​Tuesday evening was an opportunity to head into the Cotswolds on a balmy summer's evening. What could be better? Interestingly, I dipped into the Wiltshire League this time last season when I watched Cricklade Town take on Shrewton United (This Shrew's Not For Taming). This evening's game was a top flight clash between newly promoted Down Ampney and league stalwarts, and three-time league champions, Wroughton. It's hard to believe that it's over seven years since I first saw Wroughton play, a 3-2 defeat at Kintbury Rangers (Overwrought). However, I'd never before seen Down Ampney play, let alone visited their ground.
This would be Wroughton's first game of the campaign, but Down Ampney had already got a point on the board after drawing 1-1 with Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development at the weekend. 
Last season was Down Ampney's first back in the top flight of the Wiltshire League for almost two decades, during which time they had played in the Cirencester and Swindon Leagues and had even folded for one season in 2015. 
The teams met twice in the league last season with Down Ampney doing the double, winning 5-2 at Wroughton and 2-1 at home.
Many thanks to the officials for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick-off. As always, it's very much appreciated.

​It was still a very hot evening when the game kicked off at 7pm, the sun still blazing down on an already parched playing surface. After an initial bout of sparring, it was the home side who made the first opening when Dylan Jones played a delightful 60-yard ball through the heart of the Wroughton defence, finding Connor Hibbs. The striker brought the ball down well, but couldn't quite find the finish to match the approach play.
Approaching the quarter-hour mark, Wroughton had their first real strike in anger when Dee-Jay Veale let fly from way out, but the effort was high and wide of the mark.
On 17 minutes, the home side took the lead. Once again the threat began from a Jones through ball that split the Wroughton defence, this time down the right flank. Jamie Broadbank was the recipient, sending over a deep cross that Connor Hibbs headed back across goal for George Bailey to apply the finish past Connor Guinness-Smith. 1-0
As often happens, the goal gave the home side a lift and they immediately looked to add to their tally but it was Wroughton who came closest to getting the next goal. Jones, who had been immaculate until that point, gave the ball away to Smith on the edge of the area. The Wroughton striker was one on one with Jack Wallis but dragged his shot wide of the far post. A big chance for an equaliser gone begging.
Perhaps stung by the close shave, Down Ampney pushed forward again and when Bailey found Broadbank with another defence-splitting pass, the winger forced a very good save from Guinness-Smith with his first-time strike.
That chance signalled a lull in goalmouth action for 10 minutes or so. Wroughton looking to get the ball to their big number 9, Taylor Edwards, but the central defensive partnership of Dylan Jones and captain Sam Dibble, was standing firm for Down Ampney.
Approaching the final 5 minutes of the half, Ampney won a freekick some 25 yards out. Hibbs was on target with his effort which took a nasty little hop directly in front of Guinness-Smith, causing the stopper to fumble the ball. Fortunately for the visitors, there was no home player following in on the freekick. 
Guinness-Smith was called into action again with a minute of normal time remaining, doing very well to parry a stinging volley from Bailey. That looked to have ensured that the visitors would go into the break only a goal down. However, there was still some late drama to come. Guinness-Smith was sold a little short with a back pass and, when he tried to clear, the ball struck Hibbs, who was closing him down. The keeper then tried to smother the loose ball only for Hibbs to poke it away and into the path of George Bailey, who gleefully slotted home from close range, despite calls from the visitors that Guinness-Smith had the ball kicked out of his grasp. Nothing doing from the officials. 2-0

HT Down Ampney 2 Wroughton 0. Whilst Down Ampney always looked to be in control, the game was reasonably balanced until the late second goal. At one down the visitors were well in the mix. Two goal, however, could be a different prospect.

​Harvey Coster had the first strike of the second half, pulling a shot wide of the Wroughton goal two minutes after the restart., but there were no more clear cut chances at either end for 10 minutes or so.
Just past the hour Wroughton must have thought they'd drawn level when a corner from the right was met by the late run of captain Max Cameron some 8 yards out. However, with his keeper beaten, Connor Hibbs did the job of the covering defender, clearing the ball off the line.
Both sides had made a few changes and home substitute Archie Benge almost made an immediate impact when he drove up the right in the 64th minute, before sending over a peach of a cross that was begging to be finished off, but just evaded everyone . Ampney were back on top at this point and, a minute later, Wroughton stopper Guinness-Smith was once again called upon to keep his team in the game, blocking bravely from Michael Friend.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Benge was sent clear on the right. He drove into the edge of the box but wasn't quite able to keep his fizzing effort below the bar.
As expected, as the game approached its close, Wroughton started to throw caution to the wind, pushing forward in an attempt to get themselves back into the game. The closest they came was when Will Smith bustled his way into the penalty area before sending his shot into the side-netting. Aside from that, it was more of the same, with the home defence standing firm against everything thrown at them.

FT Down Ampney 2 Wroughton 0. It's very early days, but Down Ampney make it four points from their opening two games and climb to third in the table. Wroughton found it difficult to get past a solid home defence but were never completely out of the game.
Next up for Down Ampney is the visit of Park United who have drawn both of their opening two matches. For Wroughton, it's a trip to Bemerton Heath Harlequins Reserves, who have yet to play this season.

Down Ampney: Wallis, Whitehead, Lambton, Friend, Jones, Dibble(c), Coster, Sealey, Hibbs, Bailey, Broadbank. Subs: Benge, McCuish, Timbrell, Cripps
Wroughton: Guinness-Smit, Painter, Maycock, Khumala, Cameron(c), Love, James, S.Smith, Edwards, Veale, W.Smith. Subs: Graham, Blake, Harrington, Mohamad, Elias

​The Ground
Down Ampney Football and Social Club is situated on the northern outskirts of the village. The clubhouse has a medium sized car park in front of it where a mobile fish & chip van was parked. There's additional parking behind one of the goals too. I'm not sure if this is a feature of every match day or not, but it was certainly popular amongst the locals, spectators and villagers a like.
The clubhouse building houses the bar and all of the facilities for spectators, players and officials. Access to the pitch is through the vehicle access or a path that leads from the car park. There are a number of features around the ground. Home and away dugouts are on the clubhouse side and are breezeblock structures. Next to them there is also a wooden lean-to that can act as shelter for spectators. There's another, similar, structure on the opposite side of the pitch. The far end of the ground is open to fields and offers a pretty spectacular view at sunset.

Ground Number: 493
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

​Saturday saw BotP back on the road for a 166-mile round trip to Wiltshire for a first ever visit to The Dell, home of Laverstock & Ford. Not only was this a new ground for me, it was also a new one for the visitors. In fact, these teams had never met before.
Both sides play their league football at Step 5. Laverstock, The Bulldogs, finished fifth in the Wessex Premier League last season, losing out on penalties to Portland United in the play-off final, after a 0-0 draw. Eversley, The Boars, finished one place and one point above the Combined Counties Premier South drop zone after a final day 3-0 defeat of Redhill. Both teams are yet to claim a league pint in this campaign.
Last season's FA Cup saw The Bulldogs beat Cowes Sports, Horndean and Hythe & Dibden before going out in the 2nd Qualifying round to their very near and bigger neighbours, Salisbury. Eversley lost to Horndean in the round before they played Laverstock. This will only be their third FA Cup game and they are still looking for a first cup win.
When I go to a new ground, I normally mention the condition of the pitch in the section about the ground. However, in the case of the playing surface at The Dell, I think it deserves mentioning up front. Their groundsman, John Pike 'JP', deserves a medal for preparing such a beautiful surface for today's game. We all know what the recent dry spell has done to most pitches but not The Dell, which boasts a smooth, flat and verdant surface. Truly an oasis. John is described as a club legend in the programme. I can see why.

