​Sometimes the fixture computer throws up an absolute peach. Saturday was a prime example. It was Non-League Day and, in the Spartan South Midlands Division Two, it was top versus second, as Sarratt took on MK College. Perfect!
Sarratt started the day five points clear of their opponents, both having played the same number of games and having six left to play including today. There are a couple of others in the mix too. Bovingdon, two behind MK with three in hand of the top two and, one place further back, Pitstone & Ivinghoe United. Two more points behind but also with three in hand. These two were also going head to head this Saturday. Both teams also have to play Sarratt once more, Bovingdon at home, Pitstone away. All in all, it makes for a very interesting and exciting end to the season, but a win for Sarratt would definitely put them in a very strong position.
Earlier in the season Sarratt lost 5-2 at Sport Central MK, and MK College do hold a much better goal difference than the leaders as well as boasting the league's leading scorer, Thomas McDonald with 21 in 27 games.
Despite it being a clash between the top two, recent form had not been brilliant for either side. Sarratt had lost two and drawn one of their last four, MK had won two and lost two in the same period.
It was good to meet Sarratt chairman Tom Shurville before the game. Many thanks for sharing the team sheet with me. Very much appreciated.

With Sarratt, in yellow and black, playing down the slight incline in the first half, the game got under way in bright sunshine and it was the home side who generated the first meaningful attack when, after 4 minutes, Will Cloake won the ball in midfield and drove forward. He pulled his shot wide of the far post, but it was a warning shot for the visitors. They responded in kind when a long cross-field ball just evaded the defence and was controlled well by Harry Norman. Unfortunately for MK, he couldn't find a finish to match the initial chest trap.
In a lively start, MK goalkeeper Finlay Penniston-Walker was then called upon to make a brilliant save from Roman Piran's volley, and we still hadn't played a full 10 minutes yet.
Sarratt were beginning to take more control of proceedings at this point and when Ebou Joof spun sharply inside the 6-yard box, Penniston-Walker was once again called upon to make a good block. However, despite the home side keeping the ball inside the MK half for longer periods, they couldn't find a way to break down the visitor's defence.
Just past the half-hour MK top scorer Thomas Macdonald let fly from 20 yards out, sending the ball spiralling over the bar, but it was a sign the MK were beginning to find their feet. This became even more apparent in the 35th minute when Ryan Hawkins, up from the back, beat home keeper Oliver Abrahams to a flighted free-kick, and was a little unlucky to see his glancing header drop just wide. That was closest MK had come so far but three minutes later they probably should have been a goal down. A long throw from the Sarratt right was allowed to bounce across the penalty area, falling for Charlie Kindell at the back post, but the striker couldn't keep his close range effort down. 
Back at the other end, Hawkins rose above everyone to plant a header well wide and there was just enough time for Sarratt to have a big shout for a penalty when a defender slid in the block. However, the referee was having none of it.

HT Sarratt 0 MK College 0. Sarratt edged the game in terms of possession and created the clearest opportunities, However, as the half progressed, MK began to pose more of a threat. All to play for in the second half.

​As in the first half, there was an early opportunity for MK's Harry Norman but this time his effort went high and wide of the Sarratt goal. Maybe that early threat sparked the home side into action because, with only two minutes on the second-half clock, they broke the deadlock. Will Cloake was the creator and the finisher. The winger broke up the left and when his attempted cross was blocked straight back into his path, he cut inside and drilled the ball under Penniston-Walker. 1-0
Ten minutes in Roman Piran must have thought he'd made it two when he sent a vicious volley goalward, only for Penniston-Walker to produce an acrobatic save to tip the ball over. Goal scorer Cloake then went on a mazy runup the left, showing some great footwork to open up a small space. However, this time, slightly off balance he couldn't find the target. 
A one goal lead can always be precarious and that almost proved to be the case with 15 minutes remaining. Sarratt had keeper Abrahams to thank after Hudson Maslyn hit the target. That however, was the closest the visitors were to come and, seven minutes from time, Sarratt doubled their advantage. Piran delayed taking a free-kick issue instructions to striker Ebou Joof. he then promptly delivered the ball across the face of goal for Joof to slot home. If that was a training ground move, it was executed perfectly. 2-0
The icing on the Sarratt cake was applied two minutes into added time when MK gifted the ball to Joof in the centre of the penalty area. The striker gleefully smashed in the third. 3-0

FT Sarratt 3 MK College 0. A big, and possibly crucial, three points for Sarratt who now lead the table by seven points. Bovingdon climb to second place, but have three games in hand on the leaders. MK College drop to third, a further point adrift of Bovingdon.
Next up for Sarratt is a trip to 8th placed MK Irish Reserves on Tuesday evening, before a crunch game at Bovingdon  next Saturday. Bovingdon won 3-2 at Sarratt in late December. A repeat of that score would put the ball firmly back in their favour. MK College will try to get their push back on track as they take on bottom side Codicote at home on Saturday. However they'll want to avoid a repeat of the reverse fixture, which they lost 3-2. 

