All games involving D1N teams were postponed last weekend. However, BotP was still out there, in the cold, watching a Premier League game between Abingdon United and Bournemouth Sports.
This week there are five games involving D1N clubs, including Carterton's postponed County Cup game from last week.

County Cup
Oxford Athletic v Carterton (13:30 ko)
Another welcome break from league action for Carterton as they make the journey up the A40 to face Thames Valley Division 1 side Oxford Athletic in a County Cup Quarter-Final tie. Carterton saw off Headington Amateurs in the previous round whilst Athletic had a walkover against Summertown Stars. On Sunday Zoe Pugh's goal for Carterton meant that she had now scored half of Carterton's goals. However, Oxford Athletic's Beverley Hirons can also lay claim to this statistic, having scored 13 of Athletic's 26 in all competitions this season.
The Swan School, Marston, OX2 7EE

League Cup (14:00 ko)
Eversley & California v Winchester City Flyers
Winchester currently sit bottom of the Premier League. However, they have only played six league matches due to their various cup runs and postponements, five fewer than Wycombe who are only four points better off. League-wise, Eversley are in a similar position. They sit second from bottom of Division 1 North but have also played fewer games than the teams above them. Recent form has started to pick up, they remain unbeaten in their last three games.
Eversley Sports Association, Fox Lane, Eversley, RG27 0NS

Milton United v Wycombe Wanderers
Although this is a match up between Division 1 and the Premier League there is in effect only two places separating the sides. Milton currently lead the way in D1N whilst Wycombe are second from bottom of the top flight. Wanderers showed plenty of fight in their last league game, coming back from 3-1 down to level it up before losing out to a late Abingdon Town winner. The third time they have lost by the odd goal in seven at home this season. Milton, as well as being unbeaten league leaders, are also top scorers with 37 goals in their 10 league outings. This could well be an intriguing match-up.
Milton Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, OX14 4XB

League (14:00 ko)
Penn & Tylers Green v Long Crendon
Expect a close encounter between these two. Their last meeting, back in November, ended in a 1-1 draw. Henna Hussain scoring for Penn and Amber Catell on the mark for Long Crendon. To add to that, both Penn and Crendon have drawn five of their nine league games and are only separated by one place and three points, Penn being just ahead of their visitors. It should be a close game between two evenly matched sides. Anyone want to bet against a draw?
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn, HP10 8LG

Woodley United v Caversham United
A big local derby for both teams. Caversham drew last time out but have not won a league game since they beat Kidlington 1-0 at the end of October. Woodley, by contrast, are on a fantastic run, winning heir last six league games and scoring 26 goals without conceding a solitary goal at the other end. This run kicked off with a 5-0 win over the Goats at Mapeldurham in November. Woodley's May Hamblin is sitting second in the top scorer chart with 9 so far. However, United spread the goals around with 13 different players already on the scoresheet this season.
UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, RG5 3HE

Previous match blogs form this season involving these teams:
9th October, 2022 - Long Crendon 0 Caversham United 0 -  Greens And Goats Goalless
21st November, 2022 - Penn & Tylers Green 3 Milton United 3 - The Entertainers
10th December, 2022 - Wycombe Wanderers 0 Abingdon United 2 - Two Will Do For The Yellow & Blue
8th January, 2023 - Carterton 0 Woodley United 9 - Call 999, Woodley Are On Fire

​Once again this midweek the wetaher had played havoc with the fixtures. I decided to play it safe by opting for a 3G surface. Looking at Twitter later, this became an even better decision. Games being called off less than an hour before kick-off when players and spectators had travelled halfway across the country. Not ideal at any time but shocking in the current financial climate. There were a few 'safe' options on the list, St Ives Town, AFC Stoneham to name a couple. However, I decided on a ground that I have planned to visit for a while, Rayners lane's Tithe Farm Sports Club. I'd also never seen the home side play before but had visited their opponents, CB Hounslow United, once before, a Tuesday night derby with Hanworth Villa back in February 2020 (Carry on CB)

The Ground
Rayners Lane's Tithe Farm Sports Club ground, known locally as The Lane, has long been on my list of grounds to visit. A friend lived within walking distance a few years back but I never managed to tie in a visit with a game. The ground is just to the South-West of Harrow and, although it is situated smack bang in the middle of a highly populated urban area, it is surrounded on three sides by trees. The Sports club has a reasonably large car park and there is also some limited parking available on Rayners Lane just outside the ground. Access is through a single turnstile. On the car park side of the ground is the clubhouse and toilet facilities, as well as the players and officials block. 

​On the opposite side of the ground, backed by trees, is the main stand (or stands). It stretches for half the length of the playing area, straddling the halfway line. Although a single structure, it incorporates two seating areas at each end and a standing area in the middle. The two seating areas have different names, The Tony Pratt Stand and the Tom Lynn Stand. The clubs name is stencilled in large letters on the back of the standing area with Welcome To The Lane written across the front of the roof.
Dugouts are on the clubhouse side of the pitch and access to the opposite side is only available behind the goal at the Lucas Avenue end. the Rayners Lane goal is so close to the tree line and thee lane itself that there is no access behind the goal for spectators. The playing surface was converted to 3G in readiness for the 2018-19 season.

​The Background
Fourteen places separated the sides at the start of play. Rayners lane sat sixth, just outside the playoff spots by means of having a worse goal difference than fifth placed Rising ballers Kensington. However, Lane have played more games than the teams immmediately around them, three more than Kensington and six more than third placed Sandhurst Town. Hounslow's season has not been brilliant, top say the least. Sitting in 20th, one place above the drop zone, at the start of play. They had a two pint advantage over Hillingdon but had already played two more games. They came into the game on a run of three consecutive league defeats, their last win being a 2-1 defeat of Westside back in October. Rayners Lane had also hit a shaky patch. They beat london Samurai Rovers 2-0 on December 27th but then went on to take just one point from the next nine available. However, that changed last week. Following a 4-1 defeat of Hiulligndon Borough in the cup, they then hammered the same opponents 8-0 last Saturday, do tonight's opponents a massive favour in the process. Although there hasn't been a previous league meeting this season, the teams did meet in the Middlesex Charity Cup in November. On that occsaion Hounslow came out on top, 5-4 after extra time.

