This Saturday I was once again given the opportunity to take in some grassroots football and, after browsing through Football Traveller, one particular game caught my eye. A top of the table North Bucks Premier League game between third-placed Wing Village and league leaders MK United. With at least six teams still in with a shout of the title, albeit slim if some cases, the North Bucks Premier is heading for a thrilling run-in. United, three points clear of Padbury Village at the start of play, certainly hold all the aces and, if they were to win four of their five remaining games would definitely be champions. For Wing, who only had three left play including this one and were seven points adrift, this was the last-chance saloon. The chasing pack, even down to Great Horwood in sixth, would also be hoping for a Wing victory. A recent dip in form for the leaders would certainly have given the chasing pack some hope, especially Padbury who had taken 13 points from the last 15 available. MK, meanwhile, had drawn three of their last six, dropping vital points in the run-in. Wing, with just one defeat and four wins in the last six, sat second in the current form table. The home side won Division One last season with a 100% record, scoring 132 goals and only conceding 21. However, this afternoon they would be without current top-scorer Brett Robinson who scored an amazing 51 goals in least season's title winning run. MK, the league's top scorers did, however, have the league's top scorer, 31 goal Luke Little, in their ranks for the game.
The sides have already met twice this season. The league encounter ended 1-1, Luke Little scoring for MK and Ellis Soames-Gould for Wing. There was also a cup meeting at MK that Wing won by 5-2 thanks largely to a Brett Robinson hat-trick.
A big thank you to referee Kieran Fitzpatrick who kindly allowed me to take photos of both team sheets before the game.

​Although we were not to know it, one of the best chances of the game fell to Wing as early as the second minute. Winning the ball back deep in United territory, the ball was crossed in for an unmarked Dan Farmer some eight yards out, but his volley flew over Charlie Wright's crossbar and the chance was gone. That early chance aside, the opening to the game could only be described as scrappy, with neither side managing to string any passages of paly together. The home side were probably edging things in terms of possession but only had an 18th minute Jude Dent strike, that smacked into the gloves of Wright, to show for their efforts. The battle in midfield had progressed from scrappy to frenetic with both teams giving the ball away frequently. It was crying out for someone to put their foot on the ball and take control of proceedings. It had the feel of a cup game rather than a league encounter.
Just past the midway point, Luke Little demonstrated what a little composure could do when his delightfully weighted through ball split the home defence and allowed Shane Lothian to burst through. However, taking the shot early, he found home keeper Kieran Doughty alert to the danger, blocking the shot well with his feet.
Five minutes later the visitors came very close to breaking the deadlock when a ball delivered from the left, deep towards the far post was met by the head of Karl Ainsley. His effort looked to be flying in before Doughty got a hand to it, diverting it up against the bar before the keeper dropped on the ball before it crossed the line.
Jack Noble then got on the end of a nice interchange of passes from Wing, but good defending saw hiem crowded out. We then had a prolonged break in play after a home player went down with an injury. I must admit, I didn't see how it happened or which player had gone down, but there was quite some concern from both sets of players. Eventually, the player was helped from the pitch, with the injury not looking to be as bad as was first feared. Let's hope that was the case.
With the clock winding down towards half-time, Robin Craven worried Wright with a left-footed strike that was only inches past the post and, with almost the last action of the half, more good work on the Wing right saw a cross for Adam Hughes to meet with a header that was off target.

HT Wing Village 0 MK United 0. A half of few clear cut chances. Both sides came close once, but neither goalkeeper had to do too much work.

​The second half continued in the same style as the first. The majority of the play centred and the middle third and with both teams still struggling to put together any prolonged passages of possession. In fact, the first big talking point of the second period came four minutes after the hour when Dan Silver lunged in on Tyler Buckley. The challenge was late and looked nasty from where I was standing. Once again, there was a considerable delay whilst the referee ensured that Buckley was ok before he called over Silver and issued a straight red. Not a big surprise and no real complaint from the visitors.
Oddly, the sending off seemed to reinvigorate United. On 74 minutes Jordan Spruce's looping header had Doughty beaten but drifted narrowly wide of the keeper's left-hand post. a minute later MK came close again, as they managed to push the hosts back, despite being a player light. Credit to United, a player down for 30 minutes and with a draw much more suitable to them than their hosts, they continued to push forward, looking for a winner.
Of course the additional player for Wing did mean that they were able to find a little more space when they did have the ball. With a minute of normal time to go they did just this, winning the ball back deep in their own half before breaking forward quickly to leave themselves with at least one player over against a depleted MK defence. However, the home side still somehow managed to delay the killer pass long enough for one of their players to have strayed offside and the chance was gone. They did have one more half-chance a couple of minutes into added time when full-back Luke Hall ghosted in at the back post but could only lift his effort over the bar.

FT Wing Village 0 MK United 0. I've not seen either of these sides play before but I got the distinct feeling that both of them have much more to offer than they showed today. At no point did either side manage to establish their authority in midfield, possibly because they are two evenly matched teams. Although goalless, the problem was not necessarily with the finishing, the forwards were left feeding on scraps because neither team could find that killer final ball. The result and others across the league means that United remain top of the table, three points clear of Padbury who have played a game more. Wing are now out of the running for top spot but could still take the second promotion spot. With their vastly superior goal difference, two wins from their remaining four games should see MK over the line unless Padbury or Great Linford go goal crazy in their remaining matches.
Wing have to wait until the 13th for their next outing when hey travel to bottom side Olney, who they defeated 3-1 back in August. United are back at home next weekend in a what could well be a season decider, the visit of Padbury who'll not only desperately want three points but will also be looking to avenge their 4-0 home defat earlier in the season.

Wing Village: 1.Doughty, 2.L.Farmer, 3.Hall, 4.Leotta, 5.Buckley, 6.Thiel, 7.Noble, 8.Dent, 9.D.Farmer, 10.Craven, 11. Somes-Gould. Subs: 12.Udofia, 14.Bonsor, 15.Hughes
MK United: 1.Wright, 2.Raynor, 3.Ricci, 17.Ainsley, 16.Sames(c), 18.Daubney, 7.Barker, 12.Lothian, 14.Sprice, 10.Little, 11.Parker. Subs: 8.Silver, 4.Sem, 15.Betchley, 19.Akano, 6.Cardwell

​The Ground
Wing Sports & Social Club is situated just to the South-East of Wing village centre. There's a reasonably large car park outside the club building. The football pitch is just a short walk past the bowling green and tennis courts, past a small brick building that serves as a players & officials changing room. The playing surface, which is pretty much flat, runs parallel to the A418 Leighton Road that bypasses the village. There are no covered spectator areas or dugouts. However, there are quite a few benches and even a circular, wooden summer-house style building at the far end of the pitch. It's the first time I have seen a pitch at this level have respect barriers on all four sides. A nice touch that gives a professional feel to the set-up. Given the recent downpours, the pitch looked to be in remarkably good condition. It clearly drains very well. On a bright Spring day like Saturday, it's a very pleasant place to watch a game of football.


Ground Number: 402
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

It's been eight years since I visited Stony Stratford Town to watch a game (Desmond For Stony And Aston). However, I have been back since, as a coach with my daughter's team in a pre-season friendly. I remember it well, and still constantly remind my daughter of the moment in the very last minute when, on hat-trick, she was one-on-one with the goalkeeper only to put it wide. We still won the game, so it wasn't all that bad, but I'm not sure she'll get a better chance to score three in a game. The eight years since I last visited Ostlers Lane have been tumultuous to say the least. They dropped out of the Spartan League at the end of the 2015-16. They then made a return to local football in the North Bucks League for the 2020-21 season, beginning a three-year reinvention and success story. They won Division 2 in their first season, won Division 1 then next season and then, last season, completed a treble by winning the Premier League and achieving promotion back into the Spartan League set-up at Division 2 level. This evening's visitors, Old Bradwell United, can now be considered stalwarts of Spartan Division Two, having been in the same division since dropping down Step 6 in 2001. They have won Division Two in the past two seasons (presumably not being promoted because of ground-grading?) and were top of the table on both previous years when the seasons were abandoned. They have not finished outside the top five since 2014. Going into the game Old Bradwell were sitting in fourth spot, ten points adrift of leaders AFC Welwyn, with three games in hand. Stony Stratford sat tenth, a further eight points behind their visitors. The reverse fixture, played back in November, ended in a fairly comfortable 3-0 victory for Old Bradwell. All three goals, two from Sam Sibley and one from Scott Valentine, came in the first half. Having said that, recent results suggested that Stony Stratford were in slightly better form, winning five of the past six games. Old Bradwell had won four, drawn one and lost one. So, both sides were looking good and, with only just over 3 miles between the grounds, this was all set to be a tasty local derby.