Sarratt: 1.Abrhamas, 2.Bishop, 3.White, 4.Evans(c), 5.Hogan, 6.Beckford, 7.Piran, 8.Swan, 9.Kindell, 10.Joof, 11.Cloake. Sus: 12.Malloy, 14.Wellington, 16.Baker, 18.Maynard, 17.Shurville
MK College: 1.Penniston-Walker, 2.Lane, 3.Rowley, 4.Hargreaves(c), 6.Hawkins, 8.McKenna-Mannall, 9.Norman, 14.T.Macdonald, 15.Thorne, 17.Maslyn, 20.Stevenson. Subs: Searle, Bossman-Aggrey, S.Macdonald, Shoult-Mead

The Ground
Sarratt play at the King George V Playing Fields on the south-eastern edge of the village. There's a decent sized car park and the possibility of parking in the streets around the ground. Upon entering the ground the first thing you notice is that this is a real gem. The pitch is completely surrounded by white plastic fencing with advertising hoardings running down the far side, which is also where the dugouts are situated. Behind that side of the ground there are further small sided pitches and, in the corner, a children's playground. On the near side, as you enter, is the clubhouse and changing facilities for players and officials. The roof from the clubhouse protrudes to create a covered standing area. There are also a couple of benches along this side of the ground. At the far end the goals are backed by large trees, giving a very rural feel. The overall feel of the ground is akin to the village, clean, tidy and well-kept.


Ground Number: 482
Att: 74
Entrance: 
Programme: 

​Thursday evening presented an opportunity to check out a couple of teams that I had never seen before, at a ground I'd never visited before. Croxley Green of the Herts Senior County League Division Two taking on AFC Turnford, who play one division above them, in the Hertfordshire FA Intermediate Cup Final at the Herts FA headquarters in Letchworth Garden City. Both teams are pushing for promotion from their respective divisions. Croxley Green currently sit top of the league with a two point advantage and a game in hand over nearest rivals Enfield Rangers. AFC Turnford are in third, the last promotion spot, a point ahead of Ware United, also with a game in hand.
The route to the final for both teams had involved at least one penalty shootout, but it's fair to say that Croxley Green had the more difficult draws. Turnford received a bye in Round One then came through a Second Round tie against fellow Division 1 side Baldock Town Reserves, winning 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Next up for Turnford was a home 4-0 defeat of Division Two Chipperfield Corinthians Reserves, followed by a similar score in the semi-final, also against a Division Two outfit, Old Parmiterians.
Croxley Green, meanwhile, drew Spartan South Midlands Reserve League AFC Welwyn Development in Round One. After coming through that one by a 4-2 score line, they then welcome Division One Ware United, edging through 3-2. In the quarter-final Green took on another Division One side, Sandridge Rovers, and after  a 4-4 draw, won the shootout 5-4 to set up a semi-final date with Letchworth Garden City Eagles u23. Once again penalties were required after a 3-3 draw. Croxley coming through this one by 5-3.
Many thanks to the Herts FA stadium announcer who was gracious enough to send me photos of both teams sheets just before kick-off. Very much appreciated.

​The initial jousting was fairly even. However, just six minutes were on the clock when the deadlock was broken. Turnford broke quickly down their right flank. Josh Rubin was off his line quickly to narrow the angle, but the ball was lofted over him to find Tylar-Morgan Parker, coming in from the left, to apply a simple tap-in. 0-1
You could have forgiven the lower-ranked team for letting their heads drop after going a goal down so early on. However, the opposite was true. Croxley Green took the setback as a signal to up their game and they began to get their short passing approach into gear. Their biggest opportunity to get back into the game came just past the midway point when their press forced Turnford into turning over possession on the edge of their own penalty area. Harry Clark took aim from 18 yards but his low strike went just wide of Josh Tuansaam's right-hand upright.
On the half-hour an errant Croxley back pass allowed Bates to nip in, but Rubin was out quickly again, making the save and giving his defence chance to clear. Two minutes later, Croxley came close again when Alex Hilton had the ball some 20 yards out. Urged on by cries of "shoot!" from behind the gaol, he let fly and was unlucky to see his strike fly a foot over the bar.
At the other end, with four minutes of the half remaining, Rubin had to be at his agile best to tip over a George Williams piledriver that was destined for the net. As the half entered added time it appeared that Croxley Green's efforts would go unrewarded until, two minutes past the end of normal time, a cross from the right skipped off the surface and struck a Turnford arm. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. A tough one on the defender but, in this day and age, the referee had to award the spot-kick. James Todd stepped up and made no mistake. 1-1.

HT Croxley Green 1 AFC Turnford 1. The early Turnford goal seemed to spark Croxley into action and they were the better side for much of the half, using the artificial surface to assist with their short passing game. At one point they strung together 25+ passes, but didn't get a strike off. However, they deserved the late equaliser.
Good to chat with a Turnford supporter at the break, who also happened to be the father of their scorer. We initially discussed the penalty, because I had a clearer view than he did. As a neutral, I thought it was the correct decision, but a few years ago it wouldn't have been given. We agreed that handball, offside rules and many other things in the game were becoming a bit of a mystery to everyone.