​The Game
It was an interesting opening few minutes to the match. Anyone who didn't know the teams would have been forgiven for thinking the team in green and white were the one near the top of the league, such was the confidence that exuded from Hounslow. They knocked the ball around with some style. Admittedly, they didn't manage to trouble Patmore in the home goal, but they looked like they were here with a purpose.
Unfortunately for Hounslow, the initial burst did not last. Rayners Lane began to find their feet and, after 10 minutes, had nullified Hounslow's quick start. The first real effort on target came from the hoem team on 11 minutes when Ronnie Blagden tried his luck from outside the box. It was straight at Matt Bonnett, but it was a warning to United. Two minutes later Lane should really have been in front when the ball fell to Oliver Lawford who shapes to pass the ball into the far corner but put the ball just the wrong side of the post.
Just past the halfway mark in the firest half Luke Peerless was the next try his luck with a shot from way out side the box. Again Bonnett was not troubled. However, on the half-hour mark the Hounslow stopper was left floundering as Rayners Lane took the lead in unusual style. Jake Tabor, fresh from scoring five against Hillingdon, curled in a wicked corner from the left. Whether this was an attempt at goal or just an opportunity to put extreme pressure on the keeper by getting the ball right under the crossbar, we may never know. Initially it looked as if Kyle Clifford had got to the ball and diverted back across the goal line for Jason Kitenge to tap in. However, the stadium announcer credited the goal to Clifford rather than Kitenge. Then, as th sides returned from half-time, we learned that it had gone straight in and the goal was given to Jake Tabor. 1-0
Four minutes later, with Rayners Lane now in full flow, Tabor was on the mark again drilling the ball low past Bonnett from the edge of the box. 2-0.
Hounslow were now struggling to make headway in the game. Their initial snappy passing moves had been curtailed by a hard-working Lane team, who had close down all the space for United. One or two "lively" challenges wre going in too. Paolo Deritis picked up a sore looking knock to the leg quite early on, and handed out a little retribution to earn a yellow card.
Just before the break Lane effectively secured the points when they went three goals in front. it all came from a hurried clearance from Bonnett. The ball was immediately returned to Tabor before the visitor's defence had time to reset. Tabor's shot was blocked by the legs of Bonnett but the rebound fell to Kitenge, who made no mistake. 3-0

HT Rayners Lane 3 CB Hounslow United 0. Hounslow started really brightly but Lane soon got into the game and had the visitors on the back foot from the tenth minute onwards. It took Lane half an hour for them to finally break down a determined defence but once the first goal went in, it was only a matter of time before they scored again.

​As the players and officials made their way out for the second half, home coach Scott Patmore confirmed that the first goal had been given to Jake Tabor and it didn't take the Lane striker too long to get his hat-trick. The goal was made by Kitenge breaking down the right flank. He picked up the run of Tabor into the box and laid the ball inside for him. Tabor took a touch before unleashing a blistering strike past Bonnett at his near post. 4-0

At four up you could forgive Rayners Lane for taking their foot off the gas a little. This they did, much to the ire of their bench, who were berating their players for not working hard enough. However, despite lane easing off, Hounslow were a beaten team at this point and never looked like they would get back into the game.
Tabor certainly wasn't finished though. On 75 minutes he decided to take the Hounslow defence on, bursting through from midfield before getting fouled some 25 yards out and just to the right of centre. After picking himself off, and seeing the referee issue a yellow for the foul, Tabor then proceeded to produce a stunning, curling effort into the top left-hand corner of Bonnett's net. An unstoppable effort. 5-0.
The game was done but there was still time for Tabor to almost sign off five goals for a second consecutive match. However, he was denied by a decent save from Bonnett.

FT Rayners Lane 5 CB Hounslow United 0. A comprehensive win for Rayners Lane which takes them into the playoff places. In fairness, it could easily have been more than five in the end. Once they went four in front, Lane were guilty of overplaying at times and could probably have cut through United with some more straight-forward moves. Matt Bonnett also made a couple of good saves to help keep the score down. Jake Tabor now has nine goals in his last two games for The Lane taking him to the top of their goalscoring leader board despite only having played five games for the club.
For their part, Hounslow showed in the opening few minutes that they can play some nice football. If they had managed to get a goal early on, who knows what it could have done for their confidence. There's certainly some talent in the squad.
Both sides are in league action again at the weekend. Rayners Lane make the journey to Hayes to take on 15th placed Brook House. When the sides met at The Lane goals from Clifford, Griggs and Blair saw Lane win 3-2 despite having Alex Ward dismissed for two yellows. Ben Bell and Jake Sobalak replied for Brook House. Hounslow are back at Green Lane for their encounter with Molesey, currently in 14th. Their reverse fixture also finished 3-2 to the home side with Alabi, O'Connor and McDonnell scoring for The Moles. Thompson and Vasibese replied for The Dragons.

Rayners Lane: Patmore, Ward, Griggs, Vangu, Deritis(c), Clifford, Kitenge, Blagden, Lawford, Peerless, Tabor. Subs: Obasa, Togba, Bamgboye, Hyseni, Allen
CB Hounslow United: Bonnett, Silah, Thompson, Hart, Udeze,(c), Vidal, Windsor, Torbett, Dewhurst, Dunstall, Mboma. Subs: Smith, Light, Bennett, Williams, Sawyer

Ground Number: 345
Att: 
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: £2.00

The second part of my footballing weekend was supposed to have been the SRWFL Div.1 North clash between Eversley & California and Kidlington. Unfortunately this game, along with every other game involving D1N teams, was postponed because of the weather. I was sorely tempted to head down to Slough Town to watch Maidenhead take on AFC Bournemouth in the National league Division 1 South West, especially when I was notified that @andrewbatt5 and @wanderintractor would be there. However, it was another fixture involving a team from the South coast that had caught my eye, Abingdon United v Bournemouth Sports which had been switched to 3G at Whitelands Farm in Bicester, only a mile from my house. It was an opportunity not to be missed. A match where both teams would need to travel further than me to get to the game.

​The Ground
Whitelands Farm Sports Ground is a community sports hub on the South-Eastern edge of Bicester (although the rate the town is growing, it won't be the outskirts for much longer). It's the only full-size 3G facility with floodlights in the town and, as such, is much sought after by local teams for midweek training sessions. I know this because, up until last October, I spent four years coaching there every Friday evening. There is a good sized car park adjacent to the 3G pitch as well as a fairly large block that houses the changing areas, toilets and a good café/bar on the second floor. For anyone who doesn't fancy braving the weather, there is a decent view of the 3G pitch from the café, so long as you get there early enough to grab a window seat. Viewing around the 3G pitch is a little limited. There are no spectator areas inside the 'cage' which means that you have to get quite close to the fence to be able to get a decent view through the mesh. There's also no hard-standing around the cage, so you will get muddy feet. The view is probably better from the opposite side, the far side from the car park. On the plus side, you can always nip back to the car to warm up.

​The Background
This was a big game at the top of the Southern Region premier League. Prior to kick off Abingdon led the way, four points clear of second placed Ascot United and eleven points ahead of today's opponents. However, Ascot had a game in hand and Bournemouth had played a massive four games fewer, predominently down to their fabulous FA Cup run which had seen them progress to the Third Round. Effectively, Sports could overtake Abingdon shoudl they win all of their games in hand. To add to the build-up, Abingdon were defending a 100% home record (although their previous five wins all came at Northcourt) and Bournemouth were boasting an unbeaten away record, won two and drawn one. The week before Bournemouth's cup run came to an end at Cardiff City, these two had met in the reverse fixture at Bournemouth Sports Club. Goals from Molly Lygo-Jackson, Lindsay Pinker and Amy Pipe saw United make the long journey home with all three points, ending Sports unbeaten run at the same time. United's next game was away at Wycombe Wanderers where they won 2-0, a game that BotP had the pleasure to witness (Two Will Do For the Yellow & Blue).