​Lavvy were kicking towards the River Bourne end in the first half, and began the game in a very lively manner. Former Salisbury strike Devon Arnold, making his debut for The Bulldogs, set the tone in the fourth minute when he got the first strike on target, even if visiting goalkeeper Lyall Kennedy made a fairly simple save.
The passing and movement of the Laverstock team, in particular the Arnold brothers, was already causing big problems for the visitors, who were chasing shadows at times.
Lyall Kennedy had already been a busy man between the sticks for Eversley, and was called into action again after 12 minutes, throwing himself to his left and making a very good save from Adam Bourner's freekick.
Kennedy, however, was beaten just a minute later when Devon Arnold was sent clear down the left. His pace kept him clear of the defence, allowing him to calmly slot the ball across Kennedy into the far corner. 1-0.
It was no more than Lavvy's dominance deserved and, just four minutes later, they doubled their lead. Carson Arnold made the break down the left, sending the ball across the face of goal, where it found Cameron Roach coming in from the opposite wing. He unselfishly squared the ball to Devon Arnold who squeezed the ball past goalkeeper and defender to make it 2-0. Eversley were visibly rattled and things quickly got worse for them when Devon Arnold was presented with another chance, dead centre and inside the box. The debutant made no mistake, wrapping up a hat-trick inside 6 minutes and all before we had reached the 20 minute mark of the game. 3-0
It could have been even worse for The Boars  just past the midway point when Kennedy came to rescue to thwart Arnold's attempt. Then, almost immediately, Archie Lovegrove was felled in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Captain Adam Bourner stepped up, but Kennedy went the right way, making a superb diving save to his left.
Kennedy was then at it again before the half-hour, blocking from Kennedy once again before, on 32 minutes, Eversley mustered their first effort at goal. Even then, Freddie Robins was off target with his 25 yard strike.
Devon Arnold then turned provider, slipping in a ball for Roach to run onto. His shot beat Kennedy, but also flew wide of the upright.
Finally, with the half closing in, Carson Arnold tormented the visiting defence again, turning his marker inside out before striking from a narrow angle. Kennedy pushed it out but only as far as Devon Arnold. However, for once the number 9 couldn't find the finish.

HT Laverstock & Ford 3 Eversley & California 0. Lavvy's passing and movement has proved to be too much for Eversley. The Bulldogs' dominance demonstrated by the fact that Zach Roberts, in the home goal, did not have to make a save throughout the half.

​The expected push from Eversley in the early part of the second period never really happened. Instead, the determination and drive was still with the home side, demonstrated by their captain's drive from midfield, skipping past a couple of challenges One of which was a clear foul) and progressing deep into the opposition territory. The surge was halted by a fair challenge on the edge of the box, but it was a signal that Lavvy were not happy to just sit on their three goal lead.
Sure enough, with ten minutes of the second half gone, they increased their advantage. Carson Arnold terrorized the Eversley defence down the left again, only this time he went solo, cutting inside into the penalty area before unleashing a low drive into Kennedy's bottom left corner. 4-0
The game was clearly beyond the visitors now, if it hadn't been earlier, and just past the hour the home team added another. Chae Sykes, on as a substitute, chased down a long ball, doing very well to get there and pressure the defender. The Bulldogs striker managed to slip the ball square to fellow substitute Hubert Cegielka, who proceeded to smash a low shot past Kennedy for 5-0.
We were now firmly in damage limitation territory for Eversley, with Laverstock's name already in the hat. Archie Lovegrove came close to extending the lead, not once, but twice inside 30 seconds. First of all he sent a low drive flashing narrowly wide and then saw another strike beat Kennedy only to come back off the foot of the post. The same player then brought the best out of Lyall Kennedy again when his goal bound header was saved by the Eversley keeper. Confidence was soaring in the home team, demonstrated by Kai Storr's 40-yard thunderbolt that flew only a few inches over Kennedy's bar.
To their credit Eversley, although well beaten, did not throw in the towel. Striker Kallum Peart showed some good footwork to open up a shooting opportunity, but slid his 80th minute shot well wide. Back at the other end, Kennedy's dual with Lovegrove continued, with the visiting keeper coming out on top again, flying to his right to keep out another effort.
Approaching the final five minutes, Jeevan Panesar tried his luck for Eversley, again failing to trouble Roberts, before another Lavvy substitute, James Budgell, was very unlucky to see his curling effort come back off the visitors crossbar.
Lavvy, however, were to have the last say of the game when Chae Sykes was found on the edge of the box, stroking the ball past the exposed Kennedy to make it 6-0.

FT Laverstock & Ford 6 Eversley & California 0. As comprehensive a victory as you are likely to see. Lavvy dominated the game from the first minute and never let up. Eversley, as far as I can remember, did not register a single shot on target. Credit to their goalkeeper Lyall Kennedy who was arguably the player of the match, making a series of excellent saves. However, I am sure that Devon Arnold would dispute the PotM title. A six-minute hat-trick on your debut takes some beating as an introduction.
Both teams are back in league action on Tuesday evening, looking for their first points. Laverstock make the trip to the coast to face Bournemouth Poppies who also lost their opening league game and were defeated by Downton, at home in the FA Cup. Eversley, meanwhile, are back at Fox Lane for the visit of Fleet Town who have four points from their opening two league encounters, but also went out of the FA Cup, losing 1-0 at home to Melksham Town.

Laverstock & Ford: 1.Z.Roberts, 12.F.Roberts, 2.H.Roberts, 4.Bourner(c), 5.B.Campbell-Smith, 6.Watson, 10.T.Campbell-Smith, 8.Lovegrove, 9.D.Arnold, 17.Roach, 11.C.Arnold. Subs: 7.Jackson, 14.Budgell, 15.Stanley, 16.Sykes, 17.Storr, 18.Cegielka, 19.Cooper
Eversley & California: 1.Kennedy, 17.Webeley, 23.Pantony, 25.Fitzgerald, 26.Jawandha, 6.Fowler(c), 7.Ellis-Vassell, 8.Robins, 9.Peart, 30.Allen, 11.Panesar. Subs: 13.Hybert, 14.Bird, 15.McDonagh, 16.Hyseni, 22.Pressler, 32.Higgins, 20.Sanchez

The Ground
Laverstock & Ford Sports Ground is situated just to North of the village centre, still separated from the sprawl of Salisbury by a few fields, the River Bourne, and the West of England Mainline. Accessed via a service road off Church Road, the sports ground comprises of a cricket club, to the left of the service road, and the football ground, known as The Dell, to the right. There's a reasonably large car park sandwiched between the sports facilities, with additional parking behind the football ground if required. The clubhouse is also between the sports grounds and, as such, there are no facilities inside The Dell, although it's only about 20 paces to the club from the main turnstile. That single turnstile brings spectators into the corner of the football ground. and a quite unusual setup where all three covered spectator areas are in this corner. Either side of the entrance there are covered seating stands with seating allocated to home and visiting directors. There's also a recently refurbished covered standing area, The Wykes Brickwork Stand, which sites between the entrance and the goal.

The Programme
The Bulldogs' programme is a 36-page full-colour, glossy magazine containing all of the usual features you'd expect. A introduction to the key players at the club, a message from the manager, a potted history of the club, a piece on the visitors, current league tables, the squad lists, player pen pics, some recent match photos, a page about the Wessex League and a whole plethora of advertising. 

Ground Number: 492
Att: 186
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £2.00

​On Tuesday evening BotP made the trip down the A34 to take in a Hampshire Premier League - One game between newly promoted Sporting Wessex(their second promotion on the bounce) and newly relegated Stockbridge. Sporting, making their home league debut at their new Oakwood Park (former home of Colden Common) ground, were looking to get their first Hampshire League points on the board after losing 3-2 at Mob Albion on the opening day. Stockbridge, who were relegated from the Senior Division along with Andover Town last season, also lost their first game, 4-1 at Nursling & Shirley. With only a little over 13 miles between the grounds, this was also something of a local derby.
This would be my first visit to Oakwood Park and my first time watching Sporting Wessex, although I have visited Stockbridge before, back in 2021. That evening The Robins, then playing a division higher, were 4-0 victors over Liss Athletic (Bad Omens For The Blues)
Thanks to referee Richard Diggle for the Stockbridge team sheet and to the ladies in the clubhouse who had already written out the home team on the whiteboard that is placed outside the clubhouse before kick-off.