​Possibly buoyed by the late equaliser, Croxley came out for the second half and immediately went on the offensive. Harry Clark getting off the first strike of the half, but a defensive block took the sting out of it, making it easy for Tuansaam.
That, however, proved to be Croxley's only real chance for a while, as Turnford began to assert themselves, shutting down Croxley's quick passing movement much more effectively than they did in the first half. On the hour mark, after a couple of changes, one of the substitutes, Mark Thurlow, outpaced his marker and then won a 50-50 challenge with Rubin. With the goalkeeper out of position, Thurlow squared for Ronnie Bates to put Turnford back in front. 1-2.
Again, Croxley responded brilliantly. Only five minutes later, following a corner from their right which was headed goalward and blocked, the ball was slammed straight back past everyone for 2-2. From my vantage point, I couldn't see who scored. A minute after that, with their tails up, Croxley came very close to going ahead for the first time. Todd sprung the offside trap but, one on one with Tuansaam, the goalkeeper came out on top, making an excellent save.
That save proved to be pivotal too. Five minutes later, Turnford attacked up the right and when the ball ran loose inside the penalty area, Usher Adamson reacted quickest to lash a volley past Rubin. 2-3
This time Croxley were unable to find the same level of response to the goal. Tuansaam did have to react quickly in the 80th minute, but the Greens couldn't find a way back in again. In fact the final two chances both fell to Turnford. With a minute remaining Bates saw his headed deflected just wide for a corner which, when delivered by Adamson, was inches too high for captain Craig Lovett to make clean contact.
Which just left a final blast of the whistle for the Turnford celebrations to begin.

FT Croxley Green 2 AFC Turnford 3. A very competitive game, great to watch as a neutral. Eventually the Division One side came out on top, but Croxley Green showed why they will be playing at this level next season. A talented bunch, who play some delightful football. Turnford, in the end, showed their higher level experience. They too are a very good side who may well get promotion themselves this season.
Both teams are back in action this Saturday, Non-League Day. Croxley Green travel to 10th placed Hatfield Athletic in a league game, having already beaten Athletic 2-0 at home. Turnford have another cup game, a Greg Cup semi-final against Ware United at Wodson Park Sports Centre.

Croxley Green: 1.Rubin, 2.Tyson, 3.Fitzgerald, 4.Blake, 15.Hilton, 6.D.New(c), 14.Tuckley, 19.Weiss, 16.Todd, 10.Larkin, 11.Clark. Subs: 12.Tannian, 8.J.New, 26.Lawrence, 7.Payne, 5.Rhodes
AFC Turnford: 1.Tuansaam, 3.Wilson, 4.Williams, 5.Lovett(c), 6.Martson, 8.Offer, 9.R.Bates, 10.Adamson, 20.Parker, 56.Asaffo, 79.B.Bates. Subs: 11.Thurlow, 12.Braine-Edwards, 7.Emory, 23.Murphy-Froom, 13.Stapleton

The Ground
The Hertfordshire FA County Ground is situated just off Baldock Road on the Eastern edge of Letchworth Garden City. There's a reasonable car park on site, further parking on the opposite side of Baldock Road and in adjacent roads. There is platy of spectator cover available. On the car park side there is a covered seating stand that runs around a third of the length of the pitch. Next to this is the café and toilets. There's covered standing shelters behind both goals, one of which is slightly elevated on a grass bank. There's also another small covered stand in the corner of the ground between thee café and the Radburn Way end goal. On the opposite side from the main stand is another large covered terrace that spans half the length of the pitch, straddling the half way line. The playing surface is artificial.

Ground Number: 481
Att: 
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: Yes, but none available when I tried to get one

For the first Saturday this year, the sun was out and it was even reasonably warm. Perfect weather for a drive through the Cotswolds. Even more so when the destination was a crunch top of the table clash between Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One leaders Whaddon United and third placed Dursley Town. Having seen Dursley win impressively at Bibury a few weeks ago (Dursley Are No Muggles), this would be my first time watching Whaddon.
At the start of play Whaddon held a six point lead over both Longlevens Reserves, in second, and Dursley, in third. However, Dursley had two games in hand and unbeaten Longlevens a massive four games in hand. Whaddon, however, were yet to lose at home and had a very impressive defensive record, conceding just three goals in ten games at Whaddon Rec. With Longlevens still to visit Cheltenham and a final day return match at Dursley to come, this game was certainly a six-pointer.
Many thanks to referee Adie Shilston, who I spotted enjoying a bit of pre-match sun, for sharing the team sheets with me before the game.

