For my final game of 2024 I finally managed to get to a ground that has been on my list for quite some time. Not only that, but I managed to time it so that the game in question was very significant.
The ground in question? The uniquely named Tod's Piece, home of Peterborough & District Premier League side,  Uppingham Town. Currently sitting in second place, Uppingham were taking on the leaders, Stanground Cardea Sports, three points ahead but having played a game more than Town. Uppingham also had a better goal difference, so a win would see them go top for Christmas.
Uppingham went into the game with an unbeaten home record having won 6 and drawn 2 so far. Stanground had only lost once on the road and once at home, a 1-0 defeat to Uppingham at the end of August, thanks to a Josh Sennett goal. Recent form favoured the home side who had won 4 and drawn 2 of the last six. Stanground were two places lower in the current form table having won 3, drawn 2 and lost 1. Players to watch as far as scoring went were Kieran Hibbins for Stanground, 11 goals in 15 games, and Uppingham's Sam Blackwell, 9 goals in 14 games.
Last season the sides finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. Stanground Sports, as they were named last season before the merger, were just 2 points adrift of today's hosts.

​The game sprang to life in the 6th minute when the hosts took an early lead. Kieran Hibbins was pulled up for a foul midway into the Stanground half and way out on the Uppingham left flank. The ball was delivered toward the far post, deceiving Stanground's keeper and leaving Noah Sinclair to rise above everyone and head into an empty net. 1-0. In the aftermath of the goal, Stanground also found themselves down to 10 after Hibbins, still not happy with the awarding of free-kick, said something that the referee didn't like and earned himself 10 minutes on the side-lines. He was adamant that he didn't swear at the referee, but clearly this official was a stickler for the rules.
Interestingly, Stanground responded well to going behind and losing a player, although they couldn't find a way to stretch Hubbard in the home goal, despite edging possession. Once they had returned to full strength, you felt they had a real chance of levelling before the break. However, after 26 minutes, they shot themselves in the foot again. This time it was centre-half Dan Fountain who found himself on the wrong side of the referee and in the bin for 10 minutes. Once again the player claimed there was no swearing involved, but dissent doesn't have to involve foul language. 
Five minutes after going down to ten again, Stanground found themselves two goals behind as well. Home captain Sam Blackwell burst through onto a lovely through ball and slid the ball under the advancing Josh Crick. 2-0. The same player then came close to making it three five minutes later but this time his strike flew just wide of the mark.
Late on Stanground, now back to their full complement again, showed that they could cause problems. Kyle Hibbins hit the target but couldn't beat Hubbard. Then, in the final minute, the same player saw his goal bound header cleared off the home line.

HT Uppingham Town 2 Stanground Cardea Sports 0. If anything, Stanground edged possession over the 45 minutes. However, they failed to penetrate the home defence and a lack of discipline in the face of a strict referee, saw them a player light for almost half of the first period. Uppingham took their chances well and looked very solid at the back.

​Uppingham were back out for the second half very early but soon found themselves on the back foot as their visitors looked to get themselves back into the game. Despite the two goal cushion, this game was far from over.
Just before the hour mark, Stanground's renewed vigour drew dividends. Cameron Hibbins saw his header come back off the bar but Kyle Hibbins was on hand to nudge the ball over the line, collecting a knock in the process. 2-1. The Stanground scorer was also soon back on his feet.
Uppingham's response was to go up the other end and almost grab a third. Ollie Bardwell let fly from the edge of the box, his shot whistling just wide of Crick's left-hand post. The game had, once again, swung. Uppingham now had the upper hand in terms of possession. With nine minutes to go the home side thought they had been awarded a penalty when the referee appeared to point to the spot after a foul on the left hand edge of the area. However, with the defenders clearly pointing the spot on the ground where the offence had taken place the referee reverted to a free-kick. The correct decision. From my vantage point, it was very obvious that the foul was outside the area.

FT Uppingham Town 2 Stanground Cardea Sports 1. A very hard-earned three points for Uppingham that sees them go top for Christmas. This game, between two evenly matched sides, could have gone either way. Did the two first-half sin-bins cost the visitors? Possibly. Over the 90 minutes they probably just about edged possession but struggled to break through a well organised Uppingham defence. It's going to be an interesting run-in to the Premier League title. There are still seven or eight teams in with a shout. These two currently have the upper hand and, in my opinion, will definitely be in the hat come May, but even down as far as last season's champions, Moulton Harrox, teams are still in with a fighting chance. Uppingham and Stanground are both next in action on Saturday 4th January. Stanground welcome mid-table Deeping to the Sports Centre. They won 5-2 at Elsea park earlier in the season. Uppingham, meanwhile, make the trip over to third-placed Whittlesey Athletic Reserves, who they beat 5-0 at home, largely thanks to a Cameron Cleaver hat-trick.

Uppingham Town: 1.Hubbard, 2.Eldridge, 6.Lewin, 17.Gove, 14.Blackwell(c), 11.Bardwell, 7.Sinclair, 8.Pearce, 9.Turricki, 15.Porter, 16.Johnson. Subs: 12.Howe, 10.G.McAlindon,4.L.MacAlindon, 5.Cleaver, 3.Bains
Stanground Cardea Sports: 1.Crick, Rayment, 2.Gellizeau, 10.Fox(c), Fountain, Morton, 7.Kyle Hibbins, Ginns, 9.Kieran Hibbins, Staggs, 15.Cam Hibbins. Subs: Clipston, Brooks, Martin, 11.Webb

The Ground
Uppingham play their home games at the intriguingly named, Tod's Piece (see below for an extract from The Village Diary - thevillagediary.co.uk - article by Becky Daines from 2021).
The ground is situated in the heart of the town, walking distance from the Hight Street and market square. There is parking available alongside the ground, on Gainsborough Road. There are also paid parking spaces available in the town centre, all within very easy reach of the ground. The football pitch takes up the majority of the space on Tod's Piece. There is also a children's playground, outdoor gym equipment, a small skatepark and a traditional beacon. The clubhouse and changing facilities are situated close to the North Street East end of the ground, alongside the pitch. There's a slightly raised terrace area that provide a good view of the pitch. The dugouts are also on the is side of the ground. The pitch slopes slightly from the North Street East end down towards the Scout hut at the opposite end.

