Welcome to the pilot edition of the new BotP weekly women's football blog. Tentatively titled Eight To Rate, the idea behind the blog is to preview eight games each week from the following leagues, Southern Region League (all three divisions), Hampshire League (Division 1), Thames Valley League (Division 1), Wiltshire (Premier).
Having a good few hours on my hands now, after shutting down SoReg Review, this is very much a trial run to see if there is an appetite for this type of weekly blog. This week we have a selection of league and FA Cup games featuring teams across the region.
As always, the main aim is to bring a little extra coverage to the grassroots women's game, raise the profile if possible, and maybe even increase attendances, even if only by the odd one or two.
In an ideal world, the following week's blog will not only contain a preview of eight more games, but will also have a reviews of these eight matches, including any links to photos, match reports, videos etc.
So, here goes. Let's see how it goes, starting with this week's eight games, in no particular order.
FA Cup
Penn & Tylers Green v Kidlington
This will be the BotP game of the week and the next step on the road to Wembley. BotP was at Yarnton Road to see Kidlington ease past Salisbury in the Preliminary Round. Can they find a way past fellow Division One North side Penn & Tylers Green. Kidlington went out at home to Ashridge Park at this stage last season. Penn went on round further, knocking out Caversham United and Finchampstead before falling at Sutton United.
14:00 - French School Meadow, Penn, HP10 8LG
Southern Region Premier
Chesham United v Southampton Women
A fascinating encounter as Chesham, returning to the Southern Region League after a decade in the National League, take on Southampton Women, who followed the same relegation route two seasons ago. The Sirens ended last season in fifth, but were always there or thereabouts throughout the season and were unbeaten against eventual champions, Wycombe Wanderers. Both will expect to be in the mix come next April/May.
14:00 - The Meadow, Chesham, HP5 1NE
FA Cup
Bognor Regis Town v Jersey Bulls
Southern Region League newbies, Bognor Regis, take on last season's South East Counties Surrey Division 1 champions, Jersey Bulls. The Bulls had a 100% league record last season and only conceded 8 goals, earning themselves a spot in the Premier League. The Rockettes ended last season in third sport of the London & South East Division 1 South, before their lateral move. The went out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle last season, losing 5-3 at Havant & Waterlooville.
14:00 - Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, PO21 2TY
Southern Region Premier
Farnham Town v Reading
Despite this being their first season in the Premier League, Farnham are many people's favourite to continue their incredible rise up the divisions. They've made a number of acquisitions during the summer months, and an opening game against Reading will be a good test of their credentials. The Royals are another team who are widely expected to be close to the top of the table, in what looks to be a very strong and competitive Premier League.
14:00 - Memorial Ground, Farnham, GU9 7DY
Thames Valley Division One
Ashridge Park v Caversham United
Both of these teams went out of the FA Cup last weekend, Park at home to Slough Town and The Goats at Melksham Town. The two league meetings last season produced 11 goals. The sides shared eight at Cantley Park, which included a brace from Katie Dearling and a hat-trick from Ellie Messitt. The Goats won the reverse fixture 2-1, on their way to a fourth place finish.
14:00 - Cantley Park, Wokingham, RG40 5QG
Hampshire League
Mudeford Phoenix v Shanklin
Shanklin consistently do very well in this division. They've won the league twice in the last five seasons, including last season. In each of the three seasons between they finished in third spot. So, a tough opening encounter for Mudeford, in only their second season in the top flight after promotion in 2025. Both league meetings went the way of Shanklin last season, 4-1 on the Isle of Wight and 4-3 in this corresponding fixture, despite Amber Lorring's hat-trick for Phoenix.
14:00 - Grange Road, Christchurch, BH23 4JD
FA Cup
Windsor & Eton v Andover New Street
Windsor and Eton edged past Mudeford Phoenix in the previous round, coming out on top in the shootout after drawing 1-1. They are freshly promoted into the top flight of the Thames Valley League after winning Division Two North last season. Andover cruised past Bournemouth Manor in the last round, putting eleven past their hosts with no reply. Abigail Richardson scoring eight of the New Street goals.
14:00 - Stag Meadow, Windsor, SL4 3DR
Southern Region Division One North
Farnborough v Finchampstead
Finch open their Southern Region account with a trip to Farnborough, who last season had a good debut, finishing in fifth spot. Finchampstead only lost one league game on their way to the Thames Valley title last season. They did, however, come up against a Southern Region side in the form of Penn & Tylers Green, losing 3-1 in an early season FA Cup clash.