​The game started at a frenetic pace with both sides trying to establish some early superiority. However, neither goalkeeper had to make any saves in the opening encounters. Whaddon did, however, begin to gain the upper edge in terms of possession. Jordan Mitchell planted an eighth minute header wide of the mark and, a few minutes later, George Callinan did the same. Just before the quarter-hour mark a Will Arkell free-kick from practically the halfway line, was allowed to bounce in the Dursley area, forcing Jordan Schofield to back-peddle and palm the ball over the bar. Zack Hodges then hit the target for United, but it was straight at Schofield. The visiting keeper did do well on 18 minutes when a bit of pinball saw the ball fall to Mitchell, but the Dursley stopper readjusted well to make the save.
Whaddon were ramping up the pressure on the visitors who responded with a long-range Logan Weyman strike, that flew well wide of James Mitten's goal. A minute later, however, Dursley took the lead against the run of play. Whaddon conceded a needless free-kick wide on the left and, when the ball was delivered, it wasn't cleared and Luke Brunsdon was there to poke home. 0-1
The goal changed the complexion of the game. Where Whaddon had been dominating the ball, they were now finding Dursley had an extra spring in their step, although they did not unduly bother Mitten until the 34th minute. Once again the problem for the home side came from a free-kick on the left, this time a little further out, but still wide on the left. Dursley captain Joe Gray stepped up, sending the ball arcing over Mitten into the keeper's top left corner. A great strike if it was meant. Was it a cross, or did Gray go for it? 0-2

HT Whaddon United 0 Dursley Town 2. Whilst Whaddon had initially dominated the game, they were clearly rocked by the opening goal. Dursley came back into the game and play was fairly even from then onwards. The second goal was an added bonus for the visitors.

​Whilst Whaddon came out with a renewed sense of purpose in the second half, they did little to trouble Schofield until past the hour mark and, even then, the main problem for the Dursley keeper was a miscued clearance from Alfie Mann that had the keeper back-peddling to see it just clear the crossbar. From the resulting corner Connor Barrowcliffe, arriving at the back post, smacked his header off the upright.
Panic over, and Schofield was again not troubled for some time. A Jed Payton long throw caused a small problem, but was headed out for a corner. It looked as if Dursley were going to hold on for a precious three points. However, no-one had any idea of what was to come.
82 minutes were on the clock when the home side finally got one back. It was created by some great work on the right by Tyler White, battling his way through a couple of challenges before sending over a ball to the far post, where substitute Jesse James met it with a stooping header. 1-2
Dursley had little time to steady themselves before the hosts were level. Just a minute after their first goal another ball in form the right was not cleared properly. Jordan Mitchell swung at it, his shot hitting a defender and looping over Schofield into the net. 2-2
Whaddon were throwing everything at Dursley now, but it looked as if they would need to settle for a point when Jordan Mitchell's acrobatic effort flew wide in the 89th minute. However, a minute into added time Mitchell was on hand again as the ball was flashed across the face of goal for the Whaddon striker to prod it home. 3-2. What a turnaround!
Dursley were rocked but did try to respond. The referee indicated that there was still 7 minutes left to play, which gave the visitors some hope. That was finally fully extinguished in the final minute of added time when Whaddon broke on the right again and, when the ball was played across the face of goal, there was Jessie James to slot home his second. 4-2

FT Whaddon United 4 Dursley Town 2. What a comeback from the league leaders. Maybe Dursley should have seen it coming? After all, when Whaddon brought on Jesse James, shots were bound to be fired. The result sees Whaddon retain their six point gap over Longlevens Reserves, even though they have played four additional games than the second placed team. Dursley drop to fourth after English Bicknor won 4-1 at Tredworth Tigers.
Next week Dursley are at home to Longlevens in a make are break six-pointer. Whaddon will be hoping that today's opponents can do them a favour next week, as they travel to Lydney Town Reserves.
A note about today's attendance. I didn't make a headcount but I can say that there was a very healthy number of supporters around the pitch, from both camps. Certainly more than you would expect to see at a Step 8 game.

Whaddon United: 1. Mitten, 2.White, 13.Arkell, 15.G.Callinan, 3.Barrowcliffe, 10.Hodges, 5.T.Callinan, 6.Payton, 11.Mitchell, 8.Alderman(c), 9.Denman. Subs: 14.Harrison, 19.James, 16.Burrows, 12.Oxley
Dursley Town: 1.Schofield, 2.Billings, 5.Barclay, 6.Monday, 3.Deakin, 4.Fowler, 8.Gray(c), 7.Weyman, 18.Brunsdon, 10.Herbert, 9.Mann. Subs: 11.Martins, 12.Clark, 14.Gosling, 15.Dolbear, 16.Harper

The Ground
Whaddon Recreation Ground is literally opposite Cheltenham Town FC. There's no car park at the ground, but you can park alongside the pitch on Whaddon Road. Having said that, if Cheltenham were at home there would be parking restrictions in place. There are on-street parking places dotted around the ground, but you need to be aware of any permit restrictions. You could also park at the Parklands Community Centre, which is a few minutes walk away, although there is, I believe, a charge for parking.
There's not too much to say about the ground itself. It's a community recreation ground. There's a changing pavilion next to the children's playground, but no other features to speak of. No spectator cover, although there are a number of benches on the Whaddon Road side that offer a good view of the pitch, if you wish to sit whilst watching the game. The playing surface looked to be pretty much flat and in reasonably good condition.