​This game looked like it was going to be a close encounter right from the start with neither team taking a firm grip on proceedings early on. The first clear sight of goal came in the 11th minute when Ewan Stevenson's pace got him in behind the home defence on the left. Seeing that home keeper Josh Powell was off his line, the winger went for the first time lob, only to see his effort clear goalkeeper and crossbar.
Sporting's first meaningful effort came five minutes later when Callum Williams volleyed over without troubling Kieran Chaplin too much.
Sporting's style of play means that they want to play the ball out from the back which, at times, must have had their supporters hearts in their mouths as defence and goalkeeper took risks instead of launching the ball clear. Stockbridge's approach was a little more direct, looking to get the ball forward and utilise the pace of Stevenson. However, neither side managed to seriously trouble the opposition keeper until midway through the half when Stockbridge earned a corner on the left. The ball was delivered into the 6-yard area, where a group, including the keeper, challenged at the near post. The ball eluded everyone, falling perfectly for Robins captain Lewis Newbury to apply a relatively simple poke over the line. The home side complained that there was a foul on Powell, but the referee was having none of it. 0-1
If the goal rocked Sporting they didn't show it. In fact, their response took only four minutes to arrive. Conversely, given their measured approach, the goal came from a route one ball straight up the middle from Josh Powell. It caught the Stockbridge defence by surprise allowing Nathan Roles to run on and apply a clam finish past Chaplin. 1-1. 
Two goals in four minutes could have signalled for the floodgates to open, but once again the game fell back into a midfield battle, with chances at a premium. Sporting did have a period of some sustained pressure late on when a series of corners and long throw-ins were all dealt with by the Stockbridge defence.
Then, just before the half-time whistle, an event that I had not witnessed before. The referee penalised a Stockbridge player for taking too long to take a throw-in, giving Sporting the throw instead. Whilst I don't like to see teams wasting time on throw-ins, goal-kicks etc, I'm not a big fan of this new rule. It just leads to more calls to the referee to penalise the opposition every time the ball goes out of play.

HT Sporting Wessex 1 Stockbridge 1. A half of few clear cut chances at either end. Two well-matched teams slugging it out. Sporting's admirable propensity for playing around at the back, with Powell acting as an additional defender, is dangerous at times. They take a lot of risks.

As with the first half, there were few chances early on in the second. It took eight minutes before Sporting created an opportunity with some good work down their left. This released Zach Hesp inside the left-hand side of the penalty area with a clear sight of the goal. Unfortunately for the winger, the ball too a little hop just as he was about to strike, making him send the ball wide of the target.
Hesp was involved again just after the hour when he slid across a ball into the path of Roles and a rare clear-cut chance. However, Chaplin was across quickly to make the block with his feet. 
With just over 20 minutes remaining Wessex substitute Sam Mears saw his shot deflected wide but that, for a while, saw the pendulum swing towards the visitors.
The Robins began to exert some pressure on Sporting. In the 75th minute Jonny Martin, who had been introduced on the right flank, did well to create a little space before feeding the ball into the right side of the penalty area for Chris Pye. The striker had to stretch to get a shot off, diverting the ball across goal but  without enough pace to trouble Powell. 
As Stockbridge ramped things up Keenan Farrant was called upon to make a very good last ditch block to keep out Ryan Sanger and then, with 10 minutes to go, the visitors produced possibly the best passing move of the game which culminated in Pye, just inside the box, getting off a shot under pressure that flew over Powell's crossbar.
At this point it felt that if anyone was going to grab a winner it would be Stockbridge but Sporting were having none of that. They rolled up their sleeves and came back at their visitors. Another substitute, Kieran Brockway, did well on the right before clipping over a cross with the outside of his right foot. The ball found Sam Beale who met it with a powerful header that beat Chaplin but thundered off the underside of the bar and was hacked away. A couple of minutes later, Sporting created another half-chance but this time a ball across the face of goal was inches too far ahead of Matt Harrington's lunge.
So, after looking like they had run out of steam, Sporting came very close to nicking it at the death. That said, when the referee blew the final whistle, it felt like a draw was the right result.

FT Sporting Wessex 1 Stockbridge 1. A hard fought game with a limited amount of clear-cut opportunities. In all honesty, as a neutral, it felt as if both sides lacked a cutting edge. Maybe it was more down to two well-organised defences, but often the final ball seemed to be missing. Nevertheless, it was  good game to watch and well worth the 150-mile round trip.
Next up Stockbridge take a trip to the New Forest to take on Sway before taking on current leaders, Andover Town, at home on Tuesday. Sporting do not have a game at the weekend, but travel to BTC Southampton on Wednesday.

Sporting Wessex: Powell, Davies, K.Farrant, N.Farrant(c), Toomer, Tonner, Hesp, Williams, Baker, Beale, Roles. Subs: Mears, Harrington, Brider, Abrahams, Brockway
Stockbridge: Chaplin, Pike, Bailey, Sanger, Charles, Newbury(c), Osbourne, Mortimer, Pye, Bourne, Stevenson. Subs: White, Scrimiger, Plowman, Miles, Martin

The Ground
Oakwood Park Recreation Ground is situated between Otterbourne and Shawford, just off the M3 between Winchester and 
Eastleigh. It was the home of Colden Common before they moved up a division and began a ground-share with Winchester City. Located on the edge of a small estate, parking at the ground is quite limited. There is parking available in the nearby streets but the club are keen for visitors to ensure they park responsibly so as not to annoy their neighbours.
There's a small clubhouse next to the car park with white fencing and hard-standing along this side of the ground. The opposite side of the ground is open apart from the line of trees backing the far goal.
The playing surface looked to be pretty much flat with no discernible slope. Although dry, given the recent harsh weather, the pitch looked to be in pretty good shape.

Ground Number: 491
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Saturday saw me making the 176-mile round trip to Herefordshire for the opening day of the Hellenic League season. A long-awaited first visit to Bromyard Town, a ground that has been on my shortlist many times in the past few years. Bromyard Town were promoted into the Hellenic League Division One after winning the Herefordshire Premier League last season. That signalled a return to Step 6 for the first time in a decade, when the club was relegated from the West Midlands Regional Premier at the end of the 2015-16 season. Today's opponents, Wantage Town, were a Step 4 side in those days and, aside from a brief return to Step 5, were still playing Step 4 until 2022. They were relegated from the Southern League Division One Central at the end of that season, slipping back to Step 6 at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Having not come through the same feeder leagues this game was, as far as I can tell, the first league meeting between the teams and they've also not met in any major FA competitions.

​Wantage, playing in their change kit of pink and blue shirts even though their normal green kit should not have been a clash with Bromyard's all blue kit, were quick to manufacture and opportunity when Kenzie Taylor swung over a cross from the left. The ball found the head of Seth Humphries, unmarked, but he could only plant his header wide of the upright. An early warning for the home team.
Wantage continued to push their opponents back early on and, when they won a corner inside the first 10 minutes, demonstrated Arsenal-like tactics, crowding out the goalkeeper to make it very difficult for him to collect the cross.
It wasn't all one-way traffic however and the game was opening up. Bromyard began to look livelier up front and when Ollie Thompson broke quickly down the right, it took some good defending to clear his cross for a corner. That was cleared by Wantage, for Callum Crook to break down their right flank. His low cross didn't find any Freds in the box and, once again, Bromyard were able to clear.
A few minutes later, Bromyard were threatening again and, once more, it was Ollie Thompson who was causing consternation for the visitors. After the home side won a freekick just outside the box, their number 7 took aim for the bottom corner, drawing a great flying save from Thomas Rees.
There was a brief lull in goalmouth action before two astounding events, one at either end of the pitch. Wantage were first to come close when Barder's cross was headed back across the face of goal by Tom Griffiths where Humphries met it inside the 6-yard box. Somehow Ryan Williams got across his goal and made a point-blank stop with his feet. The question was a bad miss or a fantastic save. I'm going with the latter. Credit to the keeper for throwing himself in front of the ball. Whatever, the case, there wasn't time to dwell as Bromyard broke up the other end and, with the keeper out of his ground, looked odds-on to score into an empty net before Gary Smith appeared from nowhere to make an excellent tackle.