​The Game
Abingdon were a little later getting onto the pitch than their visitors. However, they were certainly the quicker of the two to get going. Barely three minutes were on the clock when Molly Lygo put in a cross from the left-wing which was met on the volley at the near post by Lindsay Pinker. 1-0

Just before the quarter hour mark Abingdon came close to making it two when, after a corner was cleared to the corner of th box, Amy Chivers let fly only to see her effort strike the joint of post and crossbar. Abingdon were dominating possession at this point, although the Chivers effort was as close as they had come to adding to the early goal. Bournemouth goalkeeper Sam Chrippes was called into action on 25 minutes when she bravely threw herself at the feet of an Abingdon striker to prevent a second goal. Excellent goalkeeping that seemed to stir her teammates because, after being second best for the first half hour, they began to show signs that they could cause problems for the league leaders. Liane Folkenstern's quick feet were enabling her to move the ball around in midfield and the switch of Rebecca Miles from left to right wing was beginning to bear fruit. That became more apparent on 31 minutes when Miles sent over a beautiful cross met by the perfectly timed run of Folkenstern. Her header was on target but Hannah Cox reacted well to make a good save.
Despite Sports now seeing more of the ball, they had to be very aware of the threat posed by United's attacking force. On 40 minutes a great run down the left from Amy Pipe ended with Milly Lygo causing Chrippes to scramble across her goal to see the ball go narrowly wide. Then, straight down the other end, Miles tried a snapshot from the edge of the box but slipped as she hit it, taking the sting out of the strike and allowing Cox to save comfortably. It was now end to end and United were not finished. Lygo again was in the thick of the action, crossing from the left. Beth Hawtin got on the end of the cross, cushioning it back for Pinker, but she could only put the effort over the bar.

HT Abingdon United 1 Bournemouth Sports 0. Abingdon ran the game for the first 25 minutes but couldn't find another way to break down the Bournemouth defence after their early goal. Sports kept plugging away, got a foothold on the game and, towards the end of the half, looked the more likely to trouble the scoreboard.

​Bournemouth started the second half with extra vigour, clearly on a mission to give it their best shot, possibly buoyed by the last 15 minutes of the opening period. However, despite throwing players forward and keeping the ball in the Abingdon half for a the opening minutes, they couldn't find a way to break down a very stubborn and well-drilled Yellows defence. Pushing forward also left them a little more vulnerable, highlighted when Amy Pipe was allowed to get a shot off after 50 minutes. It went just over the top, but it was a warning that Abingdon were tightening the screw. They did just that. Bournemouth's bright start to the half was consigned to history a Abingdon began to force them back. The Yellows defence had done its job so well that Bournemouth replaced top scorer Lauren Brewer, who had not been given an inch all game, with Chloe Ashton on 65 minutes. 
Four minutes later, Abingdon doubled their lead and it was a reverse of the first goal. Pinker was the provider this time, senfding a deep cross over from the right. Molly Lygo arrived at the far post to volley it home with a lovely, controlled finish. 2-0. Three minutes after that Abingdon ended the game as a contest when Lindsay Pinker got her second goal, latching onto a losse ball and sending a left-footed strike over Chrippes. 3-0
Abingdon made a few changes themselves at this point and one of the fresh players, Beth Chapman, was next to get in a cross from the right. The ball arrived at the feet of Sahara Osborne-Ricketts who diverted the ball past Chrippes for 4-0. Then, four minutes from time, Beth Chapman got in on the act herself, controlling a cross from Megan Crawford before blasting the ball home for her first of the season. 5-0

FT Abingdon United 5 Bournemouth Sports 0. When I saw Abingdon at Wycombe in December I described them as strong, quick and solid at the back. Today's performance reiterated my view. Bournemouth are a decent side themselves but were beaten by a stronger, more powerful team on the day. Best wishes to the Bournemouth player who was taken off with a head injury in the second half. Sorry, I didn't see who it was. Good to see that she walked off the pitch after treatment. Hope she is ok.
Next weekend both sides are in League Cup action. United take on Ascot United at Northcourt in what promises to be an absolute cracker. They met in the league on the opening day with Ascot running out 2-1 winners at The Racecourse Ground. Bournemouth are at home to United's near neighbours Abingdon Town. They too have met once in the league, a 1-0 home win for Sports in November.

Abingdon United: Cox, Crawford, Hawtin, Chivers, Osborne-Ricketts, Deeley, Pipe, Boxall(c), May, Pinker, Lygo. Subs: Chapman, Suters, Thorne, Hume, Kirby
Bournemouth Sports: Schrippes, Davis, Vernon, Norman, Eden, Hughes, Shaw(c), Folkenstern, Miles, Hawkins, Brewer. Subs: Tilly, Fowell, Lewis, Nash, Ashton


Ground Number: 344
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

The start of an unusual weekend. No game for my daughter on Saturday morning due to a frozen pitch. However, after already planning to go to a women's game on Sunday, I then discovered I had Saturday afternoon free to go to a game as well. I'd got two games pencilled in, both in the Midland league Division Two and featuring the top two. Cadbury Athletic (I still haven't been to Bournville) was, unsurprisingly, called off but thanks to their new 3G surface, Sutton United v Redditch Borough was on. Time for a trip to Sutton Coldfield. I had seen both of these teams play before, but neither at home. Redditch Borough were the winning side in the Les James Challenge Cup Final in 2019 (Quickfire Borough Thwart Robins) and I saw Sutton just last year when they won at Balsall & Berkswell on their way to promotion (The Lavender Hall Mob).

The Ground
Sutton only moved to their new home on Coleshill Road late last year but have already had a whopping 427 in attendance for their last game of 2022 against Boldmere. The new ground is not too far from their old Hollyfield Road ground and is situated just off Coleshill Road adjacent to the local garden centre. The new facility has a good sized car park on both sides of the clubhouse, which has more TVs per square foot than any other clubhouse I have seen. From the clubhouse it is a 30 second walk to the pitch, past the small-sides playing area on. The players and officials changing block opens out onto the pitch under a digital clock and club crest. This block also houses spectator toilet facilities. There is a covered seating standing next to the players block, the Memorial Stand and the dugouts are situated on the opiate side of the pitch. There is hard-standing around the the entire ground. Building work is still happening in the surrounding land, but this is already a superb facility that can, and does, support football for all ages. It's really great to see a club at this level of the pyramid being able to invest in this type of community football hub.

