It's been over eight years since I last visited Milton United, so Tuesday evening was a long overdue chance to re-visit The Heights. Milton were then playing in the Hellenic Premier League and the game I saw was a league fixture against the previous season's FA Vase semi-finalists, Highworth Town. Milton lost 2-0 that evening. They are now members of the Combined Counties League, playing in the Premier North Division. In reality, this was an away fixture for Milton, but the game had been switched from Aylesbury's current home at Chesham United. The Ducks have been living a nomadic lifestyle since being evicted from Buckingham Road in 2006. There's an active campaign to get the club back to Aylesbury, #BringTheDucksHome

The Ground
There have been quite a few changes at The Heights since my last visit, not least in the surrounding area. Access to the ground is now via Mitchell Lane. the old road, Potash Lane, doesn't seem to exist. Mitchell Way separates the football ground from a new housing estate, Blaise Park. Parking is still behind the clubhouse and is reasonably large. There is also parking alongside the car park on the service road. However, as this area is still being developed, that may not always be there.
Once inside the ground, through the entrance alongside the clubhouse block, you find yourself close to one of the corner flags with the pitch running left to right in front of you. The clubhouse, main stand and changing areas are immediately to your right. To your left there are a collection of buildings that house the toilets as well as the manager's office and physio room. The front of these buildings is covered by a lean-to roof that acts as standing spectator cover. The dugouts, which used to be in front of the main stand have been replaced with a more modern design situated on the opposite side of the pitch. The playing area is also surrounded by what looks like relatively new fencing (certainly replaced since I was last there). The playing surface looks flat and in pretty good condition. There is a whiteboard on the wall next to the clubhouse entrance that is used to post the teams before each game. Well done Milton. Love to see this.

​The Background
This game was a Berks & Bucks FA Senior Cup third round tie. Aylesbury had recieved a bye in both of the first two rounds. Milton won 1-0 at Abingdon United in the first round and followed that up with a crushing 8-1 win at Wantage Town in Round Two. Milton have never won the Senior Cup but they did win the Intermediate Cup two season's running back in 1990 and 1991. Aylesbury, however, have win the Senior Cup on four occasions. The first time was way back before the outbreak of the First World War, in the 1913-14 season. They had to wait 72 years for their next title but it came in 1986 and was followed relatively quickly by wins in 1997 and 2000. The Ducks have seen leaner times since those days, dropping into the Spartan League for a few seasons before regaining their Southern League place in 2013.
This season, in their respective leagues, fortunes have been very differing. Whilst Aylesbury sit fifth from bottom in the Southern League Division One Central, Milton are currently third in the their league, the Combined Counties Premier league North. So, although this game had the potential for a giant-killing of sorts, there were, effectively, only six places between the teams at kick-off.

​The Game
Aylesbury, in their change kit of amber with diagonal black stripes and fielding a much changed team from their previous few league outings, were kicking towards the Mitchell Lane end in the first half. After an initial few minutes of sparring, it was the home home side who began to take the initiative. On 9 minutes, right winger Ollie Nadin found himself in behind the defence out on the right. he drove towards goal and, as Alex Grantham came out to meet him, lobbed the goalkeeper only to see his effort bounce wide of the far post. It was a warning to the Ducks, but one they either didn't or couldn't heed. A few minutes later full-back Kieran Cooper burst forward, skipping past a few challenges before unleashing a shot which was also narrowly wide of Grantham's right-hand post. Two minutes later, however, the visitor's defences were breached following a left-wing corner, met by the head of Dan West, sending the ball flying past the keeper into the net. 1-0. 
Milton sensed blood and immediately had Aylesbury on the back foot again. Only a minute after going in front they almost made it two when Liam Palfreeman's vicious effort hit the underside of the bar and bounced clear. The Duck's reprieve, however, was short-lived. A minute later, still under the cosh, they conceded a penalty. Louis Joyce duly slotted home the spot-kick and the visitors on home soil, were 2-0 up.
Aylesbury tried to respond and won a free-kick just outside the penalty area and towards the right corner of the box, after 20 minutes. David Lynn curled it over the wall but saw his strike crash off Matt Crowther's left-hand upright. To be fair, the goalkeeper did appear to have it covered. Good effort from Lynn nevertheless. Aylesbury had at least steadied the ship after conceding twice in a short period. Aside from Lynn's effort though, they had not forced Crowther into a save until just before the half-hour when Brayden Daniel jinked his was across the face of the 18-yard area before letting fly. Crowther gathered with ease but it was, at least, a shot on target for Aylesbury. Daniel had looked to be one of the brighter sparks for Aylesbury so far and I knew I had seen him play before. I was only after I consulted my notes later that I realised he had played for Oxford City Dev. at Shipston Excelsior back in October, a game that BotP was present at (Shipston Move Ever Upward).
Despite Milton still looking the livelier of the two sides and generating a few more half chances, there was no more scoring in the first half.

HT Milton United 2 Aylesbury United 0. A high-tempo, dominant display from Milton who restricted their higher-placed opponents to just a couple of strikes at goal, whilst maintaining a constant threat going forward. The question is, can they sustain the level of intensity in the second-half?

​Within the opening eight minutes of the second period Harry Thomas, Milton's left-winger, had two good opportunities. The first he squared when it looked as if he should have gone on and shot himself. The second time he did manage to get a shot off but the ball went over the bar. The answer to my half-time question, at this point, would have been yes, they could maintain the pace. However, the game had a slightly different feel to it. In the first half Milton had harassed and harangued Aylesbury into mistakes. In the second half, The Ducks began to make a few mistakes without quite the level of pressure from Milton players. Just before the hour mark, one such mistake, presented Milton with the opportunity to go further ahead. A telegraphed attempted pass out of defence was read by Joyce. He took the ball forward before squaring to Ollie Nadin who took a touch and fired high past Grantham. 3-0
As with the goals in the first half, this strike sparked some activity from The Ducks. Two minutes after going three down they had a second effort on target when a cross from the left was met by the head of Feyi. Once again, it was easily fielded by Crowther. The ball, whoever was soon back down the other end. Substitute Cam Mills got his head to a cross and, when the ball slipped through the hands of Grantham, was unlucky to see it hit the bar and bounce away. His disappointment didn't last too long. A minute later he was played in by a lovely through ball from Bloomfield before sliding the ball past the onrushing Grantham to make it 4-0.
The game, as a contest, was over but Milton were not finished. With 72 minutes played they made it five when Thomas latched onto a loose headed ball back to the keeper, before squaring for Ollie Nadin to side foot in the fifth. 5-0
With fourteen minutes left on the clock, Aylesbury finally gave their travelling support something to warm them up on this chilly evening. A cross from the left was again the source of the threat. This time the cross found Justin Dass at the far post and he, in turn, found the opposite corner with a low strike. 5-1. The goal gave The Ducks a little bit of impetus and a few minutes later Crowther was forced into a good save to prevent substitute Rocko Tamplin from further reducing the deficit. That save proved to be the catalyst for a further Milton raid down their left flank with ended with the ball being fed into debutant James Smith who slotted home to make it 6-1.

FT Milton United 6 Aylesbury United 1. A comprehensive and thoroughly deserved victory for Milton against opposition from a higher league. Not even the most ardent Duck could complain about the result. In all fairness, Milton could have easily have gone into double figures, so dominant were they. I guess Aylesbury are far more concerned about staying in Step 4 than picking up a fifth Senior Cup.
Milton have no game at the weekend, presumably because of the Combined Counties sides who are still in the FA Vase. Their next game is on Tuesday, December 5th, when they travel to Scours Lane to face Reading City in the Challenge Cup. They recently defeated Reading 3-2 in a league game at The Heights. Meanwhile, Aylesbury welcome bottom side Kempston Rovers to The Meadow on Saturday, for a relegation six-pointer.

Milton United: Crowther, Copper, Sturgess, Moore(c), Lee, West, Nadin, Bloomfield, Joyce, Palfreeman, Thomas. Subs: Rowbotham, Organ, Smith, McKirnan, Mills
Aylesbury United: Grantham, Bewley, Bryan-Samuels, Wood(c), D.Feyi, Lynn, Daniel, Kalonda, Guthrie, Marsh-Brown, Dass. Subs: Afolabi, K.Feyi, Tamplin, Pearce, Callan

Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att: 
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: N/A

Due to an unforgivable oversight, I didn't include Stoneham's historic FA Cup game in last week's blog. My apologies. There's no excuse. As my American colleagues would say, I completely dropped the ball there. Heads would roll if it wasn't my own. Unfortunately, the SoReg involvement in the FA Cup is now over for the season but it was an eventful run for a few clubs.
Meanwhile in the league, Ascot maintained their position at the top of the Premier League, inflicting Woodley's biggest defeat of the season. Bournemouth Sports kept pace with a win against Wycombe. Penn smashed in eleven against Caversham with Henna Hussain adding four to her total before getting sent off. In the South, Portchester made it six from six in the league to keep the pressure firmly on Stoneham at the top.

​Women's FA Cup
Plymouth Argyle 4-2 AFC Stoneham
Sadly, Stoneham's record-breaking FA Cup came to an end in Devon on Sunday but there was certainly no disgrace in losing to a team 3 divisions higher. National League Plymouth, who smashed Ilminster Town 13-0 to get to this stage, had just a little too much for the Stoneham, but the Purps did the league proud with their display. Ellie Sara put Plymouth ahead on 10 minutes with Jemma Rose adding a second before the quarter-hour. In the second half Rosie McDonnell and Sara again, made the game safe. Stoneham kept battling away and grabbed two well-deserved consolations through Susani Lucas and Mia Delaney.

​Friday
NHDA Cup
Winchester City Flyers Reserves 1-7 Winchester City Flyers
You can't get any more local than this local derby. City's reserves got to test themselves out against their Premier League first team. Top scorer Annie Northwood helped herself to a hat-trick ably assisted with goals from Eliza Eaton, Emily McDonough, Jasmine Pearmine and Freya Thomas, as the first clocked up seven goals, four in the first half.

​Ascot United 4-1 Woodley United
Woodley suffered the backlash from Ascot's first league defeat the previous weekend as the Yellawomen got back to winning ways in some style. Sarah Leonard opened scoring early on, Philippa Holden doubled it midway through the half. Alixandra Todd's goal just before the break gave Ascot a three goal lead. Shortly after half-time Holden scored her second and Ascot's fourth before Sajunae Turner scored a consolation just before the end. Both sides were then reduced to 10 late on when Gemma Sims and Izzy Woods clashed. Read the full match report on the Ascot United website. We are all also, once again, indebted to the fantastic Andy Wicks for capturing the match action for us.

Bournemouth Sports 3-1 Wycombe Wanderers
Liane Folkenstern was on the mark again, following on from last week's six goal haul in the cup. Becky Miles was also back on the scoresheet with the third Sports goal coming from an own goal. Emma Newberry got a consolation for the Chairgirls just after the hour mark but it was not enough.

Warminster Town 3-0 Badshot Lea
The Baggies managed to keep Town top-scorer Mia Blazey off the scoresheet, but couldn't prevent her being involved in all three goals as Warminster made it two on the bounce and a second consecutive clean sheet. Millie Spratt opened the scoring after 30 minutes. Then Poppy Wannell added two more inside two minutes around the hour mark to secure the victory.

Winchester City Flyers 1-2 Eastleigh
An early strike from Sarah Bradshaw and another from Farrah Thompson early in the second half, gave Eastleigh a first league win since mid-October. A run of four defeats ended. Flyers, boosted by a Friday night cup win against their reserve side, remain just above Badshot Lea, although The Baggie shave a game in hand. Eliza Eaton scored for them but it was not enough to earn anything from the game.