"Unfortunately, little is known about Tod himself. We don’t even really know
when this piece of land was named after him, but the legend of Tod has been passed down from generation to generation. It is said that Tod – renowned for his impressive ability to mow with a scythe — placed a bet that he could mow the grass in the entire field in one single day. It is said to have measured “seven acres, two roods and 16 perches” and nobody believed it was possible for a single man to mow it all in one day. Tod started work at the break of dawn and carried on through the day until the sun was setting, achieving this impressive feat and winning his wager. And then he dropped dead of exhaustion. Poor Tod!
Nothing more is known about Tod the Mower, but there could be a clue in the parish registers of the 1630s when a John Todd, Church Warden, signed his name on the registers. Could this be the same Tod? We’ll never know."
​

I know it's not exactly halfway, but Christmas is generally seen as the midpoint of the season. Some teams are well past the midway point of fixtures, some are barely a quarter of the way into the games. However, with Christmas approaching and the league on a break until the New Year, it is a good time to take stock of the season so far. The preview of the next batch of fixtures will be published on or around the New Year. Last weekend saw both Ascot teams consolidate their positions art the top of their respective leagues, and there were goals galore across the board, 30 of which came in the Premier League.

​AFC Portchester 7-2 Oxford City
City, looking for a third consecutive league win, came crashing down on the South coast as Portchy gained revenge for their defeat at Marsh Lane last month. Charlotte Keenan hit a hat-trick, Gemma Hillier added two more to her tally, taking her into double figures. Lucy Nightingale and a debut goal from Mia Adaway rounded off the home side's scoring. Captain Georgina Tayman and Kaitlyn Crouch, with her seventh of the season, were on the mark for Oxford.

Reading 0-6 Wycombe Wanderers
Reading's pointless start continued as a rampant Chairgirls display saw them end the year on a high. Jessica Watkins gave Wycombe a great start in the 4th minute. Danielle Puddlefoot and Ellen Wardlaw put the visitors three up before the break. In the second half Kayla Potter scored her 14th and 15th of the season, taking her to the top of the scoring charts, before Giulia Livi topped off the 6-goal haul in the 80th minute.
Watch all the goals on the Wycombe X feed.

Sholing 5-0 Badshot Lea
The Boatwomen got back to winning ways after three league defeats, but it took them over half an hour to break down The Baggies. When the breakthrough came, it was in the form of an own goal. However, Catherine Browning quickly added a second and Katie Shorter put the home side three up two minutes into added time. Shorter added her second of the game on 75 minutes before, three minutes later, Siena Millen added the icing to the Christmas cake.

Winchester City Flyers 4-2 Woodley United
Flyers struck four to end the year on a high. Libby Wilkinson gave the home side the lead just before the half-hour mark and it was two just before the break when Eliza Eaton's cross went in off a defender. Wilkinson then grabbed her second, and ninth of the season, five minutes after half-time. When Laura da Silva made it four with 12 minutes left, it was effectively game over. Chloe Melton got a goal back almost immediately before Laura Devlin's late penalty added a little consolation for United.

Selsey 0-4 Ascot United
The Yellawomen assured top spot for Christmas with a solid victory at Selsey. However, they were made to wait until the 41st minute until Beth Lloyd got the breakthrough goal. Olivia Glover made it two just a couple of minutes after the break before Georgia Luckhurst-McCord notched her third of the season after 64 minutes. Glover added her 14th of the season with ten minutes to go. Read the match report from Neal Jeffs on the Ascot United website.

​Ascot United Reserves 2-0 Penn & Tylers Green
On the day the PDC World Championship started, Ascot United Reserves made it double-top for the club as they secured the first place at Christmas in Division One North. Despite Penn being further down the table, their games in hand effectively made this a title 6-pointer. Fittingly, Sarah Jones scored her 42nd goal in 50 appearances, as she signed off on her Ascot career. Danielle Kjaer scored the other Ascot goal.

Chesham United Development P-P Beaconsfield Town

Kidlington Youth 3-6 Tilehurst Panthers
Panthers came back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to earn a third away win of the season, despite still being winless at home. An own goal and a Sara Pinna strike had the Greens in front a the break. However, despite Abi Haynes also scoring for the home side, four from Leah Why and two from Georgia Hayes made it a successful away day for Tilehurst.

Milton United 5-0 Caversham United
The Goats drew another blank, their fourth on the bounce, as they fell to defeat at The Heights. The win pulls Milton five points clear of Caversham and six clear of bottom side Chesham United Development. Milton's goals came from Jessica Excell with two, April England and Abbie Thorne's first of the season.

Wycombe Wanderers u23 11-1 Slough Town
Wanderers made it four wins in a row with an aggregate score of 22-1 as they went wild at home to Slough Town. Solange Brellier came on as a substitute but still managed to score four of the goals. Shannon Read went level at the top of the scoring charts with a hat-trick, Mia Parkin hit two, Ammara Qureshi and Daisy-Leigh Thompson scored one each. Slough's consolation came through Alice Heady.

​Bournemouth Sports Reserves 0-1 AFC Varsity
Varsity's away form continues to be better than at home as they secured a third three-pointer on their travels with a single goal victory at Bournemouth Sports. Kayleigh Rogers scored for the visitors on 14 minutes, taking the points and liftin Varsity to within a point of their hosts with there games in hand.

Wimborne Town 2-0 QK Southampton
QK slumped to an eleventh consecutive defeat as Wimborne bounced back from losing at Stoneham last weekend. However, the Magpies were made to work for their points, and it took an hour before Abigail Buck edged them n front. Sadie West made it two with fifteen minutes remaining.

Woking 3-1 Bursledon
A second league win in a row for The Cards who got off to a great start thanks to two Trudy Bryan-Kerr goals inside the opening 15 minutes. Amy Berriman pulled a goal back for The Dons before 20 minutes were played. It stayed that way until the break. Jasmina Vanvooren then added a third shortly after he break, securing the points for Woking

​Havant & Waterlooville 1-0 AFC Stoneham
The Hawks progressed in the League Cup thanks to a very, very late goal from captain Emma-Jane May. The skipper fired in a 96th minute free-kick to set up a quarter-final tie with either Fleet Town or Milton United.
Check out the match action photos courtesy of Dave Haines Photography.