​The Background
It's fair to say that, following last season's promotion from Division 3, Sutton are having an absolute blast at Step 7. At the start of play they sat proudly on top of the table, seven points clear of Cadbury Athletic (where they drew 2-2 last weekend), with only 2 league defeats all season and, by some distance, the league's top scorers. For Redditch, who themselves are only in their seventh season at this level, it's been a different and far more difficult season to date. Pre-match they sat in 12th spot, three points above the relegation zone.
In the reverse fixture back in August, Redditch had goalkeeper Anthony Swain sent off in the 51st minute as goals from Joe Delaney, Josh Duggan, Joe Gildea, Jordan Hall and Tom Massey saw Sutton clock up a 5-1 victory. James Mudie scored for Borough.
​

​The Game
Sutton started the game brightly, as you would expect from a team leading the division. Joe Delaney, down the left side, seemed to have the pace to beat his defender and United looked particularly threatening when attacking down that side. However, early raids saw a lack of final ball from the hosts as Redditch weathered the initial storm. That was until the 13th minute when, following a corner on the left, Redditch lost track of Tom Massey, who was left all alone to dive in and head home at the far post. 1-0
The response from Borough was good. A minute later Alex Knight's curling effort forced Wagstaff to tip his shot over for a corner. Unfortunately for Redditch, they could make nothing of it. Then on the twenty minute mark, Sutton almost made it two. It was Massey again causing the problem, collecting the ball in the box, controlling and turning well but then putting his effort over the top. Three minutes later another ball into the Borough area was met on the stretch by Joe Gildea but he could only direct it into the hands of Swain.
It was certainly Sutton creating the majority of the chances but Redditch still posed a threat when they got the ball. The willngness of Knight to make runs was creating gaps for the skills of Sol Bloomer to exploit. United needed to be on their guard. As if the emphasise this point, just after the half-hour mark, Knight made another break upo the left flank, this time getting clean away from his marker. He drilled the ball across the edge of the six-yard box, unfortunately for Borough, just behind the run of Tom Fishwick. Then, just before the break, with Borough definitely getting more into the game, Brooklyn Smith was allowed to wriggle free on the right, driving towards goal but finding Reiss Wagstaff to big a barroer to beat.

HT Sutton United 1 Redditch Borough 0. Sutton without doubt had the majority of the play but, aside from the goal, could not find that final ball. What's more, they always looked vulnerable when Redditch broke and, as the visitors started to gain some confidence, you could even say they finshed the half the stronger.

​Redditch were out early for the second half, clearly buoyed from the last 10 minutes of the first half. However, Sutton must have had a dressing down in the interval and, after misfiring for the majority of the first half, they returned to the pitch with what turned out to be a cunning plan. As the blog title suggest, Boom! Boom! Boom!. Not a reference to Baldrick's WWI poem but rather a reference to the three goals in seven minutes with which Sutton hit their opponents.
Only two minutes of the second period had passed when Tom Massey was tripped in the box. No real complaints from Borough as Josh Duggan stepped up to send Swain the wrong way. 2-0. Three minutes later, with Sutton pressing Redditch back at every opportunity, a United corner from the right was met by a glancing header from Joe Gildea and it was 3-0. Not content with a three goal lead, United won the ball back almost immediately after kick-off and attacked up the left. The driven cross evaded everyone but fell into the path of right-back Jonny Grigg, who rifled it back past Swain with a superb left-footed strike. 4-0
What a devastating blast from the home side, effectively ending the match as a contest. Unsurprisingly, they took their foot off the gas a bit at this point. Redditch, to their credit, didn't let their heads drop and continued to battle away. On 67 minutes they got their rewards for staying at it. A free-kick from the right was drifted in towards the near post where Tom Fishwick, who had got away from his marker, headed past Wagstaff. 4-1
Briefly Borough tails were up. Maybe if they got another one in the next few minutes, they could stage a comeback? That thought was curtailed in the 72nd minute when Tom Massey ran onto a defence splitting through ball before absolutely hammering the ball past Swain. 5-1
Sutton had saved the best for last however. With a minute of normal time remaining they won a corner on the right. Players flooded into the box but the ball was pulled back to Josh Duggan some 25 yards out. He caught his shot beautifully and the ball flashed past Swain, leaving the keeper with no chance whatsoever. Fantastic strike. 6-1

​FT Sutton United 6 Redditch Borough 1. With Cadbury Athletic's home game postponed, Sutton now lead the Division Two table by ten points, although they have played two more games than The Chocolate Men. In the end today's match looks like it was a complete rout, However, the three goal blast at the start of the second half completely changed the game. Up to that point Sutton had been the better team but Redditch were hanging in there and making the Greens work hard to stay in front. The final score line, IMO, was harsh on Redditch. No doubt Sutton deserved the points but to lose by five goals was hard on Borough. They remain three pints above the drop zone but, perhaps critically, have played more games than any of the teams below them. Both teams are in cup action next week. The next league matches for them are  both on February 4th. Sutton take on third-placed Knowle at Coleshill Road whilst Redditch travel to Inkberrow, who are just two places and six points above them.

Sutton United: Wagstaff, Grigg, Gregory, Murrell, Donald, Duggan(C), Massey, Semali, Hines, Gildea, Delaney. Subs: James, Hurrell, Bannister, Matthews, Parize
Redditch Borough: Swain, Turner, Birch, Oakley, Roberts, Denham(c), Fishwick, Bennett, Knight, B.Smith, Bloomer. Subs: Walsh, Merricks,  Walsh, Pardoe, Pearce

Ground Number: 343
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Results at the weekend certainly went in favour of the top two. Both Milton and Woodley won whilst Penn could only draw and Woodley's victory came at the cost of a second season defeat for Long Crendon. OK, it's not mathematically down to the top two, but with just a handful of games to go, it's unlikely either that either will be caught now. 

Carterton 1-3 Milton United
The day may have ended in defeat again for Carterton but, after losing heavily to the second-placed side last weekend, a visit from the leaders was probably the last thing they needed. However, showing the same sort of spirit that was on evidence during the defeat to Woodley, they upped their game and only lost out by 3-1. Zoe Pugh was on the mark again and has now scored 50% of their league goals this season. Milton goals were scored by Charlotte Comley (2), who now shares the league top scorer top spot with team-mate Mollie Dyer, and a second of the season for Katie Miller.

Caversham United 1-1 Eversley & California
A tense encounter between two evenly matched sides. Eversley took the lead soon after the break when a handball presented them with a penalty which Rae Roberts converted. The Goats kept at it and grabbed an equaliser with 16 minutes to go, when a Freya Jenkins shot was parried by the keeper only for Sam Thoreau to pounce on the loose ball.
Although not SRWFL related, I've been asked to give a shout out to Eversley's reserve side who are currently top of the TVWFL Div. 3 following their 9-1 demolition of Burghfield on Sunday. Strength in depth down at Fox Lane.

Kidlington 2-2 Penn & Tylers Green
It's now five without a win in the league for Penn. Although this run only contains one defeat, they have started drawing too many for their liking. It seemed they might take their first three pointer since October when a brace from Emma Nolan put them 2-0 up. However, Isabelle Thacker pulled one back before, top-scorer Courtney Sumner squared it up for The Greens.