Ground Number: 480
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

With no match opportunities in the coming weekend, I took the decision to head out to a game on Thursday evening this week, although a look at the weather almost persuaded me otherwise. Given the conditions, I decided to stay relatively local and re-visit Spratleys Meadow, a ground I had not been to since February 2019. My chosen game, however, did not feature the landlords of the ground, Amersham Town. Instead it was a Combined Counties Division One match with a distinctly European feel to it, Sport London e Benfica versus Deportivo Galicia. I'd never seen either team before, so I did a little research before setting out.
Sport London e Benfica, as their name suggests, are affiliated to Sport Lisboa e Benfica (or Benfica as we know them), the most successful club in Portugal. The London club was formed in 1981, and originally played Sunday League football. They moved into Saturday football in 2005, joining the Middlesex County League, Division One. They quickly progressed, and in 2007 were promoted into the Spartan South Midlands League. Unfortunately, a couple of season's later, they resigned due to ground sharing issues, eventually re-joining the Middlesex League in 2017, and were immediately relegated. However, since then, they have gone from strength to strength, gaining promotion to Combined Counties Division One last season, after winning the league by a point courtesy of a 2-1 defeat of second placed Camden & Islington on the final day.
Deportivo Galicia were founded in 1968 by a group of Galician migrants who had settled in London, partially taking their name from the Galician team, Deportivo La Coruna. They also began life as a Sunday League outfit, moving into the Middlesex League in 1995. They earned promotion to the Combined Counties League in 2017, and have played there ever since. Their best finish to date came in the 2022-23 season where they ended the season in 6th spot. last season they finished bottom of the pile, but remained in the division.
Fortunes have differed for the teams this season. Benfica started the day in 11th spot on 48 points, well adrift of the play-off spot chase but very safe from any worries. Deportivo, however, began the evening only two points outside the drop zone with 30 points from their 35 games, and had a real relegation battle on their hands. Both teams were coming into the game on the back of wins. Deportivo beat play-off bound PFC Victoria 2-0 whilst Benfica won 1-0 at bottom side Rising Ballers Kensington.
The reverse fixture, back in September, ended with Benfica clocking up a resounding 5-0 victory after getting off to a flying start, racing into a 2-0 lead inside four minutes.
Many thanks to the officials and Benfica's coaching staff for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.

​With kick-off being delayed, I managed to grab a warming cup of tea before heading out into the chilly and gusty weather. Thankfully, at that point, the rain had slowed to a light drizzle, although that was not going to be the case for the entire game. The wind, however, was clearly going to cause havoc. Although not constant, when the gusts blew across the pitch, they were very strong.
The game eventually got under way 15 minutes behind schedule, but at least it was on.

With the gusty wind not really benefitting either team, it was the home side who seemed to settle into the game better. Captain Egidio Mahmoud looked lively, and it was he who had the first real chance, latching onto a through ball on the left and sending his cross-cum-shot past the keeper only to see it hacked away for a corner by a covering defender. A few minutes later Marco Raposo went on a run to open some space, but sent his shot over the bar. Then Mahmoud again caused problems for Deportivo, this time on the right, getting behind the defence and cutting the ball back to Helder Mannesim, who couldn't quite get enough power on his attempt.
Deportivo took a little longer to get into the flow of the game but were starting to get a little more possession inside the Benfica half. Noah Salama had their first meaningful attempt on the quarter-hour, getting his effort on target but not troubling Luis Silva too much. Just on the midway point of the half, Deportivo's Aitor Andon turned sharply inside the box, but again couldn't get his strike past Silva.
Clear cut chances were at something of a premium, but one did fall to Benfica's Helder Mannesim just before the half hour. The striker was put clean through but was thwarted by a good block from George Douglas, who had spotted the danger and raced off his line. Just on the stroke of the half-hour, Alfie Finnan saw his fizzing, low drive sail inches past Douglas's right-hand upright and the same player was then a little unlucky, ten minutes later,  when a ball into the box just wouldn't sit down for him to get a meaningful strike away. A minute after this Mahmoud sent another shot whistling into the side-netting, as Benfica looked to get ahead before the break.
The half, however, ended on a slightly sour note when a late challenge on a Benfica player over on the far side (I had no view of the players involved), left the home player on the deck, wailing in pain. There was, of course, a few minor coming together of opposing players before the referee gained control and issued a yellow to the Deportivo player.

HT Sport London e Benfica 0 Deportivo Galicia 0. A first half spoiled by the gusty wind to a certain extent. Neither team had really come to grips with it and clear-cut opportunities were at a premium. Benfica definitely generated a few more opportunities than Deportivo, but they had showed that they could cause some problems especially thought the pace of West and trickery of Andon.