​Chesham United Development 3-0 Beaconsfield Town
United clocked up their first clean sheet of the season as they made it eight league defeats in a row for The Rams. It was goalless at the break but top scorer Katie West finally broke the deadlock for the home side. Emma Nolan doubled the lead shortly afterwards and then added another to put the game beyond the visitors.

Eversley & California P-P Ascot United Reserves

Long Crendon 1-0 Milton United
It was back to winning ways for Long Crendon after last week's reversal at home to Penn & Tylers Green. Brooke Burns grabbed the decisive goal ln a tight contest. Despite the win, Long Crendon dropped a place to third after Wycombe's u23 bettered their goal difference with a win at home to Abingdon. Once again we have to thank Wings Media for capturing some excellent photos in very testing conditions.

Penn & Tylers Green 11-1 Caversham United
The Goats fell to their biggest defeat of the season as Penn clocked up double figures at French School Meadow. Henna Hussain had a 32 minute spell she won't forget in a hurry, scoring four times and then getting sent off. That's twenty for the season now, an average of two per game. Liberty Dieppe, Ellie Ludgate-Williams and Chloe Robinson had put Penn 3-0 up before Charlie Kirk pulled one back just before the half-hour. However, two from Felicity Gates another from Ludgate-Williams and a last minute Holly Wyncoll strike, completed the misery for Caversham.

Wycombe Wanderers u23 4-2 Abingdon United Development
A second win in a row for Wycombe that helps them leapfrog Long Crendon into second place on goal difference. Elena Mitchell had them in front after 15 minutes before Mikaela Slaveykova equalised for United in the second half. Almost immediately, Amaya Navarro restored Wycombe's advantage and, ten minutes later, Shannon Read added to her tally to make it 3-1. Mimi Hodges then grabbed her customary goal to make it interesting for the last ten minutes. However, Ammara Qureshi secured the victory with a goal two minutes from time.

County Cup
Eversley & California P-P Southampton PGA u21

​AFC Portchester 6-0 Bournemouth Sports Reserves
There's just no stopping this Portchester side in the league this season. Game number six signalled win number six as Portchy scored six without reply. Ella Wilson hit two goals, Paula Taylor was on the mark, as was Aimee Hall-Guy and, of course, both Eilidh Currie and Charmaine True got their names on the scoresheet.

Abbey Rangers 0-1 Havant & Waterlooville
Jodie Burchell proved to be Abbey's nemesis again. Havant's leading scorer, who scored the winner in a 2-1 home win earlier in the season, was on the mark in the 60th minute to give The Hawks their first league win in four outings. Abbey's mini-revival was also brought to an end after they had won their last two games in all competitions.

Rushmoor 2-4 Woking
The Cardinals made it six league games without defeat despite having to overcome a comeback from Rushmoor. Helen Ogle put Woking ahead after only three minutes and when Trudy Bryan-Kerr doubled the advantage eight minutes later, it looked like the points were in the bag. However, Rushmoor got a goal back through Iona Quinn in the 16th minute and then equalised just past the midway point of the half with an own goal. Ogle then edged the Cards back in front before Gaby Hobday put them two goals clear again before the break. With no more scoring in the second half, the points were safely in the bag for Woking leaving Rushmoor still searching for a first league win since September. Read the match report on the Woking web site.

​Premier League
Bournemouth Sports v Winchester City Flyers
Despite being in second spot, Sports remain the only unbeaten team in the top flight, five points behind the leaders but with two games in hand. They can keep up the pressure with a win over second-bottom Flyers this weekend. The 2-1 defeat at home to Eastleigh at the weekend was the fourth league defeat on the bounce for Flyers. Earlier in the season two Becky Miles goals gave Sports a 2-0 win at Winchester.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL.

Warminster Town v Wycombe Wanderers
The 3-0 defeat of Badshot Lea gave Warminster their second win on the bounce at the weekend, following their 1-0 defeat of Ascot in their previous game. They'll be looking to continue their progress against a Wycombe side who were beaten by Bournemouth Sports on Sunday. The teams played out a 2-2 draw back in September, Charlotte Hill giving Wycombe the lead before Mia Blazey and Rebecca Snelling put Town in front at the break. Katie Riddington levelled it  up just after the hour mark.
Weymouth Street, Warminster BA12 9NS

Division One North
Ascot United Reserves v Penn & Tylers Green
Two sides who come into the game on the back of recent big wins, both against Caversham. 
When they met at French School Meadow in October, goals from Felicity Gates, Henna Hussain and Ellie Ludgate-Williams were enough to overcome United, who hit a single reply through Mya Bowler.
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ

Caversham United v Beaconsfield Town
A first meeting for these two. United will be looking to drag themselves off the foot of the table by getting at least a point from this one. Town have only won once this season and are coming into this one on the back of eight consecutive league reversals. So, they will also see this game as an opportunity to put some open ground between themselves and the bottom two. It may be still fairly early in the season but this is a real six-pointer.
Mapledurham Recreation Ground, Upper Woodcote Road, Mapledurham, Reading RG4 7LD

Division One South
Fleet Town v Bournemouth Sports Reserves
After drawing their first game of the season Fleet have yet to register any more points in the six games since. Bournemouth had taken seven points from nine before their 6-0 defeat at Portchester last weekend. This came on the back of an 8-0 defeat at Southampton in the cup. They'll be looking to get back to winning ways to stay in contention near the top of the table. This is the first meeting of the teams this season.
Crookham Road, Fleet GU51 5FA

Rushmoor v Abbey Rangers
Both sides lost at home last weekend and will be wanting to 'get back on the horse' as soon as possible. They have already met at Addlestone Moor, back in October when a flying start from Rangers, three goals in the opening 14 minutes, set the tone for a 5-2 home win. Last season, in this fixture, two from Ella Maclellan and another from Bethany Sanders, gave Rangers a 3-2 win.
Southwood Pavilion, Grasmere Road, Farnborough GU14 0LE

BBFA County Cup
Milton United v Milton Keynes Dons SET
There's something poetic about a clash between two Miltons. It's a tough ask for United who will know that MK Dons SET have, in recent years, put 6 past Long Crendon and 17 past Penn & Tylers Green. United's defeat at Long Crendon last Sunday was their first in four games. So, will this weekend it be Paradise Regained or Paradise Lost?
Milton Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB

Hampshire County Cup
Southampton v AFC Stoneham
The Division One South leaders, after their FA Cup exploits, face another tough task as they travel to National League Division One South West outfit, Southampton. Having already put up a very good fight against a Premier League side, Stoneham will, no doubt, be relishing this giant-killing opportunity. Southampton have lost their last two league games, 6-1 and 9-0 but, sandwiched between these, did put five unanswered goals past Bitton in the FA Cup. This could well be a fascinating match-up.
Venue: Southampton FC Women RTC Academy

League Cup
Badshot Lea v Woodley United
After league defeat for both sides last weekend, the League Cup will come as a little bit of relief, especially to The Baggie, who have been on a very difficult run in the league. They have already met once in the league, at Bulmershe back in early September. Sarah Lawrence and May Hamblin scored for Woodley, Emily Foss for Badshot Lea, as United ran out 2-1 winners.
Operatix Community Ground, Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4PF

Eversley & California v Eastleigh
Let's hope this game goes ahead. Eversley have only played five games all season and have seen their last four get postponed. Still without a league point, they'll relish a cup game as a little relief. However, they probably wouldn't have wanted a draw against a Premier League team. Eastleigh currently sit fourth after an inconsistent start to the season. Goals have been difficult to come by but, in contrast, they also don't concede too many.
ESA, Fox Lane, Eversley RG27 0NS

Havant & Waterlooville v Abingdon United Development
South versus North. The Hawks, currently third in their league, welcome Abingdon's Dev. team to Hampshire. United are mid-table and having an up and down season. No shortage of goals scored but they concede a few too. Top scorer Mimi Hodges has 15 goals in 11 games so far. The Hawks top markswoman is Jodie Burchell with 5 in her 10 games. Havant don't score as many as Abingdon, but have also only conceded 5 at home so far.
Westleigh Park, Havant PO9 5TH

Kidlington v Oxford City
An interesting local derby with the lower ranked team having home advantage. Kidlington are still top of Division One North and have won five of their last six league games. Last time out they put six past another local rival, Banbury United. Oxford are mid-table in the Premier League with a perfectly symmetrical record, won 3, drawn 3, lost 3.
Exeter Park, Crown Road, Kidlington OX5 1AB

Long Crendon v AFC Portchester
Two of this season's form sides, albeit in different divisions, go head to head on Sunday. Portchy's defeat at Bromley in the FA Cup was the only time this season that they have not won, in any competition. Long Crendon's biggest worry in this game may be their home form. They have only lost three games all season but all three have come at The Rec. However, no other team in the division can better their average goals conceded record. It will be interesting to see how Crendon's defence deal with Portchester's potent attacking force.
Long Crendon Recreation Ground, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon HP18 9BS

Woking v Ascot United
The Cards are now unbeaten in all competitions since mid-September's 2-0 defeat to Portchester. They will be very keen to test themselves out against the current leaders of the Premier League. Ascot bounced back from their unexpected defeat at Warminster by beating Woodley 4-1 at the weekend. Prolific scorers at home, Ascot have only managed two goals on the road so far. The Cards, however, have only managed one home clean sheet this season.
Eastwood Leisure Centre, Albert Drive, Sheerwater, Woking GU22 5RF

After the weather put paid to my trip to a North Bucks game last weekend, I thought I'd try again this weekend, especially as two of the clubs I had on my list last week were scheduled to face each other, Silverstone v Padbury.
Silverstone is, of course, much better known for motor racing than football. The world-famous Silverstone Circuit is only a kilometre South of the village centre. Personally, I've never really got the bug for motor sports and, although it's close to home, I've never watched a race at the circuit (although I did run the half-marathon there a few years ago). The circuit has a capacity of 160,000, a little larger than Silverstone FC's Church Street home. I guess the thousands who flock to watch Formula 1 would think that my hobby of watching 22 blokes kick a ball around a damp field, is the stranger of the two.

The Ground
Silverstone's ground is part of the Silverstone Recreational Association complex just to the North of the village. It's the home of the village cricket team, has a couple of tennis courts, a kid's play area and, of course, Silverstone FC. There's a good-sized car park adjacent to the main building which incorporates the changing rooms and the village hall. The village hall building is currently undergoing considerable renovation, although the main club room and toilets were still open.
The football pitch is located at the far end of the field, beyond the cricket square and wedged in between Silverstone Brook and open farmland. It may have been a chilly day, but the bright blue skies and sunshine made for a beautiful location for a football match.
There's not too much in the way of features around the ground. There are dugouts on the brook side of the ground but no spectator cover or seating areas, unless you include the bench, also on the brook side. The pitch is pretty well flat but, after recent weather, was wet in places and proved to be a difficult surface for the players.

The Background
Neither of these teams were in the Premier League last season. This is Padbury's first season back in the North Bucks League since the 2018-19 season when they finished 11th in Division Two. Silverstone came back up to the Premier League after winning the Intermediate League last season. That came after they had spent four seasons outside the top flight, since dropping out in 2019. Neither team have won the North Bucks Premier League in the past (although the historical records are incomplete, so maybe someone will tell me otherwise). A team from Silverstone has won the title. Back in 1961 Silverstone British Legion were champions. Padbury United (related to the current team?) have won the title twice in consecutive years, 1998 and 1999.
At the start of play Padbury were sitting just outside the top two, in fourth spot and only one point behind Great Linford in the promotion places. Silverstone were in the drop zone, having collected six points, three points adrift of safety. However, they had only played six games, one fewer than the team directly above them, Newport Pagnell Athletic, and four fewer than MK Wanderers in ninth, who were only there points ahead.
Many thanks to referee Gavin Smith for sharing the team sheets with me.