​Thankfully the rain, that had been hammering down on my short drive over to Stony Stratford, had stopped by the time I parked up on Ostlers Lane and made my way over the cricket pitch to the football ground. Thanks to the club officials who gave me access to the Old Bradwell team sheet and, later on, the Stony Stratford line-up. Much appreciated.
Backed by a good following from the other side of the A5, it was the visitors who settled into the game better. Lucas Bailey was the first to get a strike off, firing wide of Jake Blackhurst's goal in the third minute. United continued to boss the ball for the opening period and, in the 13th minute, they deservedly took the lead. Jake Stronge tried his luck only for his effort to be blocked, but the ball fell invitingly for Ryan Don on the edge of the box. He found the far corner of Blackhurst's net via the inside of the post. 0-1
A few minutes later Scott Valentine's snapshot was well held by Blackhurst as the visitors went looking for more goals. We were well past the halfway stage of the first period when Stony Stratford managed their first meaningful strike and, even then, Jamal Kamuss's free-kick didn't trouble Liam Jahn as it flew way over his bar. Two minutes later, however, Town did finally make Jahn get his knees dirty when Jack Smith's swerving drive forced him to go full length to make the save.
On the half-hour mark Ross Butler got in behind the Town defence, despite calls for offside, but the ball was always going away from the goal, forcing him too wide to get a meaningful strike away. Stony thought they had equalised after 33 minutes when a left-wing corner was met by a powerful header that was matched by Jahn's diving save. The home players, especially Kamuss, who had taken the corner, were convinced that the ball had crossed the line. However, there's no goal-line technology at this level and the assistant didn't flag, so no goal was awarded.
​It only remained for Kyran O'Dell to turn well on the edge of the home box before skying his effort, before the referee blew for the end of the half.

HT Stony Stratford Town 0 Old Bradwell United 1. Given the amount of possession, Bradwell probably went in feeling a little disappointed whereas the Stony coaching staff were pleased to get to their half-time talk only a goal behind. Still plenty to play for.

​Stony came out firing in the early stages of the second half, especially striker Sam Oyediran, who looked as if he had decided to take on Bradwell by himself. The Stony number 10 struck a sizzling low drive from way out just five minutes after the break. He hit it so early, and so well, that it seemed to take Jahn by surprise forcing the keeper to just parry the ball away, luckily not into the path of any attackers. A minute later Oyediran was at it again, this time bringing an outstanding, full-length, diving save out of Jahn.
Having survived the early onslaught unscathed, Bradwell tried to steady the ship and made a few moves forward themselves but they were indebted to their keeper again after 62 minutes when Jack Smith's superb effort appeared to be heading for the top corner before Jahn threw himself to his right, getting a fingertip to the ball and diverting over for a corner. Great strike, great save.
Although Stratford were not dominating the ball in the same way that Bradwell did in the first half, the pendulum had certainly swung into the favour of the home team. Bradwell were getting forward at times but were not getting any meaningful strikes on goal.
With fifteen minutes to go Stratford again launched a rain up their right. A cross-cum-shot came back off the far post and, when the ball was recycled back into the box, United substitute Jack Harrington got his timing wrong in the tackle, taking Kamuss rather than ball. Penalty to Stony. Sam Oyediran stepped up and calmly stroked the ball home for 1-1. An equaliser that even the Bradwell X Admin said was deserved.
At this point it felt as if the game may well remain level, a result that would probably have been fair on the overall balance. However, neither team wanted to settle for that and, as we entered the final ten minutes, the pace seemed to pick up from both sides. On 83 minutes Bradwell were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out and well right of centre. With players massing towards the far post and the keeper edging forward in expectation of the deep ball, Don unexpectedly went for goal, sending the ball sailing over Blackhurst only to see it smack off the crossbar and rebound to safety. Very unlucky for the United goal scorer.
Not to be outdone, Stony went straight up the other end and came exceptionally close themselves after a ball was sent deep towards the right-hand post and then played back across the face of goal, narrowly avoiding that killer touch from any striker.

​The Ground
Stony Stratford play their home games at Ostlers lane, a multi-sport complex to the North-West of the town centre. Apart from the football club, it is also the home of Stony Stratford Cricket Club, Lawn Tennis Club and Bowls Club. There's good-sized car park on Ostlers Lane and a gate that takes you onto the sports fields between the small club, changing rooms and the cricket pavilion. The football pitch is at the far end of the complex, a short walk down the side of the cricket pitch. New additions since I last visited are the toilet and tea bar cabins situated just before the entrance to the football ground, which is now barriered off. Entrance fee is paid at the snack bar.
The ground has a single spectator stand, on the far side from the entrance, a covered standing area with the club name and logos emblazoned across the front of the roof. Dugouts are on the entrance side of the pitch.
Considering the recent weather, including a couple of downpours during the day, the playing surface looked to be in remarkably good condition. The 17th century chapel, which I believe is now an Indian restaurant, situated over on the High Street side of the ground, looms even more ominously when visiting the ground for an evening game. 


Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 70
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A

Premier
Badshot Lea 2-6 Oxford City
City enforced their claim for a third spot finish with an emphatic victory at bottom side Badshot Lea. The Baggies fought hard, especially in the first half but still found themselves 2-1 down at the break. Oxford hit the overdrive button in the second period, scoring four more goals to take the points. Emily Harris bagged herself a hat-trick, top scorer Ellie White added two more to her tally. Their other goal was credited as an OG. Emma Gregory-Barns and Marianne O'Byrne were on the mark for Badshot Lea.

Bournemouth Sports 2-0 Ascot United
Two first-half goals from ex-Ascot player Hannah Bennett and Liane Folkenstern, gave Bournemouth all three points in what was a 'must-win' scenario for them. Ascot fought to get back into the game in the second half but it was not to be for them. They now need Sports to slip-up if they are to win the league. Read the match report on the Ascot United web site.

Woodley United 0-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Both teams had chances in this very tight contest but neither could find a way to break the deadlock. Defences were defintiely on top and both goalkeepers, Sophie Cheadle for Woodley and Wycombe's Chelsea Coles made excellent saves to keep the game goalless. Andrew Batt was there to capture the action. Keep an eye on his timeline for more photos (@andrewbatt5).

Division One North
Chesham United Development 2-2 Kidlington Youth
Two really well matched sides who both wanted to win the game, eventually cancelled each other out and had to settle for a point each, which was the fairest result on the balance of play. Abi Haynes put Kidlington ahead early on but a wind-assisted long ball handed Emma Nolan the equaliser on a plate. Courtney Sumner then produced a delightful lob to regain the lead for The Greens. It looked as if they may hold on before a Chloe Timms cross caused chaos and led to an equaliser with less then 10 minutes to go. You can read the full match report here (Getting The Point)

Wycombe Wanderers u23 6-1 Milton United
United knew that they had to keep winning if they were to have any chance of hauling in Long Crendon's lead at the top. However, their hopes were ended by a five-goal second half blast from Wycombe. Shannon Read, who had already scored in the first half, added to more to claim a hat-trick. Amaya Navarro, Megan Giles and Daisy Thompson added the other three goals. Milton's consolation came from Mollie Dyer. The result means that Long Crendon are Division One North Champions.

Division One South
AFC Portchester P-P Fleet Town

Chairman's Cup Semi-Finals
Eversley & California 0-2 Beaconsfield Town
A goal either side of half-time saw the Rams see of The Boars in this semi-final. Freya Harris put Beaconsfield on their way in the 38th minute. Then, eight minutes after the break, Ruby Harris added a second securing a place in the final.

Woking 3-1 Long Crendon
Bianca Underhill direct from a corner just before the break gave The Cards the advantage. The score remained the same until 15 minutes from time when Kaitlin Howard made it 2-0 to Woking. Amber Cattell then pulled a goal back, giving Long Crendon some hope. However, that was quickly extinguished when Charlotte Keenan restored the two goal lead shortly afterwards. The match report can be read on the Woking web site

Fixtures
Combined Counties Cup
Tuesday 26th March
Abbey Rangers v Penn & Tylers Green
South versus North. Whilst Abbey are not 100% safe from relegation, Fleet would need to win three of their remaining five games for them to get dragged down. So, this will be a welcome relief and an opportunity to make something from their season. Penn still have a few league games to play and can still finish in second place even if top spot is now out of reach. 
Addlestone Moor, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2QH

Wednesday 27th March
AFC Portchester v Bognor Regis
Portchy, still favourites to capture the Division One South title, take on a Bognor Regis side who are currently in the relegation zone of their league, Division One South of the London & South East Region. However, The Rocks Ladies do have several games in hand on those above them and are only two points adrift. Bognor don't score too many goals and that won't be helped when they come up against a Porchester defence that has only conceded 8 goals in 10 league outings.
Onsite Group Stadium, PO16 9BY

With no matches schedueld for the coming weekend, there will be a further issue inb the next week to preview the matches scheduled for Sunday 7th April

This Sunday BotP headed down to the rolling hills of Chesham for a Southern Region Division One North clash between Chesham United Development and Kidlington Youth. Whilst nothing greater than pride and league positions rested on the game, it still promised to be a competitive encounter between two dies pushing to finish as high up the table as possible. At kick-off Kidlington held second spot, Chesham sixth. However, with only five points between them and the hosts having two games in hand, second spot was definitely still up for grabs for both teams.
It's been a while since I have been to Chesham, a town that I know relatively well having lived in nearby Beaconsfield and for a while having been a member of Chiltern Harriers Athletic Club. In fact, we used to train in the park just below Chesham's home ground at Chiltern Academy. There's certainly worse places to be on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Having said that, there was a rather chilly, gusty wind blowing across the pitch, which would have an effect on the game. Many thinks to referee Terry Catigoudis for allowing me to photograph the team sheets before kick-off.