Woodley United 3-0 Long Crendon
The United train keeps on thundering along. A sixth straight league win with 26 scored and none conceded keeps the pressure on Milton at the top.
Lucy Routledge, Michelle Quinn and Maddie Sawyer on the mark this week. Check out the match reports on the Woodley United web site and Reading Today. You can also take a look at the action, once again superbly captured by Oakmist Photography.

Fixtures - 22nd January, 2023 - (14:00 ko unless stated)
County Cup
Oxford Athletic v Carterton (13:30 ko)
Another welcome break from league action for Carterton as they make the journey up the A40 to face Thames Valley Division 1 side Oxford Athletic in a County Cup Quarter-Final tie. Carterton saw off Headington Amateurs in the previous round whilst Athletic had a walkover against Summertown Stars. On Sunday Zoe Pugh's goal for Carterton meant that she had now scored half of Carterton's goals. However, Oxford Athletic's Beverley Hirons can also lay claim to this statistic, having scored 13 of Athletic's 26 in all competitions this season.
The Swan School, Marston, OX2 7EE

League Cup
Long Crendon v Selsey Dev
It's been an exciting week off the pitch at Long Crendon, who announced a proposal for a community sports hub. You can help support this project by signing up here (Crendon's Coming Home). On the pitch, they suffered only their second league defeat of the season at Woodley. However, they'll be looking to bounce straight back in the League Cup as they face Division 1 South side, Selsey Dev, who are currently second from bottom. Crendon defeated Carterton 5-0 in the 1st Round, Selsey progressed via a bye.
Long Crendon Recreation Ground, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon, HP18 9BS

League
Eversley & California v Kidlington
This will be the first meeting between these sides this season. Both drew at the weekend but, with the teams above them either not playing or in cup action, both know that a win could lift them a couple of places in the table. The draw with Caversham last Sunday made it three games without defeat for Eversley, their best run of the season so far. Kidlington's recovery, from 2-0 down against Penn, to draw 2-2 showed that they too may have turned the corner after a run of defeats.
Eversley Sports Association, Fox Lane, Eversley, RG27 0NS

Penn & Tylers Green v Woodley United
Penn's draw at the weekend may well have finished off their chances of catching the top two. However, they can certainly put a dent in Woodley's charge up the table if they can get a result this weekend. Of course, to do this, they are going to have to do something that no-one has managed now for six league games, score against United. This will be the second meeting this season. The sides met at Bulmershe Pavilion towards the end of November in the game that ended Penn's unbeaten start to the season. Michelle Quinn, two from May Hamblin and another from Gemma Sims saw United run out 4-0 winners.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn, HP10 8LG

Having narrowly avoided a wasted trip to Downton last Tuesday, I somehow managed the same trick this week. I was about to head out to Gresley when I had second thoughts, only to find the game abandoned at half-time. Instead, I decided to paly it safe with a Wednesday evening, much shorter journey to a 3G pitch. The game in question, the Combined Counties Division 1 clash between league-leaders Langley and Westside. Langley are tenants at Slough Town's Arbour Park, a new ground for me, although I have seen Langley play before, in a Hellenic League Division 2 title decider in May 2019 (Crendon Cruise).
The journey down the M40 to Slough took me back to pre-pandemic times when my office was based in Wexham, a stone's throw from Slough Town's old ground. The new ground is a little further away from my old stomping ground, but 90% of the journey was the one I made day in, day out until March 2020. The first thing I saw when I arrived the ground was The Knife Angel, the sculpture created to highlight the negative effects of violent behaviour, which is currently on a  nationwide tour. You can find out more about this impressive structure by clicking on the photo

The Ground
As I said, Langley currently play their home games at Arbour Park, home of National League South side Slough Town. The ground was opened in 2016 but Langley did not begin their groundshare until 2020, after spending two years at Holyport's Summerleaze Park. The ground is situated just to the North of Slough town centre and no more than half a mile from their former Wexham Road ground. The football stadium is part of a complex which also houses facilities for corporate events such as meetings as well as rooms for weddings or parties. The main stand, on the Stoke Road side of the ground, is built into the main building of the complex. This is where the bar and conference facilities are housed as well as the players and officials facilities. There is a large car park outside this stand, which is also where the Knife Angel sculpture is located. Access to the ground is available through turnstiles at each corner. As far as I could see, only one was open this evening but, with a small crowd expected, that is hardly surprising. Opposite the main stand, which provides a great view of the pitch, there is also a lower seated stand which runs about half the length of the pitch, straddling the halfway line. Behind each goal there is also covered standing running the full width of the pitch. Its an extremely well appointed footballing facility which, of course, you would expect being the home of a Step 2 side.

​The Background
Langley top by four points from FC Deportivo Galicia. However, teams below them all have games in hand. Third-placed Sandhurst could go top if they won all of their 4 in hand. Westside started the evening in 12th spot but had only played 15 games, fewer than anyone in  the league. Winning them all would leave them just four points adrift of the leaders.

The sides met in October at Wibbandune with Langley running out 4-2 winners. Goals from Flavio Gyawu-Kyem (20, Daniel Newton and Jaiden Celestine-Charles. Dariush Haravi and James Curran replied for Westside. The result left Westside dangerously close to the bottom, but they have certainly picked up since and went into the match above their hosts in the current form table and are unbeaten in all competitions since a 2-1 defeat at Hounslow in Mid-October. Langley are the second highest scorers n the league, with 71 goals so far. However, three of their four defeats have come at Arbour Park. Westside don't score anywhere near as many goals but only Sandhurst can match their goals conceded tally of 23, only 10 of which have come on the road.

​The Game
The rain was still coming down when the teams made their way onto the pitch. Thankfully it is a 3G surface because, with the amount of rain we had seen during the previous 24 hours, a grass pitch woudl not have been playable. It was the visitors who seemed to settle into the game first, although both sides appeared to be having aome issues with the speed of the surface early on. A number of fairly straight-forward passes were being overhit when played along the ground. The first decent chance of the game fell to Westside after the forced a corner on the right. The ball was played in towards the penalty spaot where an unmarked Sean McDonnell met it with a flying header which flew over the bar. Not the easiest of chances, but a warning to the hosts.
Westside then had a shout for a penlty in the 17th minute. The referee waved it away and, to be fair, there was not too many protests. As it happened the ball ran on to McDonnell just inside the right-hand side of the area. His rasping drive was on target but well blocked by Jacob Cowler.
Langley had to wait until a few minutes past the halfway stage in the first half before they managed to get a shot on target. A free-kick some 30 yards out was fed in low to Kushon Lewis-Thomas. He turned and fired a shot in but it was blocked well by Seb Hunt. The effort marked the start of the home side coming more into the game. After being on the backfoot for the first half hour they woke from their slumber. They had a big penalty shout on 33 minutes when a snapshot seemed to strike the arm of a Westside defender. However, the shot was from close range and there didn't seem to be any movement of arm to ball. Nothing given. Four minutes later there was an even bigger shout from the home side and support. A long ball caught out the Westside defence and forced Hunt to rush out of his box, clearly handling the ball just outside the area. After some serious discussion with his assistant, the referee issued a yellow card to the goalkeeper. Many locals felt it was a clear goal scoring opportunity and should have been a red. A tough decision for the officials but, in my opinion, the correct one. Nothing came of the resulting free-kick and, aside from a James Curran header that went over for Westside, there were no more goal scoring opportunities in the first-half.