The Game
The teams had very contrasting preparations for the game. When I arrived Padbury were already out running through all sorts of drills and warm-ups. Silverstone appeared ten minutes before kick-off for their warm-up and team talk. However, once the game kicked off Padbury, giving a debut to a very nifty blue change it, were the ones who seemed under-prepared. Silverstone went at them straight from kick-off with the visitors struggling to get a grip on the game.
There minutes in, Silverstone were rewarded for their quick start. Some great work down the right led to a cross into the six-yard box where Drew Mitten was on hand to expertly apply a volleyed finish. 1-0
The goal was no more than the home side deserved but it was tempered somewhat by their goalkeeper, Tom Kennard, going down and delaying the restart. The keeper had gone down initially after seeming to slip when making a clearance. There was a long delay before he finally got to his feet and the game could restart, with Kennard obviously still not comfortable.
A few minutes later Padbury broke down their left. Kennard was quickly off his line to thwart the attack but clearly aggravated his injury in the process. It was not looking good but, with no substitute yet available (at least one player was en-route apparently), he had no choice but to try to continue. Clearly not mobile and certainly not in a position to get across his goal at all, Silverstone had no choice than to close ranks in an attempt to protect their stricken stopper.
Padbury, of course, smell blood and push forward looking for a quick equaliser. That really should have come their way in the 12th minute when, from a corner, Dan McAndrew, unmarked, headed over when he really should have hit the target.
Despite being at a disadvantage and needing to defend quite deep, Silverstone also showed that they could still pose a threat. Halfway through the first period the captain, Joe Carter was sent free on the right but, when a shot looked to be one, chose to square the ball and the opportunity was lost.
The change of goalkeeper was finally made when  substitute Kierut Sidhu arrived. However, this did mean an outfield player taking over between the sticks. As I found out later, Tom Kennard had snapped a hip flexor. Best wishes to Tom for his recovery. 
Silverstone were having to defend with everything they had, marshalled expertly by John Vint. There were a number of excellent interceptions and last ditch blocks that helped to keep Padbury at bay for well over half an hour. However, it couldn't last forever and, on 34 minutes, the visitors got back on level terms. A free-kick inside their own half was played short to Scott Brigginshaw. His ball towards the far post was contested by a group of players and, when the ball dropped, Tom Marshall was on hand to lash it home. 1-1.
Padbury went looking for the goal to take them in front and, three minutes from half-time, it arrived when a deep corner from the left was volleyed goalward by Dan Chittenden. In the ensuing scramble Jordan Tavener prodded the ball home to make it 1-2. There were numerous vocal calls for a handball from the home side but there referee was having none of it. Impossible to say from my vantage point with so many bodies in the box.

HT Silverstone 1 Padbury Village 2. I must admit that I found myself feeling for Silverstone at half-time. Starting the game with no substitutes available, taking the lead and then losing their goalkeeper, they had fought tooth and nail to stay to the game. The two late goals from Padbury were deserved on the balance of play but it did feel hard on Silverstone.

​There was a feeling of inevitability about the second half, even before the game restarted. Padbury were going to go all out for more goals and Silverstone were going to have to defend for much of the 45 minutes, hoping to catch their visitors out on the break.
However, no manner of heroic defending could have staved off Padbury's third goal, after 51 minutes. Dale Butler collected the ball some 35 yards out, saw the keeper off his line, and fired an inch-perfect effort sailing into the net. A goal that required both excellent vision and plenty of ability. 1-3
Padbury were now piling on the pressure. A corner from the right wasn't cleared properly and only a brave defensive block prevented Marshall's volley from finding the net. Maybe that provided a little inspiration because, two minutes later a rare Silverstone attack saw Liam De'ath do well to round Jude Murphy in the Village goal only to see his effort, from a tight angle, headed away for a corner.
That came on 55 minutes and, two minutes later, as if to quash any thoughts of a comeback, Padbury increased their lead. A Luke McAndrew shot was again well blocked but this time the loose ball fell invitingly to Butler who made no mistake to make it 1-4.
Once again, just after the hour, Silverstone tried to rally. A free-kick played into the area was met by a looping header from Mitten which evaded both goalkeeper and defenders before nestling in the back of the net. 2-4. For a brief moment, Silverstone had their tails up and were looking for another goal when, once more, Padbury put them to the sword, killing off their hopes ruthlessly. Once again, no level of defending was stopping this one. If Butler thought he had already scored the goal of the game, he was wrong. Step forward Luke McAndrew who stepped onto a ball out on the right and hammered an absolute screamer across the goalkeeper into the top corner. 2-5.
That was the final nail in the coffin as far as Silverstone's resistance was concerned. It was now a case of trying to keep the score down as much as possible as Padbury continued to go for goals. Tavener flashed a ball across the box that no-one could get a touch to but, with seven minutes remaining, Dale Butler completed his hat-trick, turning sharply on the edge of the box and firing in off the inside of the post. 2-6. Thee minutes later Matt Exton almost got in on the act when his effort crashed against the underside of the bar and away to safety. However, there was to be a seventh. Right on the 90 minute mark another substitute, Danny Fasolo, was on the end of a flicked on corner to tap home and make it 2-7

FT Silverstone 2 Padbury Village 7. A comprehensive victory for Padbury after Silverstone shocked them early on. The home side, to be fair, never gave up despite the considerable odds stacking up against them. In the end, they were beaten by an utterly ruthless Padbury team that, once they got going, never let up.
The result sees Padbury jump up to third, still a point behind Great Linford who also won. Silverstone remain in the bottom two but are stil only there points shy of MK Wanderers who have played four more games, so no need to press the panic button just yet.
Next weekend Silverstone face a tricky looking test away at fifth placed Great Horwood. Padbury can do them a favour as they welcome MK Wanderers to the village. They have already won 1-0 at Kents Hill earlier in the seaosn, thanks to a goal from Dale Butler.

Silverstone: Kennard, Davis, Giles, Vint, Carter(c), White, De'ath, Leese, Shepherd, Mitten, Smith. Subs: Sidhu, O'Neil
Padbury Village: Murphy, Brigginshaw, L.McAndrew, Hickey, D.McAndrew, Heritage(c), Tavener, marshall, Chittenden, Barry, Butler. Subs: Saltzer, Bones, Vacher, Fasolo, Exton

Ground Number: 389
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

The story of this past weekend has to be Warminster Town's excellent 2-0 defeat of Ascot United. Town, who had only won once before Sunday, were taking on the undefeated league leaders but scored a goal in each half to record a superb three points.
Elsewhere, Liane Folkenstern must take centre stage after scoring all six of Bournemouth Sports goals in their 6-0 win at Moneyfields Reserves. She becomes the third SoReg player to core a double hat-trick this season, after Annie Northwood and Ellie White. Kidlington were back to winning ways in the cup. Penn & Tylers Green edged the big league match at Long Crendon and Woodley went out of the County Cup to Milton United's FA Cup conquerors, New Bradwell St Peter.

​Warminster Town 2-0 Ascot United
Ascot finally lost their unbeaten record as Warminster picked up only their second league win of the season. Top scorer Mia Blazey did the damage scoring early on in the first half and soon after the break to secure the points. That's seven for the season for Blazey. The result lifts Town above Winchester and into seventh spot, five clear of the bottom.

Thursday evening
Penn & Tylers Green 3-7 Maidenhead United
Liberty Dieppe and two more from Henna Hussain could not prevent Penn & Tylers Green from going out of the Combined Counties Cup to a very strong Maidenhead United team who play two leagues higher. Penn took the lead early on but Town stormed back through Aleasha Lunn and Macey-Nikiah Walters to lead 2-1 at the break, despite Izzy Stockton having a penalty saved. Sarah Thompson made it three before further goals from Gemma Luke, Charlie Potter, Emily Norfolk and Walters again.

Sunday
​Abingdon United Devleopment 3-2 Beaconsfield Town
Mimi Hodges was on the mark again to give United a 1-0 lead at the break. Violet Kingston-Wheeler then levelled it up before Hodges got her second just before the hour mark. Kingston-Wheeler thought she had snatched a pint when she equalised with five minutes to go but Nina Maitliss hit the winner just two minutes later to give the points to Abingdon.

Ascot United Reserves 8-3 Caversham United
Eight may be a lucky number in parts of Asia, but it' not so for The Goats. For the third time this season they shipped eight goals in a match a Mya Bowler hit four aided by Louise Pullen, Olivia Mansell, Millie Bilcliff and Olivia Darke. Credit to Caverhsam who kept going and managed to hit three goals of their own in the second half through  Ashton Downey, Kate Stewart and Caitlin Levy.

Chesham United Development 1-4 Wycombe Wanderers u23
Katie West hit her twelfth goal of the season in the third minute to give Chesham the lead. Elena Mitchell equalised on the half hour and that's the way it stayed until the second half. Three minutes in Tegan Condra pout the Chairgirls in front before Shannon Read added to her tally just past the hour mark. With four minutes remaining Mitchell grabbed her second and Wycombe's fourth.

Long Crendon 0-1 Penn & Tylers Green
Hanna Hussain's sixteenth goal of the season was the difference between the sides in what was a very tight game. The visitors took the points despite Evie Matthews seeing getting two yellow cards. Penn are now nine points adrift of Kidlington with five games in hand. Long Crendon are six behind the leaders with two in hand. 

​Berks & Bucks County Cup Quarter Final

Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Abingdon United
Wycombe acquitted themselves well against the National League opponents. The game was still goalless at the break before Molly Carter put the hosts in front. They held the lead until 12 minutes from time when United hit them with two late goals to progress. Watch the pitch-side video on the Wycombe X feed.

Woodley United 0-2 New Bradwell St Peter
The Petes proved to be the bane of the Southern Region again. The side who put Milton United out of the FA Cup went one better by disposing of Premier League Woodley on the County Cup. Kelly Evans gave the visitors the lead before the break and, early in the second period, Cara Brooker doubled their advantage. Goalkeeper Shayla Burgess had an absolute blinder by all accounts. Read the full match report from Wanderin Tractor. You can also see the match action captured by Andy Wicks Photography.

Capital Women's Cup (Intermediate)
Regents Park Rangers 2-4 Abbey Rangers
Madison Light and Maria Arestivo scored for regents Park. However, it was Abbey's Carla Hobbs who took the spotlight, hitting the net four times to send Rangers through to the next round.

Welling United 2-5 Woking
A real game of two halves. Welling led 2-0 at the break through Carly Gray and Kate Doherty. However, after making changes at half-time, Woking stormed back to score five unanswered second half goals. Trudy Bryan-Kerr notched a brace whilst Gracie Price, Helen Ogle and Sheena Nicholl were also on the mark for The Cards. The match report can be found on the Woking web site.

League Cup
Fleet Town 1-5 (1-3) Rushmoor
Rushmoor flew into a three goal lead in this one, scoring three times in thirteen minutes. Cristina Paulinho scored after 3 minutes, quickly followed by Megan Simpson-Howells and Milly Crane. Teyla Poulter pulled a goal back for Town halfway through the half but Simpson-Howell and Emma Mutch wrapped it up for Rushmoor in the second half.

Oxfordshire FA Women's Cup
Kidlington 6-1 Banbury United
Kidlington got back to winning ways in this Oxfordshire local derby. Two goals from Olivia Thacker and one each from Courtney Sumner, Kiera Isaac, Lauryn Cripps and Abi Haynes were more than enough to see off Banbury United. Former Carterton striker Zoe Pugh scored the consolation for The Puritans.

Tower Hill 2-4 Oxford City
Faith Kingdon and Stephanie Ferreira put City two up at the break. Despite goals from Kerry O'Connor and Abigail Greenway for Tower Hill, Kingdon's second and another from Summer Major, saw Oxford safely through to the next round.

