charlton, whose game at Crawley was postponed, with a 3-2 win at Bristol Rovers on Wednesday. With six wins from seven games, Richie Wellens' side are flying. They'll start as strong favourites against relegation threatened Shrewsbury too but the Shropshire side have become a lot harder to beat in recent weeks following the appointment of former QPR and Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth. Tickets
FA Trophy Fourth Round
This national knockout competition for clubs in the fifth to eighth tiers with its final at Wembley is down to its last 32 teams. The draw is no longer regionalised with the winners of each tie receiving £5,250 and the losers £1,500. There are two ties in London:
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Spennymoor Town @3pm - one of the most eye-catching ties of the round sees the Moors having to make a round trip of more than 500 miles as they travel all the way down from County Durham to the Beveree. Both sides play in parallel sixth-tier divisions and both are in midtable which should hopefully make it a good contest. The hosts set a club record last season by getting to the Fifth Round so they'll be looking to at least match that, whilst Spennymoor have made it to the quarter-finals before. The visitors also won the FA Vase in 2013. Tickets
Sutton United v Tamworth @3pm - in the other tie, two fifth-tier clubs meet at Gander Green Lane. The U's are most famous for their great runs in the FA Cup but they were also runners-up in this back in 1981. They scraped past Ebbsfleet on penalties in the last round and now face a Tamworth team who may have their eyes on a rather bigger game next weekend. Wins over EFL sides Huddersfield and Burton have set up an FA Cup Third Round tie with Tottenham which no player will want to miss. Will they put less into those tackles against Sutton to avoid injury and suspension??? Let's see. Tickets
UPDATE - MATCH OFF
Southern League Premier South
Walton & Hersham v AFC Totton @3pm - after the disappointment of seeing their derby at Chertsey postponed on Wednesday, the play-off chasing Swans prepare to welcome title-chasing Totton for this seventh-tier game. The Stags, who hail from the Southampton area, are a club with ambition. With former Premier League striker Charlie Austin signing at the start of the season, they've been pulling in crowds of over 1,500 as they've pushed Merthyr Town for top spot. Currently seven points behind but with two crucial games in hand, it's still all to play for. When the sides last met in August, it was the Hampshire club who edged to a 1-0 win. Tickets
Isthmian League South Central
Kingstonian v Farnham Town @3pm - the match of the day in the eighth tier was an easy pick as it features the top two in this division. The K's have had a turbulent time for several years and have been constantly on the move since losing their tenancy at Kingsmeadow in 2017. Now groundsharing at Raynes Park Vale, they've had a bit of managerial instability this season but have steadied the ship and got themselves up to second. To be honest, they're probably unlikely to get any higher as the visitors are so good. Incredibly well financed, Farnham are climbing the divisions rapidly and they come into this match 10 points clear. However, Kingstonian have two games in hand so if they win those and this then the lead will be down to just one. If Farnham are to blow the title, you feel a hell of a lot will hinge on this game. Tickets are £10 on the gate
SSML Premier
Cockfosters v Biggleswade United @3pm - as one of only two London clubs competing in this ninth-tier division, Cockfosters don't get a lot of coverage. Maybe it's to their advantage to stay under the radar as they're doing really well. Up in second, they look like certainties to make the play-offs at the very least. The visitors are in fourth but because they've played more games than the teams immediately below them, they'll have to keep winning to stay in contention. Interesting fact - Spanish football expert Guillem Balague is chairman of Biggleswade United. Tickets are £10 on the gate
UPDATE - MATCH OFF
CCL Division 1
Westside v Penn & Tylers Green @3pm - there's a top-two clash in the 10th tier too. Westside identify as a Christian club who play their games at Colliers Wood United's ground. They've only been playing at this level since 2019 and have never previously managed a higher finish than 11th so it's some surprise to see them challenging this time. Although only two points behind P&TG, who come from Buckinghamshire, they've played three games more so they really need to win this if they are to be regarded as serious title contenders. I can't find any admission prices but it should be under £10
UPDATE - MATCH OFF
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Sunday 5 January
Premier League
Fulham v Ipswich Town @2pm - the Cottagers conceded a late equaliser against Bournemouth last time out as they missed the chance to move level on points with Manchester City. Next up they face an Ipswich side who've been in the bottom three pretty much from the off. With only three wins all season, the newly promoted side have had it tough. However, two of those wins have come in the last four games, with the latest against a fine Chelsea side. Fulham are unbeaten in eight against the Suffolk club and haven't lost at home to them since 2015 so they should still start as favourites. Tickets are available
FAWNL Southern Premier
AFC Wimbledon v Cheltenham Town @2pm - playing their first season in the third tier following promotion, the Dons' women will be looking primarily to consolidate and establish themselves at this level and that appears to be exactly what they're doing. Sitting pretty in sixth, the one promotion place appears to be well out of reach but relegation is an even more distant prospect so they should be pretty happy. The visitors are in the bottom four but with only two going down, they're probably safe too. Wimbledon won the reverse fixture 3-0 in September so you'd have to fancy them again here. This is being played at Raynes Park Vale. Tickets
Watford v Lewes @2pm - it's a very similar story for Watford who are on level points with Wimbledon. In their case, though, they're consolidating after relegation from the second tier which is something they might not be quite so content with. Lewes came down with them and they're just two points behind in seventh so this could be quite close. This is being played at Wealdstone. Tickets
FAWNL Division 1 South East
Actonians v AFC Sudbury @2pm - both these sides begin 2025 in a far better position than many would've expected. With a new management team, very different squad and tiny budget, to find the A's up in third is a bit of surprise to fans and neutrals alike. Suffolk club Sudbury finished third from bottom last season as they made their debut at this level. They're now fifth but have games in hand on all above them which would put them right in the mix if they were to win them. The two fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw in September which saw Actonians denied a last-minute winner by an off-the-ball-foul. This is being played at Rectory Park in Northolt and it's where I plan to be. Tickets are available online in advance or it's £5 cash only on the gate.There will also be a printed programme
London Bees v Chatham Town @2pm - two of the top four meet at The Hive complex. After a shaky start, following relegation, the Bees have improved considerably. Unbeaten in six, they've become a much tougher side and are up to fourth. The Chats are top of the form table and second but their winning run came to an end against Actonians just before Christmas when they could only manage a 0-0 draw at Maidstone Road. They should still start as marginal favourites though as the last time they met in September, they thrashed Dan McKimm's side 4-0. Tickets
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