​Pre-season favourites Ascot United remain top of the pile at Christmas. They have a three point lead over Oxford City and two games in hand. It's looking good for the Yellawomen although they do still have to visit Oxford City and welcome third placed Wycombe to Marsh Lane. Both Woodley and AFC Portchester, 7  and 6 points adrift of Ascot respectively, will not be counting themselves out of the running just yet, but they are very reliant on the unbeaten leaders having a collapse in form. Sholing and Winchester City Flyers are sufficiently ahead of the bottom there to be comfortable, but probably not close enough to the top to cause any concerns in the title race.
At the bottom end three teams are cut adrift. Reading remain rooted to the bottom without a point, but do have a number of games in hand on Badshot Lea and Selsey, who both have two points. Reading have to play both teams directly above them twice before the end of the season.

​It will be a good Christmas down at The Racecourse Ground. Not only are the firsts leading the Premier League, the reserves are top of Division One North at Christmas. They have a four point lead over Beaconsfield, who have two games in hand, having not played a league game since November 3rd. Wycombe u23 and Abingdon United Development are still within touching distance. However, Wycombe have played two more than the leaders and are seven pints behind. Abingdon have played the same number of games as Ascot, but the nine point gap looks too much for them to make up.
Penn & Tylers Green, having only played seven games, four fewer than Ascot, are 13 points behind but still in contention should they win them all. The recent defeat at Ascot put a dent in their aspirations. Kidlington, Slough, Tilehurst and Milton United, are into double figures as far as points are concerned. All look to be relatively safe from danger, but probably too far adrift to make any waves near the top. The bottom two, Caversham United on 5 points, and Chesham United Development, on four, look likely to be the two slugging it out to avoid the drop. The are due to meet toward the end of January in what could prove to be a massive relegation six-pointer.

Fleet Town, with their 100% record after eight games, are top at Christmas and favourites to take the title. AFC Stoneham are only second by means of goal difference, but have played two more than Fleet. Third-placed Havant & Waterlooville are five points adrift having played one more than the leaders. Just below The Hawks sit Wimborne Town. The Magpies are currently the highest-ranked of the newly promoted clubs, although AFC Varsity and Bursledon are not too far behind and both have a game in hand on Wimborne. Bournemouth Sports Reserves have been on a lean run of late, but are still fifth. Woking, who started poorly, have picked up in recent weeks and have won their last two in the league. Abbey Rangers have suffered all sorts of behind the scenes disruption, losing their coaching staff and having to postpone games, meaning they have only played seven so far. Finally, QK Southampton who along with Reading in the Premier, are yet to gain a single point. They suffered some heavy defeats earlier on but are gradually growing to the league.
​

​Darragh proved to be more of a menace than Bert was a week or so ago. Only three games survived the wind and rain this weekend, four if you count Ascot's home walkover versus Slough Town. Nevertheless, BotP did manage to get out there and watch a game, the League Cup encounter between Woking and Winchester City Flyers.
In the league, the two games that did make it were both in the South. Stoneham went level with Fleet at the top and Varsity put some distance between themselves and the bottom.
​The pick of next week's fixtures looks to be in the North where unbeaten Penn & Tylers Green travel to current leaders Ascot United Reserves.

​AFC Stoneham 3-1 Wimborne Town
The Purps drew level on points with leaders Fleet Town after coming from behind against Wimborne. The Magpies took an early lead through Sadie West, but goals from Rebecca Moody, top-scorer Mia House and an own goal, helped Stoneham to three points.

AFC Varsity 4-0 QK Southampton
Two goals in each half helped Varsity move further clear of the drop zone whilst condemning their visitors to a tenth straight defeat. Eloise Paine put the home side ahead inside the opening minute, but it took a further 30 minutes for Bethany Maxwell to make it two. Jennifer Parr made the result safe in the 65th minute and Bethany Ebert added some late gloss.

Bournemouth Sports Reserves P-P Abbey Rangers

Bursledon P-P Havant & Waterlooville

​Ascot United H-W Slough Town

Fleet Town P-P Milton United

Penn & Tylers Green P-P Wycombe Wanderers

Selsey P-P Beaconsfield Town

Sholing P-P Reading

Woking 1-4 Winchester City Flyers
Flyers, who could have been out of sight by half-time, survived a second-half fightback from Woking to progress in the League Cup. The visitors led 2-0 at the break through Laura da Silva and Libby Wilkinson. However, a spirited showing from Woking saw Jasmina Vanvooren pull one back on the hour. Da Silva and Eliza Eaton scored late on to secure the result for Flyers. Read the match blog here - Memories Of Tim

​AFC Portchester v Oxford City
Both teams may have preferred this fixture to be reversed. Portchester are better on the road and Oxford are better at home. The Hoops will want to keep up the pressure on Ascot at the top. They are currently only second on goal difference, but have played two extra games to United. City won 2-1 at Marsh Lane just under a month ago after coming back from an early Gemma Hillier goal.
Venue: AFC Portchester Womens

Reading v Wycombe Wanderers
They may have only played five league games, but Reading are still chasing that illusive first point. Wycombe are yet to taste defeat on the road and come into this game on the back of four consecutive league victories in which they've scored 16 and conceded only once. Reading lost to leaders Ascot in their last league outing but, previously had a morale-boosting cup win at National League Abingdon United.
Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AY

Sholing v Badshot Lea
It's now ten without a league win for The Baggies. Sholing have also lost their last three in the league. In fact, their last victory came in the reverse of this fixture when they won 1-0 at The Operatix Community Ground, thanks to an Emily Flegg goal midway through the first half.
Oasis Academy Mayfield, Ashley Cresent, Southampton SO19 9NA

Winchester City Flyers v Woodley United
There's never a shortage of goals at a Winchester home league fixture. The problem for Flyers is they concede as many as they score. Woodley, meanwhile, have conceded 15 in their four road trips. Admittedly, 11 came on that opening day defeat to Ascot. The reverse fixture was a close affair only won for Woodley in added time by a 93rd minute Sarah Lawrence goal.
Hiller Way, Winchester SO50 7SU