14:00 - The Easy As HGV Stadium, Farnborough, GU14 8UD
Having a good few hours on my hands now, after shutting down SoReg Review, this is very much a trial run to see if there is an appetite for this type of weekly blog. This week we have a selection of league and FA Cup games featuring teams across the region.
As always, the main aim is to bring a little extra coverage to the grassroots women's game, raise the profile if possible, and maybe even increase attendances, even if only by the odd one or two.
In an ideal world, the following week's blog will not only contain a preview of eight more games, but will also have a reviews of these eight matches, including any links to photos, match reports, videos etc.
So, here goes. Let's see how it goes, starting with this week's eight games, in no particular order.
FA Cup
Penn & Tylers Green v Kidlington
This will be the BotP game of the week and the next step on the road to Wembley. BotP was at Yarnton Road to see Kidlington ease past Salisbury in the Preliminary Round. Can they find a way past fellow Division One North side Penn & Tylers Green. Kidlington went out at home to Ashridge Park at this stage last season. Penn went on round further, knocking out Caversham United and Finchampstead before falling at Sutton United.
14:00 - French School Meadow, Penn, HP10 8LG
Southern Region Premier
Chesham United v Southampton Women
A fascinating encounter as Chesham, returning to the Southern Region League after a decade in the National League, take on Southampton Women, who followed the same relegation route two seasons ago. The Sirens ended last season in fifth, but were always there or thereabouts throughout the season and were unbeaten against eventual champions, Wycombe Wanderers. Both will expect to be in the mix come next April/May.
14:00 - The Meadow, Chesham, HP5 1NE
FA Cup
Bognor Regis Town v Jersey Bulls
Southern Region League newbies, Bognor Regis, take on last season's South East Counties Surrey Division 1 champions, Jersey Bulls. The Bulls had a 100% league record last season and only conceded 8 goals, earning themselves a spot in the Premier League. The Rockettes ended last season in third sport of the London & South East Division 1 South, before their lateral move. The went out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle last season, losing 5-3 at Havant & Waterlooville.
14:00 - Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis, PO21 2TY
Southern Region Premier
Farnham Town v Reading
Despite this being their first season in the Premier League, Farnham are many people's favourite to continue their incredible rise up the divisions. They've made a number of acquisitions during the summer months, and an opening game against Reading will be a good test of their credentials. The Royals are another team who are widely expected to be close to the top of the table, in what looks to be a very strong and competitive Premier League.
14:00 - Memorial Ground, Farnham, GU9 7DY
Thames Valley Division One
Ashridge Park v Caversham United
Both of these teams went out of the FA Cup last weekend, Park at home to Slough Town and The Goats at Melksham Town. The two league meetings last season produced 11 goals. The sides shared eight at Cantley Park, which included a brace from Katie Dearling and a hat-trick from Ellie Messitt. The Goats won the reverse fixture 2-1, on their way to a fourth place finish.
14:00 - Cantley Park, Wokingham, RG40 5QG
Hampshire League
Mudeford Phoenix v Shanklin
Shanklin consistently do very well in this division. They've won the league twice in the last five seasons, including last season. In each of the three seasons between they finished in third spot. So, a tough opening encounter for Mudeford, in only their second season in the top flight after promotion in 2025. Both league meetings went the way of Shanklin last season, 4-1 on the Isle of Wight and 4-3 in this corresponding fixture, despite Amber Lorring's hat-trick for Phoenix.
14:00 - Grange Road, Christchurch, BH23 4JD
FA Cup
Windsor & Eton v Andover New Street
Windsor and Eton edged past Mudeford Phoenix in the previous round, coming out on top in the shootout after drawing 1-1. They are freshly promoted into the top flight of the Thames Valley League after winning Division Two North last season. Andover cruised past Bournemouth Manor in the last round, putting eleven past their hosts with no reply. Abigail Richardson scoring eight of the New Street goals.
14:00 - Stag Meadow, Windsor, SL4 3DR
Southern Region Division One North
Farnborough v Finchampstead
Finch open their Southern Region account with a trip to Farnborough, who last season had a good debut, finishing in fifth spot. Finchampstead only lost one league game on their way to the Thames Valley title last season. They did, however, come up against a Southern Region side in the form of Penn & Tylers Green, losing 3-1 in an early season FA Cup clash.
14:00 - The Easy As HGV Stadium, Farnborough, GU14 8UD
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