With the summer drawing to a close, the 2024-25 Southern Region Leagues were gearing up to an early September start, with a host of new teams joining the league replacing some old faces. Bournemouth Sports, who won the Premier League the previous season, were taking their place in the National League Division One South-West. Rushmoor Community had opted to leave the Southern Region Division One South to drop back into the county league structure.
The Premier League had a few new faces in the form of Selsey, relegated from the National League and Reading FC Community Trust, the phoenix club formed after the former Women’s Super League side’s demise (the story of which could fill an entire book in its own right). AFC Portchester, last season’s Division One South champions, were taking their place at the top table for the first time and should have been joined by Division One North Champions Long Crendon. However, they folded their team, for a number of reasons prior to the start of the season, which gave a reprieve to Badshot Lea, who had finished bottom last term. The other new name was Sholing, formerly Eastleigh In The Community. Warminster Town were also missing, after resigning at the end of the previous season.

The make-up of the Premier League was:

1. Ascot United
2. AFC Portchester
3. Badshot Lea
4. Oxford City
5. Reading
6. Sholing
7. Selsey
8. Winchester City Flyers
9. Woodley United
10. Wycombe Wanderers

Division One North also had a couple of new faces in the form of Slough Town and Tilehurst Panthers, both of whom came in from the Thames Valley League. Panthers had won Division One by a fair few points, with Slough in fourth spot. Sadly, the league was reduced to 11 teams fairly early on in the season when Eversley & California resigned.
So, Division One North looked like this:

1. Ascot United Reserves
2. Abingdon United Development
3. Beaconsfield Town
4. Caversham United
5. Chesham United Development
6. Kidlington Youth
7. Milton United
8. Penn & Tylers Green
9. Slough Town
10. Tilehurst Panthers

Division One South was the league with the most changes from the previous season. As already stated, AFC Portchester had been promoted and Rushmoor Community had dropped into the Hampshire League. In addition to this, no fewer than five new teams were joining the division. Bursledon, AFC Varsity, QK Southampton and United Service Portsmouth all made the leap from the Hampshire League system, with Dorset League Champions, Wimborne Town, also coming aboard. The Hampshire contingent came from Division One, the top flight. Bursledon had won the league by seven points from AFC Varsity. QK Southampton and United Services Portsmouth finished in fourth and fifth respectively. Wimborne had done the Dorset-Double, winning the League, four points clear of Poole Town, who they also defeated in the League Cup Final. Unfortunately, United Services Portsmouth also dropped out before a ball was kicked, re-joining the Hampshire League. Abbey Rangers started the season, but were to resign midway through.
The Division One South constitution, to begin the season, looked like this:

1. Abbey Rangers
2. AFC Stoneham
3. AFC Varsity
4. Bournemouth Sports Reserves
5. Bursledon
6. Havant & Waterlooville
7. Fleet Town
8. QK Southampton
9. Wimborne Town
10. Woking

The season review is divided by month. You can fast forward to each month by clicking on it below:
September - October - November - December - January - February - March - April - May

​The opening day of the season, Sunday September 1st was mainly dominated by the Women’s FA Cup, although eight out of ten Premier League sides began their league campaign, as did four in Division One North two in the South. Big winners on day one were Ascot United in the Premier League. After finishing the previous two campaigns as runners-up to Abingdon United and Bournemouth Sports, they laid down a real statement of intent by thumping Woodley United 11-0 at The Racecourse Ground. It was a very successful start to the Women’s FA Cup for the SoReg teams. Of the fourteen clubs playing, eleven were successful, and two of the three who went out were beaten by other SoReg team. The exception being Eversley & California who conceded their game to Steyning Town.
BotP’s first live game of the season also came in the FA Cup, the 5-1 defeat of Headstone Manor for Kidlington Youth, where a defensive mix-up in the 6th minute saw Iqra Ismail give Headstone Manor the lead. However, when Courtney Sumner banged in a 29th minute equaliser, there looked to be only one winner. Sure enough, led by an energetic forward display and hat-trick from Grace Craven, with an added extra from Zoe Taylor, the Greens ran away with it in the second half. Read the match blog here (Amazing Grace)The biggest cup win of the day came at Westleigh Park where Emily Wernham scored four as Havant & Waterlooville beat United Services Portsmouth 10-0, probably also justifying USP’s decision to remain in the Hampshire League for now. Abbey Rangers won 3-2 at Hassocks, signalling a rare bright spot in what was to become an unhappy season for The Abbey.

The following weekend the league campaigns in all three divisions got fully underway. In the Premier League, Reading began life in tier 5 with a 3-0 defeat at Sholing. Ascot continued their high-scoring start with a 5-1 win at AFC Portchester and there were wins for Wycombe Wanderers, Oxford City and Woodley United, making a great recovery from their opening day drubbing. In the North, Abingdon United Development made it two from two with a 1-0 defeat of Ascot United Reserves. Tilehurst Panthers got their first ever point at this level, drawing 3-3 with Beaconsfield Town, who needed an 85th minute Nicole Brown goal to rescue a point. Big winners in the North were Penn & Tylers Green who put nine past Chesham United Development. Tara Woodward scoring four and Henna Hussain grabbing a hat-trick. Slough Town earned their first ever SoReg three points courtesy of a home walkover against Caversham United, who were already showing signs of the stressful season to come.
AFC Stoneham opened their Division One South campaign by rattling in seven unanswered goals at home to AFC Varsity, showing no signs of missing last season’s top-scorer Chloe Melton, who had moved to Farnham Town. Instead, they had a new sharpshooter in the form of Mia House, who notched no fewer than six of their seven goals. Two of the other newbies, QK Southampton and Wimborne Town, also lost their opening games, Fleet Town winning 5-0 at QK and Bournemouth Sports Reserves leaving Wimborne with a 2-1 win. The fourth new team, Bursledon, came very close to causing an upset in their opening game and were still leading 4-3 at Havant & Waterlooville until a 91st minute Sophie Lee equaliser saved the days for The Hawks.
The following Sunday, the 15th, also saw a full league programme across the divisions. In the Premier League Ascot dropped their first points of the season after a 2-2 draw at Wycombe. They were joined on seven points by Sholing and Oxford City, who both won away from home. Reading and Winchester City Flyers were both pointless after two games. Big winners of the day in the North were Kidlington Youth who put eight past Milton United. Beaconsfield held on to top spot after beating Abingdon United Development 3-0 with three second half goals. Slough into second place, and retained their 100% start, by winning 4-0 at Chesham United Development. In the South, BotP travelled down to Eastleigh to watch two of the new teams, Bursledon and Wimborne Town, battle out an entertaining 1-1 draw, highlighted by outstanding goalkeeping from both Burlseldon’s Jade Kibell and Town’s Tegan Barnes. The game was goalless at the break before Zoe Bache gave The Dons the lead early I the second period. Ellie Chaffe finally got the ball past Kibell with 11 minutes remaining. Read the BotP match blog (These Two Are Keepers). Havant & Waterlooville, meanwhile, were putting eleven past QK Southampton, who were finding SoReg life difficult, not helped by having Megan Moran sent off.
The following weekend saw the Premier League clubs entering the FA Cup, but there were still a few league games in Division One North and South. Beaconsfield won again to stay a point clear of Abingdon in the North. Chesham and Caversham both lost to stay at the bottom on zero points with four and three played respectively. In the South Bournemouth Sports Reserves remained top despite losing 3-1 at home to Wimborne Sports in the second Dorset Derby of the season.
Of the 19 SoReg teams playing in the FA Cup,12 of them progressed. Both Portchester and Wycombe clocked up 13 against QK Southampton and Milton United respectively. The all-Premier clash between Oxford City and Woodley United went the way of the visitors thanks to goals from Mollie Haines and Charley Evans. The most intriguing result of the day came at Fleet Town where the Division One South hosts thrashed Premier League Badshot Lea 8-2 despite the visitors fielding five players who played for Fleet in the previous campaign. BotP was back at Exeter Park to see Kidlington Youth lose out to Eastern Region Premier League side, Watford Ladies Development. (Watford Wing It)

​October kicked off with a full league programme on Sunday the 6th. In the Premier League Ascot United nudged themselves in front with a 4-1 defeat of Oxford City thanks largely to a blistering first-half performance where the Yellawomen scored four without reply. Woodley United took over second place after winning 3-0 at Selsey through two goals from Sarah Lawrence and one from Chloe Melton. Reading remained rooted to the foot of the table, losing 4-1 at home to AFC Portchester. Meanwhile, both Wycombe and Winchester registered home wins, in the case of the Flyers, their first three-pointer of the season. Beaconsfield went six points clear in the North after smashing six past The Goats at Mapeldurham. Penn’s 5-1 defeat of Tilehurst, who had Lydia Vettese sent off, put them second. Milton United won for the first time this season and Chesham stayed bottom after losing for the sixth consecutive game, 5-1 at home to Ascot United Reserves. Wimborne were top in the South after a 4-0 win at QK. However, second placed Fleet, who secured an incredible 7-3 win at Stoneham, were only a couple of points behind with three games in hand. Woking’s winless start to the season continued into their fourth outing after two Laurie Potvin goals secured the points for Havant & Waterlooville.
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​The following week, the 13th, was FA Cup weekend again and there were mixed fortunes for the SoReg teams taking part. Seven of them went out whilst six progressed. The biggest victory for a SoReg team came at The Racecourse Ground where Ascot United beat Woodley United 8-2. Coming on top of the opening day hammering at the same ground, Woodley would no doubt be happy not to have to make a further return in the near future. There was a notable win for Reading who, after a 0-0 draw t Richmond & Kew, went through 3-2 on penalties. No points in the league for The Royals, but signs of life with this win. BotP was down on the South Coast where Premier League Sholing were taking on National League South-West outfit Bristol Rovers. The Boatwomen sprang an early surprise when Amber O’Reilly put them in front after just 8 minutes, a lead they held all the way through until half-time. Siena Millen almost doubled the lead midway through the second half, stopped by a great save from Bristol’s George Hunt. That left the door open for top scorer Meg Jarvis to equalise for Rovers, following in after a superb save from Grace Jenman. Sholing had put up one hell of fight but eventually succumbed to another Jarvis finish four minutes into added time. Heartbreak for Sholing but they could be enormously proud of their display.  Read the BotP match blog (Rovers Leave It Meg(a) Late Again). There was just one game in the top flight, Oxford City recording a 6-1 victory over Badshot Lea to go back into second spot, level on points with Ascot United. In the North there were wins for Wycombe Wanderers u23, Slough Town and Ascot United Reserves, who moved into second spot, leapfrogging Penn. Chesham United Development finally got a point on the board with a 4-4 draw at Milton.  Summer Major struck a hat-trick for the home side with Emma Nolan also hitting three for Chesham, including an 88th minute equaliser. Just two games took place in the South. Bournemouth Sports Reserves put six unanswered goals past QK Southampton, who were still to register a goal themselves. Emma Acott notched four goals for Sports. Meanwhile a Kayleigh Rogers hat-trick inside 28 second-half minutes, saw AFC Varsity clock up their first win of the season with a 3-2 victory at winless Woking.
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It was county cup week on the 20th with eight games taking place across the Southern Region. BotP was at Oxford Rugby & Football Club for the local derby between Thames Valley Division Two side East Oxford and Premier League high-flyers Oxford City. The Hoops put out a much-changed team, but the three-division gap was way too much for a spirited East Oxford side to cope with over the 90 minutes. On a very wet and windy afternoon, City got into their stride, scoring six first-half goals before the home side got a deserved goal just before the break, through Amalia Djamame. City then added six more in the second half with Djemame again adding a goal for East Oxford. Ellie White scored four for City as the eventually ran out 12-2 winners. However, the PotM, without doubt, went to East Oxford goalkeeper Kiaya Makin, who made a number of great saves. Read about it in the BotP match blog (Makin The Grade) In other games, Woodley United went out 4-2 at National League South-West side Abingdon United, Beaconsfield beat Slough Town in a local derby and there were wins for Kidlington Youth, Ascot United, whilst Milton United were soundly beaten at National League Maidenhead. Penn & Tylers Green claimed the best win of the weekend as they beat MK Dons SET 1-0 at French School Meadow which, when you consider the same match up two seasons previously had ended 17-0 to MK, was a superb result. There was also a giant-killing of sorts at Willen Road, where Newport Pagnell Town came from behind to see off Wycombe Wanderers. Across the leagues Portchester won the South coast derby at Sholing with a last minute Eilidh Currie goal. Badshot Lea lost again, this time 4-1 at Winchester City Flyers. There was just one game in the North where Abingdon United Development put four unanswered goals past Wycombe u23s at Burnham. Bournemouth Sports Reserves were the new leaders in the South after a 1-1 draw with Bursledon put them top on goal difference. Both Havant and Stoneham had big home wins, The Hawks putting six past AFC Varsity and The Purps beating QK 8-2, despite two Jessica Nunn goals giving The Bees a two-goal lead.