Selsey v Ascot United
A first meeting this season. Selsey are one of three sides yet to win in the league. Ascot are the only unbeaten team. Ascot have won their last three league road trips, scoring 11 without conceding. Selsey drew 2-2 with Badshot Lea in their last home league game. They also beat Abbey Rangers in the cup at The Seal Bay Stadium. However, they'll need to stop the prolific Ascot front line. Both Olivia Glover (12) and Leah Littlechild (11) have scored more goals individually than Selsey collectively.
Seal Bay Resort Stadium, PO20 0QG

​Ascot United Reserves v Penn & Tylers Green
This one gets the BotP game of the week tag. Ascot are currently top of the table, a point clear of Beaconsfield, but having played a game more than The Rams. Penn are down in fifth spot but are unbeaten and, with games in hand, are still very much in the hunt for the top spot. This will be their first meeting this season.
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ

Chesham United Development v Beaconsfield Town
In current league terms, this is a David v Goliath match-up. Bottom side Chesham, with just a single win all season, and that came away from home, take on the unbeaten Rams. Back in September, at Holloways Park, Beaconsfield ran out 4-1 winners. Ominously, Beaconsfield, already averaging over three goals per game, have just added last season's league golden boot winner, Henna Hussain, to their squad.
Chiltern Hills Academy, Chartridge Road, Chesham HP5 2RG

Kidlington Youth v Tilehurst Panthers
Two sides who are currently out of form. Tilehurst have not won since the end of September. Kidlington have taken one point from the last nine available. In their favour, six of Tilehurst's eight points have come on their travels. Kidlington, however, have only lost once in the league at home, just under a month ago when Ascot United Reserves came to town. With just one goal in their last three in all competitions, the Greens need to find their scoring boots again.
Exeter Park, Crown Road, Kidlington OX5 1AB

Milton United v Caversham United
All of Caversham's five points have come away from home (although three of them were awarded for a walkover), and last weekend's 0-0 draw at Kidlington was their first clean sheet of the season. Milton are only two pints better off than The Goats, but have two games in hand. They've won one from six at home this season. The two meetings last season produce 16 goals, 13 of the scored by Milton.
Milton Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB

Wycombe Wanderers u23 v Slough Town
There are three places and five points between Wycombe, in fourth, and Slough Town, in seventh. However, The Rebels have played three games fewer. They have already met at Arbor Park, back in early November. Wycombe came out on top by 3-0 thanks to two from Meira Ashby and another from Elena Mitchell. With Abingdon not playing, a win would see Wycombe climb into third spot.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG

​Bournemouth Sports Reserves v AFC Varsity
Varsity picked up their third win of the season on Sunday, moving the to within four points of Sports, with two games in hand. Sports, meanwhile, are on a bad run of league form, losing four and drawing one of their last five outings. The reverse fixture, back in September, ended in a 1-1 draw with both goals coming within two second half minutes, Abi Lander for Sports and Kayleigh Rogers for Varsity.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL

Wimborne Town v QK Southampton
This will be the first meeting between these two this season. QK just can't buy a point at the moment. Their defeat at Varsity on Sunday made it ten straight league defeats. The Magpies went down 3-1 at Stoneham after taking an early lead. They'll be lookin to improve their home record, having won just one of four so far, scoring three goals and conceding seven. A win would take Woking above their opponents. However, Burseldon have played two fewer than Woking.
Wyatt Homes Stadium, New Cuthbury, 16 Ainsley Road, Wimborne BH21 2FU

Woking v Bursledon
An entertaining reverse fixture ended 2-2 between these two. It was 1-1 two minutes into added time when Bryony Gibbs thought she had scored the winner for Woking. However, Kirby Anderson popped up two minutes later to earn The Dons a point. A home win would see The Cards leapfrog their opponents, although Bursledon do have two games in hand. The Dons are yet to lose on the road in the league.
Woking College, Rydens Way, Woking GU22 9DL

​Havant & Waterlooville v AFC Stoneham
Two sides who are both very much involved in the title race, go head to head in the League Cup. The Hawks are unbeaten at home in the league. Stoneham have a 100% away record. The Purps also have the added incentive of redressing the balance after they lost 2-0 at home to Havant only a month ago. Laurie Potvin was their tormentor that day, scoring both goals for The Hawks.
Westleigh Park, Havant PO9 5TH

​It wasn't just the wind from Storm Darragh that was giving me chills this Sunday. I was in Woking to see Woking Women take on Winchester City Flyers in the Southern Region League Cup and, as a lifelong West Brom supporter, the name Woking is enough to give me chills. I was there, at The Hawthorns, on that fateful day in 1991 when Tim Buzaglo scored an 11-minute hat-trick to consign The Baggies to a humiliating home defeat. A University of Bath study has since declared it to be the least likely Third Round result of the last 50 years, with just a 1:16,000,000 chance of it coming off. Supporting West Brom was never easy, but that day was as disappointing as they come. Ah well, it was 33 years ago, time to let it go. Speaking of which, I spent most of this game completely frozen as the icy winds blew across the open spaces of Woking College.
The game matched up Woking, who started the day 7th in Division One South, with Winchester City Flyers, occupying the same position in the Premier League. On paper, Flyers would definitely be favourites. Having said that, Flyers had only won once on the road all season,  a 3-0 FA Cup win at Bitton.

​On a bitterly cold and grey afternoon where only a handful of games survived the weather, it was Winchester who started the brighter of the two. In fact, you could say they got off to a flyer. They took the lead in the fourth minute when Kayleigh Tonks forced Amy Jenkins into a save only for Laura da Silva to pounce on the loose ball and put the visitors in front. 0-1
Winchester continued to look the more threatening of the two, Emma Whitlock struck a long-range effort that Jenkins was well behind after 11 minutes, but the goalkeeper was helpless to prevent the visitors second after 17 minutes. Libby Wilkinson with a delightful left-foot curler into the top corner. 0-2
Winchester goalkeeper, Ellie Parker, had seen little action in the opening 25 minutes, but she showed that she was fully alert when she blocked a point-blank Trudy Bryan-Kerr shot in the 28th minute. An excellent save at a crucial point. Woking had seen few sights of goal, but if they had pulled one back at this juncture, it could have given them more impetus.
A few minutes later Kayleigh Tonks was the recipient of a fortunate through ball that saw her burst clear of the home defence. However, she put her shot straight at Jenkins, and the chance was gone. Jenkins was on hand again a minute later, saving well to deny Tonks again. 
Beth Anders, on to replace Helen Brown, tested Parker again from long-range, but once again the visiting goalkeeper was on her guard, diving to her right to make a good save.
Winchester had the last chance of the half, when Annie Northwood found herself on the receiving end of a lovely Amy Smith cross but, inside the 6-yard box, she couldn't adjust her stance to get a clean strike, sending the ball wide of the mark.