Women's Senior Cup
Eversley & California P-P Southampton FC PGA u21

Havant & Waterlooville 5-2 Winchester City Flyers
Millie McNamara put The Hawks in front after 5 minutes only for City's top scorer Annie Northwood to level it up six minutes before half-time. However, Havant took control in the second half. Megan Gratton made it 2-1, then Chloe Dark and Emily Wernham gave the home side an unassailable lead. Northwood pulled one back in the final five minutes but still Havant had the last word when Jodie Burchell scored in added time. Photographer Dave Haines was on hand to capture the action.

Moneyfields 4-1 Eastleigh
An early goal from Beth Burgess set Moneyfields on their way before Gemma Simmonds made it 2-0 after 19 minutes. Just before the break it was pretty much game over when Kau'Inohea Taylor made it three. Catherine Browning did get a goal back for Eastleigh in the 80th minute but, two minutes later, Burgess hit her second and Money's fourth.

Moneyfields Reserves 0-6 Bournemouth Sports
Sports came out on top in this South coast encounter, thanks largely to Liane Folkenstern. The Sports sharp-shooter hit all six of Bournemouth's goals, four of which came in the first half. This the third time this season that a Southern Region player has scored a double hat-trick. Check out the table below that shows all three-goal (and above) hauls this season.

Southampton Reserves 8-0 Bournemouth Sports Reserves
While the first team were winning 6-0 Sports Reserves were taking a bit of a beating at the hands of much higher-ranked opposition. Southampton Reserves, who play in the National League Reserve Division, notched up eight goals, six of which were scored by Olivia Payne. Olivia Glover and Danielle Kjaer added the other two goals.

Friday 24th November
NHDA Cup
Winchester City Flyers Reserves v Winchester City Flyers (20:05 ko)
An interesting draw in the North Hants Cup as Flyers play Flyers. The Reserves, drawn at home, currently sit bottom of the Hampshire County League Division 1 but, to be fair, have only played two league games. In the same time they have played six other or cup games, winning five of them.
Winklebury Way, Basingstoke, Hants RG23 8BF

Sunday 26th November - 2pk ko unless stated

Premier
Ascot United v Woodley United
Both sides were beaten 2-0 at the weekend. Woodley in the Cup and Ascot, for the first time this season, in the league. Ascot's defeat means that both Woodley, in third, and second placed Bournemouth Sports, can now catch Ascot at the top if they win their games in hand. Ascot are still unbeaten at home whilst Woodley are unbeaten on the road.
The Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ

Bournemouth Sports v Wycombe Wanderers
Sports are now the only unbeaten team in the Premier League and on a run of three wins in all competitions following their FA Cup exit at Keynsham in October. Last season the teams met three times. Both league encounters went the way of Sports, 1-0 at Burnham and 3-0 at Chapel Gate. However, Wanderers did win 1-0 at Bournemouth in the League Cup, Esmee Sword scoring the winner with 15 minutes to go.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL.
​
Warminster Town v Badshot Lea
After pulling off the result of last weekend, Warminster will be looking to make it back to back wins as they welcome the basement side, Badshot Lea, to town. It's only been a month since the sides met in Wrecclesham. That day goals from Louise Hiett, Mia Blazey and Madeleine Brown gave the visitors a 3-0 win. The Baggies should be fresh having not played since the 4-0 defeat to Oxford City at the end of October.
Weymouth Street, Warminster BA12 9NS

Winchester City Flyers v Eastleigh
Something of a local derby as Eastleigh make the 9 mile trip up the M3 to Winchester. Flyers are looking for a first win in five (unless they beat the Ressies on Friday night). Eastleigh have themselves not won since mid-October when  they beat Badshot Lea 2-1. The sides met at the Oasis Academy back in September with a second half Hannah Chalk goal enough to give Winchester all three points.
Charters Community Stadium, Hiller Way, Winchester SO50 7SU

Division One North
Chesham United Development v Beaconsfield Town
The last three games for Chesham pretty well sum up their season. A 4-1 win, a 1-1 draw and 4-1 defeat. The Rams meanwhile are looking for a first win in eight league games after losing to a late Abingdon goal at the weekend. When these two met in October at Holloways Park a Katie West hat-trick helped Chesham to a 4-2 victory. Beaconsfield will be looking to their top scorer, 8 goal Grainne McNally, for inspiration.
Chiltern Hills Academy, Chartridge Road, Chesham HP52 2RG

Eversley & California P-P Ascot United Reserves

Long Crendon v Milton United
Milton's draw against Chesham last weakened means that they are now unbeaten in three league outings. However, having only played five, they are still in the lower half of the table. Long Crendon, who had been on a roll, had their wings clipped at home to Penn & Tylers Green last Sunday. That saw their three game winning run come to an end.
Long Crendon Recreatoin Ground, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon HP18 9BS

Penn & Tylers Green v Caversham United
The Goats conceded eight for the third time this season last weekend. So, not a particularly good time to be facing the league's top scorer, Henna Hussain. The Penn striker has now scored 16 goals in 9 games, including 6 in her last two league outings. Penn are defending a 100% home record and will be looking to close the gap further on leaders Kidlington.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

Wycombe Wanderers u23 v Abingdon United Development
These two met on the opening day and, after being all-square at 1-1 after 45 minutes, Mimi Hodges went to work in the second half, hitting a hat-trick and helping her team to a 5-2 victory. However, Wycombe have only lost twice since that day and now find themselves third in the table. They also have, in Shannon Read, a striker who is only two goals behind Hodges in the charts having played a game fewer.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG

County Cup
Eversley & California v Southampton PGA u21
A welcome distraction from the league for The Boars as they welcome Southampton's u21 side to Fox Lane in the Hampshire County Cup. Both teams were given byes in Round 1. Eversley have only played one game in November after their previous two matches were postponed. Hopefully they'll be back out on the pitch this Sunday.
Fox Lane, Eversley RG27 0NS

Division One South
AFC Portchester v Bournemouth Sports Reserves
Bromley became the first team this season to find a way to beat Portchy last weekend. However, they still go into this game defending a 100% league record. This one could be a tough test for them. Sports have taken seven points from their last three league outings, a run that has seen them jump to second in the table. Portchester's 21 goal forward line of Eilidh Currie and Charmaine True will be looking to add to their tally.

AFC Stoneham P-P Fleet Town

Abbey Rangers v Havant & Waterlooville
Rangers have won their last two games, one in the league and one in the cup, both coming away from Addlestone Moor. They face a Hawks team who, after a good start, have stuttered a little in the league of late. They did, however, have a good cup victory  last weekend and will be given confidence by the knowledge that they have already beaten Abbey earlier in the season. Goals from Chloe Dark and Jodie Burchell helped the Hawks to a  2-1 victory.

Rushmoor v Woking
The 5-1 League Cup win at Fleet last weekend was Rushmoor's first win since September and will give the side a much-needed boost before the visit of a Woking side who are unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions. Last season this fixture was decided by a single Becca Duncan goal that gave Rushmoor the points.
​

There was no midweek football for me again this past week. However, I was presented with an opportunity to get to a game on Saturday instead. Having decided on a local match, I narrowed it down to a choice of two North Bucks matches, Silverstone v Hanslope or Padbury Village v Olney. Not being able to decide between them, I put a poll on X which attracted way more attention that I was expecting. Padbury eventually came out on top but, both games were affected by the heavy rain. Silverstone was of completely whilst Padbury's game had to be switched to Olney's East Street ground. Having already made my mind up to visit a new ground today, I discounted this one because I have been to Olney a couple of times before. So, I had to find another local game that had beaten the weather. There were plenty choose from but the one that caught my eye turned out to be the closest game to me. I wasn't sure it was going to be on so, armed with a list of backup locations, I set out for Chesterton, home of the Bicester Sports Association playing fields and, since the sad closure of Oxford Road, also the home ground of Bicester Town Colts. They were scheduled to play a Charity Cup game against Witney & District side Enstone Sports. Thankfully, upon arriving at the ground I could see the teams out warming up. The rain had, temporarily, stopped and the game was on.

​The Ground
Bicester Town Colts currently play at the BSA grounds on Green Lane in Chesterton, just outside Bicester. The sports ground is sprawling and plays host to multiple sports including cricket and football. There's a good sized car park adjacent to the L-shaped pavilion which houses the changing areas as well as a small hall and the toilets. There is a covered porch area that runs around the 'L' which has benches under a shelter. 

You could, at a push, watch the game from under this cover. Bicester's  home pitch is i towards the furthest perimeters of the ground, wedged in by tress behind one goal, a hedge, separating it from other pitches, behind the other and a grass bank on the far side. The other side, designated for spectators by the respect barrier, is open. The most noticeable thing about the ground is its proximity to the M40, which is little more than a hoofed clearance away. The road noise is a loud and constant companion to matches at this ground.
However, the pitch has no slope and looked to be in pretty good condition. It certainly seemed to have drained quite well given the amount of recent rain.
Thanks to referee David Evans for allowing me to photograph both team sheets before the game. Top man.

​The Background
This game was an Oxfordshire Charity Cup game, a trophy that has been contested for well over 100 years and is currently held by Garsington. Colts have not won the trophy before. However, today's opponents, Enstone Sports, have lifted the trophy twice in their history, in 1998 and 2002. In order to get to this stage of the competition Bicester saw off Premier League opposition in Summertown Stars, winning 2-0. Enstone beat fellow Witney & District Premier league side Stonesfield by 4-1, despite having already lost 5-1 at home to the same side in the league. In fact, Enstone's league form ahs not been good at all. They currently prop up the division with three points from their six outings. Top scorer (according to Full-Time) is Reece Bayliss with four in three games. Oddly, Bayliss appears to be on the tram sheet as goalkeeper today.
Colts are sixth in the Oxfordshire Senior League Division 1 having picked up ten points in seven games. They have three players sharing the top scorer title at the moment, Nick Christodoulou, Ronnie Montague and Alfie Wright, all with five goals. Although Wright has scored his in just four games.

​The Game
Thankfully the rain was still holding off when the game kicked off under leaden skies. Colts were the first to get a strike off in anger when Lennon Parkin's second-minute strike hit the side-netting. However, Enstone looked very lively and certainly didn't have the look of a side struggling at the bottom of their league. Nathan Bott's free-kick on six minutes was hammered into the wall and didn't threaten Stuart Dutton, but it was just one example of the visitors pushing Bicester backwards at the start of the game. Consequently the opening goal, scored by Colts on ten minutes, came against the general run of play. Captain Elliot Hale made the goal with his vision and passing ability, threading a delightful ball between defenders to set Jamie Lumsdale loose on the left-hand edge of the box. Lumsdale took the chance first time, looping a shot over Bayliss into the far corner. 1-0
Undeterred by going behind, Enstone tried to hit back almost immediately and only an excellent last ditch block from Jamie Lewis, throwing himself in front of Jordan Godfrey's goal-bound shot, prevented Sports from levelling it up within three minutes of conceding. Then, from the resulting corner, Nathan Bott rose highest but saw his header crash against the bar.
The game had now opened up and was swinging from one end to the other. Korben Morris hit a dipping volley from just outside the box that didn't really worry Bayliss too much before, on 26 minutes, Parkin's delightful ball into the six yard box was inches from being converted by Reuben Mitchell.
With ten minutes remaining in the half Mitchell came close again after being put through on the right before skewing his shot into the side-netting thanks to some good pressure from a covering defender. However, two minutes from the interval Mitchell became provider, sliding a lovely ball in behind the defence for Lennon Parkin's perfectly times run. As Bayliss came off his line the striker slid the ball under him to make it 2-0.
There was still time for the visitors to hit the woodwork again when Liam Harris, who had been a constant threat to the home defence, was sent through on goal down the left side. His drive beat Dutton but clipped the outside of the keeper's right-hand post and went wide. Maybe a little unlucky but it was the sort of chance that needed to be taken to get Enstone back into the game. On the balance of play, that would have been something they deserved.