If anything, the weather had deteriorated during the half-time break. As the second half got under way the gusty wind felt stronger and more raw, plus the rain was coming down a little more persistently.
Deportivo seemed to have the bit between their teeth though. They started the second half with more verve than they had shown in the first 45 minutes and suddenly looked the more likely team to break the deadlock. Of course, the opposite happened. Seven minutes in, Benfica broke up the left though Mannesim. His low, driven cross was then met at the back post by Egidio Mahmoud, who squeezed the ball in. 1-0
Two minutes later it could easily have been 2-0 when Mahmoud cut inside from the right and drove a shot towards the near post, forcing Douglas into a very good diving save.
Despite Deportivo trying to bounce back, and continuing to play some decent football, they couldn't find a way to get through the Benfica defence and, just past the hour, they were two down. Benfica were awarded a free kcik some 40 yards out on the right-hand side. The ball was delivered diagonally across the penalty area, missing out everyone at the near post, but finding Saran Sutharsan, making a late run in at the back and smashing the ball past Douglas. 2-0.
It was a long way back for Deportivo from two down. They continued to push and did force a few corners, and hit the bar, but couldn't quite find a way through. The game was also beginning to get increasingly niggly. Benfica were happy to defend their two goal lead and more than happy to slow the game down whenever they could, much to the displeasure of the Deportivo team, who were desperately trying to establish some pace and rhythm. The challenge late in the first half was also still lingering in some minds.
Deep into added time Benfica rubbed salt into the Deportivo wounds when Mahmoud sent an absolute screamer into the top corner from 25 yards. 3-0 . A great strike that the home captain celebrated with a couple of somersaults. This display seemed to really incense the Deportivo team and there was a fairly lengthy delay whilst the referee attempted to regain control and calm the situation. In the chaos and aftermath Aitor Andon also appeared to be sin-binned. Not that it really mattered at this point, with just a minute or so remaining.

FT Sport London e Benfica 3 Deportivo Galicia 0. Football can be a strange game at time. Deportivo played much better in the second half, but conceded there goals. The victory sees Benfica move up a place to 10th, still 17 points shy of the final play-off position, occupied by London Samurai Rovers, but they do have four games in hand on Rovers. Deportivo remain two places and two points above Sandhurst Town, in the drop zone. However, they have now played one more than Town. 
Coming up for Benfica is a home game against 8th placed Wembley on Saturday. SL lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture in a game that saw both teams reduced to ten men. Deportivo have no game this coming Saturday and will have to wait another week before they then welcome Wembley to Bedfont Sports Club. The reverse fixture ended 4-0 to Wembley, who scored two goals in each half.


Sport London e Benfica: 99.Silva, 2.Okon, 71.Spearing, 5.Cleyton, 32.Udanoh, 18.Richardson, 8.Finnan, 15.Camolas, 10.Mahmoud(c), 7.Raposo, 29.Manessim. Subs: King, 77.Ketter, 24.Jackson, 11.Fernando, 12.Southarsan
Deportivo Galicia: 1.Douglas, 2.Panos, 3.White-Glean, 4.Filip, 5.Kemp(c), 6.Diaz, 7.West, 8. Salama, 9.Fernandez, 10.Andon, 11.Petch. Subs: 12.Ambrose, Mejdoubi, Relf, Stephens, Andon

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

This weekend BotP headed back to the picturesque village of Bibury for what looked to be an interesting Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division 1 clash between Bibury and Dursley Town. I last visited Aldsworth Road back in April 2022 when the home side were still in Division 2. On that day they Bibury were edged out 2-1 by Viney St Swithans (A Game Of Justice?) and both teams missed out on promotion. However, the following season Bibury were promoted to Division 1 via a third placed finish.
This season, in the top flight, Bibury came into today's game in sixth spot with 22 points from their 18 games. Their opponents, Dursley Town, started the day in second, three points adrift of the leaders, Whaddon United, but with a game in hand. It had been a mixed bag in 2026 for the visitors. A 3-0 defeat at Longlevens reserves and draws with English Bicknor and, last week, at home to Brockworth Albion, were interspersed with solid wins against Cheltenham Civil Service and Stonehouse Town Reserves.
Bibury meanwhile were looking to get back to winning ways at home after losing their last two fixtures at Aldsworth Road both by 3-1 score lines.
This would be the first meeting of the teams this season. However, last season, Bibury had taken a point at Dursley but been beaten 2-1 at home.
Thanks to referee Robert Green for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off

​After the promise of Spring breaking last week, the weather had taken another turn back towards Winter and, the game got under way under leaden skies, a sprinkling of rain and a chilly breeze.
However dreary the weather, Dursley were soon brightening things up, taking the lead after only six minutes. Logan Weyman, who went on to terrorise the Bibury defence for much of the game, was the provider, sending over a cross from the right that Alfie Mann headed past Jamie Penfold. 0-1.
Bibury's response was almost very swift. Only a minute later Sam Simmonds drove down their left flank before cutting the ball back to the edge of the box where it was met by Dec Kenn who, slightly off balance, could only put his effort over Jordan Schofield's crossbar. 
Following that early goalmouth action, the game fell into more of a midfield battle for a while. Dursley were gaining the upper hand but didn't unduly trouble Penfold. Adam Price probably came closest, but his 26th minute snapshot didn't really trouble the keeper.
The visitors almost paid the price two minutes later when Schofield was forced into a good save to prevent Keen from levelling the scores. As it happened the flag had already gone up, but the keeper was not to know that at the time.
Right on the stroke of the half-hour, Dursley almost doubled their lead when a defensive header from a ball in from the right looped over everyone and seemed to come back off the post. A follow-up header was then scrambled off the line and the home side survived.
At the other end, Schofield's main activity of the day had been chasing after errant back passes, preventing them from going for a corner. This had already happened a couple of times before Sean Monday did it again, but this time the ball was on target for the goal. Thankfully Schofield was quick enough to get back and make the clearance relatively comfortably.
The visitors goalkeeper then played a major part in their second goal. Launching a huge kick downfield, the ball travelled into the Bibury penalty area. Penfold came but only got a slight touch to the ball, allowing Logan Weyman to nip in and slot the ball past a defender on the line. 0-2
As we approached the final five minutes of the half, Penfold made some amends by saving well from Luke Brunsdon, but, just before the half-time whistle, the keeper was helpless to prevent a third Dursley goal. Once again Weyman was the architect, sending over a ball into a dangerous spot for Josh Barclay to put a diving header into the bottom corner. 0-3