HT Woking 0 Winchester City Flyers 2. A solid performance from Winchester, who could be further in front. Ellie Parker made one excellent stop and one routing diving save. Apart from that, Woking have been restricted to long-range efforts that have been off target. Great to get to speak to Winchester Flyers Women's chairman, Tony Panteli, at half-time. He was pleased so far, but wared against complacency and said the start to the second half would be crucial. Thanks also for your very kind comments about the work of BotP, Tony. Very much appreciated.

​After having the final chance of the first period, Northwood looked lively at the start of the second. Once again home stopper Jenkins did well to claim her cross-shot. That said, Woking were clearly fired up for the second half and were having far more of the ball than they managed in the first, without unduly concerning Ellie Parker.
Just before the hour mark, Winchester made some changes, including taking off my PotM up to that point, Lydia Moulding, who, in my opinion, had barely put a foot wrong in the Flyers defensive line. Maybe the changes caused a temporary blip in concentration for the visitors, because two minutes later, Woking had a goal back. The ball fell to Jasmina Vanvooren on the edge of the box and she struck a lovely looping effort that left Perker grasping at air as the ball dipped into the top corner. 1-2 and, just possibly, game on. Maybe Tony's half-time warning was coming to fruition?
Flyers had looked a little lacklustre in the second half which had given Woking some hope. Eliza Eaton tried to spark some life into the visitors in the 71st minute when she latched onto a lose ball after a good challenge by da Silva. The winger drove forward, unleashing a low drive that wasn't too far wide of the post. Five minutes later and the Winchester lead was looking a little shaky as Woking came very close to an equaliser. Beth Anders did really well to turn sharply inside the Flyers penalty area, before having Parker scrambling across her goal as the ball ran just wide of her right-hand post. Two minutes later Sophie Penhaligon tried her luck from distance, again wide of the right-hand post, but too had Parker worried for a while. At this point you wouldn't have bet against Woking getting an equaliser but, with 8 minutes remaining, Winchester got their two-goal lead back. It was a strange goal, but they all count. A Libby Wilkinson corner from the right caused a bit of chaos in the box. Laura da Silva got a toe to it before it was hacked away. However, the referee was already pointing back to the centre-circle, indicating that the ball had crossed the line. 1-3. It was going to be very difficult for Woking to get two more goals back inside the final few minutes and that task became impossible in the 88th minute when Eliza Eaton drove he ball across Jenkins into the net to make it 1-4.

FT Woking 1 Winchester City Flyers 4. The final score makes it look like a straight-forward victory for the Premier League side. However, Woking made them work hard in the second half. When The Cards pulled a goal back, they had a couple of chances to level it up, which may have made for a very different game. However, two goals late on sealed it for Winchester who, overall, were the better side and deserved to progress. They will now face either Penn or Wycombe in an all-Premier League 1/4 final.
If you want to catch either of these sides in action, they are both scheduled to play next Sunday, ahead of the Christmas break. Woking are back at Woking College where they welcome league newbies Burseldon. They drew 2-2 at Toynbee School back in October in a game that saw Bryony Gibbs give The Cards a 2-1 lead in the 92nd minute only for Kirby Anderson to level it up with pretty much the last kick. Winchester welcome Woodley United to town in the reverse of a game they lost narrowly, 2-1, back in September. Only an added time Sarah Lawrence strike separated the teams.

Woking: 1.Jenkins, 22.Marr, 5.Cotter(c), 17.Warren, 3.Gibbs, 8.Christie, 23.Penhaligon, 14.Bryan-Kerr, 6.Mitchell, 7.Vanvooren, 19.Brown. Subs: 10.Curr, 18.Kelly, 12.Anders, 20.Roch
Winchester City Flyers: 1.Parker, 2.Capel-Watson, 3.Chalk, 5.Moulding, 8,Whitlock, 9.Rooney(c), 10.Tonks, 11.Wilkinson, 12.Northwood, 15.McDonough, 16.Da Silva. Subs: White, 4.Powell-Rowland, 14.Burt, 17.Smith, 18.Eato

​The Ground
Woking College, home of The Cardinals Community Football Centre, is situated a little way South of the town centre, not a million miles from Woking FC's stadium. There is ample parking inside the college grounds, all within a very short walk of the artificial pitch that Woking Women call home. There's a relatively new looking building between the car park and the potch, which houses the chaning rooms and toilets. Supporters are only allowed into one side of the caged playing area, opposite the dugouts. There is no spectator cover, although you could shelter next to the main building and still get a good view of the game, should you wish.

Ground Number: 427
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Once again a storm raging across the country put paid to a lot of football this weekend. My daughter's game was cancelled on Friday evening and, when I awoke on Saturday, things were looking bleak as far as catching a game was concerned. Storm Darragh was proving to be something of a menace, if not a beast, with clouds gathering like dark destroyers. However, after spending a few hours keeping an eye on postponements I came across a game that was not only one, but had a story to it too. An Oxfordshire Senior League Division Two clash between Witney Town and Oxford Irish Athletic. The story, you may ask? Well Witney Town, founded way back in 1885, have hit on bad times in recent years but are now, hopefully, heading back in the right direction. The club has played as high as the Southern Premier League (step 3), but after folding and being re-born a few times, the club was resurrected again for this season, starting life again at step 9. So far, so good. It's been a good start and, going into this game, Witney sat second n the league, two points adrift of Oakley United having played two extra games. They were coming into this game on the back of four consecutive wins in all competitions, including a resounding 8-0 defeat of Summertown Stars Reserves last weekend. Their visitors, Oxford Irish Athletic, were relegated from Division One last season after three seasons at that level. They came into this game in eleventh place and only a point above the drop zone. The point earned, with a 1-1 draw at East Oxford last weekend, was their first since beating Summertown Stars Reserves 7-2 towards the end of September. That win came a week after they played Witney in the reverse of today's fixture. In a day to forget Irish lost that game 8-1 at home, Adam Holloway scoring four for The Blanketmen.