HT Langley 0 Westside 0. An even half with not much to choose between the teams. Westside looked to be getting on top earlier in the half but Langley came back stronger as the game progressed.

​Despite the fact that Langley had finished the first half with a slight edge, it was Westside who made the better start to the second period. Nine minutes in an Alex Nunes snapshot tested the reflexes of Cowper, but the keeper was more than equal to it. It was different story 2 minutes later. Nunes again was instrumental, lifting a free-kick from a central position, some 40 yards out, deep into the home penalty area. Cowper came to claim it but, under some pressure, let the ball slip through his grasp. It rolled against the post before trickling over the line. 0-1. Nunes claimed the goal and I'm sure Cowper will not be arguing the case.
The goal sparked a few disagreemnts amongts a few of the players and, for the next few minutes, a game that had seen many full bloodied tackles threatened to boil over.
The goal sparked Langley into action and they started to push Westside back a little more. Just past the hour mark Lewis-Thomas fizzed an effort just wide of Hunt's right-hand post, but aside from that they struggled to trouble a well-organised yellows defence.
Then, as we entered the last minute of normal time, a loose ball on the edge of the home penalty area wa slatched onto by Tevon Webster who drove it back, low past Cowler's left hand to seal the points. 0-2

FT Langley 0 Westside 2. A deserved three points for Westside who worked hard all game to earn their victory. I haven't seen Langley play this season but, as they are currently top, I can only assume that they just struggled to get going in this game. Maybe the credit lies with Westside who defended stoutly when required and didn't give Langley time to play in any areas of the pitch.
Langley remain top of the league by four points but can now be caught by Deportivo Galicia and Sandhurst Town, shoudl they win their games in hand. Westside climb to ninth only four points shy of a play-off spot and still with at least two games in hand of teams above them. At the weekend Langley travel to 19th placed Penn & Tylers Green whilst Westside visit 18th placed Bagshot. Both Penn and Bagshot will be fighting hard to pull away from the drop zone so neither game will be easy. Apologies to Langley. That's twice I have seen them play, twice they have lost, and I am yet to see them score.

Langley: Cowler, Komey, Nwokebuife, Pascoe, Fletcher(c), Dennis, Bolovan, Gyawu-Kyem, Nicolaou, Lewis-Thomas. Subs: Celestine, Newton, Rajkovic, Morgan, Okenla

Westside: Hunt, Fenlon(c), Lever, Folorunsu, El Azouan, Curran, McDonnell, Heravi, Nunes, Sanchez, Pinder. Subs: Hammond, Jackson, Kirsten, Webster, Foord

Ground Number: 342
Att: 35
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: Online

Unsurprisingly given the weather on Saturday, only half of the games beat the weather on this first weekend back after Christmas. Both Milton v Kidlington and Penn v Caversham fell foul to the downpours. Luckily for those of us who were keen to get back to watching football, both Carterton v Woodley and Crendon v Eversley survived.

Carterton 0-9 Woodley United
Woodley were clinical and relentless in their pursuit of goals as they put Carterton to the sword. Four goals for Mollie Haines, including one in the first 40 seconds, and a hat-trick within the first 23 minutes. Top scorer May Hamblin added to her tally and there were also goals for Sarah Lawrence and Charley Evans plus first goals of the season for captain Ellen Surtees and Holly Wilkins. A full match report can be found on the BotP site - Call 999, Woodley Are On Fire as well as on the Reading Today site. You can also view the action, perfectly captured by Oakmist Photography.

Long Crendon 3-3 Eversley & California
The draw specialists were at it again. This result makes it five draws from eight games for Long Crendon, who are still unbeaten in the league since the first game of the season. Goals from Emma Leith, Amber Catell and Michelle Bailey for the Greens. Joanne Harfield, Mollie Tzanetis and the obligatory Rebekah Pantony strike gave Eversley a great point. They still have not lost a game in which Rebekah Pantony has scored.
Great to see that Eversley now have a Twitter account for their ladies team - @eversley_ladies

Milton United P-P Kidlington

Penn & Tylers Green P-P Caversham United


Sunday's Fixtures. All 14:00 ko

Carterton v Milton United
Carterton need to pick themselves up and get ready for another difficult task as they welcome league leaders Milton United to the Pavilion. They met back in October at the Heights with Milton running out 7-1 winners. Mollie Dyer (4), Charlotte Comley, Natalie Evans and Georgia Winger on target for United. Zoe Pugh got a consolation for the visitors.
Sports Pavilion, Monahan Way, Carterton OX18 3AN

Caversham United v Eversley & California
A first league meeting between these sides this season. However, they did meet at Mapeldurham in the FA Cup in October with The Boars gaining revenge for losing to the Goats at the same stage last season. Joanne Harfield put Eversley one up in the first minute and, despite Sumayah Zayadi getting an equaliser, Rebekah Pantony and Lilly-May Varney completed a fine 3-1 win for the visitors.
Mapeldurham Recreation Ground, Upper Woodcote Road, Mapledurham, Reading RG4 7LD

Kidlington v Penn & Tylers Green
Both sides will be looking to get their seasons back on track. Kidlington have not scored in their last three games in all competitions and Penn have lost their last two in all competitions, including a damaging defeat to Woodley in the league. They met back in October when goals from Sasha Smith for Penn and Courtney Sumner for Kidlington, saw the sides fight out a 1-1 draw.
Exeter Park, Crown Road, Kidlington OX5 1AB

Woodley United v Long Crendon
It's now five league wins on the bounce, 23 scored and zero conceded for Woodley, who continued the new year as they left off 2022. However, the last team to take a point and score against them in the league was Long Crendon back on October 30th. Two from Michelle Bailey looked as if they were going to be good enough for Long Crendon to take the points but Rebecca Gooch, who had scored in the first half, popped up in the 92nd minute to snatch a draw for Woodley.
UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3HE

Although I'm no longer coaching my daughter's team, I still go to all games and am starting to become the resident lino. It certainly gives me more exercise than standing in the technical zone but also means that I get soaked when it rains. That was how it was on Saturday. A morning running up and down a muddy touchline in pouring rain. The rain continued all afternoon, so much so that I was beginning to think Sunday's games may well be at risk. As it turned out, both Penn and Milton games were called off, but my choice, Carterton v Woodley United in the Southern Region Women's League Division 1 North, survived the weather (I had Stoneham's 3G in reserve just in case).
​
The Ground
Carterton play their games at the Carterton Pavilion, a multi-sport facility on the North-Eastern periphery of the town, within a long goal-kick of RAF Brize Norton. There's a very good sized car park, a tea bar and toilet facilities within the pavilion. Carterton Ladies pitch is at the far side of the playing fields, past the cricket square. The pitch itself looked to have weathered the recent rainfall quite well, but seemed to be a little 'bobbly' in places. The spot is also clearly a very popular place for locals to let their dogs off for a run and more, but more of that later.
Great to meet both Andy Wicks (@oakmistphotos) and Woodley United General Manager Mark Rozzier (@rozziermark) before kick-off. Both are big supporters of women's football and do so much to help promote the game. We've all connected many times through Twitter, so it was really good to put a face to the name. You can check out Andy's photos from the game in the weekly #MakeAD1N blog which will be published later this week.