HT Bicester Town Colts 2 Enstone Sports 0. A very decent half of football. Enstone looked the better side for the first twenty minutes but found themselves a goal down. After that the game was far more even. Both home goals were scored thanks to excellent through balls that split the Enstone defence.

​In the early stages of the second half Joe Pridmore tried a free-kick from all of 35 yards that, to be fair, didn't go over Bayliss's bar by too much. Then, ten minutes in Enstone came close to getting a goal back. Warner-Carter with the telling pass that gave Shane Probbitts a sight of goal only for his effort to come back off the woodwork again. The third time in the game that the visitor's had hit the post or bar. They need not have been too disheartened though. Five minutes later the game changed completely. An Enstone corner from the left was mat, once again, by the head of Nathan Boot. This time the ball was arrowing into the top corner before Korben Morris intervened with his had. Penalty to Enstone and a red card for the Bicester number 6. Nathan Bott took the kick himself to make it 2-1.
Enstone went in search of the equaliser. On 76 minutes Fred Booker's run gave him a glimpse of goal but his effort was just wide of the mark. To minute's later James Little had the ball in the home net only for the assistant's flag to cancel it out, much to the ire of the visitors. Sports only had to wait a further minute before they were back on level terms. A free-kick delivered into a a dangerous area was met by the head of Dan Bott giving Dutton no chance. 2-2
With five minutes remaining the visitors could have pulled off a great turnaround when Rhys Warner-Carter volleyed goalward but Dutton was well positioned to make a comfortable save.

FT Bicester Town Colts 2 Enstone Sports 2. Over the course of the game a draw after 90 minutes was probably a fair result. The penalty and red card defeinitely became a turning point in the game but, even before then, Enstone had done enough to deserve something from the game. Great entertainment for a neutral despite the rain starting to pour late in the second half.

Penalties
Ronnie Montague for Colts. Scores. 1-0
Nathan Bott scores for Enstone. 1-1
Joe Pridmore scores for Colts. 2-1
Dan Boot for Enstone. Saved by Dutton. Still 2-1 after two each.
Josh Patrick makes it 3-1 Colts
Reece Bayliss for Sports, scores. 3-2
Reuben Mitchell for Colts. 4-2
Dan Newman has to score. He does, just. Dutton almost kept it out. 4-3
Harry Baker to win it. Scores. 5-3

If you want to catch either of these sides in action. Colts are at bottom side Garsington Reserves on the 25th. The reverse fixture ended 3-2 to Bicester. Enstone travel to second placed Hook Norton who have already won 3-2 at Enstone back in mid-October.

Bicester Town Colts: 1.Dutton, 5.Baker, 2.Pridmore, 3.Lewis, 7.Montague, 6.Morris, 8.Hale(c), 4.Lumsdale, 14.Parkin, 10.Wiltshire, 15.Mitchell. Subs: 12.Bushay, 9.Patrick, 11.Freeman, 16.Breslin, 17.Chiverton
Enstone Sports: 1.Bayliss, 2.Ladbrook, 8.N.Bott(c), 4.Newman, 7.Little, 6.Watts, 14.D.Bott, 5.Kemp, 11.Harris, 10.Probbitts, 9.Godfey. Subs: 13.Cozier, 3.Booker, 12.Phillips, 15.Warner-Carter, 16.T.Bott

Ground Number: 388
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

No, not a new band or even the UK Eurovision entry for next year. Rather, a reference to the three remaining SoReg teams left in the FA Cup this past weekend. Top mention has to go to AFC Stoneham who made the long journey to Sticker in Cornwall and returned with a 4-0 victory, progressing to the Second Round draw. Massive shout out to Purps top scorer Chloe Melton, who hit all four of the goals taking her season total to 19 in just 11 games. Honourable mentions also to Woodley United and AFC Portchester who, although both went out, can hold their heads high in the knowledge that they left everything on the pitch in defeat.
Meanwhile, in the league, Henna Hussain single-handedly shook up both the league table and the top scorer table with a five goal haul against table-toppers Kidlington in Penn's 7-3 victory.

​
Bromley 3-2 AFC Portchester
A rip-roaring cup tie that swung this way and that before the home side snatched it in added time. Portchester took the lead in the first half through Eilidh Currie, and held onto it until the break. Ten minutes after half-time Beth Hull equalised for Bromley. With 11 minutes remaining Charlotte Lee then put the home side 2-1 up only for Portchy to hit back through El Williams. Then, two minutes into added time Beth Hull hit her second, and what proved to be the winning, goal.
You can read all about it in the AFC Portchester Match Report or check out the Bromley Matchday VLOG. For photos of the game, and most of Portchy's matches, follow @LindsayHyde1 on X.

Sticker 0-4 AFC Stoneham
This game was still goalless with 8 minutes to go until half-time. However, that was just the precursor to the Chloe Melton show. The Stoneham hot-shot put her side in front after 37 minutes and then, a minute into added time, doubled the lead. Her hat-trick was completed five minutes into the second half. Just past the hour mark, with the game looking safe, Melton added hers and Stoneham's fourth of the day to see them safely into the hat. Stoneham will be heading West again in the Second Round as they travel to either Plymouth Argyle or Ilminster Town.
​
Woodley United 0-4 Oxford United
A bold effort from Woodley as they held off National League Southern Premier side Oxford United for close to half an hour. Zoe Barratt then put Oxford ahead with Jenna Legg adding a second four minutes before the break. Woodley never gave up the game but a quickfire double just past the hour, first from Barratt again and then from Sarah King, secured Oxford's place in the hat for Round 2. Read the match report on the Oxford United website and check out the fabulous photo coverage from Andy Wicks Photography.

Badshot Lea P-P Bournemouth Sports

Oxford City 1-1 Eastleigh
Amber O'Reilly scored late in the first half to give Eastleigh the lead in this one. The Spitfires so nearly held out for all three points before the league's top scorer, Ellie White, popped up four minutes into added time to rescue a point for Oxford.

Warminster Town P-P Wycombe Wanderers

Winchester City Flyers 0-1 Ascot United
A third 1-0 victory on the trot for league leaders Ascot United. They were made to work for this one by a determined Flyers team who, ultimately, couldn't find an answer to Laura Moss's second half strike. Read the match report on the Ascot United website.

Abingdon United Development 2-4  Ascot United Reserves
Level at 1-1 after 45 minutes, this game took off in the second period with Ascot coming out on top. Ruby Herring and Mimi Hodges were on the mark for Abingdon. Two from Mya Bowler plus goals from Millie Bilcliff and Hannah Sheehan secured the points for the visitors.

Beaconsfield Town 1-3 Long Crendon
Long Crendon cranked up the pressure on the leaders with a good three points away at Beaconsfield. Grainne McNally was once again on the score sheet for The Rams, her eighth of the season. It was all square at the break, however, Two from Tara Woodward and a sixth of the season from Eleanor Lovelock saw Long Crendon through to victory.

Eversley & California P-P Caversham United

Milton United 1-1 Chesham United Development
Chesham top scorer Katie West was on the mark midway through the first half to give her side a 109 lead. However, four minutes before the break Jessica Exell levelled it up for Milton. That's the way it stayed as the sides fought out a hard-earned point each, maintaining their respective unbeaten runs.

Penn & Tylers Green 7-3 Kidlington
Henna Hussain took centre stage as Penn ended Kidlington's long winning streak in some style. Liberty Dieppe gave Penn an early lead but then Hussain took over, scoring five times. Rebecca Stopforth also added a goal of her own along the way. Kiera Isaac and two from Olivia Thacker formed the Kidlington response as Penn kept the league's top scorer, Courtney Sumner, quiet.

Bournemouth Sports Reserves 1-1 Woking
Woking generated plenty of chances in this game but ultimately there was nothing between the sides. Emily Phillips put Sports ahead in the 13th minute with a quick counter-attack. Just before the half-hour mark Helen Ogle was in the right place to equalise for The Cards. There were chances at either end towards the end of the game but no more scoring. Read the full (and excellent) match report on the Woking Web site.

Fleet Town 3-5 Abbey Rangers
Fleet rattled in three goals in a game for the first time this season but still found themselves on the wrong side of the result as Rampant Rangers hit five. Molly Greenaway, Heather McCabe and Teyla Poulter were the Fleet scorers. Lauren Timbrell, Carla Hobbs, Leah Robertson, Beth Easterman and Jessica Tripp were on the score sheet for the visitors.

Havant & Waterlooville P-P Rushmoor

Premier League

Warminster Town v Ascot United
The only game in the Premier League this weekend sees leaders Ascot looking to extend their lead at the top to eight points as they travel to second from bottom Warminster Town. The reverse fixture was only played at the end of October and was the last time Warminster played after their game with Wycombe was postponed. That day as single Sarah Leonard goal was enough to edge the Yellawomen to all three points.
Weymouth Street, Warminster BA12 9NS

Division One North
Abingdon United Development v Beaconsfield Town
United lost to Ascot Reserves at the weekend, a result that created a gap between the bottom three (including Beaconsfield) and the rest of the division. The Rams are now seven points adrift of Abingdon, having played the same number of games, making this something of a must win if they want to stay in touch. The reverse fixture, played in October, was all-square at the break but goals from Mimi Hodges, Georgia Taylor and Nina Maitlis saw United secure a 4-1 victory.
Northcourt Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1PL

Ascot United Reserves v Caversham United
The Yellawomen Reserves secured a very valuable three points last weekend with a 4-2 at Abingdon. This will be the first meeting between the sides this season after the reverse fixture was postponed. The Goats are not having the best of seasons, losing a number of players to injury and yet to secure a point in the league. A win for Ascot could see them climb as high as fourth, depending on other results.
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ

Chesham United Development v Wycombe Wanderers u23
Wycombe had a weekend off last Sunday whilst Chesham were securing a good point at Milton United. Coincidentally, Milton were also Wycombe's last opponents, edging a 3-2 victory at the Heights, despite more goals for both Ammara Qureshi and Shannon Read. Chesham have only lost one at home this season and that was on the opening day when Long Crendon beat them 5-3. 10-goal Katie West will be a threat to the Wycombe back-line.
Chiltern Hills Academy, Chartridge Road, Chesham HP52 2RG

Long Crendon v Penn & Tylers Green
Long Crendon have won their last three games. At the weekend their 3-1 win at Beaconsfield saw them move to within six points of Kidlington with three games in hand. That lead was cut at the hands of Penn, who smashed seven past the leaders, five of which were scored by the league's new leading markswoman, Henna Hussain. Both league meetings between these sides last season ended in draws, 0-0 at French School Meadows and 1-1 back at Chearsley, when Amber Cattell scored for Crendon and Henna Hussain for Penn.
Chearsley Road, Long Crendon HP18 9BS

Berks & Bucks County Cup Quarter Final
Milton United v MK Dons SET
United become the third Division One North side to come up against MK Dons SET in recent years. Last season MK put 17 past Penn & Tylers Green. They got through to this stage of the competition with a 6-0 win at Long Crendon last month. Milton progressed to this stage with a home walkover over Caversham United.
Milton Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB

Wycombe Wanderers v Abingdon United
Wanderers disposed of Penn & Tylers Green in the last round, setting up a tricky looking tie with last season's Premier League champions, Abingdon United. The Yellows have acquitted themselves well in the National League, currently in fifth place having won five of their eight league games. Wycombe themselves are on a good run having not lost a league game since the opening day.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG

Woodley United v New Bradwell St Peter
United come up against East Midlands Division 1 side New Bradwell, who earlier in the season put Milton United out of the FA Cup, a game that BotP witnessed (United Fail Three Petes Challenge). Since gaining promotion to the Premier Division, Woodley have only lost one league game. The Petes, despite their various cup successes, are yet to win a league game, although they did get a creditable draw with third-placed Stamford last time out.
UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3HE