HT Bibury 0 Dursley Town 3. Whist Dursley controlled much of the half, they only had a one goal advantage until the final few minutes. Those additional two goals look to have given them an unassailable lead going into the second half.

​If Bibury did have any lingering thoughts of making a second half comeback, they were fully extinguished three minutes before the hour. Luke Brunsdon latched onto a sloppy back pass, took the ball around penfold and slotted the ball in from a tight angle. 0-4 and the points were heading back to the home of Harry Potter's aunt and uncle.
Whether Dursley took their foot off the accelerator or Bibury finally got their game going a little, I don't know, but after the fourth goal went in, the pendulum seemed to swing a little.
Home substitute Leo Jones struck a good effort just wide of the Town goal and, although Dursley sub Billy Herbert glanced a Brunson cross wide, the chances were starting to come at the opposite end more often.
With 20 minutes to go Sam Simmonds was sent through but, with no-one up alongside him, was forced into having a pop from outside the box, sending the effort over the bar. Two minutes later, Simmonds robbed Monday just outside the box but was thwarted by a good save from Schofield.
That close call must have sparked Dursley back into life because they immediately broke down the left. Mann's cross was met by Herbert, but Penfold got across to parry the ball away, only for Luke Brunson to follow in and smash home number five. 0-5
With less than fifteen minutes remaining, there was little more action. Schofield did have to another decent stop when an attempted clearance ricocheted off a defender and almost crept inside his left-hand post. However, the points were safely in the bag, and pretty soon referee Green called an end to proceedings.

FT Bibury 0 Dursley Town 5. A comfortable win for Dursley who remain three points behind Whaddon, who also won, with a game in hand. English Bicknor are a further five points back with another game in hand. Longlevens Reserves are also a threat, nine points adrift of Whaddon with five games in hand. Bibury drop to seventh in a very tightly congested mid-table. They are only five points above second from bottom Cheltenham Civil Service. Coincidentally, next weekend Bibury travel to Cheltenham, whilst Dursley don't have a game. Their next outing is a massive trip to Whaddon United on the 21st of March. The following week they entertain Longlevens Reserves.

Bibury: 1.Penfold, 3.Davies, 9.Hopegood, 5.Knowles, 6.Carter, 4.Day(c), 16.Milner, 17.Carpenter, 10.Simmonds, 2.Keen, 11.Griffin. Subs: 12.Jones, 7.Potter, 8.Willetts, 14.Coram, 15.Shannon
Dursley Town: 1.Schofield, 2.Billings, 5.Deakin, 6.Monday, 3.Barclay, 4.Fowler, 8.Gray(c), 10.Weyman, 7.Mann, 15.Price, 16.Brunsdon. Subs: 9.Harper, 11.Walker, 12.B.Dolbear, 14.J.Dolbear, 17.Herbert

Ground Number: Re-visit
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This Saturday BotP was dipping back into the Northants Combination. This time, a Division Two clash featuring the team in third hosting the team in second. Thankfully the game was a 2:30 ko, which allowed me enough time to get from my daughter's late kick-off in Brackley.
Making my way over to the clubhouse, I had a stroke of luck when I spotted match referee Niki Inwood heading my way clutching the team sheets. This gave me the opportunity to not only get photos of the team sheets, but also to have a pleasant few minutes chatting to Niki about local junior football, the weather and general football-related issues. I also explained how I had chosen this particular game because of the potential to be a good game, rather than going to a new ground just to tick it off. The difference between ground-hopping and, to steal a great description from Wandering Tractor, match-hopping.
At the start of the day today's hosts, Kislingbury, sat in third spot having taken 24 points from their 10 league outings. Their visitors, Corby Rovers, were three points better off but had played a game more. Both teams were trying to chase down Daventry Town Hobbs, who had a 15 point lead on Corby but had played five more than Rovers and six more than Kislingbury. So, both teams could go level on points with the leaders should they win all of their games in hand. The teams had already met once before this season and Kislingbury had come out on top. Two goals from Sam Giddens and one from Michael Watson had been enough to trump two Dylan Griffiths strikes for Rovers.
With Daventry not playing, it was a chance for one of these two to narrow the gap a little, especially as Hobbs still have to visit both teams.