​The game almost got off to a blistering start. Within the first 10 seconds Mercayd Morgan-Allen burst down the right flank before firing over a low cross that Jack Morton hit first time, flashing the ball just wide of the far post. Witney continued to press forward and had another opportunity o 6 minutes when Kieam Preston-Carney fired straight at Alfie O'Connor in the Athletic goal.
Oxford were not going to let the home side have it all their own way however, and they came close to taking the lead against the run of play in the 13th minute. A ball into the left side of the home penalty area looked to be comfortable for goalkeeper Ton=m Bennington but, under pressure, the ball squirmed free and fell into the path of Dean Boyles who struck it goalward. The effort was on target but Joe Wood had covered well to get in a great headed clearance off the line. 
Following this scare, Witney set about getting their heads in front and there followed an incredible sequence of events that may have had home striker Morgan-Allen wondering if it was going to be one of those days. In the space of five minutes, the home number 11 managed to put a gilt-edged chance over the bar from 6 yards, then get sent clean through only for Alfie O'Connor to make a good stop with his feet. A minute later, Morgan-Allen stooped to head home from inside the 6 yard box only for his effort to be parried by O'Connor. The ball popped up invitingly for Morgan-Allen, but again O'Connor blocked his header. Two minutes later O'Connor again came out on top, saving well from the same striker.
Just when it looked as if the home side were not going to be able to break down their opponents, they did  finally get the ball in the net. 25 minutes in, they broke down the right again. The low cross caused some problems for the Oxford defence, but they did manage to scramble the ball half-clear. It fell into the path of Mercayd Morgan-Allen who, channelling the frustration of his previous misses, absolutely hammered the ball home from 15 yards. Possibly the most difficult of the chances he had had so far. 1-0
Somewhat surprisingly, given the balance of possession, the floodgates did not open after the goal went in. Athletic were still digging in and, although they weren't stretching Bennington, they were still very much in the game. However, they couldn't make it to the halfway stage with just a goal between them. With seven minutes to go before the break, Witney struck again. Kieam Preston-Carney's low drive proving too hot for O'Connor. 2-0

HT Witney Town 2 Oxford Irish Athletic 0. A surprisingly good game of football given the awful conditions the teams were having to endure. Witney created the vast majority of chances and could easily have been more ahead. However, Athletic are still in the game. It's hard to see how they managed to lose the reverse fixture quite so heavily. There doesn't look to be such a gulf between the teams.

​After a much needed warming cup of tea, I took up a position for the second half, expecting an onslaught from Witney, who now had the conditions in their favour for the second half. However, it didn't transpire. Let's give credit to Athletic. They'd been under the cosh for a lot of the first half but, after being back out on the pitch a good few minutes before their hosts, they looked to be reinvigorated for the second period. That said, neither the visitors or the home side caused their opposing goalkeeper much stress in the first half of the second 45 minutes.
In fact, it took until the 70th minute for the scoreboard to be bothered again. However, when it did come, it was a goal created by the best flowing move of the game. Witney got their passing game into gear, stroking the ball around with some style as they cut open the Athletic defence to present substitute Jacob Sapwell with an opportunity. His effort was blocked but fell to Jack Morton on the edge of the box, who fired the ball low past O'Connor's left hand to make it 3-0.
At 3-0 with less that 20 minutes remaining, the game was effectively over. With nine minutes to go, the home side made absolutely certain. A retaken indirect free-kick, inside the penalty area, was nudged to Jack Morton who drove the ball low to O'Connor's right. 4-0.
Oddly, the fourth goal seemed to spark some life into the visitors. Two minutes later they were very close to getting a goal back when Bennington let a cross from the right squirm loose but Kyan Jajua couldn't take advantage, leaving the striker hitting the Astroturf in frustration. Three minutes later, following a corner form the right, the visitors came even close but this time the effort (from Edward Parker? my view was restricted) crashed back off the post. However, they did finally get a consolation a minute later and it was a real scorcher, Dean Boyles crashing a strike, possibly with the aid of a small deflection, into the far corner. 4-1

FT Witney Town 4 Oxford Irish Athletic 1. A comfortable victory for Witney that sees them, for now, go to the top of the table. In some ways this was a strange game. Despite Witney taking until the 25th minute to open the scoring, the result never really felt in any doubt. Town dominated the play for most of the game but Oxford kept themselves in the game until the 70th minute, without really threatening the home goal too much. Then, once they were four behind, Oxford came out of their shell and could easily have had three goals in the finally 7 or 8 minutes.
If you want to see these sides in action, they both have interesting games next weekend. Witney travel to Premier League side Launton Sports in the Oxfordshire Charity Cup. Irish are back at home in the league as they welcome the team Witney have currently displaced at the top, Oakley United.
Finally, a shout out for today's referee. I can't mention him by name because, as an under 18, his name is not list on Full-Time. However, not only did he allow me to photograph the team sheets, he handled the game very well, explaining decisions to players at every opportunity and officiating with an air of confidence. Great to see,

Witney Town: 1.Bennington, 12.Thomson, 3.Miles, 4.Gunn, 5.Wood, 6.Boyd, 7.Oliver(c), 8.Preston-Carney, 9.Holloway, 10.Morton, 11.Morgan-Allen. Subs: 14.Walker, 15.Shayler, 17.Busby, 18.Butcher, 19.Sapwell
Oxford Irish Athletic: 1.A.O'Connor, 5.T.Murphy, 12.Merola, 4.Castle, 11.Rawlings, 8.Parker, 2.Taylor, 18.Rockett, 10.Thomas, 9.Boyles, 16.Horton. Subs: 7.Jajua, 14.D.Maskens, 17.Faulkner, 3.Pagano, 6.Allen

The Ground
This was my first visit to this stadium as an observer. I had been previously in the role of coach to my daughter's team  when they played there in a tournament run by Witney Vikings. The Witney Artificial Turf Pitch, recently renamed to The Witney Community Stadium after a poll run by the club, is situated at the top of a residential road just to the South of the town centre. There's ample parking around the stadium which is accessed via a door that leads through the block that houses all of the facilities, multiple changing rooms, clubhouse and tea/snack bar.
Once inside, spectators are limited to one side of the ground. There is a covered walkway that runs along half of the pitch, which is raised above pitch level. Spectators are also allowed inside the caged area, so long as the stay behind the respect barrier and remain on the clubhouse side of the pitch. It's not the greatest view for spectators. From the covered walkway, which admittedly did provide some protection from the abysmal weather, the view through the cage does cause some obstruction. Obviously, standing pitch side gives a much better view, but be aware that you are only a couple of feet beyond the touchline, so you need to keep your wits about you.