Capital Women's Cup (Intermediate)
Regents Park Rangers v Abbey Rangers
Greater London Premier League side Rangers are yet to win in their league and are five points adrift of safety, although they did take a pint against 7th placed Camden Town two weeks ago. Abbey's 5-3 win at Fleet on Sunday lifted them into mid-table but they have played more games than the teams below them. Carla Hobbs and Lauren Timbrell have scored exactly half of all Abbey's goals this season.
London Marathon Pavilion Queen Elizabeth Walk, London, Greater London Authority SW13 9SA

Welling United v Woking
The Cards travel to South-East London to take on London & South East Division 1 South outfit Welling who currently find themselves fourth in the table, despite a goal difference of -15. The Cards go into the game on a run of six unbeaten in all competitions, including four victories in that sequence. They don't score a huge number of goals but they don't concede either. In fact, they have the joint second tightest defence in the league so far.
Baldon Sports Ground, Eltham Palace Road, SE9 5LU

League Cup
Fleet Town v Rushmoor
A cup tie is exactly what these two sides need to give them a break from the rigours of the league. Fleet still only have a single league point, obtained on the first day. Rushmoor have not taken a league point since the end of September when they clocked up a second consecutive win with a 4-0 defeat of Fleet. One things is for sure though, there's never a dull game involving Rushmoor. 45 goals scored or conceded in seven games demonstrates that.
Crookham Road, Fleet GU51 5FA

Oxfordshire FA Women's Cup
Kidlington v Banbury United
Thames Valley side Banbury United make the short trip down to Kidlington hoping to bridge the one division difference between the sides. United haven't been having the best of seasons so far, having won just once in the league, a 3-2 away victory at Carterton. However, they have only failed to score once this season. Top scorer is former Carterton player, Zoe Pugh. Kidlington, despite losing at the weekend, remain clear at the top of Division One North and, of course, have 13-goal Courtney Sumner leading their line.
Exeter Park, Crown Road, Kidlington OX5 1AB

Tower Hill v Oxford City 13:30
There's a three division gap between these sides but Tower Hill have been having a superb season and currently sit six points clear at the top of Thames Valley Division 3 West having played eight and won eight. Top scorer Talane Smith has smashed in 16 goals in 8 games so far. Oxford, of course, have their own hot-shot, or should I say hot-shots, in 14-goal Ellie White and 12-goal Emily Harris. With that sort of strike power on show from both sides, this one has goals written all over it.
West Witney Sports Club, Witney, Oxfordhire OX29 0NB

Women's Senior Cup
Eversley & California v Southampton FC PGA u21
The Boars will welcome a break from the league, in which they are yet to take a point in five games.

Havant & Waterlooville v Winchester City Flyers
An all Southern Region tie that sees The Hawks of Division One South play host to Premier League Winchester. Three consecutive league defeats have seen Havant drop to fourth, although they are still performing well in the first season at this level having leapt several division in the process. Winchester's season has been mixed. Their current run of four defeats in all competitions came on the back of a run of three consecutive wins. Striker Annie Northwood is averaging a goal per game for Flyers whilst Havant have two players on 4 goals, Jodie Burchell and Emma-Jane May.
Westleigh Park, Havant PO9 5TH

Moneyfields Reserves v Bournemouth Sports
Sports, who have been having a great season so far, get to test themselves against National League Reserve South West side Moneyfields. Moneys have only won once in the league so far and that came on the road. Sports are unbeaten in the league and have lost just once, an FA Cup exit at Keynsham Town. Becky Miles leads the way in the scoring charts with 6, but their 17 goals have been spread across 9 players, showing they pose a threat across the entire team.
Venue: Moneyfields Reserves Women

Southampton v AFC Stoneham
The Purps may be flying high in Division One South and be the last Southern Region side left in the FA Cup, but this is a tough one for them. Southampton Women ply their trade in the National League Division One South, alongside last season's SoReg Premier winners Abingdon United. They've only won one in seven in the league but are also into the next round of the FA Cup after winning 5-0 at Bitton. Stoneham have lost only once in all competitions this season.
Test Park Sports Ground, Southampton, SO16 9JX

Southampton Reserves v Bournemouth Sports Reserves
A proper South Coast Derby. Southampton Reserves play in the National League South-West Reserve Division and are currently fourth in the table, although they have played more games than any other team in the division. Their last three games have seen them win, lose and draw (not in that order). Bournemouth Sports Reserves are sitting second in their league, just three points adrift of AFC Stoneham. The Purps were the last team to  beat them, In early October. Since then they have won two and drawn another.
Test Park Sports Ground, Southampton, SO16 9JX

Note: With both Southampton teams drawn at home, these games with either be staggered or one of the teams will play elsewhere. Venue/time to be updated when known.

Moneyfields v Eastleigh
Whilst their Ressies take on Bournemouth Sports, Moneyfields first team are also drawn against a SoReg Premier outfit in Eastleigh. It's fair to say that the Spitfires' season has not managed to take off yet although they were unlucky to miss out on three points last Sunday when a 94th minute Oxford City equaliser denied them the win. Moneys are on a run of three wins and a draw in their last four, most recently a 7-3 defeat of Ashford Town in the FA Cup. Strikers Kau'Inohea Taylor and Charley Wilson-Wilton have 27 goals between them already this season.
Moneyfield Avenue, Portsmouth, PO3 6LA

This weekend I was already planning to head back to the Midlands to drop my dog off at Mum's in lieu of yet another day out at Alton Towers on Sunday. Thinking that I could possibly get to a match on my way home I came  across a fixture that really caught my eye. Dudley Kingswinford v Punjab United in the West Midlands Regional League Division Two. Not only was this game taking place less than 5 minutes from my Mum's house, it also had a number of personal connections that made it a must visit. First of all, I was born in Dudley and grew up in Kingswinford. The Dudley Kingswinford name and the famous (in the West Midlands at least) pale blue and dark blue colours were well known to mw throughout my childhood, although in those days they were only really associated with the rugby club. Of course the DK Running Club has also become well known over the years, the hooped vests being prominent in any events in the Midlands. These weren't my only connections to DK or to this particular game though. Back in my youth when I played in local leagues I definitely played against Punjab United in one of their guises. Possibly their Saturday team but certainly their Sunday side in the Wolverhampton Sunday League. One of the teams I played for also trained at DK for a while. My best mate had his wedding reception at the club and, just to top it off, I once played in a charity game for Stourbridge against Wolves All Stars. Captain of Wolves that day was one Jody Craddock, now coaching the DK team which includes his son, Luke. Reason aplenty to check this game out.

​The Ground
Dudley Kingswinford FC play at Heathbrook, a multi-sport facility predominantly used by DK Rugby Club. It is also base of the DK Running club and now, DK FC too. There's a large car park at the club, which is just as well on days such as today when the rugby club have a home fixture too. It's very well marshalled from the entrance to parking spot. For access to the football ground they take your fee as you come in and give you a ticket that shows you have paid. The football pitch is situated behind the main rugby grandstand, accessed via a path between the stand and the clubhouse. Obviously, this is Step 8 football and the club is not yet well established. Therefore the football facilities are not up to the splendour of the rugby ground. There's not too much to talk about in the way of features. There are two metal-framed dugouts on the near side of the pitch, although neither has a roof yet and the seating is plastic chairs. There is a respect barrier on the far side where the spectators can congregate. There's no cover or hard-standing. The pitch looked a little on the heavy side, not that surprising given the time of year and recent heavy downpours. Although, in general, it looked in pretty good condition.

​The Background
Prior to kick off The teams sat in tenth and fifth place respectively, having both played ten games. DK had yet to win a home game and had just 8 points. Punjab were nine points better off  and only 8 points adrift of the leaders, Oldbury United.
Home points may have been in short supply for DK but there had certainly not been a dearth of entertainment and incident in their games. A total of 69 goals had been either scored or conceded by DK, 36 of which had come in five games at the rugby club. Their last game at home had been a 5-5 draw with Stourbridge Standard. DK had also seen 4 red cards already this season. However, Punjab could top that goal-scoring record. A total of 64 goals in their ten games, scoring 37 and conceding 27, including 46 goals scored or conceded in their six away games. Between them, the two sides also had two of the top there in the individual goal-scoring charts, Sam Hill for DK and Punjab's Elliot Penberthy.
The sides had already met at The Cottage ground back in October. Penberthy with a hat-trick and a goal from Mario Mendez had cancelled out Sam Hill's brace and Jack Hardeman's goal to give United a 403 win. Jake Broome saw red for DK

​The Game
Sadly I haven't been able to get hold of team sheets, so I had to combine some detective work at the game with the FA Full-Time lists to attempt to match some names to shirt numbers. Of course, I will be happy to edit the blog at any point should I get a copy of the team sheets.

Punjab made the brighter start but there wasn't too much in it and neither team posed too much of a goal threat for the first 15 minutes or so. However, that was all to change later.
The first real sign of what was to come came in the 20th minute when Zach Lamb and Sam Hill combined brilliantly down the left to ultimately put Lamb in on goal. The winger made no mistake, drilling a low shot past the keeper into the far corner. 1-0. The goal came slightly against the general run of play but DK would not mind that. A minute later they almost doubled their lead as United appeared a little shell-shocked from the goal. A through ball saw the Punjab keeper racing off his line but it was Sam Hill who reacted quickest managing to get a strike off even though he was outside the box and out on the right side. Unfortunately for DK the ball struck the foot of the far post and rebounded away to safety. The goal, however, had noticeably altered the balance of play and it was now DK who were holding the upper hand. The link up play between Lamb and Hill was causing the Punjab defence all sorts of problems. However,, almost out of the blue, a long punt forward from Punjab saw the ball bouncing up inside the home penalty area. Two players plus the goalkeeper challenged for the loose ball with Punjab striker Elliott Penberthy seemingly getting a show in the back in the process. Penalty! David Meese stepped up to take it, scoring low to the keeper's right. 1-1.
Once again the momentum of the game swung. Punjab went from being on the ropes to pushing their hosts backwards and, on 35 minutes, they went in front. A corner from the right was met by the head of one of Punjab's central defenders. The effort was punched up in the air by the DK keeper but, as it dropped, Meese was on hand to slam a volley back past everyone into the net. Great finish. 1-2
The lead lasted no more than a minute as DK went straight back up the other end and conjured up a lovely equaliser. Zach Lamb was the architect and executioner, cutting in from the left, showing some very nifty footwork to wriggle into the box before sliding a shot under the keeper. 2-2
Three minutes later the fifth goal inside twenty breathless minutes went in and it was DK again, taking the lead for the second time in this topsy-turvy affair. A long ball left the Punjab defence appealing for offside but DK's number 8 had timed his run to perfection down the right. As the keeper came off his line to narrow the angle, 8 slipped the ball selflessly inside for Sam Hill to notch his second and DK's third of the day. 3-2

HT Dudley Kingswinford 3 Punjab United 2. A very quiet opening 20 minutes in terms of goal scoring opportunities, but then the game burst into life. A real see-saw half and, no doubt, more to come in the second 45 minutes.