​It was Chesham, kicking towards the town end of the ground, who started the brighter against a Kidlington team that was only able to name one substitute. The home side immediately set about playing their brand of football, which involves short, sharp passing movements focused around their central midfield. Perfect for the artificial surface. They also had the wind in their favour this half.
Despite the strong start from Chesham it was Kidlington who got their noses in front as early as the fourth minute when Abi Haynes decided to let fly from all of 25 yards. Her dipping drive flew over Pippa Hiles and nestled in the net. 0-1.
Undeterred, Chesham were soon back on the front foot with Chloe Timms testing Emily Murphy just a minute later. Kidlington goal scorer Haynes then turned provider, setting up Courtney Sumner but this time Hiles was equal to the effort.
The wind was starting to cause issues for both teams now but mostly for the visitors. Chesham had quite quickly seen the difficulty Kidlington had getting the ball out of their half and had started to press higher, cutting off short balls, and making the goalkeeper or defenders go long. This had the effect that the ball was coming straight back at the Greens, a point that goalkeeper Emily Murphy pointed out in no uncertain terms. The erratic gusts of wind were also causing Chesham to overhit passes as well though. The conditions were clearly tricky to say the least.
On the quarter hour, however, the wind acted in favour of the home side as they levelled the game up. A long ball caused all sorts of problems for the home defenders. Chesham striker Emma Nolan gambled on the bounce which completely deceived Emily Murphy as she came off her line, leaving Nolan to roll the ball into an empty net. 1-1
By this point in the game Chesham had started to dominate possession. Niamh Euman, who was demonstrating her skills picked up in Chesham's National League side, was pulling all of the strings in central midfield. Kidlington didn't appear to be able to get close enough to her. Having said that, despite their possession, Chesham didn't stress Murphy again until just before the half hour mark. First of all Emily McNamee had the keeper scrambling across her goal only for the ball to be inches the wrong side of the post and then, a minute later, Chloe Timms got free on the left before trying to curl a shot into the far corner, only for Murphy to adjust her feet well and make the save look quite comfortable.
With ten minutes to go until the break, Chesham came even closer to edging in front. A ball into the penalty area caused chaos before being stabbed goalward only to be blocked on the line by Kidlington defender Ines Piaget-Thompson, sparking a bit of a scramble in the 6-yard box that the hosts could not convert before the ball was hacked clear. Chesham were really ramping up the pressure at this point. Their high press was continuing to give Kidlington problems and when the visitors tried to go longer Haynes and Sumner were left isolated and outnumbered.
Chesham then produced their best move of the game down their left flank. Emma Nolan dropped into midfield to receive a ball before flicking it out wide, setting Chloe Timms on her way. Timms drove towards the area before squaring for Nolan, who had continued her run, only to see the strikers first time effort just clear Murphy's bar. Lovely football from Chesham. There was still enough time for Timms to once again sting Murphy's palms, before the referee blew for half-time.

HT Chesham United Development 1 Kidlington Youth 1. Despite going ahead, Kidlington would be pleased to go in all-square after being put under the cosh by a Chesham side using the conditions to their advantage. As a coach and father to a budding central midfielder, I really wished my daughter had been able to come along to watch Niamh Euman's display. Always available. Always wanting the ball. Always seeming to have time. Kidlington really needed to close her down or they were going to be made to pay in the second half.

​Only a minute into the second half Chesham showed their intent when Hana Hetherington, now moved into a midfield role from left-back, crashed a shot against the Kidlington bar. However, with the wind now favouring the visitors, it was Chesham's turn to have to work out a way to play into the weather. Kidlington had also seen the first-half danger and were getting closer to Euman. Having said that, Kidlington were still not able to thoroughly test out Pippa Hiles. Just before the hour mark there was a passage of play that saw a chance at both ends. First of all Liv Thacker tried her luck from range but put the effort wide. A minute later, Hetherington had another effort up the other end, with the same result.
Although Kidlington were seeing much more of the ball, Chesham's style of short passing was at least relieving the pressure much more than their visitors managed in the first period. When Chesham did get out of their half, they also looked quite dangerous. Just past the hour Emma Nolan had a run on goal from the right but her shot from the edge of the box was always just drifting wide of Murphy's right-hand upright. Five minutes later, after losing her marker, Euman had enough space to play the pass of the game to once again set up Nolan who was a matter of inches wide of giving her side the lead.
With 20 minutes remaining Kidlington were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area, right of centre. It must have been a whisker away from a penalty. Abi Haynes, the player who was fouled, was inside the box when she went down but the referee deemed the offence to have taken place just outside. To be fair, there wasn't too much in the way of complaints from Kidlington. Cloe Woodward stepped up and thumped the free-kick goalwards but straight into the gloves of Hiles. Three minutes after that though, Kidlington were celebrating taking the lead back and it was down to them employing the same tactic as Chesham in the first half. Pressing high up the field, Courtney Sumner won the ball back deep inside Chesham territory before sweeping a left-footed lob over Hiles. 1-2. The goal inspired the Green's top scorer and, just a few minutes later, her snapshot on the turn whistled just over the home bar with Hiles beaten. Not that Kidlington were having things all their way. A minute after Sumner's effort Sophie Timms once again left the Kidlington bar rattling with a drive from the edge of the box. It was loking as if Chesham's luck may have deserted them but, in the 81st minute, it came back in spades. Chloe Timms put in a low cross towards the front post but with no striker pressing, it looked a simple task of either Murphy falling on it or the covering defender smashing it clear. However, there seemed to be some confusion between defender and goalkeeper and, somehow, the ball trickled into the net. Whether it was an own goal or if Timms can claim it, I'm not sure. Whatever the case, it was all-square at 2-2

FT Chesham United Develpoment 2 Kidlington Youth 2. On the overall balance of play a draw was a fair result. Both sides had chances to win it, with Chesham hiting the woodwork twice. The result combined with Wycombe's thunping 6-1 defeat of Milton United emans that Kidlington drop to third place below the Chairgirls. Chesham remain fourth with three games remaining.
The Greens have a long wait for their final league game at home to Beaconsfield. This is scheduled for May 5th. Chesham will be back in action on the 14th April when they host Milton United at The Chiltern Hills Academy.

Chesham United Development: 1.Hiles, 2.Oxenham, 5.Lewis(c), 6.Wynn, 3.Hetherington, 16.Sellars, 4.Euman, 7.West, 10.McNamee, 11.Timms, 9.Nolan. Subs: 17.Porter, 12.Crawley-Trice, 8.Smith, 19.Franklin
Kidlington Youth: 1.Murphy, 8.Woodward, 7.Clements, 11.Piaget-Thompson, 6.Keal, 12.I.Thacker, 18.O'Thacker, Cripps, 17.Dunbabin, 15.Haynes, 16.Sumner. Subs: Antonen

​
The Ground
Chesham's Development team play their home games on a 3G pitch at Chiltern Hills Academy, a school just to the North-West of Chesham town centre. To be honest, there's not a great deal to describe as football ground, it's a school after all. There is plenty of parking, split between two car parks in front of the school buildings. It's not immediately obvious where the 3G pitch is located. teher are several grass pitches (mainly rugby) just to the side of the school but the football pitch is behind the building. From the top car park (2nd entrance if coming from the town), there is a gate in the corner of the car park that allows access to the rear of the building. Spectators are only allowed on one side of the pitch, the one nearest the school. It's a standard 3G set-up, enclosed by a meshed green cage. Being on the side of a hill, the wind does blow in across the pitch. At this tiem of year you may also find the sun directly in your eyes for the entire game, so take a cap or sunglasses.

Ground Number: 401
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

When I set off for my midweek trip into Bedfordshire, it had completely slipped my mid that this would be the 400th ground that I had visited to watch non-league football (I don't count the countless places I went in my West Brom watching days). Whilst I certainly don't class myself as a groundhopper, I tend to stick to games within 90 minutes of home, I do keep a record of where I have been and I do enjoy seeing different grounds and watching different clubs.
Wootton Blue Cross had been on my list for some time but, due to a combination of the weather and work commitments, I hadn't been able to make the short(ish) journey before. So, when I saw that the current Bedfordshire County Division 1 leaders were scheduled to be at home to second placed Totternhoe Reserves on Wednesday evening, it was an opportunity not to be missed. This would be their first meeting of the season and, with Blue Cross leading the table by seven points with games running out, possibly a pivotal game of the season. For context, last season Totternhoe won the league, finishing a point ahead of Lea Sports PSG, with Wootton down in 8th spot. The fixture between the sides at Weston Park finished 0-0, a game that saw Ben Holmes see red for the home side, with Totternhoe being granted a walkover in the return game. This was also Wootton's first game back in Division 1 after gaining promotion the year before.
Many thanks to Wootton's coaching team who not only shared their team sheet with me during the warm-ups but also took the time to find me just before kick-off to share the opposition sheet. A much appreciated gesture and a credit to the club making a visitor feel welcome.