​The action, at this point was relentless. Two minutes after the Smith tackle, the ball was at the other end with Kenzie Taylor on the left. His cross, slightly miscued, sailed over Williams before coming back off the far post.
A quick drinks break broke up the end to end play and, for a few minutes afterwards, there was another lull in goalscoring chances. 
However, into the final ten minutes of the half, Bromyard went on the hunt for a goal through the lively Thompson once again. A snappy exchange of passes on the edge of the box generated a small sight of goal but Thompson couldn't get enough on the shot to trouble Rees. Once again, Wantage immediately broke forward with a long ball for Fred Morlock to chase down the left. He pulled the ball back to Humphries, on the edge of the box, but he could only steer his side-footed effort wide of the target.
Wantage had created more chances than their hosts but it was Bromyard who had the last two half-chances of the first 45 minutes. Firstly Matt Patrick-Rivers turned and fired at goal without troubling Rees too much, then Thompson bustled into the box and had two bites at the cherry  before his second effort was headed out for a corner by a diving defender.

HT Bromyard Town 0 Wantage Town 0. A good half of football. Both teams had chances but the visitors will feel they should be at least one goal ahead. Would they be made to pay for it?

​Back on the pitch, it was Bromyard who came out looking the stronger in the early encounters of the second half. Just two minutes in they broke up their left before working the ball into the centre where Patrick-Rivers was lurking. He did everything right, turning his defender one way and then the other to open up a shooting space before, unfortunately for the home team, blasting the shot over the bar.
Two minutes later, with Bromyard exerting some real pressure, substitute Lucasz Cembruch must have thought he'd opened the scoring when he sent a powerful header towards the Rees's top right corner. The Wantage keeper had other ideas, throwing himself across his goal to acrobatically tip the ball over the bar. Great header matched with an equally great save.
Wantage had ridden out the home side's early second half pressure, fighting back to create a couple of chances themselves. Morlock, in particular, can count himself unlucky to find Rhys Williams in such good form. A one-handed tip over the bar was an especially good save to keep out the nippy Wantage winger.
Just as the game looked to heading for a stale mate, Wantage finally broke the deadlock when Callum Crook got some space on the right-hand side of the Bromyard box before sending a low drive across the face of the goal into the far corner. 0-1
The goal rocked the home side back for a while, but they gradually began to build up a head of steam again as the Wantage players fell back to defend their lead. The Yard came very close to an equaliser from a right-wing corner but some excellent defending from Wantage's rock at the back, Gary Smith, saved the day for the Freds. The experienced defender even managed to win his side a freekick to further ease the pressure.
Their remained one final roll of the dice for Bromyard when the dangerous Cembruch came close again with another header that cleared Rees's crossbar, before referee Oliver Chanot blew the final whistle.

FT Bromyard Town 0 Wantage Town 1. Ultimately Wantage's greater experience at this level won them the day, in what was a pretty close encounter over the 90 minutes. It's way too early in the day to make any kind of predictions for either team but both showed a willingness to compete and both teams possess players that can influence games.
Next up for Bromyard is a Tuesday evening trip to Gloucestershire and a visit to Lydney Town, who won their opening game 1-0 at home to Bewdley. Wantage, meanwhile, are also on the road on Tuesday as they make the shorter journey to Carterton, who were beaten 5-1 at home by Sharpness on Saturday.

Bromyard Town: Williams, Green, Higgins, Myers(c), Cembruch, Humphries, Thompson, Bellamy, Patrick-Rivers, Barnes, Cowlishaw. Subs: Lewis, Davis, Holliday, Wood, Clarke, Griffin
Wantage Town: 1.Rees, 20.Dawson, 2.Miller, 6.Lee, 15.Smith, 4.Griffiths, 8.Barder(c), 10.Humphries, 9.Crook, 7.Morlock, 11.Taylor. Subs: 12.Tomlin, 16.Cusack, 14.Ballard, 3.Jones, 17. Reeve

​The Ground
It's 40 years since Bromyard Town moved to Delahay Meadow. The ground is situated on the north-eastern outskirts of the town, heading towards Bromyard Downs. It's accessed via a fairly long service road protected by double gates bearing the clubs name. Spectator parking is off to the right of the driveway, just a very short walk up to the ground entrance, a single turnstile. This brings you into the ground around the halfway line and next to the clubhouse, which also houses the snack bar. A little sidenote: having spoken to the man on the gate, a lady in the snack bar and a couple of people in the bar area, I can safely say that Bromyard is a very friendly and welcoming club. I also managed to get sight of the team sheets from the officials who were enjoying a cup of tea in the bar area before the game.
The main stand is also on this side of the pitch, just along from the clubhouse. There's a small covered shelter on the opposite side of the ground. There's also a grass bank behind one of the goals that gives a good vantage point over the pitch. The playing surface slopes slightly from right to left as you look from the clubhouse. The pitch was dry, as you would expect in the current climate, but wasn't as yellow as some playing surface in have seen recently.

The Programme
The matchday programme at Bromyard is a rudimentary, photocopied, mainly black & white, 12-page booklet, priced at a pound. It contained the two squad lists, a message from the Bromyard manager, club details and some advertising pages. There were no additional articles in it.
Note: If anyone at the club wants a few articles as fillers, help yourself to the programme notes articles on my site. There's not a massive selection, but I'm sure one or two may fit.


Ground Number: 490
Att: 31
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £1.00

Thursday evening was another opportunity to take in a Henry Hawtin group game, my third of the season. This was a Group A fixture between Chadlington of the Witney & District Premier League and Banbury & District  Premier League side, Deddington Town. Deddington started the evening already top of the group with four points. They led Charlbury on goal difference and were a point ahead of tonight's opponents.
The teams were in opposite groups for last season's competition. Deddington missed out on the semi-finals on goal difference, whilst Chadlington made it through to the semis but were beaten by eventual runners-up, Charlbury Town.
It was good to bump into Geoff again before kick-off. Deddington's photographer and videographer, who I met at one of their games 3 years ago, is still capturing the action at their games. Keep up the good work sir, I am sure it is very much appreciated.
Thanks too to Rob Smith, who I spotted carrying the team sheets over to the referee's room. Always good to get the names before the game starts. Hope the darts went well Rob.
 
Even though the evening had promised a little rain, it was still sunny and muggy prior to kick-off on the now parched Enstone Sports surface. Hopefully, the small sprinkling we had just after full-time went a little way to helping the grass recover, although I think we are going to need a few days of solid monsoon to get the greenery back.

​Kicking down the Enstone slope in the first half, Deddington had the initial meaningful attempt at goal when Ed Har was presented with a clear view of the goal, but pulled his shot wide. That was in the eighth minute but it took until the 20th minute, of a very tight contest, for either team to seriously trouble to goal again. The chance, once more, came the way of the team in black & white, Tim Atherton with a good strike that flew just wide of the target. Then, with the drinks break on the horizon, youngster Ethan Corley went on a dribble across the edge of the Chadlington box before seeing his shot deflected out for a corner.
As we saw in the World Cup, the drinks break can sometimes change the direction of a game and, in this case, it did to some extent. Whilst the game had been fairly well balanced, Deddington had created the better chances up until the break. However, straight after the restart, it was Chadlington who went on the offensive. Just before the half-hour mark, goalkeeper Leo Sansom had to be at his very best, making a great flying save to keep out Kian Crozier's freekick. At the other end, Eliot Hillman went very close with a powerful header that zipped narrowly wide of the Chadlington upright.
With six minutes of normal time remaining the deadlock was finally broken when Chadlington's Kyle Grimmett ran onto a loose ball some 20 yards out, striking a low, crisp effort into the bottom right-hand corner of Sansom's net, giving the keeper no chance at all. 1-0.
It looked as if the Blues may take a lead into the break, but Deddington had other ideas. A freekick some 25 yards out, deep into added time, looked to be being lined up for a right-footed strike. However, Gregor Smith stepped up to curl a left-foot shot around the wall and in off the inside of Betts' post. Great strike from the defender. 1-1

HT Chadlington 1 Deddington Town 1. All in all, a fairly even and very competitive half. Deddington edged it as far as the number of chances went, but Chadlington looked dangerous when they did attack. Two very good strikes saw the sides go into half-time level.