​Punjab mustered the first chance of the second period when Walker saw his goal bound header hacked off the line at the far post. However, it DK who really should have extended their lead and possibly put the game to bed after 56 minutes. Excellent vision from their captain Ross Gwilliam set their newly introduced substitute free down the right flank. His square ball for Hill in the box was perfect but the striker's slightly under hit and hesitant finish gave the Punjab keeper the merest of chances to get to the ball which he took well, pulling off an excellent save. In all fairness, he shouldn't have had a sniff of it. A great save but a massive let off for United.
Hill needn't have worried too much though. Four minutes later Gwilliam was at it again. Another inch-perfect through ball down the left and, when the ball was cut back, Sam Hill smashed it home to make it 4-2.
There was, however, no let up in the incidents. Just past the hour mark Punjab had not one, but two penalty shouts inside the space of ten seconds, the second of which the referee was about to give until he saw that the assistant's flag had already been raised for an earlier offside. It didn't deter United and with 23 minutes remaining they , once again, hit back. A tempting free-kick swung in from the left glanced off the head of Leon Owen-Salmon, looping over everyone into the far corner. 4-3.
Again it looked as if the momentum might swing. Punjab had their tails up. A minute after getting the goal back their number 8 fired a drive across the face of goal as they searched for an equaliser. Then their number 7 played in a lovely cross that Penberthy headed narrowly wide. It looked as if another equaliser might be coming United's way but SK had the perfect antidote. They went up the other end and restored their two goal lead. Punjab's keeper made a great initial save but, when the ball was hacked clear it only went as far as number 10 who returned it with a superb dipping trike that rattled the underside of the bar and bounced out, only as far as captain Gwilliam who was on hand to nod it home. 5-3
Game over? Well, not quite because Punjab weren't going to lay down that easily. With six minutes of normal time remaining they got the difference back to one again. A delightful lobbed ball over the defence from Mario Mendez set Elliot Penberthy free on goal. He calmly slotted the ball past the keeper to make it 5-4.

With nine goals already scored, I'm not sure anyone watching would have put money on the score remaining the same for the final 6 minutes plus added time, but that's what happened. DK shut up shop to claim their first home win of the season.

FT Dudley Kingswinford 5 Punjab United 4. I'm not sure that either coach would agree with me, but absolutely top notch entertainment in my book. Two fully committed sides who both went flat out to win the game. You can't ask for much more than that.
Dudley Kingswinford climb to ninth and put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three. Punjab drop to sixth after Wombourne All Stars won at Kidderminster Harriers Reserves.
Next weekend DK have no game but Punjab travel to Northfield Town in a Birmingham Vase match. Both sides are back in league action on the 25th. DK welcome Kidderminster harriers Reserves to Heathbrook, looking to make it two on the bounce at home. Punjab host 11th placed FC Premair, looking to bounce back into contention at the top end of the table.

Dudley Kingswinford (alphabetical): Barratt, 4.Batham, 3.Craddock, Crampton, 7.Gwilliam(c), 9.Hill, Hardeman, 11.Lamb, Wilks, 2.Hiscox, Parker. Subs: Bull, Edney

Punjab United (alphabetical): Hanson-Singh, Kular, 16.Meese, 8.Mendez, Singh Rai, Sangha, Sanghera, Shearer, Singh Cheema, 2.Walker, 10.Bhandal,17.Penberthy(c). Subs:Haughton, Morgan, Owen-Salmon, Singh Dosanjh


Ground Number: 387
Att: 
Entrance: £4.00
Programme: N/A

Having been on a mini European tour for my wife's birthday celebrations (thank you Maastricht and Lublin), it had been a couple of weeks since my last midweek match. I decided against a match on Tuesday evening, instead banking on the weather being ok for the Leicestershire & Rutland Senior Cup tie between AFC North Kilworth and Medbourne on Wednesday. Having seen Kilworth lose at Ellistown in September (Ellistown Hit Rich Seam Of Form), I had been looking for an opportunity to visit South Kilworth Road. I'd never seen Medbourne play before either, so this looked to be an ideal match. Thankfully the weather started to clear up from lunchtime onwards and Kilworth had tweeted that the pitch looked in good condition, so it was game on and time for the short(ish) trip North to Leicestershire.

​The Ground
It was only after I re-read this next sentence that I realised how confusing it sounded, but I left it in for amusement. North Kilworth Sports Club is situated on South Kilworth Road just South of the village of North Kilworth. 
The Sports Club plays host to the village cricket team and has tennis, five-a-side and netball facilities on a floodlit 3g surface, as well as the multiple football pitches. The car park is quite small but the marshals at the entrance, who also took payment and handed out the excellent programme (see below), directed cars onto grass adjacent to the car park and behind the second pitch.

The clubhouse is situated next to the car park and also houses the changing facilities. There is a patio area outside the club, directly behind one of the goals. The playing area is completely surrounded by a smart, new-looking, white metal fence. Looking from the car park and clubhouse end, there is a small, covered spectator stand to your left, set back slightly from the fence around the half way line. The right-hand side is open to the second pitch and the cricket square. the dugouts are also on this side of the pitch. There is a slight slope back towards the car park end.
It's a tidy looking ground that seems to have had some money spent on it in recent years. My only (small) gripe would be that the team sheets are not displayed anywhere that I could see.

​The Programme
Included in the cost of entry to the ground, the Kilworth matchday programme can only be described as excellent in my opinion. A glossy outer cover and 16 pages inside with all of the normal features, league tables, squad lists, recent match report, message from the manager etc. There are also a couple of additional articles,  in this case a topical Guy Fawkes item and a nice sporting knowledge quiz. When you bear in mind that the club was playing in Division Two of the Leicestershire Senior League (effectively Step 9) just two seasons ago, this is a superb effort.

​The Background
Despite playing in the Northants Combination League, Kilworth's visitors Medbourne are Leicestershire-based and, therefore, qualify for the Leicestershire FA competitions. The Senior Cup has been running since 1887-88 and was initially won by Shepshed. The current holders are Ashby Ivanhoe who beat Lutterworth Athletic 3-1 in last year's final.
North Kilworth progressed into the second round of the Senior Cup with a 4-2 penalty win over Uppingham Town, after the sides battled out a 2-2 draw. Medbourne were 2-1 winners at Cottesmore.
Respective league form for both teams has been mixed so far this season. Although, having said that, it is worth remembering that both of these teams were playing a division lower last season. Kilworth finished third in Division One, missing out on a second consecutive tile only because they were deducted three points. Medbourne were second in the Northants Combination Division One. 
Kilworth are currently sitting ninth in the Leicestershire Senior League 
premier Division after a recent dip in results. They've not managed to win in any competition (aside from the penalty shootout against Uppingham) since beating Thurnby Rangers 3-1 towards the end of September. Medbourne are also on a sticky run of form. Their last win came on October 7th when a Will Arnold hat-trick gave them a 3-1 victory over Heyford Athletic.

​The Game
Medbourne in their change kit of orange shirts, kicking down the slight slope, certainly started the better of the two sides. Inside the first minute they broke down their right getting in a good cross that was met by Dominic Page at the far post. the header, under pressure, went over but it was a warning to Kilworth that the visitors meant business.
This was emphasised in the second minute when another Medbourne attack led to a bit of a scramble in the penalty area and claims from the orange shirts that an arm had been used to block a shot. The referee agreed, pointing to the spot.
Captain Jack Burrows stepped up and duly dispatched the spot-kick to give Medbourne an early lead. 0-1
After the goal the visitors continued to look the more threatening of the teams but, steadily, Kilworth began to get a foothold on the game. Kilworth always had to be aware of Medbourne's pace on the break, especially down the left where Terry Falcini was their constant go to route.
It was still 20 minutes before the hosts managed anything like a serious threat and even then it could only be classed as a half-chance when their number 7 got off a shot that was deflected safely into the arms of James Hurrell. Halfway through the first period, with the sides now looking far more closely matched, Killy produced a move that put Number 7 in the clear. However, he miscued his shot which went wide of the mark. At the least he should have tested Hurrell.
With ten minutes remaining, Kilworth got themselves back on level terms. Number 10 broke through the middle of the park and after drawing the defender to him and seeing Hurrell coming off his line, he unselfishly laid the ball square for Reece Hookday to slot into an empty net. 1-1
The closest either team came to going ahead after that came in the 43rd minute when Medbourne's Danny Wright glanced a header just wide of the post from a left-wing corner.

HT AFC North Kilworth 1 Medbourne 1. A very lively start from the visitors but Kilworth managed to play their way back into the game. After 10 minutes or so it has been a fairly even contest. The pace of Falcini on the left has been the main threat from Medbourne.

​Both sides looked to gain an early second-half advantage but neither managed to stretch the opposition goalkeeper. Ten minutes into the second period Killy's 7 was sent free down the right with the Medbourne defence out of position and an overload in the centre in favour of the attacking team. However, 7 took the wrong option in going for goal and the opportunity was wasted. Just before the hour mark, the same Kilworth player, who had squandered a first-half chance as well, let his frustrations boil over after another dubious refereeing decision went to Medbourne. To be fair, there referee had let a few things go and made one or two strange decisions that had increased frustration on both sides. Killy's 7 was the first to voice these though and it earned him a sin-bin.
With the hosts a man light for ten minutes, Medbourne set about taking advantage, and it didn't take long at all. A minute after the sin-bin they went back in front. An excellent left-wing cross from Sam Edwards found Callum Watts bursting into the area. His controlled, first-time volley took the ball past the keeper for 1-2.
North Kilworth managed to stem any further flow from Medbourne until the 75th minute when the visiting captain had the opportunity to put the game to bed. A cross from the right found him lurking at the far post. His volley, admittedly not an easy one, flew just wide of the mark and Kilworth lived to fight another day. That proved to be something of a turning point because four minutes later the hoe side were back on level terms after being awarded a penalty for a trip. Hookway stepped up and slotted the ball past Hurrell. 2-2.
The goal sparked a reaction from the home team who went in search of the winner. They were unsuccessful. However, the second half incidents were not yet complete. Right on the 90th minute a long ball from inside the Kilworth half turned the Medbourne defence. Jordie Burke who, up until that point had been superb for the visitors, could do little more than make a late challenge which had little chance of getting the ball. Clearly a foul. However, there as a least one defender covering and the foul was well outside the box. Plenty for the striker stil to do. Clear goal-scoring opportunity? Not in my book. A harsh red in my my mind but the referee saw it otherwise, dispatching the Medbourne defender to the changing rooms.
Medbourne saw out the resulting free-kick and the final minutes of added-time with no more real incident. We were going straight to penalties.

FT AFC North Kilworth 2 Medbourne 2. Good powers of recovery from the hosts, coming back from a goal down twice to level it up. Medbourne will be kicking themselves for not closing the game out but a draw was probably indicative of the overall game.
Apologies for the lack of player names, especially for AFCNK. If I do get a team sheet, I will update the blog accordingly.

Penalties

• Kilworth 9. Scored low to the Hurrell's left. The keeper almost kept it out. 1-0
• Burrows for Medbourne. Already scored from the spot but blasted this one over. 1-0
• Kilworth 8. Saved by Hurrell. 1-0
• Abbott for Medbourne. Saved 1-0
• Kilworth 4. Scored. 2-0
• Falcini for Medbourne. Scored. 2-1
• Three pens each, Kilworth 12 next to take one. Saved. Still 2-1
• Medbourne 13. Saved again. 2-1
• Kilworth 7 to win it. Scored, high to Hurrell's right.
• Kilworth win 3-1 on penalty kicks.

Want to catch either of these teams in action this weekend?
Kilworth in Premier League action at home to bottom side Ashby Ivanhoe Knights. Met first game of season at Ashby, Kilworth won 1-0 through a Reece Hookway goal. Medbourne are away at Woodford United in a Premier League Cup game. Tough game with Woodford currently third. In the league Woodford won 1-0 at Medbourne a couple of weeks back.

AFC North Kilworth(Alphabetical): Ellison, Garrard, Hookway, Marsden, Robinson, Sharpe, Storer, Sutherland, Wells, Weston, Williams. Subs: English, Fallows, Gaze, Millington, Nas
Medbourne: 1.Hurrell, 6.Abott, 8.Burrows(c), 17.Edwards, 23.Burke, 7.Carpenter, 3.Rose, 22.Page, 33.Falcini, 10.Watts, 9.Wright. Subs: Arundell, Clipston, Wellcome, Stirling, Wheeler.

Ground Number: 386
Att: 
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: Included in entry

This week we heard the sad news that both Eastleigh Reserves and Selsey Development have been forced to pull out of Division One South. It's always awful to see teams drop out of a league at any time. Our best wishes to all at both clubs. We hope to see you back in action soon.