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The final weekend of the month was back to league action, with the one exception being Caversham United v Reading in a local county cup clash that The Royals won 5-3 on penalties. It was still very tight at the top of the Premier League as AFC Portchester, Oxford City and Ascot United all had big wins to end the month level on 16 points each. The other game saw Sholing beat Badshot Lea 1-0 at Wrecclesham, leaving the Baggies still looking for a win after eight games. It was all-square at Holloways Park as Beaconsfield and Penn fought out a 1-1 with BotP present (Undefeated) Even at this stage of the competition, it was obvious that one of these sides would win the division. The question in October was, which one? Elsewhere, Grace Crave hit a hat-trick to help Kidlington win 3-2 at Abingdon Development whilst Ascot United Reserves won 6-3 at Milton United, despite Mollie Dyer helping herself to a hat-trick for Milton. Slough won 2-1 at Tilehurst and Chesham Development lifted themselves off the bottom with their first win of the season, a 3-2 win at Wycombe u23. Bournemouth Sports didn’t last long as top dogs in the South. A 4-0 defeat at Fleet Twon saw to that, sending Town top of the table as October ended. They were joined on 12 points by AFC Stoneham who were 4-0 winners at Wimborne. QK remained anchored to the bottom, but it took a single Jennifer Parr goal just past the hour for Varsity to win 1-0 at The Hive. There was late drama at Toynbee School where the scores were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Bryony Gibbs looked to have secured a first win for The Cards on 92 minutes but, two minutes later, Kirby Anderson equalised to save a point for The Dons.

​The Women’s FA Cup was back again for the first week of November, with just six SoReg teams left in the competition, and two of them pitched against each other. AFC Portchester came out on top of that clash, winning 4-1 at Winchester City Flyers, after Libby Wilkinson had given City and early lead. BotP was on the road to catch this game at The Charters Community Stadium (Flying The Flag). Unfortunately, none of the other SoReg teams made it through. Reading’s cup run came to an end in Kent as they fell 3-1 to Aylesford. Ascot United were beaten 4-2 at Brentford, Bursledon lost 4-0 at home to Marine Academy Plymouth and Penn were beaten 3-0 at French School Meadow by Queen’s Park Rangers. In the Premier League two of the winless sides, Selsey and Badshot Lea went head-to-head at The Seal Bay Resort Stadium but neither could change the winless statistic as the game ended 2-2. Woodley got back to winning ways by beating Sholing 3-0 at Bulmershe Pavilion whilst Oxford City missed out on going top after losing 4-1 at Wycombe with Kayla Potter scoring two more for The Chairgirls. Beaconsfield extended their lead at the top of Division One North to 8 points after coming from behind to win 2-1 at second-placed Ascot United Reserves. Caversham United exchange places with Chesham United Development at the bottom again. The Goats drew 1-1 at Tilehurst thanks to a second-half Caroline Charlton equaliser whilst Chesham lost 3-1 at home to Kidlington. Wycombe u23 won 3-0 at Slough, but if it was goals you wanted, Milton Heights was the place to be. Milton led the game 4-2 at the break, but Abingdon Development hit back to lead 5-4 after 65 minutes. Milton then levelled it up at 5-5 before two more foals from the visitors sent them back up the A34 with the points after a 7-5 victory. In the South, Woking finally won, at the seventh time of asking, with a 3-0 victory at QK. Fleet remained top after thumping Varsity 6-1 on their own patch. Isobella Moffett hitting a hat-trick in that game. More goals came at The Moor where Wimborne beat a struggling Abbey Rangers side 8-2. Sadly, for all concerned, this result would not count later in the season when Abbey resigned from the league. There was another extraordinary game at Westleigh Park where Havant & Waterlooville came from two goals down not once, but twice, before beating Bournemouth Sports Reserves 5-4. A game that saw Bournemouth’s Isobel Weatherly score and get sent off.
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​The weekend of November 10th was mostly about cups. The League Cup took centre stage, with just two other fixtures, a North Hants Divisional cup tie between Winchester City Flyers and Overton, which City won by some margin with both Eliza Eaton and April Hill scoring double hat-tricks and a Division One South game at Stoneham, that saw Havant & Waterlooville win 2-0 to go to the summit. There were double-figure wins in the League Cup for Beaconsfield, against Caversham, and Wycombe against AFC Varsity, too. Chairgirls Eman Kassem, Jessica Watkins and Ellen Wardlaw all scored hat-tricks in the latter game. For Beaconsfield, Dominque Carrington hit a hat-trick and Nicole Brown hit five, including two in second half added time. BotP was at Scours Lane for the local derby between Tilehurst Panthers and Reading. Panthers led 2-0 at the break, through Leah Why and Lydia Vettese. However, Mia Bradley and Lucy Bolitho levelled things up before cup penalty queens, Reading, went through 5-3 from the spot. Woodley found themselves back at The Racecourse Ground and were beaten again, although this time it was just 4-1. They even took the lead early on when Lucy Giles scored after 5 minutes. Fleet Town were once again pitched against Badshot Lea, this time travelling to Wrecclesham. Town won again, 5-3 this time, although two of the Baggies goals were scored by former Fleet players, Claire Benton and Dot Usher. There were also wins for Milton United, Sholing, Penn & Tylers Green, Slough Town, Selsey and Woking.
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The following weekend, November 17th, was split between league and county cup action and, with Ascot playing in the cup, Oxford City took full advantage in the Premier League. Their 2-1 defeat of AFC Portchester saw them go top of the table. Woodley went second after winning at Badshot Lea and Ascot slipped to third, although they had games in hand on everyone. Wycombe also closed the gap on the top three with a 4-0 win at Winchester thanks largely to an Eman Kassem hat-trick. Milton won at Chesham Development in the North, creating something of a gap between themselves and the bottom two. Caversham went down 6-0 at Wycombe u23s, Ascot Reserves and Abingdon Development both won to keep some element of pressure on Beaconsfield. Charlotte Bigmore score a hat-trick for Abingdon at Tilehurst, who still couldn’t find a home win. Ascot’s win at Kidlington came courtesy of a late Danielle Kjaer goal. In the South, QK Southampton were still looking for a point after being edged out 1-0 at Burlsedon. Stoneham won 1-0 at Bournemouth and Fleet won the top of the table tussle, beating Havant & Waterlooville 3-1.
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The final weekend of November was hit hard by the effects of Storm Bert. Only six games survived the weather, including AFC Portchester historic FA Cup clash at home to AFC Bournemouth. Portchy went down 4-0 to the National League high-flyers, who were themselves heading for a record-breaking season in which they would win the league by 16 points and go unbeaten. Ascot ended the month where they began it, top of the premier League, after winning 4-0 at Sholing. Winchester survived a battling second-half Selsey performance to win 3-2, creating an eight-point gap to the bottom three teams. Only one game survived in the North, Ascot’s 7-0 home thrashing of Caversham, which BotP was on to watch despite the awful weather (Weather Beaten). The defeat saw The Goats drop back to the bottom of the table on goal difference. In the South, Stoneham secured the points and second spot with a 2-0 home win over Woking. Fleet, meanwhile, survived a Bursdledon fightback to take a hard-earned win at Toynbee School. The dons came from two down to level it up before Amy Granger’s second of the game won it for Town.
That was the end of the league action for November. There was, however, a midweek Combined Counties clash between Penn and Beaconsfield on the final Thursday of the month, a feisty encounter that saw Nicole Jacobs get sent off for Penn and Beaconsfield go through 2-1

December rolled in with Storm Bert rolling out and, although more games survived, there were still a number of postponements on December 1st. In the Premier League it was bottom versus top as Reading took on Ascot United. The game went to form with Ascot winning 3-0 leaving Reading still searching for their first point of the season. Oxford City’s 4-2 win at Marsh Lane, courtesy of an Ellie White hat-trick, left them second, level on points with Ascot. Elsewhere, Wycombe beat Selsey 3-0 lifted the Chairgirls above Portchester into fourth place. Beaconsfield’s lead in the North remained at two points as they were awarded the three points at home to Tilehurst whilst second placed Ascot United Reserves also won, beating Abingdon United Development to open a six-point gap between second and third. Caversham failed to score again and still only had two goals in ten games. However, their 0-0 draw at Kidlington lifted them back above Chesham who did not play. Milton’s mini revival ground to a halt as they lost 2-0 at home to Wycombe’s u23s, whilst Penn & Tylers Green got back to winning ways with a 6-0 thrashing of Slough Town. Just one game survived in the South, Woking’s 3-0 defeat of Bournemouth Sports Reserves who, after a good start, were now on a run of five straight defeats in all competitions. The League Cup tie between Havant & Waterlooville and Chesham United Development, scheduled for this weekend, was awarded as a home walkover.
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​Storm Darragh, which hit the UK in early December, proved to be even more disruptive than Storm Bert and December 8th saw just four games scheduled and even one of those, Ascot United v Slough Town in the League Cup, was awarded as a home walkover. The other League Cup game between Woking and Winchester City Flyers, went the way of the Premier League team. Leading 2-0 at the break, Flyers were given plenty to think about as Woking pulled a goal back. However, two late City goals sealed the tie. BotP was at this game for a first visit to Woking College (Memories Of Tim). The only league games to survive were I the South. AFC Stoneham drew level on points with Fleet, albeit having played two more, with a 3-1 defeat of Wimborne Town. Two goals in each half saw AFC Varsity beat QK Southampton by 4-0 in the other surviving game.
Week three in December, the 15th, finally saw the SoReg teams get back to something resembling a full fixture list and it was goals galore in the Premier League. The five fixtures featured 30 goals, nine of which were scored at the Wicor Recreation Ground as AFC Portchester beat Oxford City 7-2. A hat-trick from Charlotte Keenan playing a big part in the win for Portchy. The bottom three all lost without scoring. Selsey went down 4-0 at home to Ascot. Badshot Lea were on the wrong end of a 5-0 score line at Sholing, and Reading were beaten 6-0 at home by a rampant Wycombe side. Winchester City also continued their recent improved form with a 4-2 defeat of Woodley United. Division One North bottom side Chesham United Development forfeited the visit of leaders Beaconsfield, maintaining the unbeaten start for The Rams. Second place Ascot United stayed on their coat tails and emphasised their credentials, by beating Penn & Tylers Green 2-0. Tilehurst Panthers, who still couldn’t muster a home win, won away for Scours Lane for the third time, beating Kidlington 6-3 with four of their goals coming from Leah Why, all of which were scored after the 68th minute. Milton United, now Mollie Dyer-less after her move to Abingdon United, still managed to put five past Caversham. In the other S1N game, four goals from Solange Brellier and a hat-trick from Shannon Read, helped Wycombe Wanderers u23 to an 11-1 victory over Slough Town. In the South AFC Varsity beat Bournemouth Sports Reserves, leapfrogging their opponents in the process. QK Southampton made it double figures in the L column as they fell 2-0 at Wimborne. Woking beat Bursledon 3-1 to go above the Dons in the table. Finally, the League Cup tie between D1S rivals Havant & Waterlooville and AFC Stoneham, was as tight as expected, settled by a single goal from Hawks captain Emma-Jane May.
That took us into the Christmas break with Ascot United, Beaconsfield Town and Fleet Town leading the way in their respective divisions.