The Background
Neither of these teams had managed to play a game since December 4th. On that day, both were defeated,  Woodley 4-0 at Premier League Ascot in the League Cup and Carterton 2-1 at home to Eversley & California in the league. Followers of this account and the weekly #MakeAD1N blog will know that Woodley have been on a superb run of form lately, winning their last four league games without conceding a goal. Carterton have been having a difficult season and have yet to win in the league, but a County Cup win and a first league point, both in November, had them hoping the corner had been turned. The earlier meeting between the sides, scheduled for October, had been postponed, so this was the first time they had come face to face this season.
A glance at the team sheets before kick off (thanks to Mark Rozzier for letting me get a photo of these), revealed that Carterton were down to the bare bones, with only eleven players named, no substitutes and with coach Sam Wadey-Smith on the pitch, no guidance from the side-lines either. Woodley were in the great position of being able to name four substitutes as well as having ten of the starting eleven from their last league game, the 4-0 win over Penn, starting the game.

​The Game
What a way to start!  Woodley came flying out of the blocks and were off the mark before the first minute was over. Carterton failed to clear their lines, allowing Mollie Haines to latch onto the loose ball and make no mistake with her finish. 0-1. A minute later it was almost two, but this time home keeper Lyndsey Burdock made the first of many good saves to keep it at one.
Less than 10 minutes in Burdock was powerless to prevent Woodley from notching a second goal when a through ball caught out the Carterton defence allowing Haines to drive in the from the left and finish low off the inside of Burdock's right-hand post. 0-2.
The blistering pace of Woodley's opening salvo was halted somewhat when we had the second call for an emergency poo bag as more unwelcome remains from the local dogs was found. This was the second stoppage within 10 minutes. Luckily there seemed to be a good supply of bags on the side-lines, even Woodley were carrying some, which meant I didn't have to run back to the car to grab my spare pack. The stoppages also prompted the referee to carry a couple of bags with her for the rest of the game (at least one of which got used), something I've certainly never seen before.
Soon after the restart Haines thought she had grabbed a hat-trick before the quarter-hour was up, when she latched onto another good through ball and finished well. However, the assistant's flag had gone up immediately even though it must have been very tight. The winger didn't have to wait too long for another chance though. On 23 minutes Sarah Lawrence was felled in the box and Haines was given the opportunity to take the penalty, which she duly dispatched for her hat-trick. 0-3

With five minutes to go until half-time, top scorer May Hamblin tried to get in on the act when she was put clean through, but Burdock stood up well to block the shot. Once again, it was a temporary reprieve for Carterton. A minute later Ellen Surtees delivered a free-kick into the box, it was cleared as far as Hamblin on the edge of the box and she returned it, left-footed, over Burdock into the far corner. 0-4. A great finish that gave the keeper no chance. Hamblin was in the mood now and just before the break she crashed another left-foot shot off Burdock's post with the keeper beaten. Then, just on the stroke of half-time it was almost five, and would have been if not for the determination of Leema Galloway, who somehow managed to get back and scramble the ball off the line. Great defending.

HT Carterton 0 Woodley United 4. One way traffic to say the least. However, you have to admire the team spirit shown by Carterton. Woodley played some good football and thoroughly deserved their four goal lead. They were  absolutely ruthless, with their high press keeping Carterton penned in to their own half for much of the 45 minutes.

​With the weather starting to close in again and a very cold wind whipping across the pitch, it was the home side who managed the first real shot in anger of the second period, Zoe Pugh with a snapshot from the corner of the box, comfortably held by Cheadle. Carterton's top scorer had been somewhat isolated for the first half but showed with this effort that she was capable of getting a strike on goal given any kind of opportunity.
The game, however, soon settled into a similar pattern as the first half, Woodley pressing forward and Carterton digging in to defend doggedly. It took until almost the hour mark before United broke the home resolve again. Yet another searching ball set Sarah Lawrence free on the right. She drove in towards goal before hitting a crisp cross-shot past Burdock into the far corner. Good finish. 0-5.
Around the hour mark, Woodley made more changes, bringing Mollie Haines back on (rolling subs in this league). Almost immediately, the winger made it six, slotting home neatly after being set up by a great cross from Holly Wilkins. 0-6.

​Carterton, to their credit, never gave up and, for the most part, played with a smile on their faces. It was great to see and, as a neutral, I would have dearly loved for them to have got a goal back. On 74 minutes, Carterton did manage to get close enough for Abbie Brain to get a shot off. Unfortunately for the home side, it didn't trouble Cheadle and, from the goal kick, Woodley launched an attack of their own. Wilkins once again burst down the left flank before crossing perfectly to leave a tap-in for Charley Evans. 0-7. Wilkins was at it again four minutes later, this time in the clear herself only to be denied by not one, but two great stops from Burdock, who was giving a real POTM performance in goal for Carterton.
After a complete shake-up of the Woodley line-up, centre-half and captain Ellen Surtees was switched to the attack and, on 81 minutes, managed to spring the offside trap, stride towards goal and unleash a dipping drive over Burdock into the far corner. Great strike. 0-8. Then, to round thisngs off, Surtees once agin broke the trap with four minutes left to go. thsi time she drew the keeper before slipping the ball sideways for Holly Wilkins to grab a deserved goal of her own. 0-9.

FT Carterton 0 Woodley United 9. A completely dominant display from Woodley who close the gap on Milton and do their goal difference no harm whatsoever. The result was never in doubt from the moment Mollie haines scored the first goal within 40 seconds of kick-off. However there was never a point in the game where Carterton gave up. Their resolve and team spirit was very impressive and I really hope they can pull in a few more players in the near future. The eleven they had on the pitch on Sunday did them proud, despite the score. Both teams are back in league action next weekend. Carterton face another tough test as they welcome league leaders Milton United to Monahan Way. Woodley are back at home as they face draw specialists Long Crendon. For a full previrew of next week's games check out the weekly #MakeAD1N blog, coming soon.