Both Bournemouth Sports and Woodley United took advantage of Premier League leaders Ascot United's postponement by winning and closing the gap on the Yellawomen. Both chasing teams are now within a win of the summit with all three having played six games. In the North, the Kidlington Green Machine rolled on. A Courtney Sumner hat-trick helped them to a convincing 8-2 defeat of bottom side Caversham United. Long Crendon's win kept them nine points behind with three games in hand. Down South, Stoneham stayed top but are being pushed hard by Portchester who retained their 100% start to the season. Bournemouth Sports Reserves moved into third after edging a nine-goal thriller with Rushmoor.

​Badshot Lea P-P Ascot United

Bournemouth Sports 4-3 Oxford City
Emily Harris put City in front after 20 minutes, a lead they held until the break. Ten minutes after the break Hollie Shaw levelled it up and, three minutes later, Liane Folkenstern put Sports ahead. Harris then made it all-square again on the hour, only for Emma Davis to make it 3-2 two minutes later. With seven minutes to go Emma Acott gave Sports a two goal lead. Ellie Walecki got one back in the last minute, but it was not quite enough for The Hoops.

Woodley United 3-1 Winchester City Flyers
Sajunae Turner's strike just before the half-hour mark was the only goal of the first-half. Annie Northwood then equalised for Flyers before a breathless finish to the game. Woodley's Maddie Sawyer and City's Charlie Snelling saw red to add to five other yellow cards before Bonnie Messitt put Woodley ahead in the 90th minute and Katie Hudson added a third four minutes into added time. Match report from the Woodley Website.

Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 Eastleigh
A Keeley Fitzgerald strike put the visitors ahead just before the quarter-hour. However, a double burst inside four minutes from Amy Leach had Wycombe 2-1 up inside half an hour. That's the way it stayed until the 82nd minute when Katie Riddington made it 3-1. Kathryn Littleboy did pull one back last one but it was not quite enough for Eastleigh. The win lifts Wycombe above Eastleigh into fifth spot.
​Check out the match highlights from the Wycombe X feed.

​Ascot United Reserves 5-0 Beaconsfield Town
Millie Bilcliff set the tone after just four minutes, firing Ascot into the lead. Before half-time Hannah Sheehan, Olivia Mansell and then Sheehan again, gave the home side an unassailable lead. The Rams defence tightened up after the break but were unable to prevent Mansell adding her second and United's fifth with ten minutes to go.

Eversley & California 1-4 (0-2) Long Crendon
Eversley's bad start to the season continued with a 4-1 defeat at home to Long Crendon. Michelle Bailey took her total for the season to eight with a double strike. Amber Catell and Eleanor Lovelock were also on the mark. Macey-Nikiah Walters replied for The Boars midway through the second half.

Kidlington 8-2 Caversham United
The Goats managed to get around their injury woes to play for the first time for almost a month. However, they were put to the sword by a Kidlington side riding high on confidence and sitting pretty at the top of the league. Courtney Sumner hit a hat-trick to become the league's top markswoman, Abi Haynes, Emily Leak, Sara Pinna, Isabelle Thacker and Hannah Raja were also on the sheet. Caversham managed a goal in each half through Caitlin Wallace and the almost obligatory Caitlin Levy strike in the second period.

Milton United 3-2 Wycombe Wanderers u23
Milton were back on the pitch for the first time in over a month, but there was little sign of rustiness as they edged past an in-form Wanderers u23 team. Second half goals from hot-shots Ammara Qureshi and Shannon Read for Wanderers, their seventh and eleventh respectively, were not enough to cancel out goals from Amy Loveridge and a double from Kira Ranxha.

Penn & Tylers Green A-A Abingdon United Development

​AFC Portchester 5-0 Havant & Waterlooville
Neither of these sides had played for a couple of weeks but it was Portchy who managed to get back into the groove. Millie Bradbury put them ahead and then doubled her tally before the break. Charmaine True then scored from the spot before Sophie Bell and Eilidh Currie added the icing to the cake. Photographer Lindsay Hoyle was on the spot to capture some excellent actions shots. You can also read the match report on the AFC Portchester website.

Abbey Rangers 1-2 AFC Stoneham
Despite top of the table Stoneham taking the lead inside the first minute through Leah Webster, Rangers showed a lot of spirit to fight back, equalising through Carla Hobbs twenty minutes later. It stayed like that until the 76th minute when Susani Lucas hit what proved to be the winner for the Purps. Stoneham remain top of the table with a four point lead. Abbey sit seventh after a second consecutive defeat by the odd goal.

Bournemouth Sports Reserves 5-4 Rushmoor
These two just don't do boring. After Sports won 6-4 at Rushmoor earlier in the season, they fought out a real roller-coaster of a match on Sunday. Rushmoor took an early lead through Emma Mutch before Samantha Gubb and Ayuma Asira put Sports 2-1 up with a minute to go before the break. However, Natalie Washington levelled it up before half-time. Stacey Lewis then put Sports back in front just past the hour only for Lisa Cooper and Jenny Gillam to make it 4-3 to Rushmoor. That's the way it stayed until four minutes from time when Emily Phillips popped up with an equaliser and then, in the 90th minute, went on to score the winner.

Woking 4-2 Fleet Town
Fleet remain winless this season after going down to The Cards on Sunday. Charlotte Keenan gave Woking the lead on 20 minutes but this was cancelled out just before the break by Teyla Poulter. Sheena Nicholl, on as substitute, put Woking back in front after half-time before Helen Ogle increased the lead. Dorothy Lillian Usher then gave the visitors some hope before Nicholl made the points safe in the 75th minute with her second goal. Read the match report on the Woking website.

​FA Cup

Bromley v AFC Portchester
Currently second in their league, Division One South of the London & South East League, Bromley have a 100% record from their six games. They have scored 17 and conceded 1 in their three home games so far. They've already played three FA Cup games beating Sevenoaks Town 8-1, Welling United 6-0 and Selsey 8-0 to progress to this stage. Of course, Portchy also have a 100% league record and have also played three FA Cup games, winning 4-0 at Bemerton Heath, 1-0 at Premier League Eastleigh and 2-0 at home to Pucklechurch. This promises to be a fantastic tussle between two sides at the top of their game.
Hayes Lane, Bromley, Greater London Authority BR2 9EF

Sticker v AFC Stoneham
Despite only being in mid-table in the South West Regional Western Division, Sticker have played fewer games than the teams above them and have been flying in the FA Cup this season. They opened their cup campaign with a 7-0 win at RNAS Culdrose before putting twelve unanswered goals past St Agnes in the next round. Then, to get to this stage, they beat Frampton Rangers 3-2. They also have a 100% home record in both league and cup, winning five out of five. Stoneham have yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup, beating Rushmoor 8-0 and then Royal Wootton Bassett Town 1-0 in the last round. Sticker's 11-goal top scorer, Tori Marks, will put that record to the test.
Venue: Sticker Women Sticker

Woodley United v Oxford United
This has to be game of the day on Sunday and will certainly be one to remember for Woodley's Gemma Sims who used to play for Oxford and is still United's Women's General Manager. I saw the game referred to as the Gemma Sims Derby shortly after the draw was made. It's a big test for Woodley, who have made a brilliant return to the Southern Region Premier League and will, no doubt, be itching to test themselves out against national League opposition. Woodley's progress to this stage came via an 8-0 win at Buckingham united and a penalty shootout victory over Aylesford, after a 1-1 draw. Oxford are joining the competition at this stage and currently sit mid-table in the National League Southern Premier table.
UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3HE

League Games

Premier
Badshot Lea v Bournemouth Sports
Sports remain unbeaten in the league this season and with Ascot not playing, can go top of the pile with a win on Sunday. The Baggies are on a a really tough run of form, suffering seven consecutive defeats in all competitions, since their opening day victory over Winchester City Flyers. The one slight thing in Badshot Lea's favour is that their solitary victory did come at home.
Operatix Community Ground, Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4PF

Oxford City v Eastleigh
The reverse fixture from the opening day when Eastleigh ended victorious by three goals to one. However, City go into this one two places and two points above the Spitfires, who are on a run of three league defeats since their 2-1 win at Badshot Lea in mid-October. Oxford lost at Bournemouth last weekend but that was their first league defeat in five games. They are also the league's highest scorers with 22 goals so far, 16 of which have been supplied by the deadly duo of Emily Harris and Ellie White.
Marsh Lane, Marston, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 0NQ

Warminster Town v Wycombe Wanderers
All of Town's six points have come on the road and they have only scored once in three at home. Wycombe haven't lost a league game since the opening day defeat at Ascot. When the sides met earlier in the season Town came from a goal down to lead 2-1 at half-time.  Katie Riddington levelled it up just past the hour and that is how it stayed.
Weymouth Street, Warminster BA12 9NS

Division One North
Abingdon United Development v Ascot United Reserves
Back in early September these two met at The Racecourse Ground. Olivia Mansell gave Ascot the lead, cancelled out by Mimi Hodges on the half-hour. Abingdon are defending a 100% home record in league fixtures and have scored five in both home league games so far. Top scorer Mimi Hodges has scored 5 of her 11 goals at Northcourt Road.
Northcourt Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1PL

Beaconsfield Town v Long Crendon
Contrasting form from these two. Beaconsfield have not won in any competition since a 5-2 defeat of Wycombe in mid-September. Long Crendon have won their last two, scoring nine goals in the process. Although this is the first league meeting this season, they did meet in the County Cup back in September at Holloways Park. First half goals from Sarah Dougall and Sarah Harrison, followed by a second-half double from Eleanor Lovelock, gave Long Crendon a 4-0 victory that day.
Holloways Park, Windsor Road, Beaconsfield HP9 2SE

Eversley & California v Caversham United
A game that both sides will be looking forward to with some anticipation. as it stands both are without a point from five games, the Boars being ahead on the power of a 7 goal superior goal difference. Oddly, Caversham have scored more than double the amount of goals that Eversley have managed. However, The Goats have also shipped twelve more. Something has to give on Sunday. Last season both games ended in draws, 1-1 at Caversham and 2-2 in this fixture.
ESA, Fox Lane, Eversley RG27 0NS

Milton United v Chesham United Development
Chesham have now won their last four league games, climbing to fourth in the process. Katie West is top scorer with 10 goals in 6 games, including 4 in the last two outings. No shortage of goals in Chesham games this season wit 21 scored and 21 conceded in seven games. Milton have only played four league games so far and, if they were to win all of the game sin hand, they could find themselves at the top of the pile.
Milton Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB

Penn & Tylers Green v Kidlington
Penn are another team who have only played four league games. Should they win the six games in hand they have over Sunday's opponents Kidlington, they would be two points clear of the Greens. However, Kidlington will be very happy with their points in the bag and are on a superb run of form with five wins on the bounce. The last time they lost was, coincidentally, at home to Penn & Tylers Green at the start of October. Henna Hussain did the damage that day scoring all four of Penn's goals in a second half barrage.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

Division One South
Bournemouth Sports Reserves v Woking
With the top two both in FA Cup action, third-placed Bournemouth have an opportunity to leapfrog Portchester and close to within a point of Stoneham. However, to do that, they will need to beat a very much in-form Woking side who have won four and drawn one of their last five games, including coming from a goal down to draw with the leaders. Sports themselves have won four of their last five too. The only blot being a 5-0 defeat at Stoneham.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL.

Fleet Town v Abbey Rangers
Now that Eastleigh Reserves and Selsey Development have left the league, this is effectively a clash between the bottom two in the division. It's only a month since the reverse fixture, a game watched by Southern Regional stalwart Wandering Tractor. Rangers edged that one by two goals to one.
Crookham Road, Fleet GU51 5FA

Havant & Waterlooville P-P Rushmoor