The New Year began slowly. Week 1 of 2025 saw just two of the scheduled five games take place. In the Premier League, there was no let up from Ascot United. They were back into the swing of things quickly with a 6-0 home demolition of Reading thanks largely to a Kate Fox hat-trick. Reading were now seven from seven in terms of defeats in the league and rooted to the foot of the table. The other game to survive was a Division One South tie between Bursledon and Bournemouth Sports Reserves.  The Dons ran out 5-2 winners, catapulting themselves into fifth spot whilst Bournemouth, who were top in late October, found themselves second from bottom.
Into the second game week of January. The Ascot United machine rolled on, but they were made to work hard against Wycombe Wanderers. Beth Lloyd scored both Ascot goals, the second 9 minutes from time, as United won 2-1. Ascot now had a nine-point gap at the top. Portchester occupied second spot after putting four past Badshot Lea. Woodley won 3-2 at Sholing after being two down inside 12 minutes, Sarah Lawrence grabbing the winner in the 81st minute. Reading remained pointless after a Libby Wilkinson hat-trick helped Winchester City Flyers to a 4-1 win at Arbour Park. Just the one game was played in Division One North, but it was a significant one. Beaconsfield Town winning 4-0 at Wycombe Wanderers u23 to put themselves five clear of Ascot and 18 points ahead of Penn, who still had five games in hand on the leaders. All three Division One South games ended in home wins. Stoneham inflicted Bournemouth’s seventh straight league defeat with a 4-0 win at Stoneham Lane, hitting top spot in the process. Havant & Waterlooville put five unanswered past Wimborne in the Prog Rock Derby, and Woking were 3-1 winners over QK Southampton, lifting themselves into fourth spot.

​The following weekend, Sunday 19th January, was predominantly county cup weekend, although there were a few league games in both the Premier League and Division One North. BotP was at Arbour Park to see Reading bag their first win of the season, beating Selsey 2-1 (Points On The Board). The other Premier League encounter saw Wycombe climb into second spot with a 3-1 win at Woodley United. It was double away-day joy for Wanderers as their u23 side also won on the road, giving Abingdon Development a bloody nose with a 6-1 victory, Molly Carter notching a hat-trick. Ascot United Reserves maintained the pressure on the leaders by beating Chesham Development 5-2. That win was much needed because Beaconsfield went on the rampage against local rival Slough. Dom Carrington hit a hat-trick with Katie Riddington and Henna Hussain both on the mark twice, as The Rams clocked up ten with response. Penn were also on the march, winning 4-0 at Caversham. Away day specialists Tilehurst Panthers were at it again with their fourth win on the road, beating Milton United 2-1. In the Oxfordshire Senior Cup both Oxford City and Kidlington booked sei-final berths, City beating near neighbours Barton United 7-0 and Kidlington edging past a spirited Headington side by the odd goal in three. It wasn’t a good day for Bournemouth Sports as both sides went out at home. The Reserves were beaten 7-2 by Fleet Town and the National League side lost out on penalties to giant-killing AFC Portchester after a 2-2 draw. In the same competition Sholing won a shootout at Havant, Bursledon won 3-0 at QK Southampton, Winchester City Flyers beat AFC Stoneham 2-1 and AFC Varsity were put to the sword by Southampton FC’s PGA side. In the Capital Women’s Senior Section, Woking were beaten 3-0 at home by Farnham Town. In the Intermediate Section Badshot Lea also lost 3-0 at home, to Sutton United.
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​As January drew to a close there was a limited fixture list on the final Sunday of the month. Three Division One North games took place, with a couple of significant results at both ends of the table. Slough Town bounced back from their Holloways Park nightmare by beating Kidlington 3-1 at Arbour Park. All three goals scored by Isabella Jones. At the bottom, Chesham United Development won a six-pointer at Mapeldurham, beating Caversham 3-1 and sending the Goats to the foot of the table. At the top, Ascot lost 3-0 to Wycombe u23s, missing out on a chance to really put the heat on Beaconsfield. Two League Cup clashes saw Sholing beat Reading 3-0 and Fleet thrash Milton 8-0 with Keira Simpson hitting three of the goals for Town. In the tow Divisional Association games, QK Southampton clocked up a confidence boosting 7-0 win at Pace whilst Winchester City Flyers  ran riot at home to Rushmoor.

The first week of February kicked off with a selection of league games across the divisions, as well as three League Cup ties. With two-thirds of the season gone, Ascot put themselves into an even more commanding position by winning 3-1 at Oxford City, who had previously won all five of their home league matches. Sholing won 2-0 at Reading, almost certainly confirming that the battle against the drop was going to be a three-way fight between Reading, Selsey and Badshot Lea. There was no change at the top of the North. Beaconsfield were in League Cup action, Ascot won by way of a walkover at Caversham. Tilehurst won away for the fifth time, at Chesham United Development, but were still without a home victory. Kidlington’s recent slump in league results continued as they were beaten 1-0 at Milton United. There was no game for Fleet, in the South but only Havant & Waterlooville could take advantage. They won 1-0 at AFC Varsity whilst leaders AFC Stoneham were losing 3-0 at a resurgent Woking. The big news of the day, however, came at The Hive where QK Southampton won for the first time this season, piling more misery on Bournemouth Sports Reserves with a 3-0 win thanks to Megan Dries, Georgia Sims and Zara Vincent. AFC Portchester went goal-mad in the League Cup, putting 13 past Wimborne Town with April Hill scoring five, all in the first half. Wycombe won a local derby at Penn 4-2 in a game that saw 6 yellows cards, three for each team. Beaconsfield rubber-stamped their application for the premier League by beating bottom side Selsey 5-1 on their own patch.
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The following weekend BotP was back at Marsh Lane to see Oxford City overwhelm a Woodley side that had been hit hard by injuries (Hoops Too Strong For Woodley's Walking Wounded). The Hoops led 2-0 at the break and went on to win 7-1 to reclaim second spot. Winchester City Flyers went one better, putting eight unanswered goals past Reading at The Charters Community Stadium. In the North, the top three all won heavily. Ascot United Reserves beat Tilehurst 6-2 at The Racecourse Ground, Keren Banduka grabbing a hat-trick. Beaconsfield followed up their home derby defeat of Slough Town with a 7-0 win at Arbour Park, Lucy Casey hitting a first half hat-trick. Wycombe Wanderers u23 also scored seven, beating Milton United 7-1 with top scorer Shannon Read scoring four. One League Cup was also played, AFC Portchester travelling to The Northcourt and beating Abingdon United Development 4-0.
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A much fuller programme was scheduled for the 16th of February. All three divisions had games, plus a series of county cup clashes. Four goals from Kayla Potter helped Wycombe to leave Wrecclesham with a 6-0 defeat, leaving Badshot Lea still anchored to the bottom spot. Wycombe jumped into second on the back of their win. The Baggies would have taken some solace in second from bottom Selsey also being beaten. They went down 3-0 at Woodley United. A third walkover of the season helped Beaconsfield to maintain their lead at the top in the North. I’m sure it’s not the way they would have liked to have claimed the points, but there’s nothing they can do about it. The big game in the chasing pack, Penn v Ascot, went the way of the home team by a goal to nil thanks to Megan Brockwell’s first half strike. That left Penn 221 points adrift of The Rams but with a ridiculous six games in hand, and the team’s were yet to meet at French School Meadow. The bottom two both lost again, Caversham 2-0 at home to Slough Town, who climbed to sixth, and Chesham 5-2 at home to Wycombe u23s. Leaders AFC Stoneham and second placed Havant & Waterlooville, both had big away wins in the South. The Hawks won 6-1 at Bournemouth Sports Reserves, despite conceding a third minute Emily Phillips goal. Stoneham won 4-1 at The Hive with BotP in attendance (Bees Stung). Leading 1-0 at the break, Stoneham were pegged back by QK early in the second half. Ava Saunders then saved a Mia Flood penalty before Stoneham turned it up a notch, scoring three more before the end. Woking also continued their resurgence with a 4-3 defeat of Wimborne, thanks largely to a 10-minute Gabriella Hobday hat-trick. In the cups, Reading’s BBFA run ended with home defeat to National League Maidenhead United. Oxford City and Kidlington Youth booked Oxfordshire Senior Cup Final slots with big wins, City beating Easington 7-0 and Kidlington winning 6-1 at Thame United (who were to play host to the final). In Hampshire, Sholing reminded Fleet that they were a division above them with a 4-1 win, Portchester lost 3-1 at home to National League Moneyfields, Bursledon conceded their tie at AFC Bournemouth and Winchester City Flyers went out at home to Southampton’s PGA u212s.
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​The quarter finals of the League Cup took place on the final Sunday of February. All four ties ended in home wins. Sholing beat Fleet Town for the second week running, 4-0 this time. AFC Portchester put out fellow Premier League side Wycombe Wanderers, 3-1 at The Wicor. Ascot united demolished The Hawks 6-0 with the help of a Leah Littlechild hat-trick, and Winchester reminded Beaconsfield that life was not all plain sailing with a 5-0 home win. In the Premier League, Badshot Lea picked up only their third point of a tough season, holding high-flying Oxford City 3-3 at home. Gemma Luke scoring in the final minute to rescue a draw. Caversham remained rooted at the foot of Division One North after losing 5-0 at home to Milton United. Penn were granted a home walkover against Abingdon Development and there was a rare goalless draw at Arbour Park where Chesham Development added a point to their tally, putting three points between themselves and Caversham. Two games took place in the South and both ended in 4-0 away wins. Stoneham, without top scorer Mia House, had the help of another Mia, Flood, who scored twice in their win at AFC Varsity. Bursledon scored early in both halves to beat Wimborne Town on a very damp day at The Wyatt Home Stadium. BotP had the pleasure of watching this game (Dons Dorset Downpour Delight).