​Whilst Totternhoe had the best of the initial skirmishes, including a couple of dangerous crosses that flew across the face of the home goal, it was Wootton who manged to get the first strike on target when Keaton Marsh's effort brought a flying save from Toby Collins. Then a few minutes later, as Wootton began to get more into the game, Joe Holmes saw his snapshot blocked by a defender amidst a few muted calls for handball.
Going toe-to-toe, the visitors then went even closer to scoring. A free-kick out on their left, some 40 yards out, was sent curling in towards the far post. The ball evaded everyone, including Josh Holliday in goal, before clattering off the inside of the post and bouncing across the face of the goal before being hacked clear.
That close-call seemed even more like a let-off just before the 20 minute mark when the home side went ahead. Ben Smith was that little bit sharper than anyone else when he got in behind the defence and in front of the goalkeeper to stab the ball home. 1-0
A minute later they came close to doubling the lead when a superb diagonal through ball found Conor Kavanagh on the right. He pulled the ball down, shrugged off a challenged and fired low only for Collins to produce a good block with his feet.
After looking dangerous in the opening few minutes, Totternhoe were now on the backfoot as the home side tried to increase their advantage. The visitors did muster a kind of response just before the half-hour, but Wayne O'Connor's free-kick from 25 yards flew well clear of Holliday's bar.
It looked very much like the Marsh strike was going to be the difference between the teams at the break but, with only 3 minutes of normal time remaining, the game sprang into a frenzy of late action.
With 42 minutes on the clock Totternhoe got themselves on level terms when the ball was fed into the centre of the penalty area for Blake Garner to sweep past Holliday. 1-1. However, parity was restored for less than a minute before Blue Cross striker Mason Marsh arrived late at the far post to nudge home a superb cross from the right flank which managed to bypass both goalkeeper and defender before finding the run of Marsh. 2-1
A minute into added time Totternhoe thought they had equalised again. A deep ball towards the left side of the penalty area was headed back across the face of goal and prodded home at the far post. However, the flag had already gone up when the initial ball was played in. To be fair, there were not too many complaints from Totternhoe players. They may well have had more to say about it if they had known what was to come in the final seconds of added time. Wootton produced the best piece of football in the game, stringing together a whole host of passes that cut through the Totternhoe defence. The final pass set Keaton Marsh to run freely in on goal only for the striker to be upended by Collins as he rushed from his line. A clear penalty, no doubt, but what colour would the card be? Referee Luke Damon went with yellow which, as a neutral was good to see. However, the keeper should count himself lucky. It could easily have been seen as a red card offence.
Keaton Marsh picked himself up and calmly side-footed the ball past Collins. 3-1

HT Wootton Blue Cross 3 Totternhoe Reserves 1. A tightly contested half with the home side definitely having the upper hand for the majority of the time. However, Totternhoe showed early on and with their equalising goal, that they could do damage if given the room, especially down the flanks. The late flurry must have created late changes in half-time team talks for both sets of coaches

​The visitors started the second half looking revitalised. Whatever had been said at the break had had the desired effect. They immediately set about testing the home defence and, two minutes in, only the fingertips of Holliday prevented Garner's looping effort from beating him. Totternhoe were pressing much higher now and Wootton were struggling to get their passing game together.
Eleven minutes into the second period, Totternhoe's pressing game paid off, although it was more of a defensive mistake that let them in. Playing out from the back, Wootton were caught in possession some 20 yards out from their own goal. Blake Garner, who won the ball, drove into the box on the right-hand side before squaring to Jordan Knight who smashed the ball in off the underside of the bar. 3-2
Much like the end of the first-half, the goalmouth action was coming thick and fast. Two minutes after getting back into the game, Totternhoe were awarded a penalty for a foul just inside the right-hand corner of the box. The referee immediately blew for a foul but needed to consult with his assistant before confirming that it was just inside the area. Jordan Knight stepped up and scored his second goal in two minutes to level it all up again. 3-3
An hour gone and after the blast of goals just before the break and two more in two minutes just before the hour, the game settled down a little. A draw would not be a bad result for either team, but certainly would be much more welcomed by the home side, keeping them well clear at the top.
There was certainly no lack of effort from either team. The tackles flew in and there was an edge to the game, without it ever really threatening to boil over. Credit to Wootton too. Although the draw suited them more than their visitors, they didn't sit back and defend the point, they were still trying to win it, urged forward by what can only be described as the local Mason Marsh Appreciation Society.
With five minutes remaining Wootton were indebted to the keeper, Josh Holliday, who came off his line quickly before bravely throwing himself at the feet of Garner, after the Totternhoe striker had managed to burst clear of the defence.
There were still a few more chances to come at either end. Mason Marsh managed to get a shot off in the final minute, but Collins was more than equal to it. Then Totternhoe substitute Ben Andrews got a glancing header onto a ball played into the home penalty area only for Holliday to once again make the save, diving to his left and hanging onto the ball. Then, well into added time, another flighted cross was met by the head of visiting captain Oliver Richardson. He made great contact, possibly a little too good, and saw his header fly just over the bar.

FT Wootton Blue Cross 3 Totternhoe Reserves 3. The result sees Wootton remain seven points clear of tonight's opponents and hang on to the favourites slot in the title race. A good game of football between two determined and well-matched teams. Good football played by both sides, who both went for the win. IF you want to catch either of these two in action, Wootton are at home to Cranfield United Reserves at the weekend, in an Intermediate Challenge Cup local derby. The league game at Weston Park ended 2-1 to Wootton so it should be a good, close encounter.
Totternhoe play their league game in hand on Saturday as they visit third from bottom Lewsey Park, who they beat 2-1 earlier in the season. A win for them would close the gap to four points. With the teams yet to meet again at Totternhoe's ground, keeping the pressure up at this stage is vital.
​
​Wootton Blue Cross: 1.Holliday, 2.Smith, 3.Thomson, 4.Campbell, 5.B.Holmes, 6.Henman, 7.Kavanagh, 8.Myers, 9.J.Holmes(c), 10.K.Marsh, 11.M.Marsh. Subs: 14. Loadman, 20.Follows, 15.Lawrence, 19.Leadbetter
Totternhoe Reserves: 1.Collins, 5.Gordon, 16.Richardson(c), 17.O'Connor, 3.Samm, 2.Idrees, 6.Roe, 7.Connolly, 10.Capehorn, 11.Knight, 9.Garner. Subs: 14.Hubbock, 8.Andrews, 4.Alligan, 12.Aning, Oyegoke

The Ground
Blue Cross play at Weston Park which is located pretty much in the centre of Wootton village, just a few miles South-West of Bedford. Parking at the ground is fairly limited, especially as the club appears to attract a bigger attendance than many others at this level (Step 8). However, there is plenty of on-street parking available within a short walk of the ground. Upon entering, through a gate off the car park, you immediately get the feel of a ground that has hosted football at a higher level. This, of course, is true. Although currently in Division One of the Bedfordshire League, Wootton have, in the past, played in the United Counties Premier Division, three steps higher than their current position.
The players and officials areas and the clubhouse run along the car park side of the pitch, from around the halfway line almost to the corner flag, although there is a patio area outside the far end, near to the corner flag. Outside the clubhouse building there are three rows of seats running along the length of the exterior wall, all under cover. There's no further spectator cover around the rest of the ground, but this area provides plenty of space for spectators even with a relatively large crowd present. The brick-built dugouts are opposite the clubhouse and are separated by a sign bearing the club's name and badges. The playing surface looks to be flat with no discernible slope in either direction. The pitch was a bit heavy in places which is not surprising given the recent weather and not helped by the fact that it started raining just before kick-off, although it did ease up again later. Another feature that gives away the ground's higher-level past, are the floodlights, one in each corner. There's not too many Step 8 grounds that can offer midweek games in the Winter months.


Ground Number: 400
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

​Milton United kept their very slim title hopes alive with a battling 2-0 defeat of Long Crendon. The result means that Long Crendon's Premier Cru goes back on ice, and they now face a nail-biting wait to see if they will become a Premier Crew themselves. Elsewhere, very few games beat the incessant downpours. Two games did go ahead in the Premier League. Bournemouth Sports got back to winning ways ahead of next week's crunch clash with Ascot. Woodley probably regret their game going ahead after falling to a big defeat at Winchester. In the South Stoneham moved to within a point of the leaders after edging a five-goal game with Woking.

​Bournemouth Sports 2-0 Badshot Lea
Every game is a must win game for Bournemouth now. They kept up their chances of over-turning Ascot's lead with a 2-0 defeat of bottom side Badshot Lea. Both goals came in a three-minute blast just before the halfway mark of the first half. Emily Phillips set the ball rolling in the 18th minute, closely followed by a Abi Landers in the 21st. The victory sets up Sports for their season-defining game at home to Ascot next weekend.