The Programme
It's very unusual for a team at this level of the pyramid to produce a programme. So, it was a very pleasant surprise to find that, not only do Witney produce a glossy programme, it is also 'free' on entry. All they ask is a voluntary donation. The programme is essentially a folded A4 sheet but features full-colour and a glossy finish. It contains a message from the Witney manager Ben Reardon, a player of the week feature (this week it is Jacob Sapwell), statistics from games played, including scorers, the league table and latest results section. The squad is also listed on the back page. All in  all, a great little programme that shows the way the club is hoping to move in the future. Good luck to them I say.

Ground Number: 426
Att: 
Entrance: Voluntary donation
Programme: Free with entry

No live SoReg games for me this past weekend, although I did get to see the England v USA international at Wembley, a game that made me appreciate the Southern Region League even more. England's display, especially in the first half, was sleep inducing. My daughter's team also lost in Saturday morning, making it a pretty bad weekend for football all round. The remnants of the recent bad weather caused a few games to be postponed but, on the pitch, the top two in the Premier League both won. In the North, Beaconsfield didn't play, allowing Ascot the chance to take over at the top. Caversham kept their first clean sheet of the season to move off the bottom. In the South Fleet continued their 100% record, but had to survive a second-half renaissance from Abbey Rangers.
Skip directly to this weekend's fixtures

Penn & Tylers Green 1-2 Beaconsfield
Nicole Jacobs saw red for Penn as Beaconsfield continued their great season by knocking their local rivals out of the Combined Counties Cup in a feisty Thursday evening encounter. Rachel Harnby was on the mark for the home side, but goals from Charlotte Hill and Lucy Casey were enough to see The Rams through. Visiting keeper Lisa Phillips earned a PotM for her contribution and Rams reserve keeper Audrey Wakefield finished the game playing up front for the visitors in a very eventful second-half.

Badshot Lea P-P Winchester City Flyers

Oxford City 4-2 Sholing
The Hoops kept up the pressure on Ascot at the top of the league with a solid 4-2 defeat of Sholing. Ellie White led the way with a hat-trick, whilst Isobel Bradley chimed in with her fifth of the season. Sholing's goals, both in the final 10 minutes, came from Emily Serridge and a Katie Shorter penalty. The visitors were hampered in their quest to get back into the game by being reduced to 10 players through sin-bins twice in the game.
The result was a reverse from the League Cup game between the sides a month ago, when the Boatwomen progressed with a 4-2 win.

Reading 0-3 Ascot United
Unbeaten Ascot made it seven wins from eight as they continued to lead the way at the top of the table. Despite being on top for much of the game, they required a couple of Reading own goals to help them on their way. In between, Leah Littlechild scored her tenth of the season. You can read the match report, courtesy of Neal Jeffs on the Ascot United web site. You can also check out a few photos of the game from Sophie Boycott.

Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 Selsey
The Chairgirls made it four straight league victors, with a an aggregate score of 16-1, as they brushed aside Selsey at Burnham. Kayla Potter scored twice for Wycombe, her 12th and 13th of the season. Jessica Watkins added her eleventh for the other goal. Wanderers now have three players in double figures for the season.
Watch all of the the goals by clicking on this link. 

​Ascot United Reserves 3-1 Abingdon United Development
With Beaconsfield not playing on Sunday, Ascot took their opportunity to go top by securing a convincing 3-1 win over Abingdon, reversing their opening day defeat at The Northcourt. Tiffany Skinner, Laura Moss and Katie Vince scored for the home side in the first half. Abingdon recovered slightly in the second period, Charlotte Bigmore getting a goal back for them.

Kidlington Youth 0-0 Caversham United
The Goats lifted themselves off the bottom of the table with a hard-earned point at Kidlington, securing their first clean sheet of the season in the process. Take a look at some match photos from Clive Parker Photography @7352Tommy - Link 1, Link 2, Link3

Milton United 0-2 Wycombe Wanderers u23
Wanderers secured their third consecutive league victory, all without conceding a goal. Elena Mitchell and Mia Parkin were on the mark for the visitors, who held out for another clean sheet, securing the points. A disappointment for Milton who had won their last league game, but just can't secure back to back league wins this season.

Penn & Tylers Green 6-0 Slough Town
Penn bounced back from Thursday's Combined Counties Cup defeat by thrashing Slough at French School Meadow, keeping a clean sheet into the bargain. Ellie Ludgate-Williams made it six for the season with her brace. Megan Brockwell, Tara Woodward, with her tenth goal in nine games, and Thursday night red card villain, Nicole Jacobs, were also on the scoresheet.

Abbey Rangers 2-3 Fleet Town
Fleet survived a second half comeback from Abbey Rangers to keep their 100% league record intact. Keira Simpson and Isabella O'Connor had given the visitors a 2-0 need within the first 20 minutes. However, Brooke Amelie John and Susie King both scored for Rangers after the break. Lily Martin scored the Town winner with three minutes remaining.

AFC Varsity P-P AFC Stoneham

Woking 3-0 Bournemouth Sports Reserves
The Cards won for just the second time in the league, avenging their 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth earlier in the season. Amy Richards put Woking in front before the quarter-hour mark, but they had to wait until the 69th minute before Trudy Bryan-Kerr's goal gave them some breathing space. Louise Curr added the icing to the cake three minutes into added time.