A big month in the SoReg calendar. The vast majority of promotion and relegation matters would be resolved before the month was over.  The opening Sunday of the month saw a mixture of league and Chairman’s Cup fixtures. In the Premier League Ascot edged closer to the title after being granted a home walkover against Winchester. Wycombe consolidated their second place with a resounding 5-2 victory at close rivals AFC Portchester. Another two goal each for strike duo Jessica Watkins and Kayla Potter helping them to the three points. At the bottom, Reading put daylight between themselves and the drop zone with a great 3-0 win at Selsey. Beaconsfield Town’s lead at the top of D1N was now eight points after Ascot United Reserves conceded their trip to Holloways Park. That result, combined with Penn’s 2-1 win at Wycombe, effectively reduced the title race to one of Beaconsfield or Penn & Tylers Green. Kidlington beat Chesham 1-0 and Milton United won 3-0 at Slough Town to leapfrog their hosts in the table. In the South Havant & Waterlooville lost 3-2 at home to Woking who had Bethany Anders to thank for her hat-trick. Fleet Town survived a fightback from Bournemouth Sports Reserves to remain in third but, with more than enough games in hand to go well clear if they should win them all. The Chairman’s Cup brought joy for Abingdon United Development, who reached double figures at home to QK with Mimi Hodges hitting a hat-trick. AFC Stoneham won 1-0 at Badshot Lea and Wimborne Town put four past Tilehurst Panthers. Both Caversham United and Oxford City progressed through walkovers.
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Sunday March 9th brought around a fairly complete league fixture schedule. BotP was at The Operatix Stadium to see the crunch basement battle between Badshot Lea and Reading (And Then There Were Two). The visitors to the lead before the midway point of the first half and managed to hang on for three massive points. That result, combined with Selsey’s 3-0 defeat at home to Oxford City gave Reading an enormous advantage in the race to avoid the drop. At the top, two goals in each half saw Ascot beat Sholing 4-0. However, both Wycombe and Porchester maintained the chase. Portchy earned three points with a 1-0 win at Winchester whilst The Chairgirls put five past Woodley. Kayla Potter notched yet another brace. Bonnie Messitt saw red for United. With the top two in the North not playing, Abingdon Development and Penn & Tylers Green too full advantage. Abingdon, courtesy of a Beth Hawtin hat-trick, beat Chesham 4-1. Penn won 3-1 at Milton, despite having Sarah Harrison red-carded. Tilehurst were still without a home win after an Ammara Qureshi hat-trick consigned them to a 4-3 defeat to Wycombe u23 at Scours Lane. AFC Varsity and Wimborne Town drew 0-0 I their mid-table battle in the South. Meanwhile, both Havant and Fleet won on the road. The Hawks beat Bursledon 4-0. Fleet, courtesy of a brace from Keira Simpson and a hat-trick from Lily Martin, saw off Woking 5-3.
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The third Sunday of March saw Ascot edge a little closer to the title. They made hard work of beating Badshot Lea 1-0 at Wrecclesham, but a win is a win at this stage. The result left the Yellawomen eleven points clear of Wycombe and, although the Chairgirls had a game in hand, they could only muster a possible 12 more points. With a much superior goal difference too, Ascot effectively only needed one more point. Portchester kept up their excellent first Premier League season with a 2-0 defeat of Woodley at The Wicor. Winchester’s 2-0 win at Selsey meant that Reading were now safe from the drop. In the North both Ascot United Reserves and Abingdon United Development scored seven goals. Abingdon, buoyed by a Charlotte Bigmore hat-trick, sent the Goats packing. Ascot put seven unanswered past Milton United. Sophie Doyle was their hat-trick heroine. Meanwhile, Penn won 1-0 at Chesham, keeping their slim chances alive. Beaconsfield also won, 3-0 at Kidlington with a Lucy Casey hat-trick in front of BotP (Casey Breaks Murphy's Law). It was all boiling down to the big clash between Penn and Beaconsfield at French School Meadow. Tilehurst won away from home for the sixth time this season, 3-0 at Slough. Only Beaconsfield had a better win rate on the road. In the South, AFC Varsity drew 0-0 for the second week running, this time at home to Woking, but the result that really put the cat amongst the pigeons came at Westleigh Park. Havant & Waterlooville ended Fleet’s 100% league record in emphatic style. Chelsie Hay and captain E-J May both scored hat-tricks, as did Lily martin for Fleet, as The Hawks registered an 8-4 victory. The title was still firmly in the hands of Fleet, but were the cracks beginning to show? In the Hampshire Senior Cup, Sholing went down 5-1 at home to Southampton’s PGA u21s. Meanwhile, Oxford City scored seven again, the fourth time in seven outings. This time Wimborne Town were the victims as City progressed in the Chairman’s Cup. Emma Donohoe scoring a hat-trick for The Hoops.
​Two days later there was a rare opportunity to watch midweek SoReg action as Wycombe Wanderers faced up to Reading at Adams Park under the lights. BotP, of course, couldn’t resist the opportunity to be present as Wanderers turned on the afterburners, winning 6-1. Jess Watkins scored a hat-trick and Kayla Potter added another two to her tally (Wanderers Keep Up The Chase). A day later, Winchester City Flyers added silverware to their cabinet by defeating Andover New Street 2-1 at Whitchurch United in the NHDFA Cup Final. New Street losing out in the final for the second season running.
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​The following weekend, Ascot United were in League Cup action and would have to wait another week, at least, to savour the title victory. They did, however, book a place I the League Cup Final by seeing off AFC Portchester 6-2 at The Racecourse Ground. Beth Lloyd scoring another hat-trick. The other semi-final saw Winchester City Flyers secure another cup final slot by winning 3-1 at Sholing. In the Chairman’s Cup, AFC Stoneham, Bournemouth Sports Reserves and Abingdon United Development progressed. Bet Hawtin hitting a hat-trick for Abingdon as they crushed Caversham 9-0. The only Premier League game was a local derby between Woodley United and Reading that swung backwards and forwards in true derby fashion. Both teams had led at some point before Maya Raghunandanan’s last minute equaliser ended the game at 3-3. The big game of the weekend was in Division One North, and BotP was there to see it (No Love Lost). Penn & Tylers Green was effectively a title decider between two teams that, shall we say, weren’t best of friends. Just to add to the event, Beaconsfield’s starting line-up featured Henna Hussain, who had been top scorer at Penn for the last couple of seasons. The game lived up to the hype too. Frantic, with an edge and no shortage of skill on show. Penn’s signing from Wycombe, Ammara Qureshi put the hosts in front late in the first half only for a Sarah Davern special to level things up before the break. The game remained on a knife-edge until the 80th minute when Henna Hussain (who else?) and Dom Carrington both slotted excellent left-foot finishes into the home net. 3-1 Beaconsfield and one hand on the trophy for The Rams. Elsewhere in the North, Tilehurst finally won a home game. Their 2-1 defeat of Milton United was their first home three-pointer in seven attempts. Fleet got back to winning ways in the South, two each from Brooke John and Lily Martin securing a 4-0 win over QK Southampton. AFC Varsity also won, 1-0 at Wimborne Town.
Mother’s Day came around at the end of March, but Ascot were denied the chance to sew up the tile when their game was postponed. The teams below, although knowing the chase was forlorn, continued to keep The Yellawomen honest, however. Wycombe beat Sholing 5-1 with another double from Kayla Potter. Portchester won a south coast derby 3-1 at Selsey and Oxford City went goal crazy. Ellie White grabbed another hat-trick as The Hoops put 10 past Reading. Meanwhile, Badshot Lea were beaten at home again, 6-1 by Winchester. The bottom spot was now going to the final day, with only a point separating bottom side Selsey from The Baggies. The Division One North title was still not mathematically settled and, with Beaconsfield not in action, Penn had the opportunity to make them feel the heat. This they duly did by beating Milton United 4-1 with a Tara Woodward hat-trick helping them along. Tilehurst, after not winning at home until last week, made it two in a row by defeating Chesham United Development 3-2. Ascot United Reserves were still second for the time being after winning 1-0 at home to Slough, and Kidlington shared the points with Abingdon United Development, 1-1 at Exeter Park. Fleet now looked to have the South in the bag after winning 5-0 at Wimborne. This result put them two clear at the top with games in hand. Seven more points from their remaining four games would seal the deal.

April 6th 2025. A date that Ascot United will have etched in their minds. After being runners-up in the previous two seasons, this was the date the eventually secured the Premier League title and, what’s more, they did it in some style. Beth Lloyd hit yet another hat-trick as the Yellawomen beat Selsey 7-0. That result also condemned Selsey to bottom spot, despite Badshot Lea losing 6-2 at Reading. Royals captain Lucy Bolitho scoring four of her side’s goals. Portchester kept up the push for second place as they won 2-1 at Woodley United. There was plenty of drama at the 18i78 Stadium as Wycombe and Winchester shared eight goals. Kayla Potter and Jess Watkins both scored twice for Wanderers. Flyers strike Lavinia Nkomo had a mixed afternoon, scoring in the 42nd and 92nd minutes being seeing red in the 96th. There was no game for Beaconsfield in the North. However, Penn & Tylers Green, who could still draw level on points if they won every game and Town lost their remaining two, kept up their end of the bargain. They also vastly improved their goal difference after putting twelve past Caversham. Both Ammara Qureshi and Tara Woodward helped themselves to four goals apiece. The other game in the North saw Tilehurst, who were now on a roll at home, win for the third time on the bounce, beating Kidlington 7-1 with Georgia Hayes hitting a hat-trick in the first half. Division One South, meanwhile, was promising to go all the way to the final day before the title was decided. Whilst Havant & Waterlooville were winning 7-0 at QK Southampton, AFC Varsity were shaking things up by winning 2-1 at Fleet Town.  Both Chairman’s Cup semi-finals went the way of the away teams. Abingdon United Development winning 3-2 at Stoneham and Oxford City edging past Bournemouth Sports Reserves by a solitary Emily Harris goal to nil.

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​By the time the Premier League fixtures of April 13th were played out, everything was over bar the shouting. Ascot celebrated their recent championship by winning 5-1 at Woodley and Portchester beat Reading 2-0 as they continued to push for second place. Winchester Flyers and Oxford City shared six goals in an entertaining dead rubber at The Charters Community Stadium. BotP made the short journey to The Northcourt to watch Abingdon United Development take on Beaconsfield Town with The Rams needing a point to ensure the title (Rams Take A Step Up). The game was goalless at half time, but the visitors stepped things up in the second half, eventually running out 3-1 winners. They were champions of Division One North and would be playing in the premier League next season. Ascot united Reserves signed off their season by putting eight past Kidlington. Keren Banduka and Stephanie Ferreira both hitting hat-tricks. Penn halted Tilehurst’s resent home run by winning a tight contest 1-0 at Scours Lane. The title challenge was over for them, but they still had the runners-up spot in their sights. In the South Bursledon established themselves as the top newly promoted team with a 4-0 home defeat of AFC Varsity. Poppie Weekes helped herself to a hat-trick for The Dons. At Westleigh Park, Havant & Waterlooville signed off with a resounding 4-0 defeat of AFC Stoneham, ending the Purps’ title push. The result also set a target for Fleet, who were now four points adrift with three games remaining and a vastly inferior goal difference. The upshot being that Fleet needed to win two of their remaining three games, all of which were at home.
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​Sunday April 20th was potentially a big day in Division One South. Only one game was scheduled, but it was a big one. Fleet Town v AFC Stoneham, the first of Fleet’s remaining three games in which they needed to gain six points. Stoneham, who had their aspirations dashed the previous week when losing at Havant & Waterlooville, must have still been smarting, because they delivered a blow to Town. Two goals from top scorer Mia House were enough to send Stoneham home with the points and leave Fleet knowing they had to win their last two fixtures. In the Premier League, Ascot’s 3-2 defeat of AFC Portchester meant they had gone through the league campaign unbeaten. A fantastic achievement. Wycombe Wanderers secured the runners-up slot with a 3-3 draw at Oxford United. Ellie White hit another Hoops hat-trick whilst Kayla Potter added two more, taking her season tally to 34. Winchester City also ended the campaign on a high, winning 2-1 at Sholing. In the North Beaconsfield’s homecoming parade was postponed after Caversham forfeited their final game. Abingdon United Development warmed up for the Chairman’s Cup Final with a 4-0 defeat of Milton United and Penn won 4-3 at Kidlington to leave themselves needing one win in the last two games to secure second place.
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By the time April 27th rolled around most of the league games had been completed. However, things were not settled in the South and there was still the matter of some cup finals. In Division One North, Penn consolidated second spot by rounding off their season with a 3-1 win at Slough Town. Meanwhile, in the South, QK Southampton completed their season with defeat at home to Bursledon, who ended the season top of the promoted teams. The big news in the South, however, was Fleet Town’s 4-1 defeat of Wimborne Town, setting up a massive final game for Town. A win at home to Bursledon would see them crowned champions. Meanwhile, two cup finals took place. Ascot United completed the double by beating Winchester City Flyers 3-1 at Reading City’s Scours Lane. BotP was at Thame United’s ASM Stadium, battling with the insects (and losing), as Oxford City saw off Kidlington Youth by 4-0 in the Oxfordshire FA Cup Final (Sweet Sixteen For City).

Star Wars Day, as some call it (not me, I hasten to add), was D-Day for Fleet and Havant as the former took on Bursledon. Meanwhile, there were also a couple of games going on in the Premier and Division One North. Portchester completed a very good first Premier season with a 2-1 defeat of Sholing. In the North, Abingdon got their shooting boot son ready for next week’s cup final by beating Tilehurst 6-3, with three goals from Molly Lygo-Jackson. The big game, however, was at Fleet, where the home team took on Wimborne Town in a game that they needed to win to snatch the title from Havant & Waterlooville. On the artificial surface at Hart Leisure Centre, Fleet took an early, nerve settling lead, through Isobella Moffett. However, when Zoe Bache levelled it up things swayed into Havant’s favour for a short time. Crucially, Fleet got back in front, through Dior Knorr, before half-time. An own goal and another Knorr strike saw Fleet through, despite Wimborne getting one back. (Premier In, Fleet).
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On Sunday 8th May Oxford City went looking for their second trophy of the season, the Chairman’s Cup Final. Just as in their first cup final, The Hoops went into the game as favourites and were up against a team from Division One North, in this case Abingdon United Development. BotP was at Holloways Park to report on the game as well as to see Beaconsfield Town receive their Division One North Trophy and medals during the half-time interval. On the pitch, Abingdon sprung a big surprise by catching Oxford cold twice early on. Both times it was top-scorer Charlotte Bigmore who applied the finish. Oxford never quite recovered from the deficit, and when Mimi Hodges added a third, they were a beaten side, despite a late consolation from Yasmin Edwards. A great result for Abingdon. You can read the BotP match blog here (Yellows Give Hoops The Blues).
That just left the last couple of league games to be cleared up on Sunday May 11th. Having already secured second spot in Division One North, Penn lost at home to Kidlington, who ended the season in seventh. In the South, AFC Stoneham and Bursledon fought out a 1-1 draw at Stoneham Lane.