​When the second half got under way it was Chadlington who showed first when a cross from the right found substitute The Petrosanu running in at the far post but unable to get enough on the ball to trouble Sansom.
Clear cut opportunities then dried up a little as the sides cancelled each other out again. Just before the hour mark, however, there was almost a freak own goal scored by Chadlington. An attempted clearance, some 40 yards out, was smashed into another defender sending the ball looping backwards, over Josh Betts who was on the edge of his area. Luckily for Chadlington, the keeper recovered his ground quickly enough to dive backwards and scoop the ball off the line.
Isaac Harrington then tried his luck for Town, seeing his shot deflected out for a corner. That was just past the our mark, but a few minutes later, Harrington saw his team fall behind for the first time. The goal came courtesy of a superb delivery from Mike Large, who sent over an inch-perfect cross from the right. Dan Hirst met it at the far post, with a downward header that Betts couldn't keep out. 1-2
A very well-worked goal that was pleasing on the eye. However, Chadlington quickly countered with a 'hold my pint' moment of their own. Under a little pressure they suddenly broke down a Deddington move a proceeded to exchange a serious of passes in a flowing move that took them from back to front in seconds, culminating in Kyle Grimmett sweeping in his second goal of the game. 2-2. 
Once again, the game fell into something of a midfield battle, with neither keeper stretched for a while. As we approached the final five minutes, Joe Thornton managed to but clear on the Deddington right, but Josh Betts got his angles all right and made a solid block. It looked as if we were heading for a draw which, to be honest, would have been a very fair result.
However, after being treated to four goals that would all have justified numerous replays and discussion on match of the day, the game ended up being decided by a miscue. Deddington captain Ollie Withrow, out wide on the left, was looking to sending a looping ball back into the mix but, instead, got his radar slightly wrong and ended up floating the ball over the head of Betts into the far corner. 3-2
The goal was a bit harsh on Chadlington, but they didn't let their heads drop and, three minutes into injury time, came very close to levelling it up again. On a point-blank blocks from the legs of Leo Sansom prevented Harrington from salvaging a late point. However, it was not to be for Chadlington.

FT Chadlington 2 Deddington Town 3. A very entertaining game of football played on a hard pitch that couldn't have been easy to deal with. Both sides gave it everything they had and, as a neutral, I did feel that a draw would have been a fair result.
The result leaves Deddington in a very strong position to qualify for the semi-finals ahead of their final group game with Ducklington on August 8th. Chadlington, meanwhile, need to beat Witney Royals on the 6th of August and hope that Charlbury fail to pick up more than 2 points against Ducklington and Witney.

Chadlington: 1.Betts, 12.Cozier, 15.S.Harrington, 4.Mulhearn, 10.Godin, Ingham, 7.Mayne, 3.I.Harrington, 6.Bennett, 2.Grimmett, 9.Peachey. Subs: 8.Pterorios, 14.Petrosanu, 16.Donaghy, 11.Abbott, 17.Foster
Deddington Town: 1.Sansom, 17.Smith, 12.Hillman, 10.A.Atherton, 12.Hardy, 6.Whitrow(c), 14.Hirst, Hayward, 8.T.Atherton, 11.Thornton, 9.Corley. Subs: 2.Taylor, 5.Large, Catania, 15.Kimber

​Despite dominating the ball for much of this game, Staines & Lammas could not find a way back into the game after conceding two early goals to Bovingdon.

The Blue Swans were playing their first game of their centenary season, after their opening game at Sport Lisbon e Benfica was postponed (that's a much longer story that looks likely to drag on). After finishing in 16th spot last year, the Middlesex side were looking to push on this season, starting with Tuesday evening's visit of newly promoted Bovingdon. The Greens finished last season in fifth spot of the Spartan South Midlands table, but were granted promotion because on account of their ground status. They'd be taking their place in Step 6 for the first time and had already got off to a great start by beating Edgware & Kingsbury 3-0 at home on Saturday, thanks to a hat-trick from captain Ben Baldwin.

​Staines started the game strongly and were very quick to push their opponents back into the own half. However, they couldn't find a way through the visitor's defence and, four minutes in, found themselves a goal behind. Follwoing a freekick in midfield, Adam Baldwin slid a pass in behind the home defence, perfectly into the stride of Kadeem Gutzmore, who calmly slotted the ball past Conaill Ryan. 0-1
The home side barely had time to draw breath before they were hit by another sucker punch after a challenge near the halfway line saw a ricochet fall into the path of Ben Baldwin, with a clear run on goal. The Bovvy captain drove into the edge of the penalty area before striking the ball across the face of goal into the opposite bottom corner. 0-2
For the second game running, Bovingdon found themselves two goal to the good very early in the game. It may be that they decided to sit back a little (although it seemed a bit early for that) or it may be that Staines forced them back. Whatever the case, from the moment Staines went two down, they began to take control of the game in terms of possession.
That said, even though Bovingdon rarely threatened again throughout the first half, Staines couldn't muster too many clear cut chances. Saaim Rafi struck a tame 19th minute freekick wide of Leo Smith's right-hand post and, seven minutes later, Kayden Brimah's deflected shot looped harmlessly into Smith's arms. Ryan Delaney-Prince tried to inject some verve into the attack just past the half-hour but, after a bursting overlapping run, his cross was way too close to Smith, allowing the Bovingdon keeper to claim it easily.
In fact, Smith didn't have to get his knees dirty until the closing minutes of the half when he had throw himself to his left to push away Seanpierre Ortiz's stinging drive.

HT Staines & Lammas 0 Bovingdon 2. Two early goals for Bovingdon put them in charge. Staines responded with a lot of possession, but only managed to stretch the keeper once, in the closing minutes. The next goal could be crucial in this game.

​Despite being two down, it still felt like a goal back could change the entire game for the home side, and they were out of the blocks quickly. Almost immediately, Ryan Delaney-Price hit a dipping, long-range effort that was comfortably dealt with by Leo Smith. However, it was the visitors who came closest to grabbing the third goal. Following a 53rd minute left-wing corner, there was an almighty scramble in side the 6-yard box. Eventually the referee gave a freekick to the home side, but only after a couple of efforts had been blocked on the line. Then, almost immediately afterwards Bovingdon won the ball back and fed Ben Baldwin, who cut inside his marker before sending a shot glancing off the outside of Ryan's right-hand post.
That scare aside, the game fell back into a similar pattern as the majority of the first half. Staines dominating possession, but not really stretching the Bovingdon defence too much.
The Blue Swans did manufacturer a good opportunity on the hour, but Rhys Rabess, with a clear sight of goal, pulled his shot narrowly wide of the post with Smith beaten. However, the Bovingdon keeper was certainly not beaten on 76 minutes, pulling off a superb one-handed diving save to his left and pushing Tawfiq Begzad's drive away to safety.
With time running out, Staines pushed forward more. Sam Sillah saw his effort take a nasty hop in front of Smith, only for the keeper to react well, blocking with his chest before managing to smother the loose ball.
There was a glimmer of hope for Staines in the 87th minute when Bovingdon's James Hutchins picked up a second yellow card, leaving the visitors down to 10 for the remaining few minutes. However, there was little time for them to take advantage of the extra man and, in fact, it was the Green Army's Dan Hughes who had the last effort when he fired just wide in the final minute of normal time.

FT Staines & Lammas 0 Bovingdon 2. A game that highlighted the fact that possession counts for little if you don't create and score from it. Bovingdon took their early two-goal lead and defended it well, despite being pushed back for much of the game. Staines huffed and puffed but just couldn't find that final killer pass or clinical finish. They were never out of the game and it still felt like a goal back, even after the late red card, could possibly have changed the game.
It's been a great start to life in Step 6 for Bovingdon. Two games played, six points, five scored and none conceded. On Saturday they face a tough test as they travel to Woodley United, who lost out in the play-offs last season. Staines, meanwhile, make the trip to Burnham to face another newly promoted side, Maidenhead Town, who beat Westside 3-1 in their opener.

