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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ground Number: 448
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
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Not having made it to a midweek game this week, BotP had a rare Friday evening opportunity and, as it turned out, it was possibly the best decision made all season. A chance to watch a local cup final and re-visit a ground that I had always promised myself I would get back to at some point. The ground in question, Shortwood United's Meadowbank, and the cup final, a Stroud and District League President's Cup clash between Tetbury Town and Taverners FC. My previous, and only, other visit to Shortwood came in 2019 when I saw the home side draw 2-2 with Brislington (Nice Club, Shame About The League Place). Meadowbank is a delightful ground that has not changed too much in the intervening six years and, frankly, doesn't need to.
The two sides in cup final action this evening finished side by side in the Stroud & District top flight, although Taverners did accumulate eight more points than Tetbury and finished one place higher, in third. Neither could get close to eventual champions, Wickwar Wanderers. Coincidentally, this time last year BotP was at Tetbury to witness their 2-0 home defeat to none other than Wickwar Wanderers (Lessons Of War).
So, league positions and recent league results were in favour of Taverners. They had done the league double over Tetbury, winning 2-0 away and, in the final game of the season, 4-3 at Snakey Lane.
Tetbury had progressed to the final via a 8-1 win at Leonard Stanley, a 3-1 victory here at Meadowbank, over Shortwood United Reserves, and a 2-0 semi-final win at second-placed Old Richians. Meanwhile, Taverners beat Minchinhampton 4-1 in the first round, following it up with a 1-0 defeat of Dursley Town Reserves. In the semi-final they beat last season's beaten finalist, Chalford Reserves, 2-1. 
Many thanks to referee, and former Forest Green and Swindon Town striker, Charlie Rowlands for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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