May 1993. Ace of Base were top of the charts with All That She Wants. Manchester United won the Premier League title, Arsenal beat Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup Final. AFC Wimbledon and Oldham Athletic were still top flight sides, and I was planning a Wembley trip to watch West Brom beat Port Vale 3-0 in the Second Division play-off final. This was also the year that Stewkley were last crowned champions of the North Bucks Premier League. In fact, as far as I can see, the only time they have won the league.
Fast forward 32 years. May 17th, 2025. Stewkley are at home to Willen in the final game of the North Bucks Premier season. The situation was that they were a point behind MK United at the top, with an inferior goal difference. Only a win would be enough for them to win the league.
The problem (and I didn't post this before the match) was today's opponents. Willen started the day in fifth spot and eighteen points behind their hosts, but had already beaten Stewkley 2-0 this season and, a little research showed, were something of a bogey team for The Stewks. The last six meetings, a cup game and five in the league, including the one this term, have all gone the way of Willen. The visitors also had the league's top scorer in their ranks. Toby Herman-Smith began the day with 31 goals from 20 appearances. Having said that, current form was in favour of Stewkley, who had also only dropped five points at home all season.

​There was a bumper crowd at The Recreation Ground, the majority of whom were there to see their local team hopefully win the league, and they must have been encouraged by the start that Stewkley made. There didn't appear to be too many nerves in the opening encounters and the yellows were quickly on the attack. Captain Sam Budgen led the way, shooting over after 7 minutes. Four minutes later Sam Waldrum was unfortunate to see his effort come back off the Willen woodwork. However, despite the good start, the settling goal didn't come and, after ten minutes the home side appeared to start getting more edgy. Trying to force the issue, passes started going astray, giving Willen some encouragement. That could easily have been converted into an unexpected away lead when, just on the quarter hour, Mason Luya's corner deceived everyone and cannoned of Will Essex's post. It was a warning for Stewkley. The balance of play had evened out after the first 10 minutes and the home aside couldn't afford to allow Willen to settle.
Many of the home side's early forays had come down the left, where Tom Carter was having plenty of joy, and this was the source of the all-important opening goal after 26 minutes. Carter made enough room for a cross which was met by the head of Sam Waldrum, who guided the ball expertly past Lewis Baker. 1-0.
The goal probably should have opened the floodgates. However, even though the yellow shirts continued to press forward, they were met by resilient defending. Carter shot over just past the half-hour mark and then found Patrick Okole in the centre after 37 minutes, but his shot was blocked well by the ranks of blue shirts. Just before the break, Okole was in again and looked odds on to get a shot away before being well closed down by Joe Eva.

HT Stewkley 1 Willen 0.  As it stood, Stewkley were heading for the title. However, a single goal lead, when only a win would do, was not enough. Willen had shown that they could create chances and it only took one to go in for Stewkley to be back to square one.

​It probably doesn't take a tactical genius to work out that the Stewkley coaching team would have emphasised the need for another goal during the half-time chat, and they didn't have long to wait for that to become reality. Less than a minute into the second half, Patrick Okole rose to glance a header past Baker and send the locals into raptures. 2-0. Two minutes later they almost made it three when Rory Scrivener's corner got caught by a gust of wind and was only inches from swerving in under the bar.
Even though there were 40 minutes remaining, the champagne was already being put on ice. Willen weren't quite a spent force, but the chance of them scoring three from this point was very slim. They were also beginning to tire themselves and, having nothing left to paly for, it must have been very hard for them to muster the resolve to stay in the game. Stewkley were starting to enjoy the game now, none more so than Jamie Hardings who, as they game wore on, seemed to increase in energy where everyone else was decreasing. Just past the hour he had a golden opportunity to seal the game when sent clean through, He struck his shot cleanly enough but was a an inch or so off aim, seeing his effort crash off the underside of the bar and away from danger. 
However, on 67 minutes, Stewkley did put the game beyond doubt, and it was a delightful goal that did it. A passing move that started on the left, saw the ball fed across the pitch towards the right flank. Hardings got the call to step over the pass, which he did, allowing Albie Whittemore to run onto the pass, take a touch and then smash an unstoppable drive past Baker. 3-0 and the celebrations were now really starting.
It was one-way traffic at this point. Willen were done. Tom Carter got on the end of a sweeping ball from the right, lifting what was a difficult chance over the bar. With 15 minutes remaining, captain Budgen was denied by a great save from Lewis Baker, before Carter saw his strike come back off the post, with Baker again saving, this time from Roadnight.
​It mattered little. Three was more than enough.

FT Stewkley 3 Willen 0. The early goal in the second half turned what could have been a nervy game into and exhibition towards the end. A great title race draws to a close with Stewkley ending the season two pints clear, claiming their first title for 32 years. Many congratulations to everyone at the club. Commiserations to last season's winners MK United, who took the race to the wire. They can be consoled with the fact that they won their Trophy Final 2-0.

Stewkley: Essex, Whittemore, Scrivener, Budgen(c), Iannelli, Wagner, McKenna, Hardings, Okolie, Waldrum, Carter. Subs: Alligan, Cristofoli, Reeves, Bailey, Roadnight
Willen: Baker, Eva, Smith(c), Slater, Luya, Herdman-Smith, Field, Latarche, Brewer, Yemo, Tierney. Subs: Leslie-Dell, Trunkfield

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 
Entrance: 
Programme:

The final SoReg Review of the 2024/25 season.
Just the three games to catch up on before we call it a wrap. A couple of league matches to round off the Division One North and South fixtures, and an excellent Chairman's Cup victory for Abingdon United Development.

Penn & Tylers Green 1-2 Kidlington Youth
Kidlington dispelled ay lingering cup final disappointment by ending their league campaign on a high with a good win at Penn. Kiera Isaac and Courtney Sumner were on target for The Greens. Daisy-Leigh Thompson, with her first goal of the season, scored Penn's goal.

AFC Stoneham 1-1 Bursledon
The Dons competed their first season in Division One South with a very creditable draw at Stoneham Lane and a fifth place finish. Izzi Pouncy was on target for Bursledon, Chloe Marshall for Stoneham, who end the season in third spot.

Oxford City 1-3 Abingdon United Development
Abingdon managed this game to perfection. Ahead early on through two well taken Charlotte Bigmore goals, they proceeded to frustrate City's slick passing movements with solid defending. In the second half Mimi Hodges added an excellent third for United before, late in the day, The Hoops got a goal back through Yasmin Edwards. Read the full match reports on BotP (Yellows Give Hoops The Blues) and on the Abingdon United website.

Finally, some decent weather and a chance to watch a game in t-shirt and shorts rather than multiple layers. After an entertaining morning watching my daughter's team play some of their best football of the season (too late now girls!!), I decided to head into the wild's of rural Oxfordshire for my afternoon game. I've dipped in and out of the Witney & District League for the past few seasons, mainly in the Premier League. However, today was a big game in the race for the Division Two title. The home side, Uffington United, sat top of the table at the start of play, two point ahead of Deer Park Rangers, in what had become a two-horse race. Today's visitors to Uffington were, of course, Deer Park Rangers. What made this game even more important was the fact that Rangers had two games to play, whereas this was Uffington's final match of the season. However, Uffington's goal difference was so much better that, they effectively led by three points. So, the upshot of it all was that Deer Park needed to win today and then win their last game, at Heyford Athletic Reserves, to take the title. A win for Uffington today would seal the title, regardless of Deer park's final result. Both teams had lost just once so far. Deer Park losing a nine-goal thriller 5-4 at Bampton United Reserves back in January and Uffington, a 1-0 defeat at Deer Park in February.
Uffington striker Kyle Cross came into the game as, far and away, the league's top scorer with 37 goals in 23 games. Both teams are recent additions to the Witney & District League. Uffington spent many years in the North Berks League, transferring at the start o this season. Deer Park Rangers were only formed in 2021, joining the league two season ago. They won Division Three last season and, like Uffington, have already secured promotion this season.
Many thanks to referee Nicholas Spring, who kindly shared the team sheets with me prior to kick-off.

​Unsurprisingly, with the league title at stake, the game off to a rather cagey and evenly balanced start. Neither goalkeeper was unduly tested inside the opening 10 minutes or so. However, Uffington were gradually beginning to exert a little authority over play, perhaps with the aid of the slight slope. 
They made this advantage pay off in the 15th minute. Liam Eltham got in behind the visitor's defence on the left-hand side of the penalty area, but his attempt at goal was blocked by Deer Park keeper Frankie De La Cruz. The ball ran to the opposite side of the goal to be met by Luca Rennie, who fired low and hard from an acute angle, seeing the ball fly in off the keeper. 1-0
The home side were on their way and, buoyed by the goal, pushed for a second. Just on the midway point of the half, they were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out in a fairly central position.  Tom Austin struck the dead ball perfectly and was only denied a goal by an exceptional save from De La Cruz, just about getting a fingertip to the stinging drive and turning it against the bar.
Four minutes later, however, De La Cruz was helpless to prevent his team going two goals behind when United top-score Kyle Cross got a glancing header onto a delivery from the left, guiding the ball into the corner beyond the keeper. 2-0
At this point of the game I was joined on the side-lines by none other than Witney & District League President himself, John Smyth. Really good to have a catch up with John, and his dog Callie, who was clearly enjoying the game too (although, not too keen on a foul that happened just in front of us. Sorry ref!).
On the pitch, Deer Park were struggling to make inroads against a well-organised Uffington defence, although the hosts did have to thank goalkeeper James Farmer for an excellent point-blank save from James Scott as half-time approached.

HT Uffington United 2 Deer Park Rangers 0. A good half for Uffington, who now had one hand on that league trophy. As they returned to the shade of their changing room, Deer Park stayed out on the pitch for the half-time break. They had a lot to do in the second half if they wanted to turn this game around, especially as a draw was not really much help to them.

​The visitors were back in formation and ready to go well ahead of United, clearly up for the battle and, once the game got back underway, they did start on the front foot. Aided by the advantage of the slight slope, they began to apply some pressure in search of a way back into the game. That paid off three minutes before the hour when a long throw from the right evaded everyone except for Marcus Albert, who managed to get a toe to the ball, stabbing it past Famer. 2-1 and possibly game on now.
It looked very much like Uffington were going to have to dig in and ride out an onslaught from Rangers now. The tide seemed to have turned. However, the best form of defence is attack and, seven minutes after being pegged back, Uffington broke and grabbed what looked to be the deciding goal. Kyle Cross was the instigator, bursting down the left before spotting the run of Luca Rennie who arrived unmarked in the edge of the box. Cross found him and, after taking a touch, Rennie guided the ball past De La Cruz to make it 3-1.
The goal was a kick in the teeth to Deer Park who had been on the offensive up until that point. Shoulders slumped a little, but not completely. To their credit, they continued to try to push Uffington back and, on 72 minutes, generated an opening for substitute Harry Quilley, who met a cross with his head some 10 yards out. Unfortunately, he looped the ball over the bar and the chance was gone.
As time ticked by, Uffington knew they were unlikely to concede three in the closing minutes and were content to play out the clock. However, there was still a little late drama to come. Five minutes into added time Rennie tried to get onto a bouncing ball in the box and was almost caught by a high boot from a defender. Penalty to United and chance for Rennie to grab a hat-trick. Sure enough, Rennie took the spot-kick, which was saved by De La Cruz. However, the referee spotting that the goalkeeper had come off his line, ordered a re-take. This time Rennie made no mistake. 4-1.
Soon after that the referee blew for the end of the game, sparking celebrations from the home dugout, including flares sending blue smoke across the pitch.

