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
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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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Entrance: N/A
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