Staines & Lammas: 1.Ryan, 19.Denton, 6.McBride, 5.Stewart, 3.Brimah, 8.Cooper(c), 7.Rafi, 4.Delaney-Price, 11.Belahcene, 21.Healey, 10.Ortiz. Subs: 15.Sillah, 17.Rabess, 18.Bitmead, 22.Begzad, 20.Francis
Bovingdon: 1.Smith, 2.Loakes, 3.Coxall, 4.Clarke, 5.J.Hutchins, 6.Barkers-Obua, 7.Gutzmore, 8.Sayell, 9.B.Baldwin(c), 10.A.Baldwin, 11.Patterson. Subs: 12.Goodwin, 14.Hughes, 15.Burge, 16.Bullock, 17.S.Hutchins

​The Ground
Staines & Lammas are currently starting their second season as tenants to Spelthorne Sports FC, playing their home games at Spelthorne Sports Ground, a multi-sport complex just off the A308 between Ashford Common and Sunbury-on-Thames. The sports ground comprises of a central club house and car park with a cricket square on one side and the football pitches on the other. The main pitch runs parallel to the A308 and is a short walk from the car park. There's plenty of covered standing and seating on the A308 side of the ground as well as a covered stand behind the car park end goal. Dugouts are on the far side of the pitch. Access to the ground is via a single turnstile adjacent to the main block, which houses the changing areas and a snack bar. There's also a small hut which doubles as the programme shop and the half-time hospitality suite. There's no slope on the pitch which, considering the recent dry weather, looked to be in reasonable shape, even green in some pace.

The Programme 
At 20 pages, with a glossy cover, there's plenty of content in the Staines & Lammas programme, although at £2 it's at the pricier end of the range. The outer cover is pre-printed and they must have many left over from last season, judging by the manual year correction. Inside there's the usual articles you expect. A club history and timeline, upcoming fixtures, manager's notes and opponents biog. However, there was also a very interesting page dedicated to all of the clubs in the Staines area, the Staines Football Family as well as a double-page tribute to a Staines great, Dickie Watmore, who sadly passed away earlier this month, at the age of 91.

Ground Number: 489
Att: 69
Entrance: £9.00
Programme: £2.00

​Saturday evening presented another chance to take in a Henry Hawtin group game. This time it was Group B and the clash between 2024/25 winners Heyford Athletic and Spartan Rangers. Another Witney and District Premier versus Division One match up. Both teams finished towards the bottom of their respective leagues last season, although Heyford's eighth place was only seven points shy of third place East Hendred in a very tightly packed Premier table. Rangers also finished in eighth spot but were further behind the pack above them, twelve points off Milton in third. Consequently, Heyford came into the game as favourites.

It only took four minutes for Heyford to turn that pre-match optimism into reality. Having conceded a free-kick out on their left, Spartan then gave Steve Roberts a yard of space as the cross came over. The number 4 made no mistake, guiding a volley past Leo Adderley. 1-0.
Heyford continued to pressure Rangers and, 10 minutes in, Zach Willis burst clear on the left before shaping an effort towards the opposite top corner, only missing by a few feet.
Spartan's first effort came in the 16th minute when last season's top-scorer, Charlie Hibberd, got a strike off that didn't trouble Jack Membury in the Athletic goal. That sparked Heyford back into action and, two minutes later, they doubled their lead. Harry Hadley did well up the left before sending the ball across the face of goal for Kris Varghese to apply the final touch at the far post. 2-0.
Heyford were coasting as we broke for the first hydration break. However, as we have seen at the World Cup, the break in play can alter a team's rhythm and, be it the break or the fact they were two up, Heyford eased off a little. Rangers, even with the additional possession they were now afforded, were not able to apply too much pressure to the Heyford defence. Ricardo Rodrigues did get a volley on target just past the half-hour mark but, once again, it was a straight-forward stop for Membury.
With there minutes remaining in the half, Spartan won their first corner of the game, but they came to nothing. They did, however, save their best effort for the last action of the half. Josh Williams striking a lovely dipping drive from outside the box, forcing Membury to push the ball over the bar.

HT Heyford Athletic 2 Spartan Rangers 0. Heyford were very comfortable at 2-0 but eased off the gas a little at that point. Rangers, however, were unable to generate any serious chances until the last minute effort from Williams.

​Inside the first minute of the second half Heyford substitute George Stimson could and should have made the game safe. Unmarked in the box, Stimson managed to plant his header wide of the post leaving the striker with his head in his hands.
Undeterred, Heyford continued to apply pressure to their opponents and began to string together some lovely passing moves. One such delightful passage of play culminated in Mike Philpott finding his shot matched by Adderley. Then, just past the hour, Adderley was called into action twice in a matter of seconds, pushing away a dangerous looking cross, then reacting well to parry the follow-up. He was then indebted to his defence as they managed to get  in a last ditch block to prevent Will Roberts from increasing the lead.
With fifteen minutes of normal time remaining, Heyford did finally put the result beyond any doubt. It was another excellent passing move that set up the goal, but this time the finish matched the approach as Will Roberts slotted home. 3-0
Stimson, after missing earlier, then got a strike on target but found Adderley to be a barrier too far. Then, with a few minutes of normal time remaining, Heyford got in a complete muddle at the back, almost gifting Rangers a late consolation. However, despite having too close-range bites at the cherry, Spartan couldn't get the ball over the line, summing up their evening.

FT Heyford Athletic 3 Spartan Rangers 0. All in all, a comfortable evening for The Bears. Rangers huffed and puffed, but never really laid a glove on Athletic. Next up for Heyford is an 18:15 kick-off next Friday as they take on Milton-under-Wychwood. The following day, Spartan Rangers take on Longford park at 17:00.

Heyford Athletic: 1.Membury, 6.S.Roberts, 7.W.Roberts, 4.Badland, 8.Philpott, 16.Guinan, 5.Bonito, 2.Hadley, 12.Moore, 10.Varghese, 9.Willis, 14.Matthews, 3.Stimson, 13.Ingram, Dawe, Fathers
Spartan Rangers: 1.Adderley, 3.Woolery, 15.Bailey, 16.Clarke, 12. Mocliuc, 7.Rodrigues, 14.Froggatt, 11.Hibberd, 6.Foley, 10.A.Smith, 8.Williams, 13.V.Smith, 9.McDonough, 5.Adegoke

It's fair to say that I'm not a massive fan of the Americanisation of football and, whilst the standard of the matches has been generally high, the overall World Cup shenanigans has left me cold. So, it was something of a relief to get back to some proper grassroots football this Friday evening. It was not the best conditions for a match, 33 degrees and a bone-hard pitch, but it was still great to be back outside watching a game.
The Henry Hawtin Memorial Trophy is played annually and gives grassroots teams, in and around the Witney area the opportunity to play a full tournament as part of their pre-season preparations.
This season's tournament, which you can follow on the BotP website - https://www.botp.co.uk/henry-hawtin.html - once again features two groups of five teams. Group B consists of Heyford Athletic, Longford Park, Milton-u-Wychwood, Spartan Rangers and last season's champions, Stonesfield. Group A features this evening's teams, Ducklington and Chadlington, with Deddington Town, Witney Royals and last season's beaten finalists, Charlbury Town.
Tonight's game pitched Witney and District Division 1 side, Ducklington, with Premier Division outfit, Chadlington. They met in the group stage last season with Chadlington coming out on top by two goals to nil.
Many thanks to referee Roger Huxford for sharing the team sheets with me. As always, very much appreciated.

​Thankfully the game got under way without the countdown from 10 that the American audience seems to require. We would, however, be having a hydration break in each half. With temperatures still up around 30 degrees, it was a necessity. There's no roof and air-con at Enstone Sports.