​The Ground
Craven Playing Fields on Fawler Road is the home of Uffington United, as well as Uffington Cricket Club. It's been on my list to visit for some time, but I'm glad I waited until a day like today to pay a visit. This would not have been the case if Uffington's David Grainge Trophy match with AFC Grove earlier in the season had not been switched to Grove's ground (Home From Home).
Situated on the South Eastern edge of the village and at the foot of the Berkshire Downs Fawler Road is pretty much idyllic on a bright, sunny day. There's a reasonable sized car park and parking available on the grass verges just outside the ground. The clubhouse, bar, changing rooms and what appeared to quite a large function room, are just off the car park. The football pitch runs from the car park in parallel with Fawler Road. There are dugouts bearing the clubs name on the cricket ground side of the pitch, but no spectator cover. The ground does, however, have a floodlights, which is highly unusual at this level. The pitch slopes slightly from the car park end towards the downs. It's quite open around the ground and I heard a few locals saying that it can be chilly there, even in good weather, when the wind blows across the pitch. However, there was none of that today. In good weather, at least, Fawler Road is a delightful spot to watch football.


Ground Number: 451
Att: At least 100
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

​Thursday evening was a chance to get to my 25th and final Southern Region game of the season. The last few games have all been crucial clashes. In March I was at the Penn v Beaconsfield game that effectively put Penn out of the title race (No Love Lost). Next up was the game that confirmed The Rams as Division One winners, victory at Abingdon (Rams Take A Step Up). Then the Oxfordshire Cup Final between Oxford City and Kidlington (Sweet Sixteen For City), followed up by Fleet Town claiming the Division One South title at home to Bursledon (Premier In, Fleet). Phew!
Now it was time to see if Oxford City could claim a second cup of the season and win the Chairman's Cup for the second time, following their 3-2 defeat of Winchester City Flyers in 2018. However, to do that, they first had to get past Division One North side Abingdon United Development, who'd had an up and down season but had finished very strongly. Reaching a cup final in only their second season at this level, was an achievement in itself.
The road to Holloways Park saw Abingdon kick off with a first round destruction of QK Southampton, winning 10-0. City were awarded a walkover against Woodley United. The second round saw both sides scoring plenty of goals. Abingdon won 9-0 at Caversham United whilst Oxford put 7 unanswered goals past Wimborne Town. The semi-finals were closer affairs with both teams being drawn away from home. City edged past Bournemouth Sports Reserves by a goal to nil. Abingdon also won by the odd goal, defeating AFC Stoneham 3-2.
Fittingly the final was taking place at Beaconsfield Town, who were current holders and, as luck would have it, would also be presented with the Division One Championship trophy at half-time.

City made four changes from the team that started at Thame in the Oxfordshire Cup Final.  Billie Bough-French, Bailee Latimer, Ellie Walecki and Kaitlyn Crouch were out and, in fact, only the latter was on the bench. in came Amber Le-beau, Amelia Davis, Anna O'Leary and Lucy White. Abingdon were playing the majority of the team that started their final league game last weekend. Mimi Hodges and Millie Hodge came in, both of whom have 20+ appearances this season for the first team in the National League South-West. Jess Southey also came into the back-line along with Maisie Moore in goal.

​Both sides were wearing their change kits for this game, Abingdon in all blue and Oxford in all red, with United kicking towards the clubhouse end of the ground in the first half. Oxford were starting with what looked like quite an attacking line-up, including Ellie and Lucy White up front, with Emily Harris on the left. Add to that attacking midfielder Isobel Bradley and the energy of Emma Donohoe, who seems to play in all positions at once, the United defence were probably expecting a busy evening.
Having said all that, it was Abingdon who struck the first blow early on. A fifth minute through ball sent top-scorer Charlotte Bigmore clear, and she showed why she was averaging almost a goal per game with a lovely calm finish. 0-1.
City immediately tried to react to going behind, but eight minutes later, found themselves two down. Once again it was Charlotte Bigmore with the goal, this time showing great strength to hold off a challenge before lashing the ball past Keira Maskell. 0-2
So far, Abingdon's game plan appeared to be working perfectly. Two goals to the good and, despite not seeing that much of the ball, goalkeeper Maisie Moore was yet to be called into any serious action. This pattern continued to be applied throughout the half. United happy to let Oxford have the ball, but showing a resolute back-line when required. City, for their part, were knocking the ball around nicely, but finding it difficult to find a weakness in the Abingdon defence. Their passing style of play is great to watch but, this evening, the final ball was not there, either due to the solid defending or through City trying to force that killer ball.
With Oxford pushing forward at every opportunity, they were in danger of leaving themselves exposed again. This was almost the case in the 36th minute when Bigmore had a half-chance to grab her hat-trick, this time firing wide of the mark.
When the half-time whistle blew, City's bench and players headed for the changing rooms at a sprint. Clearly a lot to discuss at the break.

HT Oxford City 0 Abingdon United Development 2. The Hoops dominated possession, but couldn't find a way past a resolute Abingdon defence. Two breaks, and two classy finishes were the difference.

​Oxford were back out early for the second half, going through their warm-up paces well in advance of Abingdon or the officials. Once the game restarted, they set about trying to reduce the deficit and, very early on, Emma Donohoe cut inside from the right before sending a strike in, testing that Maisie Moore was alert after the interval. She was.
Oxford continued to have the lion's share of possession, but were increasingly being tested by Abingdon. Mimi Hodges latched onto a throw-in and flashed a 49th minute strike only a few inches past Maskell's left-hand post. Six minutes later, Hodges again tried her luck, this time from 25 yards, seeing her dipping strike clear Maskell but skim the roof of the net. Those two attempts sparked Oxford into a flurry of activity. Kaitlyn Crouch, who had replaced Lucy White at the break, shrugged off a challenge before bursting up the right side, just failing to hit the target. Just past the hour, Crouch was again trying her luck, this time from further out and not missing by too much. Oxford were taking some confidence from their dominance and it really felt like the goal had to come at some point, but Abingdon continued to hold fast at the back. This was epitomised by Maisie Moore's excellent flying save to keep out another Crouch effort with 20 minutes remaining. Time was running out on Oxford, but they were carrying a fair bit of momentum now.
At this point, referee Simon Cook went down in the centre circle, clearly in some kind of pain. After some treatment he clearly couldn't continue and fourth official Robert Folly took over in the centre. The timing of that break in play was a little unfortunate for Oxford who, after the restart, had lost a little of the impetus they had beforehand. They were still seeing more of the ball than their opponents, but the chances were not presenting themselves.
With three minutes of normal time left on the clock, Abingdon put the final nail in the City coffin. Mimi Hodges picked the ball up some 25 yards out before delivering a blistering, swirling drive, that was always moving away from Maskell's despairing dive. Great strike! 0-3
To be fair, even though the game was now up, City didn't throw in the towel. Ellie White, who had herself looked to have picked up a niggle earlier, showed great skill and strength to get down the right flank, before sending over a low ball across the face of goal. Unfortunately for Oxford, the ball just evaded their on-rushing strikers. A passage of paly that sort of summed up Oxford's evening. They did, however, manage to muster up a consolation goal in the 97th minute, Yasmin Edwards finally managing to fire past Moore, 1-3, before the referee drew a close the game.

FT Oxford City 1 Abingdon United Development 3. Massive congratulations to Abingdon on an excellent all round performance. Fantastic game management from the team, boosted by those early goals. They then defended like lions, but always posed a threat when they did get forward. Oxford will have to content themselves with the Oxfordshire FA Cup and a very creditable league campaign.

Oxford City: Maskell, Hume, Davis, Le-Beau, Donohoe, Bradley, Tayman(c), O'Leary, Harris, E.White, L.White. Subs: Wellington-Faissall, Lester, Gorman, Crouch, Edwards
Abingdon United Development: Moore, Hughes, Ives, Southey, Hodge, Gray, Hawtin(c), Bigmore, Hodges, Sadler, Ward. Subs: Lopez-Catalan, Dyke, Pearce, Owen

The North Bucks Premier League title race is going right down to the wire this season. Following on from Stewkley's defeat of Great Horwood at the weekend, it had become a two-horse race between Stewkley and last season's champions MK United. Consequently, a Tuesday evening clash between the top two was way too good to miss.
The situation, before the start of play, looked like this:

​Stewkley clearly had the upper hand, having a two point lead and three games to play as opposed to MK's two games remaining. That made this evening's clash even more pertinent. A Stewkley win would see them crowned campions with two games to spare. A defeat would see MK go top and, effectively, mean that Stewkley would need to win their last two games to be sure of the title. A draw would leave Stewkley requiring one win from their remaining two.
The reverse fixture, played in October, had ended in a narrow 2-1 victory for Stewkley, despite United taking an early lead through Dom Lawless. Patrick Okolie levelled before the break, before Tom McKenna hit the winner just past the hour.
Prior to this clash, BotP was lucky enough to be present a games involving both clubs. In early April we were at the Recreation Ground to see Stewkley grind out a 1-0 victory over Twyford United (Three Points Closer). Ten days later, a visit to a wet an very gloomy Middleton Pavilion, was lit up by a thoroughly entertaining 3-3 draw between MK and AFC Carpathians (Wolves Put United In A Stew).

​Stewkley started the game like a team on a mission, pressing MK back early on and gaining reward as early as the 4th minute when a free-kick, way out on the right, was delivered to the far post. Patrick Okolie, Stewkley's big number 9, rose highest to plant a firm header beyond Aaron Hali. 0-1
Seemingly not content with a single goal lead, the visitors continued to press forward and, a few minutes later, went close to getting a second when Tom Carter fired just over.
It was a very strong start from Stewkley, but credit to MK who rode out the initial storm and began to find a foothold in the game. A 13th minute ball into the right side of the box, saw Luke Little turn and cross, but the Stewkley defence had got back well to cover and thwart the attack. Soon afterwards MK won their first corner and then, on 18 minutes, a lofted pass bypassed the defence allowing Little to attempt to lift the ball over Will Essex. The goalkeeper got the better of this encounter. Straight up the other end, Okolie charged down an attempted clearance from Halai, only for the United stopper to recover quickly and drop on the loose ball.
Despite that chance for Okolie, the tide was noticeably turning and Essex was called into action again after 24 minutes, diving full length to push Jordan Spruce's low 30-yard free-kick around the post.
There was nothing that the Stewkley keeper could do two minutes later though. Joe Sames sent over a cross that just evade the head of Little but bypassed Essex to find Nathan Chapman, arriving at the far post to nod home. 1-1
Increasingly, Stewkley were finding it hard to get out of their own half. If anyone was going to get a second goal, it was going to be the home side.
They almost did just that on 36 minutes, when Sames found Little who held off a challenge before firing goalward from inside the box. However, Wil Essex produced an incredible reflex save to push the ball over the bar and keep the scores level. Stewkley retaliated with what was becoming an increasingly rare event, a break of their own. Sam Waldrum did well up the left flank before sending over a low ball t the near post where Okolie met it, only for Hali to get down well to save.
That left Sean Barker, on 44 minutes, to loo to have the final say of the half. He won the ball on halfway, took two strides, saw Essex off his line and hit an audacious lob from 40 yards, somewhat unfortunate to see the ball beat both keeper and the crossbar.

HT MK United 1 Stewkley 1. A very strong start from Stewkley. However, MK got their act together, rallied well and were arguably the better team for much of the half.