Carterton: Burdock, Cornford(c), Duffy, Wadey-Smith, Diamond, Haynes, Brain, Galloway, Pugh, Streete, Clarke. Subs: None
Woodley United: Cheadle, Evans, Sims, Surtees(c), Wilkins, Quinn, Sawyer, Messitt, Lawrence, Hamblin, Haines. Subs: Benton, Measham, Routledge, Slann

Ground Number: 341
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

After managing to avoid a wasted trip to Downton on Tuesday (the match was called off while I would have been in transit had I decided to go), I thought I may have to wait until the weekend to get a first game of 2023 under my belt. However, a brief trawl through various resources revealed a potential Wednesday evening game in the North West Counties League. It was a bit of a haul for a Tuesday evening but the temptation was too much and I decided to head North to Staffordshire for Eccleshall v Maine Road. Two new teams, a new ground and only my second taste of the NWCL after my visit to 1874 Northwich v Ashton Athletic in 2018 (One For Taffy). That is unless you count my recent Staffs Senior Cup trip to Rocester in September (Digger Derby).

​The Ground
Eccleshall's Pershall Park home is situated in the village of Pershall approximately a mile to the North-West of Eccleshall. The club has two car parks, one immediately on the left as you turn into the club off the main through road, the other is a little further along Smithy Lane just past the ground. Access to the ground is available from bot car parks. The majority of the facilities and features are on the Smithy Lane side of the ground and focussed around the main car park end.

​There is a small clubhouse and a separate snack bar on this side of the pitch. Alongside that are the toilet blocks. Also in this corner of the ground there is a covered standing area situated between the goal and the corner flag. On the far side of the ground, sandwiched by a pair of new-looking dugouts, is another covered standing area. The ground is obviously very well kept, tidy and clean. The club also runs a free minibus service from and back to the Old Smithy pub in Eccleshall. What a fantastic touch from the club. Clearly in touch with the local community.

​The Background
Prior to kick off Maine Road sat in 9th spot and Eccleshall 14th. The November meeting in Manchester saw the home side edge the game 1-0 through a first half goal from Francesco Frangillo, despite a red card for striker Yousif Yousif. Thanks to the excellent North West Counties website, I can see that there have been 7 previous league meetings between the clubs. Eccleshall hold sway just about, with four wins to Maine road's three. However, the Manchester club have managed 19 goals compared to Eccleshall's 10.
In recent weeks neither team has been in sparkling form. Eccleshall have taken 5 points from the last 18 available, Maine Road have managed just one more in the same period. Eccleshall's main problem this season appears to be a lack of goals, having scored just 19 in 18 games. They do, however, seem to have a much better defensive record, conceding an average of one per game, a record bettered only by second-placed Wythenshawe Amateurs, and 15 fewer than Maine Road (who, admittedly, have played two more games).

​The Game
Both sides started the game in a lively manner. Whilst neither keeper was tested, there was plenty of enterprising play on show that seemed to please both benches. As the game progressed, it is fair to say that the visitors began to take some control of possession but they still hadn't worried Woolrich and Eccleshall showed that they were also capable of causing some problems for the Maine Road defence.
We were 24 minutes into the game before we witnessed the first shot in anger from either team. It came from Maine Road's Josh Clegg and, whilst it did not unduly trouble Woolrich, it proved to be an omen of what was to come five minutes later. That was when Shaquille Lewis pressured the Eccleshall defence into a mistake, robbed them of the ball and drove towards the box. As the keeper advanced, Lewys laid the ball off to Clegg, who was left with the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net for 0-1, much to the consternation of the home coach, who was raging at the way his team had conceded.
He needn't have been too concerned though. Five minutes after going behind Eccy were level. A free-kick played into the box was only half-cleared, not once, but twice. On the second attempt the ball fell to the feet of Ryan Pickup who drove it low to Daniel Green's right-hand side, hitting the inside of the post before nestling in the net. 1-1.

HT Eccleshall 1 Maine Road 1. Clear cut chances at a premium but an entertaining watch nevertheless. Two competitive sides who were both looking to win the game.

​Maine Road were the first to settle in the second half, increasing their press on the home team and pushing the backwards from kick-off. Four minute sin they signalled their intent when Yousif Yousif went very close with a header that went just wide of the post. The visitors clearly meant business in this half and Eccleshall were struggling to hold on to the draw. Sure enough, on the hour mark, Maine Road made the breakthrough. It was a moment of magic from Lewys who delivered an inch-perfect through ball, bisecting the home defence for Abdi Addow to run clear. He deftly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 1-2.
Strangely, bearing in mind that we were only 15 minute sinto the half, Lewys asked the assitant referee how long was left at this point.  Surely not planning on shutting up shop with 30 minutes on the clock? Well, no In fact, the visitors now looked to be completely in charge. Five minutes after going back in fron they had the ball in the net again through Yousif. However, this time the assistant's flag had already been raised for what appeared to be a very tight offiside decision.
It felt like it was only a matter of time before Mine Road sealed the win but then, with 16 minutes remaining, Eccleshall drew level again, comepletely out of the blue. There didn't seem too much danger as the progressed up the right. The ball was hit long and deep toards the far post where Chris Boast had managed to get a march on his defender. He got a toe to the ball which cannoned back off the post, only for the striker to react quickest, stabbing the ball over the line. 2-2. Maine Road immediately went on the attack, looking to get themselves back in front again. Five minutes later, this proved to be their downfall when an attack broke down and Ryan Campbell-Gordon came away with the ball deep in his own half. He drove up the left flank, cut infield and switched play. teh ball was then fed into the run of Mitchell Glover who finished neatly low to Green's right. 3-2.
There was still over 10 minutes to go and most of the 78 present would not have bet against another goal at either end. However, despite Maine Road throwing as much as they could at Eccleshall, the home side rode it out and could even have got another goal on the break themselves.

FT Eccleshall 3 Maine Road 2. When the visitors took the lead in the second half I doubt even many Eccleshall supporters would have put money on this result, especially as the league's lowest scorers needed to score three for only the second time this season in the league. However, they did it and claimed a very important three points. No doubt Maine Road are still trying to work out how they managed to leave without anything. From a  neutral's point of view, it was a very entertaining game and well worth the 200 mile round trip to watch.
Both sides are back in action on Saturday if you want to catch them. Eccleshall make the trip North to The Heath where they take on Cheadle Heath Nomads, currently two places below them in the league. Maine road are back home at Brantigham Road where second from bottom Foley Meir are the visitors. 

Eccleshall: Woolrich, Darlington, Dunn, Feeney, Claise, Stanton, Glover, Flattley(c), Boast, Pickup, Green-Birch. Subs: Benton, Malbon, Campbell-Gordon, Lewis, Woodroffe
Maine Road: Green, Pogson, Suleiman, Eislet(c), Edwards, Roe, Yousif, Clegg, Lewys, Keyworth, Addow. Subs: Mooney, Barry, Rimmer, Perry

Ground Number: 340
Att: 78
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: Online