The Premier League team started well and caused Ducklington problems as early as the third minute, when Brinley Mayne's effort was pushed up and against the crossbar by goalkeeper Finn Ball, before being scrambled away for a corner. The initial ball in then foot of the near post, rebounding straight back to the corner taker. The second delivery, however, was much better, into the heart of the box where Kyle Grimmett rose to glance a header to the corner of the net. 0-1.
In front early on, Chadlington looked to grab a second and, with just six minutes on the clock, Isaac Harrington tested Ball again, but this time the goalkeeper was equal to the effort. Ducklington responded in kind and, recovering from the early setback, began to make progress into the Chadlington half. Their first real opportunity fell to Charlie Woodrow, who was given some space on the left but couldn't keep his shot down. They did, however, cause Josh Betts an anxious moment a few minutes later, the Chad keeper scrambling and happy to see an effort go narrowly over.
With 18 minutes played, Ducklington did get themselves level, and it was a thing of some beauty. Ethan Luckett spotted the run of Barnaby Hodgetts and sent a searching 50-yard pass over the Chadlington back-line. Hodgetts ran onto the ball, controlling perfectly with his first touch, taking the ball wide of the on-rushing Betts before slipping the ball into the empty net. 1-1
Shortly after the goal we had the first hydration break of the evening. When the game continued, it was Ducklington who created the next big chance when Harry Hunt went on a run down the right, driving to the byline and cutting back for Charlie Nelson, who saw his effort deflected wide for a corner. When this was delivered, from the Ducklington left, Harry Hatcher saw his goal-bound header cleared off the line by Charlie King.
That chance turned out to be the last that Ducklington manufactured in the first half. In fact, both sides struggled to create many clear-cut opportunities. Chadlington did come close in the final 5 minutes when Grimmetts' header was spilled by Ball, fumbled against the post and eventually hacked clear amidst claims that the ball crossed the line. These were quickly waved away by the referee.

HT Ducklington 1 Chadlington 1. A good half of football played in very testing conditions. Both sides created chances. Chadlington probably edged it in terms of possession, but Ducklington's more direct style was clearly a threat too.

​Much as in the first half, it was the Premier League team who looked stronger after the restart. In fact, they went back in front only a minute into the second period. Kyle Grimmett, on the left hand corner of the penalty area, found that he had no-one to aim for in the box so decided to take on the shot. It looked almost impossible to score from the angle he had, but somehow he managed to shape the ball around Ball into the far, bottom corner. Great strike. 1-2.
Nine minutes into the second half Chadlington stamped their authority on the game, and it was more good work from Grimmett that caused the problem for Ducklington. The blue's number two did well down the left before cutting back for Oliver Abbott. Ball did brilliantly to keep the point-blank effort out with a stretched leg. However, Chadlington kept the pressure on and, when the ball fell to Alfie Peachey on the edge of the box, Ball could do nothing to keep out his low drive. 1-3
That goal gave Peachey a taste for the action and, only a minute later, he sent in another superb, dipping shot that Ball, this time, was equal to, expertly tipping the ball over. That, however, was as close as Chadlington were to come to a fourth goal. Unsurprisingly, given the heat, the Blues took their foot off the gas a little and concentrated more on closing out the game.
Ducklington, to their credit, did keep pushing with Charlie Woodrow, in particular, keeping the Chadlington defensive line honest. Just past the hour the Ducks number 9 dragged a shot wide then, a few minutes later, kept Betts on his toes with a strike on target that the stopper was equal to. As time began to run out on Ducklington, post the second drinks break, Woodrow was again their main threat, breaking through on the left but finding Betts a strong barrier, blocking the shot with his legs this time. There was one more opportunity for Woodrow, after some fancy footwork opened up another shooting opportunity, only for the finish not to live up to the approach work.
With two minutes remaining, Ryan Sheppard had another chance for the yellows, but lifted his shot over and, with that, any final chance to get back into the game was gone.

FT Ducklington 1 Chadlington 3. A thoroughly entertaining game of football. Credit to both teams for producing such a good opening to the tournament on a bump, hard pitch in stifling heat. Both teams showed that they are capable of causing problems offensively, but the clinical finishing of Kyle Grimmett proved to be the big difference between the sides.
Next up for Chadlington is last season's runners-up Charlbury Town next Friday. The following day Ducklington take on Witney Royals.


Ducklington: 1.Ball, 7.Halcrow, 16.James, 6.Hickman, 15.Luckett, 11.Winder, 12.Hodgetts, 10.Woodrow, 18.McIntosh, 9.Nelson, 15.Watson, 5.Sheppard, 8.Butler, 17.Hatcher, 2.Hunt
Chadlington: Betts, 12.Cozier, 14.S.Harrington, 8.Wheatley, 15.King, 4.I.Harrington, 10.Bennett, 11.Mayne, 2.Grimmett, 16.Donaghy, 9.Peachey, 17.Foster, 7.Abbott, Ingram, Soanes, 6.Massey

At this time of the season I always try to get to games that still have some meaning to them. A play-off,  cup final or even a league decider. However, on Saturday, I made the short trip down to Oakley purely for the joy of watching a game of football. There was nothing riding on the game. Witney had already won the league and Shipston had already claimed the second promotion spot. Host club Oakley United were resigned to fourth place and their visitors, Hanwell Town, would finish fifth regardless of the outcome.
I discovered that both teams were having to make both forced and unforced changes to their teams. Hanwell had Sam Coles, normally an outfield player, in goal and could only field one substitute. Oakley had decided to draw lots for their positions with the consequence that their normal keeper, Micky Thompson, was up front with Callum Walsh between the sticks.
In light of the experimental approach of both teams, I also decided to have a little bit of a play around with my usual format. Oakley also produce their own match report, which is well worth a read. There are also some excellent match photos available courtesy of Alfie Greenwood. Check them both out on Oakley's Facebook page. My nod towards experimentation was to allow Copilot to generate a match report based on the X posts that I put out during the game.

Oakley United produced a composed, clinical performance to see off Hanwell United 3–0, controlling the match from the opening minutes and rarely looking troubled.

Oakley struck early. In the 6th minute, Atkinson delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Max Sargent rose to head home and give the hosts a deserved lead. 1-0. They nearly doubled it soon after, with Nathan Simms hitting the foot of the post on 14 minutes.

Hanwell struggled to settle, and Oakley continued to create the clearer chances. Harry Gardner’s long‑range effort on 20 minutes skimmed off the base of the post, while Thompson was denied by Coles after breaking through on 24 minutes.

The pressure finally told on 40 minutes. A corner swung in by Timms caused chaos, and initially it looked as if Hanwell defender Brandon Garvie inadvertently bundled the ball over his own line to make it 2–0. However, the goal was credited to Oakley captain Karl Woodcock.

Oakley almost added a third before the break, Lewis Mannerings rolling an effort just wide in stoppage time, but they went in at half-time firmly in control.

HT Oakley United 2 Hanwell United 0

​Hanwell emerged with more intent. Matt Timms and Ronan Halkett both tried their luck from distance, though neither troubled the Oakley keeper. Nathan Simms produced one of the half’s standout moments with a raking 60‑yard pass to Micky Thompson, but the resulting shot flew well over.

Oakley, though less dominant than in the first half, still carved out chances. Lance Ernesta went close after being picked out by Joeb Evans, and Timms fired narrowly wide after a twisting run.

The decisive third goal arrived on 87 minutes. A loose ball across the Hanwell back line was seized upon by Bradley Walsh, who calmly stroked it home to seal the victory. 3-0.

FT Oakley United 3 Hanwell United 0. Oakley United were sharper, more inventive, and more ruthless throughout. Hanwell had spells of pressure but lacked the cutting edge to turn half‑chances into real danger. With goals from Sargent, Woodcock, and a late finish from Walsh, Oakley ran out deserved 3–0 winners.


Oakley United: 1.C.Walsh, 3.Bosher, 2.Dandridge, 15.Gardner, 8.A.Simms, 7.Atkinson, 11.Sargent. 23.Woodcock(c), 16.Szpur, 9.Thompson, 10.Mannerings. Subs: 11.B.Walsh, 4.Beckett, 14.R.Simms
Hanwell United: 1.Coles, 16.Garvie, 5.Gascoigne(c), 4.Short, 9.Billsdon, 14.Evans, 18.Dunham, 6.Thomas, 2.Ernesta, 11.Nalkett, 7.M.Timms. Sub: 10.Marshall

The Ground

The Playing Field sits directly beside the Village Hall and forms a 6‑acre community open space owned by Oakley Parish Council since the late 1940s. It has long served as the village’s main outdoor recreation area.

Key features include:

Football pitch – used for local matches and training.
Cricket area – historically used for village cricket.
Children’s play area – recently redeveloped with modern equipment.
Community orchard – created by the Gardening Society and Oakley School.
Outdoor bowling green (approved development) – a project supported by the Parish Council.
Walking path (“The Acorn Trail”) – a new pathway linking the hall car park to the school.