​The momentum that MK had picked up in the first half continued at the start of the second. Only two minutes had passed when Luke Little applied the finishing touch to a ball across the box to make it 2-1.
Stewkley's chances of securing the title this evening were beginning to fade, but they tried to respond to going behind. Okolie stretched to get a tow to a flicked on cross, but the ball arrived too quickly for him to control the effort, sending it over the bar. Then, just past the hour Rory Scrivener curled a right-wing corner in, seeing the ball ping back off the bar, possibly with a little help from the fingertips of Aaron Halai. Stewkley were close gain on 69 minutes when Tom Carter, out on the left, cut back onto his right foot before sending over a cross that evaded everyone, dropping narrowly wide of the far post.
The game was no holds barred now. Tackles flew in from both sides, as Stewkley's search for an equaliser grew more urgent and MK's resolve to defend their lead increased. MK, unsurprisingly, were using every tactic possible to slow the game down and prevent Stewkley from building up a head of steam. Every 50/50 saw a home player go down and their physio suddenly became the busiest person on the park, although referee Stuart Hilton did as much as he could to keep the game going, much to the disgust of the home bench at times.
MK's focus was now on defence, but they were holding firm even as we entered into added time. Four minutes past the ninety came a moment that could have been a little controversial. A Stewkley cross from the left clearly took a nick on its way out of play but the referee signalled for a goal-kick, much to the ire of the visitors. However, a signal from the assistant on that side of the pitch, albeit at the opposite end, sent the referee back for a discussion. Clearly the assistant had also seen the slight deflection. The referee changed his decision to corner. Of course, this decision was not popular with the home team. Nothing came of the initial corner, but the ball was cleared away for a corner on the opposite flank. When that came in, Jamie Hardings threw himself at the ball, which crashed against Halai's crossbar and bounced clear. A fitting final piece of action for a game that provided plenty of entertainment.

FT MK United 2 Stewkley 1. A hard-earned but deserved three points for MK United. The result keeps the title race open for a little longer, with United now leading the table by a point. On Saturday MK travel to Wing Village for their final league game, whilst Stewkley entertain a Milton Keynes City side already resigned to finishing in the drop zone. MK have already beaten Wing 5-1 in the league and 7-0 in the cup, this season. Stewkley won 3-2 at City in October. Assuming both teams win on Saturday, that would leave Stewkley a point adrift as they face Willen at home on Saturday 17th May. As it stands, MK have the better goal difference, so Stewkley may well require a victory in their final game. They lost 2-0 at Willen earlier in the season.
Whatever happens, it's certainly going to be an exciting and tense end to the season.

MK United: Halai, Sem, Barker, Sames(c), Chapman, Betchley, Spruce, Lothian, Little, Parker, Lawless. Subs: Crossley, Cardwell, Amoroso, Ward, Daubney
Stewkley: Essex, Whittemore, Scrivener, Budgen(c), Iannelli, Wagner, McKenna, Hardings, Okolie, Waldrum, Carter. Subs: Roadknight, Kirchin, Reeves, Alligan, Cristofoli

​The Ground
This was my second MK United home game inside a month, but also the second different location, having seen them play at Middleton Pavilion earlier. This game was played at the Sir Herbert Leon Academy, a comprehensive school in Bletchley, just to the South of Milton Keynes. The school grounds also incorporate the Leon Leisure Centre, which boasts a gym, indoor swimming and sports pitches. Today's game was being played on one of the grass pitches furthest away from the school buildings. There's ample parking at the leisure centre as well as toilets and a cafe (although I only saw the sign for this). You have to pass through the leisure centre entrance to get through to the sports pitches. The playing surface looked to be reasonably good and flat. Of course, there are no covered areas for spectators.

Ground Number: 450
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Losing three in five meant that Fleet Town left their title push until their very last game. However, they finally got it over the line on Sunday, beating Bursledon 4-2 to leapfrog Havant & Waterlooville.
Many congratulations to all at Fleet Town.
There were only two other games, as the season winds down. AFC Portchester signed off a brilliant first Premier League season with a 2-1 defeat of Sholing that left them tied on points with second-placed Wycombe Wanderers. In the North, Abingdon United Development and Tilehurst Panthers served up a nine-goal thriller to end an entertaining league season for both teams.

AFC Portchester 2-1 Sholing
April Hill and Sam Jennings were on the mark for Portchester as they rounded off a great first season in the premier League. The victory took them to 40 points and only below second-placed Wycombe on goal difference. Sholing, comfortable in mid-table, were boosted by Poppy Allwood, captain of their u18 side, scoring her first senior goal for the club.

Abingdon United Development 6-3 Tilehurst Panthers
United ended their league campaign in some style and gave themselves a confidence boost ahead of Thursday's Chairman's Cup Final against Oxford City. Molly Lygo hit a hat-trick, Beth Hawtin scored twice and Amelie Sadler added another, as the yellows rattled in six goals. Tilehurst, who have had a successful first season in Division One North, saw Leah Why score her 21st and 22nd goals of the season with Georgia Hayes hitting her 16th. Both of them ending the season in the top 10 scorers list.

Fleet Town 4-2 Bursledon
Town will be playing Tier 5 football for the first time in their history next season, after a hard-fought 4-2 win saw them leapfrog Havant & Waterlooville on the final day of the season. Amy Granger got them off to a great early start, but Zoe Bache's 37th minute strike levelled it up. Dior Knorr resettled nerves by putting Fleet back in front before the break. Then, soon after the restart, an own goal saw Town establish a two goal lead, only for Bursledon to strike back again, setting up a nervy finish. Dior Knorr's second goal, deep into added time, finally settled the game. Read all about it in the BotP match blog (Premier In, Fleet)

Chairman's Cup Final
Oxford City v Abingdon United Development
City will be looking to make it a cup double, after already seeing off Kidlington in the Oxfordshire FA Cup Final. The last won this trophy back in 2018, beating Winchester City Flyers 3-2 in the Final at Alton Town. Both sides are in good goalscoring form coming into the final. Abingdon have scored ten in their last two games, City ten in their last three. United have also clocked up 22 goals in there Chairman's Cup ties this season.
Holloways Park, (Beaconsfield Town FC), Windsor Road, Beaconsfield HP9 2SE

Division One North
Penn & Tylers Green v Kidlington Youth
Nothing but team pride to play for in this one. Neither side can finish higher or lower in the league table. However, two goals for Penn striker Tara Woodward would see her jump over both Shannon Read and Leah Why in the top scorer chart. The reverse fixture was only a coupe of weeks ago. Penn won 4-3 with Tara Woodward scoring twice.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

Division One South
AFC Stoneham v Bursledon
A third meeting of the season for these two. Stoneham won the reverse league fixture by a goal to nil, but lost the SDFA Final on penalties just a couple of weeks ago. The Purps can't move up or down in the league, regardless of the outcome. However, The Dons can leapfrog Woking into fourth spot with a win. The are already guaranteed the highest finish of the new teams in the league.
Stoneham Lane Football Complex, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA

This Sunday there really was only place to be heading, Fleet in Hampshire. Fleet Town Women were taking on Bursledon in the home side's final game of the Southern Region Division One South season. A point adrift of Havant 7 Waterlooville, with a much inferior goal difference, Fleet required all three points to leapfrog The Hawks and take the league title. Earlier in the season Fleet had edged a tight game at Bursledon by 3-2 after being hauled back from a 2-0 lead. However, a recent wobbly in the run in, three defeats in their last six league outings, meant that this one was far from a done deal. The Dons, in their first season a this level, had already shown that they are capable of competing with the best the league could throw at them and were certainly not here to make up the numbers.
So, on a bright but breezy and chilly afternoon, it was all down to the final 90 minutes of the season for Fleet and Havant.

If Fleet had any nerves going into this game, they were quickly put to rest when the home side went ahead after just one minute. Isabella Moffett got the ball on the left-hand side of the penalty area, cut inside a defender and unleashed a rocket that flew into the roof of Jade Kibell's net. 1-0
Fleet looked in no mood to settle for a single goal and continued to pour forward, only to find Kibell in fine form again. The Bursledon stopper made a double save from Kiera Simpson, did well to keep Dior Knorr out and prevented Lily martin from getting on the score sheet, all before the half-hour was up. In the midst of those saves, there was one effort that did get pas her her. Simpson, with some dazzling footwork, danced through a crowd of defenders before smashing a low drive off the post with Kibell beaten.
However, despite almost constant pressure, it remained 1-0 and you know what comes next.
With 37 on the clock, the ball was played to Isobel Pouncy near the halfway line. She delivered an inch-perfect through ball for Zoe Bache to run onto. Bache brushed off a challenge before lifting the ball over the advancing Chloe Harper. A great finish and The Dons were level with their first effort on target. 1-1.
As it stood, Havant & Waterlooville were taking the title on goal difference, but it didn't stay that way too long.t Just five minutes after being pegged back, Fleet were back in front. Olivia Cervino picked out Dior Knorr with a raking cross-field pass. The winger, who has played 10 games in the National League for Wimbledon this season, cut inside Nicola Curtis and drove a low strike past Kibell. 2-1. That was a crucial blow from Fleet. Having dominated the half, if they had gone in level at the break, they may have felt deflated. As it was, they went in a goal to the good and with one hand on the trophy.

HT Fleet Town 2 Bursledon 1. A half in which Fleet dominated possession but didn't make the most of their chances, partially through wastefulness, partially through another great goalkeeping display from Jade Kibell. Bursledon's goal, however, demonstrated that a single goal lead can be a very fragile position. It only took one ball over the top to break them down.

​Six minutes into the second half Fleet put daylight between themselves and their opponents when Knorr's cross from the right was unfortunately diverted into the goal by a Bursledon defender. 3-1. A minute later Kibell made a superb save to keep out Dior's free-kick that was heading for the bottom corner. That save, keeping it at a two-goal advantage, could well have been crucial as, just before the hour, Bursledon got another goal back. Awarded a free-kick way out on the right, Number 8 (sorry, no team sheet, so I didn't get all the names) sent the ball towards the front post, deceiving Harper. 3-2. Hard to say if the attempt at goal was deliberate or just putting the ball into an area, but it doesn't matter, it was game on again.
If there were any visiting Hawks fans in the crowd, they would have been urging The Dons forward at this point. Fleet supporters were definitely entering what Sir Alex Ferguson called 'squeaky bum time'. The locals must have had their hearts in their mouths on 80 minutes, when another ball over the home defence saw Zoe Bache clear of her marker. However, Chloe Harper had read the danger and was fast off her line to just get to the ball first. It was literally a matter of inches in it. Excellent goalkeeping to be so alert.
With only a minute of normal time remaining, a series of events led to Bursledon being reduced to 10 temporarily. It began with a controversial decision to give a throw to Fleet, when it was clear for everyone to see that it should have been a Dons ball. When the ball was launched forward, Rachel Richards was then penalised for a foul that was also debateable. Frustration boiled over for the Dons defender, who let the referee know her feelings. There's no excuse for dissent, but with her team chasing the game, Richards was clearly wound up. The referee sent her to the sin-bin.
Two minutes later Gina Saltykova, who had been excellent in the Fleet midfield, sent a shot over Kibell only to see it come back off the bar. That could have sealed it. Then, 5 minutes into added time, Harper threw herself into the mix to grab the ball as Bursledon threatened again. The keeper took an accidental knock to the head from Bache for her troubles, leading to an extended period of treatment before she could continue. The game continued and, from somewhere, the referee had found even more added time. With the second period ticking towards the hour mark, Fleet finally made the game, the points and the title safe when Dior Knorr slammed the ball past Kibell. 4-2. There was still enough time for Richards to make a brief re-appearance, which shows how much added time was played, but it was soon all over, amidst scenes of joy for the Fleet players, coaches and supporters.

FT Fleet Town 4 Bursledon 2. A deserved victory for Fleet on the balance of play. However, Bursledon made them work for the points. Ultimately, the home side had a little too much going forward. Kiera Simpson was a constant thorn in the side of the visitors defence and Dior Knorr caused problems both wide right and, in the second half, a more central role.
Massive congratulations to Fleet who, after a little wobble late on, take the Division One South title and will be playing in the Premier league next season. Commiserations to Havant & Waterlooville, who took the title race to the wire.
Bursledon still have one league game to play, away at AFC Stoneham next weekend, and could still finish above Woking if they were to win it.

Fleet Town: Harper, Hayman, Corrigal, Lewis(c), Saltykova, Granger, Cervino, Martin, Moffett, Simpson, Knorr. Subs: Stuart, O'Connor, Robinson, Roberts, Winyard

The Ground
Fleet normally play their home games at the club's Crookham Road ground. However, today they had chosen to switch venues to the artificial surface at nearby Hart Leisure Centre. There's not too much to say about the ground. It's a standard 3G pitch surrounded by a green mesh fence, as you see at many leisure centres and community facilities. There's a very large car park at the centre, which is free of charge for the first 3 hours. The leisure centre has a cafe and toilet facilities just a short walk from the pitch. There's no spectator cover, of course, and on this occasion, they were not allowing spectators inside the cage. Presumably expecting a reasonably large crowd and, to be fair, there's not too much room between the touchline and the cage.