Warminster Town P-P Wycombe Wanderers

Winchester City Flyers 5-1 Woodley United
Goalless as the break, Libby Wilkinson put Flyers ahead just before the hour mark. Then a four goal barrage in the space of nine minutes sealed it for the home side. Sharna Capel Watson scored their second after 70 minutes. Wilkinson then completed her hat-trick with goals in the 72nd and 75th minute, before Shayne Prasad rounded it off with 79 minutes gone. Sarah Lawrence grabbed a consolation for United. Photographer James Prickett was on hand to capture the action, as too was Andy Wicks.

​Kidlington P-P Beaconsfield Town

Milton United 2-0 Long Crendon
Long Crendon only needed to avoid defeat in order to lift the title. However Milton, the only other side with even a slight mathematical chance of catching Long Crendon, set about their task with vigour. Two goals from Lily Black within the opening 7 minutes followed by a determined defensive showing, proved to be enough for the home side. You can read the full match report on the BotP website (Long Crendon's Paradise Lost?)

Penn & Tylers Green P-P Chesham United Development

Wycombe Wanderers u23 P-P Eversley & California

​AFC Stoneham 3-2 Woking
The Purps, thanks to their artificial surface, were the only team to get a game on in the South on Sunday. Despite going a goal down very early on thanks to Woking's Charlotte Keenan, Stoneham were soon back in it. Chloe Marshall got them back on level terms after 7 minutes before Lucy Bicknell, scoring her first goal for the first team on only her second appearance, had them in front three minutes later. (Happy Birthday Lucy!!) That's the way it stayed until after the break. Chloe Marshall then gave the home side a two goal advantage which was just as well because Keenan was on the mark again before the final whistle. The match report is available on the Woking web site.

Abbey Rangers P-P AFC Portchester

Fleet Town P-P Rushmoor Community

​Premier
Badshot Lea v Oxford City
The Baggies have lost their last two games 2-0, although they were up against the top two in these games. The game before that they showed some spirit in a 3-2 win at Eastleigh. Oxford haven't played since their emphatic 3-0 defeat of Bournemouth Sports on the 10th March. They will be keen to cement the third place that they currently hold. With 38 goals between them this season, Ellie White (22) and Emily Harris (16) are, without doubt, the most potent strike force in the division.
Operatix Community Ground, Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4PF

Bournemouth Sports v Ascot United
The big one. Bigger than a rollercoaster at Blackpool, this one. If Ascot were to take all three points they would be champions. Anything else would leave the door open to Sports. A draw would mean that Bournemouth could still take the title on goal difference if they won both their remaining games (assuming that Ascot win their game too). A win for Sports would put it back in their hands. Win both remaining games and they would take the title. They've already met twice, one league encounter and one League Cup match. Both ended in draws, although Sports took the League Cup game on penalties. It's going to be tight. It's going to be tense.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL.

Woodley United v Wycombe Wanderers
United wild be looking to bounce back from last weekend's heavy defeat at Winchester as they continue to look for a top three finish. Wanderers, although currently sixth, are still in the frame for the top three themselves. The reverse fixture ended 1-1 with Sarah Lawrence's early goal being cancelled out by Emma Newberry.
Bulmershe Pavilion, Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3HE

Division One North
Chesham United Development v Kidington
Both of these teams are pushing to attain a  high finish in the table. Kidlington are currently second and, I am sure, would dearly love to hold onto that position. However Chesham, in sixth are only five points adrift with two games in hand on the Greens. The reverse fixture, way back in September, ended with a 4-2 victory for Kidlington despite Chesham taking an early lead through Kara Smith.
Chiltern Hills Academy, Chartridge Road, Chesham HP52 2RG

Wycombe Wanderers u23 v Milton United
Another side with ambitions of second spot are Wycombe. Currently third, two points behind Kidlington with a game in hand, the Chairgirls youth squad have had a great season already. Milton know that even the slightest slip-up would hand the title to Long Crendon. They need to win and, if possible, to win big. The reverse fixture was a tight affair that Milton managed to edge by the odd goal in five.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG

Division One South
AFC Portchester v Fleet Town
Portchester play one of their three games in hand of the top two. Only four points off top spot, they still hold the title of favourites to win the league, but they need to keep winning games. They have yet to play Fleet this season. The reverse fixture of this game is scheduled for April 14th. Fleet are still yet to pick up a point in the league but do have an NHDA Cup Final to look forward to in April. Their two games with Portchester coupled with the visit of Stoneham next weekend could still have a bearing on the league title.
Venue: AFC Portchester Womens

Chairman's Cup Semi-Finals
Eversley & California v Beaconsfield Town
A good opportunity to forget the stresses of league football, especially for Eversley, who face a battle with Caversham to avoid the bottom slot. They've already met in the league once this season. Eversley won that game, at the ESA, by 4-2 with goals from Darcey Young, Macey-Nikiah Walters(2) and Keira Lourdes. Lucy Casey and Erin Dennis replied for The Rams. This will be Beaconsfield's first gams since knocking out Penn in this competition. (Rams Hit The Right Spot)
ESA, Fox Lane, Eversley RG27 0NS

Woking v Long Crendon
Both of these sides lost at the weekend. Woking missed the opportunity to claim third spot in Division One South when they went down 3-2 at Stoneham. Long Crendon were beaten 2-0 by Milton and had to put their champagne back on ice for a while at least. Woking are the competitions highest scorers thanks largely to their 13-0 defeat of Caversham in Round 1. Both sides scored four in their quarter final ties, Woking edging out Winchester 4-3 and Crendon beating Chesham United Development 4-1.
Eastwood Leisure Centre, Sheerwater GU21 5RF

After spending my entire Saturday roaming the hills and valleys of Alton Towers (who wouldn't want to be there on the day that Nemesis Reborn opened?), I was looking forward to getting back to football on Sunday. However, when I saw the weather first thing, I was was seriously wandering if my chosen game. Milton United v Long Crendon, would be on. As the rain continued in North Oxfordshire, I was busy looking at alternatives when Long Crendon replied to my earlier post saying that the game was on. Excellent news. Not least because this was a massive game and would have a story attached whichever way it went.
Table-toppers Long Crendon were going to be playing their final league game of the season and, to spice things up, the only team who had even the slightest chance of catching them was Milton United. Starting the day in seventh spot, United still had a massive seven league games remaining and, as it happened, were exactly 21 points adrift of Long Crendon but with a vastly inferior goal difference. The upshot of it all was that Long Crendon just needed to avoid defeat to guarantee the Division One North title. Should it go against them, the story would then be that Milton could, feasibly, still catch them with a series of big wins. The reverse fixture at Chearsley Road back in November had been a tight affair, eventually decided in favour of Long Crendon by a single Brooke Burns goal.

​If Milton had a plan to hit Long Crendon hard and early, it certainly paid dividends. Less than a minute was on the clock when April England set off on a mazy run from the halfway line. After fending off a couple of challenges, the ball was fed inside for Lily Black to smash past Amy Shale. 1-0. What a start from the home team!
April England was having a massive effect on the game in the opening minutes. Not content with setting up Black's goal, she was at it again in the third minute. Driving down the right again, she played in Kira Ranaxha, but this time Whale was able to make a good stop. The relief for Crendon was short-lived however. With only seven minutes played Milton forced a right-wing corner. When the ball was played into the area it caused mayhem, and there was Lily Black on the spot to stab the ball home from close range. 2-0
Long Crendon were reeling but, to their credit, they dug their heels in and began to steady the ship. A couple of minutes after going two down Fin Lennard got their first strike away. It didn't trouble Grace Beardsley but at least it was a sign of the visitor's intent and, in a breathless start, they did get close to pulling one back inside ten minutes. Emma Helmer's superb through ball split the home defence but Beardsley earned her corn with a fine save from Woodward. The league-leaders were now starting to get on top in terms of possession. Amber Cattell was next to have an opportunity, clean through on the right she could only drag her shot across the goal and wide of Beardsley's right-hand post. Five minutes later the same Crendon player tried her luck again, this time seeing her strike just clear the bar.

​It began to look as if it was just a matter of time before Long Crendon got a goal back. However, they were almost undone just before the half-hour mark when a long ball from Beardsley seemed to catch out the green's defence, allowing April England a run on goal. As she was about to pull the trigger, Helmer got in a well-timed last ditch tackle to fend off the danger. Great defending.
Tara Woodward then brought the best out of Beardsley who had to go full length to make a one-handed save. However, the home keeper was left stranded five minutes before the break when Sarah Harrison's free-kick beat the wall but was also just the wrong side of the post from a Long Crendon perspective.
With the coaches readying themselves for their respective half-time chats, two minutes into added time, an off the ball incident involving Ellie Lovelock and Amy Loveridge saw the referee issue both players with a red card. Clearly no love lost between them.

HT Milton United 2 Long Crendon 0. A blistering start from the hosts. Scoring after less than a minute always helps and being two up inside 7 minutes was an unexpected bonus for them. Long Crendon recovered their composure but the recovery never quite managed to produce the goal they so needed. The double sending off, whilst keeping the numbers even, was a big blow to Long Crendon. Losing their top scorer when they needed to score twice was not an ideal situation.