​After a relatively quiet start in terms of goal chances, Corby's Danny Ward was the first to hit the target, but his strike was comfortably dealt with by Laurence Benham and, from that point, the home side began to establish themselves in the game. With 15 minutes gone this possessional advantage turned into a goal advantage. A lovely through ball from Peter Taylor split the Rovers defensive lines allowing Michael Watson to run in behind and slide the ball past the advancing Edward Hunter. 1-0
Corby's response, some four minutes later, was to send their top scorer, Dylan Griffiths, clear. His miscued attempt from the right-hand edge of the box flew across to the opposite flank where Ryan Morton picked it up. However, his strike went across the face of goal and out for a goal-kick.
Just past the midway stage The Swans almost conjured up a goal of real quality. James Giddens brilliantly intercepted a Corby attack inside his own box and drove forward through the middle of the park. He laid the ball off to the left flank, continuing his own progress through the middle. Two more passes later, the ball arrived back at the feet of Giddens on the edge of the Rovers box where only good reactions from Hunter prevented the home centre-half scoring.
The hosts and James Giddens, however, did not have to wait too much longer for a goal when the centre-half rose above everyone to power a header home from a 34th minute Michael Watson left-wing corner. 2-0. The hosts were now in control of the game and, despite a little lull, extended their lead further with a minute to go. Again the goal came from a corner, this time from the right. The ball, delivered by Watson again, arriving at the far post where the other centre-half, Aaron Blundell, towered above everyone to head home. 3-0

HT Kislingbury 3 Corby Rovers 0. A very good half for the hosts who fully deserve to be in front at the break. Corby have rarely threatened Benham's goal.

​Following a few short WhatsApp exchanges with some Oxford United supporting friends who were enjoying their team take a commanding lead against the absolute basket case that is West Brom at the moment (despite not going to pro games any more, the Baggies are still my team, unfortunately), the second half began.
Kislingbury were soon on the offensive again, Jack Shaw firing in a dipping volley that Hunter dealt with comfortably. A few minutes later, Peter Taylor struck 20-yard free-kick cleanly, but again straight at Hunter. Then, just before the hour, Corby pulled a goal back. A ball down the left allowed Ian Hales to run in behind the defence. Benham was quick off his line but Hales got there first, sending the ball past the keeper and across the face of goal where Dylan Griffiths just about won the race to bundle the ball over the line. 3-1. Unfortunately for Corby, the joy of scoring was cut short by their top-scorer being helped off the pitch and unable to continue after picking up a knock in the act of scoring.
The hosts then set about re-establishing the three goal lead. Hunter did well to save from Sam Giddens just past the  hour, the with twenty minutes to go, Josh Crawley was sent clear of the Rovers defence only to shoot straight at Hunter.
Heading into the final 15 minutes Corby almost got themselves right back in the game when a corner from their right caused chaos inside the home 6-yard box. However, no-one in red could get the ball over the line before the home side scrambled it clear. That missed opportunity looked even more crucial a few minutes later when Kislingbury produced a superb move to make it four. Sam Giddens began the move, driving up the left. He then slipped the ball inside the defence for the overlapping run of Nathan Stewart, who intelligently cut the ball back to the edge of the box for Peter Taylor to apply a fitting, first-time, finish into the top corner. A lovely move and a great strike from Taylor. 4-1
Corby tried to respond, Hales fired over in the 84th minute and James Cassidy kept Benham honest with a decent effort three minutes from time. However, by this point, the points were already decided and, five minutes into added time, this fact was emphasised by a fifth home goal, albeit a very strange one. Substitute  Fernand Bass, in a foot race with a defender and the oncoming goalkeeper managed to cause enough of a problem for the ball to squirm loose from both. The striker, who was sent sprawling in the collision then somehow managed to flick the ball, from a prone position, into the unguarded net from a tight angle. 5-1

FT Kislingbury 5 Corby Rovers 1. The Swans remain in a position whereby they can still catch the league leaders if they win their games in and. Corby now have to rely on both teams above them making a mistake along the way. Kislingbury were fully deserving of the points on the day, looking in control of the game throughout. Having not seen either team play previously this season, it was hard to say if this was a dominant home performance, a bad day for Corby, or a bit of both. I'd say the latter. It did feel as if Corby never really got going today. I'm sure they must have more in them considering their position in the league.
Next weekend both teams are at home. Kislingbury face fifth placed Spencer Mil Reserves, a team they beat 2-0 in the reverse fixture. Corby have another big game that could do both themselves and Kislingbury a favour. They take on the leaders, Daventry Town Hobbs having lost the reverse fixture 4-2.

Kislingbury: Benham, Msampha, Bramley(c), J.Giddens, Blundell, Downing, Ibrahim, Taylor, Shaw, Watson, S.Giddens. Subs: N.Stewart, Crawley, Davenport, Bass, D.Stewart
Corby Rovers: Hunter, L.Morton, McGovern, O'Donovan, Carr, Buckingham, Ward, R.Morton, Hales, Griffiths, Cassidy. Subs:  Goode, Morgan, Mutengo

Ground Number: Re-visit
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