Ground Number: 448
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Not having made it to a midweek game this week, BotP had a rare Friday evening opportunity and, as it turned out, it was possibly the best decision made all season. A chance to watch a local cup final and re-visit a ground that I had always promised myself I would get back to at some point. The ground in question, Shortwood United's Meadowbank, and the cup final, a Stroud and District League President's Cup clash between Tetbury Town and Taverners FC. My previous, and only, other visit to Shortwood came in 2019 when I saw the home side draw 2-2 with Brislington (Nice Club, Shame About The League Place). Meadowbank is a delightful ground that has not changed too much in the intervening six years and, frankly, doesn't need to.
The two sides in cup final action this evening finished side by side in the Stroud & District top flight, although Taverners did accumulate eight more points than Tetbury and finished one place higher, in third. Neither could get close to eventual champions, Wickwar Wanderers. Coincidentally, this time last year BotP was at Tetbury to witness their 2-0 home defeat to none other than Wickwar Wanderers (Lessons Of War).
So, league positions and recent league results were in favour of Taverners. They had done the league double over Tetbury, winning 2-0 away and, in the final game of the season, 4-3 at Snakey Lane.
Tetbury had progressed to the final via a 8-1 win at Leonard Stanley, a 3-1 victory here at Meadowbank, over Shortwood United Reserves, and a 2-0 semi-final win at second-placed Old Richians. Meanwhile, Taverners beat Minchinhampton 4-1 in the first round, following it up with a 1-0 defeat of Dursley Town Reserves. In the semi-final they beat last season's beaten finalist, Chalford Reserves, 2-1. 
Many thanks to referee, and former Forest Green and Swindon Town striker, Charlie Rowlands for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.

​The game got off to a lightning start, which was an omen for what was to come for the next 90+ minutes. Within 30 seconds of kick-off Taverners' left-winger Tom Williams got clear out wide before cutting inside and testing the early concentration of James King. The Tetbury stopper was up to the task, making a comfortable stop. Just a few minutes later, with Taverners making the better start of the two, King was gain called into action, saving well from Harley Hudd after a flowing move from Taverners. Tetbury's first real effort came after nine minutes when Owen Johnson was played in, forcing Ed Thompson to make his first save of the evening.
Twelve minutes in the deadlock was broken. Tetbury, under pressure from Hudd, gave the ball away deep in their own half. Hudd immediately fed Fraser Hankins, who made no mistake, firing low to King's left. 0-1.
The goal brought a response from Tetbury, who proceeded to edge the next fifteen minutes without managing to find a way past the Taverners defence. That almost changed on 27 minutes when a lovely cross-field ball found Owen Johnson. He chested the ball down into his path, taking his defender out of the game, before unleashing a volley that slapped into the side-netting. Tetbury were getting closer and, three minutes later, they got themselves level. Winning a corner following a breakaway that looked suspiciously offside (the vociferous Taverners support were convinced), they won a corner. The first ball in way dealt with by the defence at the expense of a second corner from the Tetbury right. This one was played toward the front post where Sam brown got a flick on, where Oliver Purnell managed to get his head to ball amidst a crowd of players, nodding it over the line for 1-1.
Parity, however, lasted just three minutes and, again, it was a mistake in the Tetbury back-line that led to the goal. Taverners won a free-kick out on the left and when the ball was fired in by Liddicott, King spilled it, allowing Joe Baker to steal in and force the ball home. 1-2
There were further chances at either end before the break, but no more scoring. Hartley Hudd had a goal bound header deflected wide for a corner before, in the final minute before the break, Ed Thompson saved brilliantly from point-blank range as Harry Purnell ran in on a ball across the box.

HT Tetbury Town 1 Taverners 2. Time for everyone to draw a breath after a brilliant 45 minutes of football. End to end stuff, three goals and countless chances at both ends.

​Both teams were out on the pitch well before the officials, clearly eager to get going again, and it was Tetbury who looked to be the most fired up of the two. The orange shirts poured forward in the opening encounters of the second period, gaining a reward just seven minutes in. Owen Johnson with a determined break down the left flank, held off a challenge from a defender before cutting back and drilling a ball across the six-yard line where the unfortunate Ethan Moulton, tracking back, diverted the ball into his own net. 2-2
Taverners, after being pinned back at the start of the half tried to react by hitting Tetbury on the break through Hudd. However, King was alert to the danger, racing off his line to block well. Immediately, Tetbury countered through Josh Hughes, winning the ball in midfield before bursting forward and unleashing a piledriver that flashed narrowly wide of Thompson's left-hand post. It looked like a matter of time before Tetbury edged in front but, out of the blue, on the hour mark, Taverners were back in front. Another delightful through ball from Shelbourn found Harley Hudd in behind the defence and, as King came off his line, the striker deftly placed the finish beyond the keeper into the far corner. 2-3. Now it was Taverners who had their tails up. Substitute Fin Byrnes struck a swirling 25 yarder that King did brilliantly to turn wide, throwing himself full-length to his left. Then, on 67 minutes, Taverners put daylight between the teams. A looping effort was dropping under the bar. With goalkeeper and what looked like a posse of players from both sides challenging, the ball and Tetbury goalkeeper ended up in the net. The assistant was already flagging before the ball went in and King remained on the ground even after the Taverners players wheeled away in celebration, congratulating Luke Bedwell, who got the final touch. After a short discussion with the assistant, the referee pointed to halfway, awarding the goal. 2-4
Tempers were flaring a little by this point and the referee was forced to brandish a couple of yellow cards to calm things down a little.
Tetbury, to their credit, re-doubled their efforts to get back into the game and Taverners looked to be content to defend their two goal advantage. However, with 17 minutes remaining, the lead was again reduced to one when Tetbury were awarded a penalty after another burst into the box was curtailed, unfairly this time. Josh Hughes stepped up and smashed the ball high into the net. No stopping that one. 3-4.
Tetbury were now throwing the kitchen sink at Taverners, who were defending for their lives. We were at the stage of the defenders sending the ball long and in any direction, to relieve the pressure, but the waves of orange kept coming back at them. Six minutes into added time, Tetbury were awarded a free-kick some 35 yards out. King was asking the bench if he should go forward too, but they waved him back. The ball was played into the mix and, when taverners failed in their attempts to clear, Owen Johnson reacted quickest to drill the ball past Thompson for a dramatic equaliser. 4-4. There was barely time to take kick-off before the referee drew a close to the game.

FT Tetbury Town 4 Taverners 4. A superb 90 minutes of pure entertainment. I can imagine that Severn Sports' Ryan Butler, who I spied in the main stand earlier, was hoarse after commentating on that one. It seemed unfair that there had to be a loser in this one, but someone had to win it and it was going to be a penalty shootout to decide it. Taverners were to take the first kick.

Taverners - Louis Wilkins - Scored 0-1
Tetbury - Josh Hughes - Scored 1-1
Taverners - Tom Williams - Scored 1-2
Tetbury - Tommy Blackah - Scored 2-2
Taverners - Ethan Moulden - Scored 2-3
Tetbury - Adam Grech - Scored - 3-3
Taverners - Fin Byrnes - Scored - 3-4
Tetbury - Harry Purnell - Scored 4-4
Taverners - Brook Jenner - Clips the bar and goes over. 4-4
Tetbury - Billy Montague to win it. Scored 5-4

Congratulations to Tetbury Town, President's Cup Winners 2025.

It's a bit of a cliche, but the big winner tonight was football. What a fantastic game of football served up by these two teams. A credit to the Stroud & District Football League. My journey time, in both directions, was longer than the actual game. However, it was worth every minute. This is why grassroots football, in my opinion, knocks spots off the professional game. This was entertainment at the highest level, which is what football should be about. Not only that, but it was free to get in. Free!! 

Tetbury Town: King, Brown, Grech, Montague, Johnson, Seal, Hughes, Blackah, Jones(c), O.Purnell, H.Purnell. Subs: O'Keeffe, Hillman, Kraham-Wood, Goodwin
Taverners: Thompson, Moulden, Baker, Thornton, Fletcher, Blunt, Hankins, Liddicot, Hudd, Wilkins(c), Williams. Subs: Bedwell, Shelbourn, Fisher, Jenner, Byrnes


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With the season drawing to a close, the 35th SoReg Review is a much lighter edition than normal. The titles are sealed i the Premier and the North, but it's all still to play for in the South. Down to the last day, Fleet require all three points, at home to Burlsedon on Sunday, to dramatically leapfrog Havant & Waterlooville.
Ascot completed a league a cup double by beating Winchester in the League Cup Final. Meanwhile, Oxford City are champions of Oxfordshire after beating Kidlington in the Women's Cup Final. They now have the Chairman's Cup Final to look forward to next week.

SDFA Cup Semi-Final
AFC Stoneham 1-1 (1-2p) Bursledon
Bursledon progressed to the Final of the SDFA Women's Cup after edging past Stoneham in a penalty shootout. Stoneham lost their goalkeeper Millie Peake to a serious knee injury in the first half but scored through Abbie Awdas. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Millie.

​Slough Town 1-3 Penn & Tylers Green
It was all-square at the break in this one. Ammara Qureshi scoring for Penn and Farah Morris for Slough. However, a brace from substitute Ellie Ludgate-Williams gave Penn the points, guaranteeing them the runners-up spot with one game remaining.

Fleet Town 4-1 Wimborne Town
Town got back to winning ways, setting up a big finish in next weekend's home tie with Bursledon. Fleet are a point adrift of Havant but with a worse goal difference, have to take all three points to secure the league title. A Brooke Suddaby goal for Town, eight minutes into the second half, couldn't deflate Fleet, who now look forward to the visit of Bursledon on Sunday.

QK Southampton v Burlsedon
A twenty minute Isobel Pouncy hat-trick sealed this one for The Dons. Goalless at the break, Pouncy pounced on the hour mark to put Bursledon one up. Five minutes later it was two and, with ten minutes remaining, the hat-trick was completed.

​Winchester City Flyers 1-3 Ascot United 
City took the lead through Libby Wilkinson seven minutes before the break. However, Ascot showed their champions credentials in the second half. Beth Lloyd equalised ten minutes in before two Kate Fox goals in two minutes, just on the hour, sealed a league and cup double for The Yellawomen. As always, Neal Jeffs was on hand to capture the action in his match report. Also, listen to Emma Pearmine's post match reaction.

Oxford City 4-0 Kidlington Youth
City dominated possession but found Kidlington a tough nut to crack for large periods of the game. Emma Donohoe and Kaitlyn Crouch gave City a 2-0 lead at the break. Ellie White the scored twice before the hour was up, once from the spot, to see The Hoops to a sixteenth Oxfordshire Cup success. Read the full match report here (Sweet Sixteen For City). You can also read the Oxford City match report here.

AFC Portchester v Sholing
Nothing but local pride at stake in this one. There's only 12 miles between grounds but, one is a PO post code, the other SO, so there's plenty of South Coast rivalry on show. Neither team can move up in the table, unless Portchy win by 20 goals. The reverse fixture saw two very early goals and one very late one. Gemma Hillier put Portchester 1-0 up after a minute only for Catherine Browning to immediately equalise. Eilidh Currie then hit the Portchy winner in the final minute.
On-Site Group Stadium, Cranleigh Road, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 9DP

​Abingdon United Development v Tilehurst Panthers
An end of season game with only league places at stake. Panthers trail Abingdon by two points, so could leapfrog their hosts with a win. United won 4-2 at Scours Lane back November, with Charlotte Bigmore grabbing a hat-trick.
The Northcourt, ​Oxfordshire OX14 1PL

Fleet Town v Bursledon
The big one. The final showdown for Fleet. Only a win will be good enough for them to overhaul Havant & Waterlooville. IN the reverse fixture, back in November, Fleet were hauled back from a 2-0 lead, only for Amy Granger to notch her second goal and send Town home with the points. The Dons still have the opportunity to finish the season in fourth spot, which would be an excellent achievement in their first season at this level.
​Hart Leisure Centre, Emerald Avenue, Fleet GU51 5HS