There's a particularly pleasant café overlooking the pitch, which also has a patio area with umbrellas (useful on a day like Saturday when it was in the high 20s), although the trees on one side of the pitch do afford some shade from the sun to. Overall, it's a great place to watch football.

Ground Number:488
Att: 
Entrance: 
Programme:

​Although for many the season had already ended, in Hertfordshire there was still the small matter of the County Senior League Premier Division to decide on Saturday. Two teams were still in with a shout of taking the title, the reigning champions, Chipperfield Corinthians, and Hinton who last won the title in 2011. Chipperfield led the way with a one point advantage and a superior goal difference. Consequently, the day's objectives were clear for both teams. If Chipperfield won, it didn't matter what Hinton did. If Chipperfield lost or drew, Hinton needed to win to take the title. Hinton were away at last season's Division One champions, Westmill, who started the day in fifth. Chipperfield were also on the road, taking on Cuffley who started the day in fourth. These two were also the top two last season.
My game choice was Cuffley v Chipperfield. The reverse fixture, on the opening day, had ended in a 1-1 draw. Last season's meetings had both ended in away wins, Corinthians winning 2-0 at Cuffley but losing 2-1 at home.
A big thank you to the match officials who shared the team sheets with me before kick-off, especially as I had to go back for a second shot after managing to cut off the shirt numbers from one of the sheets.

​As you would expect between two top teams, with so much at stake, it was a fairly cagey start. Chipperfield's Bobby Lowe struck the first effort on target in the sixth minute, but it was a very comfortable stop for Steve Georgiou. Play continued to be focussed largely on the midfield third, as both teams battled to establish some kind of advantage. If anything it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous, with Lowe' space on the right a big threat. 
However, it was Cuffley who took the lead in the 19th minute when Sam Rogers weaved into the penalty area and was clipped. Devante Davis stepped up, sending Zak Green the wrong way. 1-0
Chipperfield responded well and when Lewis Toomey met a low cross from the right, his effort wasn't too far wide. A few minutes later Lowe stung Georgiou's hands with a good strike, but the keeper recovered well to get a hand to the loose ball ahead of Toomey. Then, just before the half-hour mark, the visitors drew level. A long throw from the right was controlled well by Sam Hutchings. He flicked the ball inside to Lewis Toomey, who sent a first-time volley spiralling into the far corner. 1-1
Despite the fact that Cuffley were not in the title race themselves, they were not going to go down without a fight in this game. Four minutes after the equaliser the home side really should have been back in front when a deep cross from the left was knocked back across goal to Davis who, with the goal gaping in front of him, seemed to hesitate for a second, just enough time for a Chipperfield defender to get across and hack the ball clear. A big let-off for Corinthians.
The game once again fell back into a hard-fought midfield battle for a while, before bursting back into life with four minutes of the first-half remaining. Cuffley again were first to show, a long ball down the right finding captain Joe Willis who, under pressure from a defender, could only find the side-netting. Responding in kind, Chipperfield went straight up the other end. A delightful through ball on the right sent Bobbly Lower clear. The speedy winger just about caught the ball and sent over a perfect first time cross for Lewis Toomey to power a header past Georgiou from close range. 1-2
The visitors had their noses in front and it could easily have been a bigger margin when Cuffley gifted them the ball inside their own box in the final minute of the half. Toomey's snapshot looped up and could have been dropping in before Georgiou palmed it over the bar.

HT Cuffley 1 Chipperfield Corinthians 2. A good response from Chipperfield after going a goal down. News had also reached the ground that Hinton were a goal down to Westmill at half-time. SO, as it stood, Chipperfield were well on track to take the title.

​The visitors were back out early, ready to go for the second half and were on the offensive from the first whistle. Only a minute had gone when Toomey intercepted a loose pass, looked up to see Georgiou off his line, and sent a lob narrowly over the Cuffley bar. The visitors were clearly keen to sew things up. However, football is never that straight-forward, that's why we all love it so much.
There minutes into the second half, things changed around. A Cuffley through ball, straight down the middle, gave Joe Willis something to chase. The home captain got there a split second ahead of Zak Green, who had sprinted off his line. Both players ended in a heap but, crucially, the Cuffley captain had managed to poke the ball under the keeper and into the net. 2-2. As if that wasn't bad enough for Chipperfield, news was filtering through that Hinton were on the comeback trail over at Puckeridge.
The visitors knew they needed to get another goal to make Hinton's efforts inconsequential and they came within a whisker of getting it just past the hour. Bobby Lowe, who had been a thorn in the Cuffley side all game, cut in from the right and unleashed a stunning left foot strike that beat Georgiou but crashed against the crossbar.
With Hinton now leading at Westmill a further Corinthians goal had gone from being a safety cushion to a necessity.
With just over twenty minutes remaining, Cuffley's Drew Tyler sent a 20-yard freekick sailing over the Corinthians bar, just to warn them that they couldn't throw everyone forward.
The game was becoming more stretched as players tired and the visitors tried to increase their efforts for a third goal. Dan Griggs dragged a low shot wide of Georgiou's far post before Green was again called into action for Chipperfield, diving to his right to push away an acrobatic effort from Dan Jones.
Bobby Lowe then flashed a shot across the face of the Cuffley goal and Griggs fired straight at Georgiou before, with three minutes remaining, Chipperfield thought they had snatched a winner but, despite having the ball in the net, the referee had already blown for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Into added time and the two Hinton supporters who had come to watch this game, were now next to the Cuffley bench, ready to celebrate with the home team. Hinton were 3-1 up and minutes away from the league title. However, their nerves were being tested when Lower fizzed a freekick just too high and wide. Nails were then being bitten when Chipperfield were awarded a corner in the 96th minute. Goalkeeper Zak Green was sent forward, but couldn't get on the end of it. The ball was cleared out for a throw-in to Chipperfield. Green stayed up in anticipation. The throw was delivered towards the near post and flicked on towards the back post where Lewis Smith was lurking to send a header into the home net. 2-3. Absolute scenes amongst the Chipperfield players and bench, they'd snatched the win with the last action of the game.

FT Cuffley 2 Chipperfield Corinthians 3. What a game to end the season. Massive congratulations to Chipperfield Corinthians, who never gave the game up and go their rewards in the final seconds of a long season. They take the title for a second consecutive season. Not only that, but the team also completed an amazing quadruple, winning the league, the Norman Appleby Cup, The Anagram Records Trophy and the Centenary Cup. That's a fantastic achievement at any level of the game.
Thanks must go to Cuffley for playing their part in a brilliant afternoon of football. Despite not having much to play for themselves, they pushed Chipperfield all the way and could easily have won the game themselves. Commiserations must also go to Hinton, who must have thought they had the title in the bag, only to be denied at the very death.

Cuffley: 1.Georgiou, 18.Gubb, 3.Cooper, 4.Norton, 5.McKenzie, 6.Bostock, 7.Willis(c), 8. Tyler, 14.Davis, 10.Rogers, 11.Jones. Subs: 12.Lasku, 17.Oxley-Fricker, 9.Robinson, 15.Buckingham, 16.Evans
Chipperfield Corinthians: 1.Green, 22.F.Lowe, 23.Forkin, 24.Hutchings, 32.Wallace(c), 33.Smith, 27.B.Lowe, 28.Slade, 30.Toomey, 20.Hobbs, 21.Griggs. Subs: 25.Nicholls, 26.Hoar, 29.Yallop, 31.Colgan, 34.Lesslie

The Ground
The village of Cuffley is approximately midway between Potters Bar and Cheshunt, just outside the M25. Cuffley Football Club is located on the southern edge of the village at the King George V Playing Field, and shares a community recreation complex with cricket, bowls and tennis. There is a fair sized car park, but beware, it's a tight squeeze in places. There are two main parking areas, one just off the main road and another behind the recently refurbished clubhouse. All of the facilities, for spectators, players and officials, are within the clubhouse building, which looks out over the main pitch. There are also a number of small-sided pitches around the playing field. It seems that Cuffley has a thriving youth section.
The main pitch is surrounded (almost) by a metal rail fence and has portable dugouts that can be wheeled out on match days. There's no spectator cover, although you could possibly get a decent view from parts of the clubhouse. 


Ground Number:487
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