​The Long Crendon coaching staff kept their players out on the pitch during the break, whilst Milton retired to the changing room. It was hard to see what else Long Crendon could do apart from keep pushing as they had done for over half of the first 45 minutes, whilst being vigilant for the counter-attack.
Sure enough, the second half very quickly started to take the same shape as the latter parts of the first half. Long Crendon pushing their hosts back but Milton seemingly happy to soak up everything that was thrown at them. In fact it was three minutes before the hour before Long Crendon managed a meaningful attempt. Even then Megan Brockwell's long-range effort didn't cause too much stress for Beardsley as it scuttled wide of her right-hand post. Then, a few minutes later Milton reminded Crendon of their attacking potential when a good through ball almost got April England in again. Once more only quick reflexes from the visitor's defence ensured that they closed ranks quick enough to smother the chance. The Milton counter-attack was becoming a thing of rarity as Long Crendon continued to keep the ball inside the home half, without really putting too much strain on the Milton back-line. Emma Brockwell, pushing forward from left-back, did get another long-range effort off on 64 minutes but, once more, Beardsley was happy to watch it go wide. Then on 79 minutes the best chance of the second period fell to Amber Cattell who found herself with the ball at her feet inside the penalty area. She had to take it quickly, hoisting the shot over Beardsley's bar, but should really have at least worked the keeper. Entering the final five minutes or so, a Tara Woodward cross that was slightly mis-cued, caused Beardsley to rapidly adjust her position and tip the ball over the bar. However, that was as close as Long Crendon came to getting a goal back.

FT Milton United 2 Long Crendon 0. A tremendous, hard-earned, battling three points for Milton who spent a long time chasing the ball in this game, especially in the second half, when Long Crendon had them penned inside their own half for much of the time. In all fairness, they still have a massive amount to do should they manage to haul back the lead at the top. Even the slightest slip-up will see Long Crendon take the championship. To sum it up. Milton need to win their remaining six matches. Not only do they need to win all six but they must also overcome a 26-goal margin to better Crendon's goal difference. 
Long Crendon will be able to take their minds off the title race a little next week as they face Woking in the semi-final of the Chairman's Cup. Meanwhile, Milton take on Wycombe in the first of their six games in hand.

Milton United: 1.Beardsley, 7.Barnes, 15.Taylor(c), 8.England, 12.Evans, 17.Dyer, 16.Dennis, 5.Bostock, 4.Ranaxha, 20.Loveridge, 18.Black. Subs: Wiseman, 10.Exell, 11.Stock, 14.Welch
Long Crendon: 1.Whale, 12.Finleyson, 15.Jacobs(c), 3.Helmer, 17.Lennard, 18.Harrison, 4.E.Brockwell, 2.M.Brockwell, 7.Cattell, 8.Lovelock, 9.Woodward. Subs: 5.Burden


Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Oxford City threw a massive spanner in Bournemouth Sports' title hopes with a 3-0 win at Marsh Lane. Ascot, meanwhile, were winning 2-0 at Badshot Lea to put them nine points clear. The Yellawomen are now in a position where Sports require them to drop points if they have any hope of catching them. In the North, Long Crendon are there in all but name. Only Milton United can catch them and, even then, they need a huge 30 goal swing to go above them. The teams meet next weekend at The Heights. At the bottom Caversham won at Eversley. Their second victory of the season which puts them level on points with The Boars. The teams meet on the last day of the season. The big game in the South finished all-square between Stoneham and Portchester, leaving both still trailing Havant by four points. Portchy need to win 3 of their last 4 to guarantee the title.

​Thursday 7 March
Penn & Tylers Green 5-1 (3-0) Abingdon United Development
Finally, after many a postponed game and relocation to The Northcourt, this game got played. Despite relinquishing home advantage, Penn raced into a three goal lead at half-time, before scoring two more after the break. Liberty Dieppe and Ellie Ludgate-Williams both got a brace whilst captain Rachel Harnby also chipped in. Abingdon's consolation was scored by, you've guessed it, Mimi Hodges.

​Badshot Lea 0-2 Ascot United
United did exactly what they needed to do. An early Nicole Brown goal got them off to just the start they wanted. The lead was held until half-time, then on the hour mark, Hayley Cruickshank made certain. Meanwhile, up in Oxfordshire, Bournemouth Sports were unexpectedly dropping points, leaving the Yellawomen nine points clear at the top. Meaning that the title is now in their own hands. Read the match report on the Ascot United website.

Eastleigh 0-1 Woodley United
A bare bones Woodley side with only eleven available players battled hard to win the points at Eastleigh. A foul on May Hamblin with ten minutes of the first half remaining saw them awarded a penalty which Tina Brett stroked home. Photographer Andy Wicks was on hand to capture all of the action for us.

Oxford City 3-0 Bournemouth Sports
The Hoops kept up their challenge for a top three finish and at the same time, put a massive dent in Bournemouth's title hopes. The game looked to be going into the real goalless until birthday girl Emily Harris popped up with the opened two minutes into added time. Shortly after the break captain Georgina Tayman made it 2-0 and , to top off a great performance, Ellie White added her 22nd goal of the season with just under a quarter of an hour left. Read the match report on the Oxford City web site.

Winchester City Flyers 1-3 Warminster Town
Flyers took the lead in the 32nd minute through Jane Yeates, scoring for the second consecutive game after her hat-trick at Woking. The hosts then missed a golden opportunity to go two up on the stroke of half-time. They were made to regret the mess as Town stormed back in the second half. Maddie Brown and Mia Blazey gave the visitors a 2-1 lead just 11 minutes after the restart. Poppy Wannell then added icing to the cake with five minutes to go.

​Caversham United 1-0 Eversley & California
In a season that has seen far more downs than ups, the Goats have not let their heads drop, and got their just rewards in this massive relegation 6-pointer at Mapeldurham. A single Emily Buckingham strike gave Caversham all the victory, moving them level on points with The Boars, but still bottom due to their vastly inferior goal difference. Eversley still have plenty of games left but with the teams meeting again on the final day, this result could yet prove to be pivotal.

Wycombe Wanderers u23 1-2 Long Crendon
So close they can almost touch it. Long Crendon took a giant step towards the title at the weekend with a hard-earned 2-1 win at Wycombe. Eleanor Lovelock scored both goals for the title favourites with Eleanor Mitchell grabbing the goal for the young Chairgirls. Just one more point to make it mathematically certain for Long Crendon now.

​AFC Stoneham 1-1 AFC Portchester
There's nothing to separate these two in the league table and there was nothing between them on the pitch on Sunday. With two games in hand and the better goal difference, it's still advantage Portchester in the race to haul back current leaders Havant & Waterlooville, after Charmaine True earned them a point. Win every remaining game and they will be champions.

Fleet Town P-P Woking

Premier League​
Bournemouth Sports v Badshot Lea
After last weekend's unexpected defeat, this is a must win for Bournemouth. Next weekend they go head to head with Ascot but that would be a dead rubber if they were to not take all three points against The Baggies. The reverse fixture in January was quite a close affair that Sports edged by 2-1 with all three goals in the first half. Holly Montgomery scored for Badshot Lea with Bournemouth's goals coming from Rosie Eden and Liane Folkenstern.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL.

Warminster Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Town's 3-1 win at Winchester on Sunday saw them leapfrog The Chairgirls into fifth spot. However, Wanderers have a game in hand. The reverse fixture, way back in September last year, was a topsy-turvy game that ended in a draw after both teams had led. Charlotte Hill put Wycombe ahead but Mia Blazey and Rebecca Snelling had Town 2-1 up at the break. Katie Riddington levelled it up just after the hour.
Weymouth Street, Warminster BA12 9NS

Winchester City Flyers v Woodley United
Flyers squandered a 1-0 lead on Sunday before going down 3-1 to Warminster. Meanwhile, Woodley were winning 1-0 at Eastleigh to give themselves a very good chance of a top three finish on their Premier League return. Back in November Woodley beat Flyers 3-1 at Bulmershe Pavilion in a game that saw two red cards, Maddie Sawyer for Woodley and Charlie Snelling for Flyers. The score was level after 90 minutes but Bonnie Messitt and Katie Hudson scored added time goals for United.
Winklebury Football Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke, Hants RG23 8BF

Division One North
Kidlington v Beaconsfield Town
The Greens will be looking for a strong finish in their last two games as they seek to hang on to second spot. They won the reverse fixture 4-2 at Holloways Park, a game that saw Courtney Sumner score twice whilst Town were reduced to ten for the final 10 minutes when Ciara Moore was sent-off. The Rams are comfortably clear of the bottom two and showed just what a good side they can be when they beat Penn & Tylers Green in the County Cup last time out, a game that Botp was lucky enough to be present at. (Rams Hit The Right Spot).
Exeter Park, Crown Road, Kidlington OX5 1AB

Milton United v Long Crendon
The title is all over bar the shouting. However this weekend pits champions-in-waiting Long Crendon with the only team that has even the remotest chance of catching them, Milton United. Anything less than a home win hands the trophy to the visitors mathematically. The reverse fixture was very close, a single Brooke Burns goal for Crendon was the difference. If Milton were to win on Sunday they would still need to win all of their remaining fixtures whilst overturning a 30-goal goal difference deficit.
Milton Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB

Penn & Tylers Green v Chesham United Development
The reverse of this fixture was given to Chesham as a home walkover, making this their first encounter this season. They are currently locked together on 28 points but Chesham have played one more game than Sunday's hosts. Penn and a morale boosting 5-1 win in the Combined Counties Cup last midweek whilst Chesham went down 4-1 to Long Crendon in their last game.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

Wycombe Wanderers u23 v Eversley & California
After Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Caversham the Boars are glancing nervously over their shoulder at the bottom side, who are now level on points. In Eversley's favour, they do still have nine games remaining whereas The Goats have just four. They do, however, still have to play each other. Wycombe are currently third but with their game in hand on Kidlington, could move into second place. Either way, they have had a tremendous first season at this level.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG

Division One South
AFC Stoneham v Woking
The big games come thick and fast for The Purps. A week after their crunch clash with Portchester ended all-square, they welcome fourth placed Woking to Stoneham Lane. Their earlier meeting ended level. Chloe Melton had Stoneham in front early on but a second half strike from Helen Ogle sent both teams home with a point. A draw would not be a favourable result for either team this time out.
Stoneham Lane Fotball Complex, Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA

Abbey Rangers v AFC Portchester
Portchy's point at Stoneham last weekend means that their title hopes lie within their own hands. Win their remaining games, which includes a trip to current leaders Havant & Waterlooville, and they will be champions. Rangers, although nine points clear of the bottom, are still not mathematically safe and this is their last game of the season, so they'll be itching to get something out of it. The two previous meetings this season, one league and one league cup encounter, were big wins for Portchester on both occasions, 7-1 in the league and 9-0 in the cup.
Addlestone Moor, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2QH

Fleet Town v Rushmoor Community
Rushmoor go into this, their last game of the season, sees them six points above their bottom placed opponents. However, Fleet still have four more games to come after this one. Admittedly two are against Portchester and one against Stoneham. In between those, they also have a North Hants Cup Final with Andover New Street, a competition that saw them beat Rushmoor 2-1 on their way to the final. However, their other two meeting, in the league and league cup, both went the way of Rushmoor by scorelines of 4-0 and 5-1.
Crookham Road, Fleet GU51 5FA

This midweek BotP made the short trip up the M40 and A46 to Coventry. Destination Allard Way, home of Coventry Copsewood. The occasion, a Coventry Telegraph Cup Semi-Final between Copsewood and Central Ajax. Although being played at Copsewood's ground, the game was actually billed as an Ajax home game. Although I have visited Allard Way before, it was way back in 2015 when I last watched a game there. On that evening Highgate United came to town, beating Copsewood 4-0 and claiming the Midland League Division 1 title in the process (Gate End On A High). I've also seen Copsewood play on two other occasion, both of which were cup finals and both of which they won. In 2016 I saw them beat Nuneaton Griff 2-1 in the Midweek Floodlit Cup Final at Stratford Town's ground (Copse Cup Coup). IN 2019 I saw them retain this very cup at Coventry's Ricoh Arena, beating Triumph Athletic 3-2 (Copse No Robbers). I've only had the pleasure of seeing Central Ajax once, an excellent league encounter with Coventrians in 2022 (Ajax Show Their Vim).
Copsewood were coming into this game safe in the knowledge that their Division One status was as good as guaranteed for next season. Currently firmly placed in mid-table they were 18 points above the drop zone and 12 below the play-off places, albeit having played more than the majority. One league below them, Ajax were in a similar position. Eleven points above the bottom two but with games in hand on many around them. They were also unbeaten in their last three in all competitions.
Copsewood have some pedigree in The Coventry Telegraph Cup having won it three times in recent years. As far as I can see, Ajax have not won the trophy.

NB: I will be more than happy to change Copsewood players from shirt numbers to names at a later date.

​It was the higher ranked side who were first to threaten when Eden Mukenge drove a ball across the Ajax penalty area only for the attempt at goal to be deflected for a corner. A few minutes later Ajax had their first sight of goal, even if it was just a half-chance. The ball dropping to Pat Fetherston on the edge of the box, but his effort was well wide of the mark. Just before the quarter-hour mark, Ajax had an even better chance. An absolutely delightful through ball from Josh Kilbride completely bypassed the Copsewood defence, giving Jack Keeling a clear run at goal but once again the Blues goalkeeper was not troubled.
Both sides were working hard but not making too many clear cut chances. Harvey Wells headed an effort over the bar in the 25th minute and three minutes later their Gomes struck a crisp volley wide of Taylor's left-hand post. Copsewood did manufacture a much better opportunity just after the half-hour point. Jean Paul Gomes again causing the problems, this time with a deflected shot that caused Taylor to spill the ball. However, in the ensuing scramble the Ajax defence was able to get the ball clear.
In fact Nathan Taylor in the Ajax goal was far busier than his counterpart even though the game was evenly balanced in terms of possession. It was Copsewood who were making the slightly better chances. Tayler was called upon after 37 minutes, thwarting Sam Ellis with a good stop. Just before the half-time whistle, Taylor was again called into action with another good stop. However, we were still goalless at the break.

HT Central Ajax 0 Coventry Copsewood 0. Not too much to chose between the teams. Copsewood have managed to work the Ajax keeper once or twice. Both teams have enjoyed some good passages of possession but clear-cut chances have been infrequent.

​After posting that the game needed a goal, Copsewood provided it one minute into the second period. Mukenge broke free on the right before squaring to the unmarked Sam Ellis who took a touch before slotting under Natahan Taylor with a composed finish. 0-1. The goal gave Copsewood an added swagger and they came incredibly close to doubling their lead three minutes after going ahead. Gordon's strike from the edge of the box looked as if it is going in before Taylor got a fingertip to it, pushing it against the inside of the post. The ball ricocheted across the line and against the opposite post before Taylor was able to scramble across and fall on it amidst muted cries for a penalty as a striker went down in the melee. Nothing given. It was certainly a stroke of luck that the ball ran across the goal-line and didn't spin into the net but take nothing away from the excellent save from Taylor. that could well have been the deciding point of the game. If Copsewood had gone two goals up it would have been a mountain for Ajax to climb. As it was, ten minutes after going behind, the Division Two side were level when Adam Taylor broke down the right side. There were claims that he had fouled a defender to get to the ball but, in all honesty, he just out-muscled his opponent. Taylor then squared the ball to Josh Kilbride who took a touch before burying a left-foot effort past Olly Manuel. 1-1
The game was really starting to liven up in all ways now. Two goals, both sides pushing for a winner, some 'banter' between players who clearly knew each other and, after a fairly sedate first-half, plenty of tackles flying in. Suddenly we had a cup tie on our hands.
Just past the hour Copsewood produced a lovely passing move that culminated in Charlie Gordon hooking an effort over Taylor's bar. A lovely passage of play that probably deserved a finish, although it wasn't an easy chance by any means. However, the half-chance miss looked even more important two minutes later when Ajax completed the turnaround. A long ball, aimed at Taylor, instead fell into the path of substitute Ryan Palmer who ran on to finish well. 2-1
Now it was the turn of Ajax to be on top. They came very close to adding a third after 72 minutes through another substitute, Freddy Murphy. His disappointment didn't last long though. A minute later a low, driven cross from the right was met at the far post by an unmarked Murphy. 3-1.
The substitutes had made their mark already but Murphy clearly wanted more. Just a few minutes later he flashed a shot inches wide of the mark as Ajax went for the throat. As it happens, they didn't need any more goals despite some late threats from Copsewood, their goal remained untouched.

FT Central Ajax 3 Coventry Copsewood 1. What a result for Ajax. Not only beating higher-ranked opposition, but also coming from behind to do so. There were a few scenes after the final whistle, most likely brought about by the verbals that were being shared throughout the second half especially. Although it was no great surprise that some scores needed to be settled it was something of a shame because the game and the second-half in particular, had been a great advert for the competition. Two sides playing entertaining football. Central Ajax will now face either AFC Coventry Rangers or Dunlop in the final. These two meet, also at Copsewood, on March 19th.
Meanwhile, if you want to catch either of these sides in action, they are both back to league games at the weekend. Central Ajax face one of their possible final rivals, fifth placed AFC Coventry Rangers, at Ajax Park. Their first meeting of the season. Copsewood go to 9th placed OJM Black Country with whom they drew 1-1 earlier in the season.

Central Ajax: N.Taylor, Edgington-Furlong, Kilbride, Ruck, Randall, Dyke(c), Eden, Keeling, A.Taylor, Fetherston, Foley. Subs: Palmer, Murphy, Thwaites-Miles, Caswell, Barnett
​
Coventry Copsewood: Manuel, Pedley, Lole, Anthony, McIntyre, Upton, Gordon, Wells, Gomes, Ellis, Mukenge

​The Ground
Situated to the South-East of Coventry city centre the Copsewood Sports and Social Club, just off Allard Way, doesn't appear to have changed very much at all since my last visit almost nine years ago. Access from Allard Way is via a fairly long service road that brings you to the main pavilion. There is parking available all around the pavilion and also a secondary car park just the other side of the miniature railway station. Yes, there's a miniature railway station. Not many grounds can say that (I suppose Summertown Stars at Cutteslowe Park?). 
The football ground is accessed via a path that runs alongside the Sports & Social club with the pitch being further around the same path. It's another ground where cricket is played in the Summer months, so the clubhouse side of the pitch is open apart from the white plastic fencing that edges the playing area. Opposite this is the main stand, The Ken Naylor Memorial Stand, that seats around 75 people. The dugouts are placed either side of this stand. There is also a covered standing area behind the clubhouse end goal, known as the David Wickens Stand. Interestingly, there is also what looks like the remains of some old shallow terracing behind this goal.

Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att: 
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A

League encounters were once again thin on the ground this week. No action in the Premier League and just two Division One North matches, both of which ended in away wins. Bournemouth Sports won the League Cup clash with Ascot, a prequal to their league showdown. Oxford City set up a County Cup Final with neighbours United whilst in the Chairman's Cup Woking knocked out Premier League Winchester City Flyers.

​Caversham United 0-5 Abingdon United Development
Fresh from her midweek debut for the first team, Mimi Hodges was in inspired form to smash in a hat-trick against The Goats. Mikaela Slaveykova and Georgia Taylor added the other two goals as Abingdon made it three wins and a draw in their last four league outings. Caversham, who just can't catch a break this season, played much of the game with 9 players due to yet more injuries. So, all in all, it was a brave, battling display from The Goats.

Kidlington 2-3 Milton United
United gained revenge for the earlier home defeat to Kidlington and in the process put Long Crendon's champagne on ice for a little longer. Mollie Dyer, April England and Natalie Evans were on the mark for the visitors. Soreiya Ackuaku and Courtney Sumner responded for Kidington.

​League Cup
Bournemouth Sports 1-1 (p5-3) Ascot United
These two have been head to head for the title all season and will meet again in a couple of weeks in what could well be the decider. Sports gained the psychological advantage with this League Cup semi-final win. Emily Phillips put Bournemouth ahead in the first half but this was cancelled out by Nicole Brown's 77th minute strike for the Yellawomen. There was no further scoring as the tie went to a penalty shootout. Sports were successful with all five of their spot-kicks, edging the game 5-3 to take their place in the final.

Oxfordshire County Cup
Oxford City 1-1 (p6-5) Oxford University
The Hoops eventually booked their place in the final coming from a goal down to force a penalty shootout which they edged 6-5. The University team took the lead as early as the eighth minute but were pegged back just past the quarter-hour by a long-range strike from Emily Harris. There was no further scoring in a tight game. Summer Major hit the winning penalty after the Uni team missed their first sudden death kick.

Chairman's Cup Quarter-Finals
Beaconsfield Town 2-2 (p5-4) Penn & Tylers Green
A thoroughly entertaining game between two well-matched sides was eventually decided from the spot. Penn led through Ellie Ludgate-Williams but were pegged back by Freya Harris's free-kick. When Lucy Casey put the Rams in front with less than ten minutes left, it looked all over. However, Henna Hussain popped up with a superb individual effort to level it up. Lisa Phillips made the all important save on Penn's fourth attempt, handing Mia Thomson the chance to win it. Read the match blog on the BotP web site. (Rams Hit The Right Spot)

Fleet Town 0-2 Eversley & California
The Boars did all the damage in the first half of this cup tie. Darcey Young slotted home the opener from the spot in the 9th minute. Then, two minutes into added time Rebekah Pantony doubled their lead. Eversley will face Beaconsfield at home in the semi-final. Check out Darcey Young's opening goal on the Eversley Women's X feed. 

Long Crendon 4-1 Chesham United Development
Division One North leaders Long Crendon booked their place in the Chairman's Cup semi-final with a solid victory over league-mates Chesham. An Eleanor Lovelock hat-trick was a major contribution to the victory, aided by a Samantha Jackson strike too. Chloe Timms notched the consolation for United.

Woking 4-3 Winchester City Flyers
Conversely, it was Woking who got off to a flyer in this game. A fifth minute own goal and a Trudy Bryan-Kerr strike two minutes later gave the hosts a two goal advantage. That became three after 21 minutes thanks to Sheena Nichol. However, after the break, the Premier League side staged something of a comeback which was finally extinguished when Gabriella Hobday scored with fifteen to go. Scorers for Winchester were Jasmine Pearmine and two from Jane Yeates. Read the match report on the Woking web site.

Combined Counties Women's Cup
Fulham 3-0 Havant & Waterlooville
The Hawks were dumped out of the Combined Counties Cup by London & South East side Fulham. The home side were two up at the break thanks to player of the match Edie Buchele and Georgia Heasman. Buchele added a second with just over twenty minutes to go.

​Thursday 7th March
Penn & Tylers Green v Abingdon United Development
Fourth (I think) time lucky for this fixture? United had a romping 5-0 win at Caversham on Sunday whilst Penn went out of the County Cup on penalties at Beaconsfield. The league is out of reach for both teams, so this trophy represents a good opportunity of silverware. After several attempts to play this at French School Meadow it's now been re-scheduled for Abingdon's home ground.
Northcourt Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1PL 

Sunday 10th March
Premier
Badshot Lea v Ascot United
Three points last time out for The Baggies has given them a much better chance of catching Winchester and escaping the trapdoor. They are now four points behind with a game in hand. However, their chances of stringing a run together are hindered by the visit of top of the table Ascot United. The Yellawomen are in the midst of a titanic title battle with Bournemouth and can ill-afford to drop any points. The reverse fixture ended 5-2 to Ascot.
Operatix Community Ground, Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4PF

Eastleigh v Woodley United
Goals either side of half-time, from Sajunae Turner and Sarah Lawrence, gave Woodley a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture. This is Eastleigh's final fixture of the league season. They are safe in mid-table. Woodley, in their first season back at this level, are in with a good shout of a top three finish, currently a point behind Oxford with two games in hand.
Oasis Academy Mayfield, Ashley Crescent, Southampton SO19 9NA

Oxford City v Bournemouth Sports
City will be looking to consolidate their current third spot. However, they'll need to be on their best form to hold off a Sports side who bare still in with a very good chance of the title. Sports are six adrift of Ascot but have two games in hand and the teams have yet to meet at Chapel Gate. The reverse fixture an entertaining affair that Sports edged 4-3 after coming from a goal down at half-time.
Marsh Lane, Marston, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 0NQ

Winchester City Flyers v Warminster Town
Town have pulled themselves clear of the drop zone in recent weeks but Flyers are still in a dogfight, especially after Badshot Lea's victory last weekend. On the plus side for Winchester, they did win the reverse fixture. A Mia Blazey goal behind at the break, they hit back with two Shayne Prasad strikes to take the points.
Winklebury Football Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke, Hants RG23 8BF

Division One North
Caversham United v Eversley & California
The ultimate relegation six-pointer. The Goats, somehow, find themselves still within three points of Sunday's visitors, albeit having played five extra games. This will be their first meeting of the season. The reverse fixture, at Fox Lane, is scheduled as Caversham's final fixture. Both league encounters last season ended in draws 2-2 at the ESA and 1-1 at Mapeldurham.
Mapeldurham Recreation Ground, Upper Woodcote Road, Mapledurham, Reading RG4 7LD

Penn & Tylers Green v Milton United
Milton's win at Kidlington on Sunday effectively kept their very slim title hopes alive. However, it would still require a minor miracle. Milton need to win all of their remaining games and hope that Long Crendon only pick up two points or less from their remaining two fixtures, one of which is away at Milton. The reverse fixture, back in mid-December, ended 2-0 to Milton thanks to goals from Natalie Evans and Jessica Simons.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

Wycombe Wanderers u23 v Long Crendon
Should Long Crendon avenge the reverse fixture 2-1 defeat to Wycombe (A Classic Smash & Grab?), they would all but guarantee the title. Wycombe, however, are still very much in the running for the runners-up spot, which would be a massive achievement for them this season. In 18 goal Shannon Read they have a goal scorer who can cause any defence trouble. Having said that, Long Crendon hit four at the weekend, three of which went to top scorer Eleanor Lovelock, making it five in the last four games for her.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG

Division One South
AFC Stoneham v AFC Portchester
The subject of this week's blog title. Stoneham and Portchester may be second and third respectively as it stands  but even leaders Havant would probably concede that one of these two will win the title. Currently level on points, Portchester hold the aces because they have two game sin hand on their purple rivals. Both are five points adrift of The Hawks who only have one league game remaining. Should Portchester win this one, it would leave Stoneham with a mountain to climb. Let's also not forget that unbeaten Portchester ended the Purps 100% record earlier in the season with a resounding 8-2 victory. Originally BotP had intended to be at this game until remembering it is Mother's Day.
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA

Fleet Town v Woking
Nine games in and Fleet are still looking for that illusive point. After seeing their efforts at Stoneham a few weeks back, it's hard to believe that they haven't managed even a draw yet. However, they face a stiff test this weekend when in form Woking are the visitors. The Cards knocked Premier League opposition out of the Chairman's Cup at the weekend and have scored 25 goals in their last 4 games in all competitions. The reverse fixture ended 4-2 to Woking after Fleet led 2-1 ten minutes into the second half.
Crookham Road, Fleet GU51 5FA