​AFC Portchester P-P Wimborne Town
​
Havant & Waterlooville H-W Chesham United Development

​Pace P-P QK Southampton

AFC Portchester v Woodley United
Only two points separate Woodley, in third, from fifth-placed Portchy. Portchester have suffered a few injuries of late and are still  without central striker Millie Bradbury. Woodley have the league's leading scorer in their ranks. Sarah Lawrence already has 14 goals in her 10 appearances this season. This will be their first league meeting.
Venue: AFC Portchester Womens

Badshot Lea v Oxford City
The Baggies have not played since November 17th, a 3-2 defeat at home to Woodley. I theink it's fair to say that the new look Badshot Lea squad hasn't fully gelled yet, but recent matches have started to show signs of changing form. However, City have won their last two league games, and are still standing firm alongside Ascot at the top. The reverse fixture, in October, ended in a 6-1 defeat for the Baggies.
Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4PF

Caversham United v Chesham United Development
A proper relegation six-pointer as The Goats welcome bottom side Chesham to The Rec. The sides have been trading bottom spot recently. Caversham lifted themselves off the bottom on Sunday with a battling 0-0 draw at Kidlington. The reverse fixture was conceded by Chesham and is still Caversham's only league win.
Mapeldurham Recreation Ground, Upper Woodcote Road, Mapledurham, Reading RG4 7LD

Wycombe Wanderers u23 v Ascot United Reserves
Wycombe are on a great run of four wins on the bounce. However, welcoming the new league-leaders to town will be a tough test to that run. Ascot have only lost on the road once this season, the opening day defeat at Abingdon. Wycombe have lost two of their last three home league games. The reverse fixture ended 5-3 to Ascot thanks largely to a Sarah Jones hat-trick.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG

​AFC Stoneham v Wimborne Town
Wimborne's unbeaten away record will face its toughest test yet as they travel to Stoneham Lane. With the league leaders in League Cup action, Stoneham know that a big win could take them back to the summit. However, a Town victory would lift them to within four points of their hosts, with a game in hand. The reverse fixture ended in a 4-0 win for Stoneham, Mia House scoring two of the goals.
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA

AFC Varsity v QK Southampton
Six of Varsity's seven pints have come on their travels. They'll no doubt fancy their chances of a first home win against a QK side who have yet to register a league point. Neither side has played since mid-November, so both should be equally fresh, or rusty, depending on how you look at it. The reverse fixture in October was a close call, Varsity edging it 1-0 with a second-half goal from Jennifer Parr.
Hatches Farm Sports Ground, Romsey Road, West Wellow, Romsey SO51 6EA

Bournemouth Sports Reserves v Abbey Rangers
The reverse fixture came a t a time when Abbey were in disarray following the departure of their coaching team. It was awarded to Sports as an away walkover. Rangers have not won in the intervening period, but their last two games were only lost on the odd goal, and their second half comeback against the league leaders showed that there is plenty of fight in the team. Sports are still in fifth spot despite a poor run of recent form which included a League Cup home defeat to Milton United.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL.

Bursledon v Havant & Waterlooville
If this game is half as entertaining as the reverse fixture, the Dons locals could be in for a real treat. The early season clash ended 4-4. It was 2-2 at the break and 4-3 to Bursledon going into added time. A Sophie Lee strike in the 91st minute claimed a pint for The Hawks.
Toynbee School, Bodycoats Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh SO53 2PL

​Ascot United v Slough Town
Top of the Premier League against mid-table in Division One North. On paper this looks like a home banker, but you just never know in cup football. Ascot have a 100% home record in the league, but have already gone out of the County Cup at home to lower league opposition, a 1-0 defeat to Newport Pagnell. Slough go to this stage on the back of a 3-1 win at QK Southampton, Ascot beat Woodley 4-1 in the previous round.
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ

Fleet Town v Milton United
Milton's 6-3 win at Bournemouth Sports Reserves in the previous round has earned them another clash against a Division One South team. Fleet, however, may pose a stiffer test. They beat Premier League Badshot Lea in the previous round and are currently top of their league.
Crookham Road, Fleet GU51 5FA

Penn & Tylers Green v Wycombe Wanderers
After beating Division One South side Bursledon in the previous round, Penn & Tylers Green now face the prospect of a local derby against their Premier League neighbours, Wycombe. The Chairgirls put 11 past AFC Varsity in the last round, and have scored seven more without reply in their last two league matches. The Penn defence will have their hands full, but they are no slouches in front of goal themselves, having put away 23 in their 6 league outings this season.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

Selsey v Beaconsfield Town
Selsey put out Abbey Rangers in the previous round but, despite being a league above their visitors, probably go into this game as slight underdogs. The Rams are on a roll this season and, although they lost top spot through inactivity on Sunday, are unbeaten in the league. They got to this stage by slamming in a dozen goals against Caversham in the last round.
Seal Bay Resort Stadium, PO20 0QG

Sholing v Reading
An all Premier League tie but, due to a postponement, the teams have not yet met this season. Sholing have scored or conceded four in their last three games in all competitions, one of which was the 4-2 win at Oxford City in the previous round. Reading are still awaiting their first league point of the season, but have fared well in cups, especially when going into a penalty shootout. They progressed to this stage with a shootout win against Tilehurst in the last round. BotP was there to see it- Panthers Pay Penalty To Royals
Oasis Academy Mayfield, Ashley Crescent, Southampton SO19 9NA

Woking v Winchester City Flyers
The Cards had a morale-boosting 3-0 win on Sunday, just in time for them to face up to the challenge of Premier League Winchester. Woking defeated Kidlington in the previous round, winning 4-0 at Woking College, watched by The Wandering Tractor - House of Cards (https://wanderingtractor.uk/house-of-cards/). Flyers got here by means of a bye in Round One.
Woking College, Rydens Way, Woking GU22 9DL

Last Sunday's fixtures were hit hard by the effects of Storm Bert. However, some games did survive the weather. IN the Premier League Ascot United returned to the summit after an impressive win at Sholing. Ascot United kept up the pressure on Beaconsfield in Division One North and, in the South, Fleet Town edged past Bursledon to go top of the table. AFC Portchester's history-making FA Cup run came to an end as they succumbed to National League south coast rivals, AFC Bournemouth.

Skip to forthcoming fixtures

​Badshot Lea P-P Reading

Sholing 0-4 Ascot United
Ascot returned to the top of the table in some style on the South Coast. They got off to an almost perfect start when Leah Littlechild put them ahead in the third minute. Two quick-fire strikes from Olivia Glover in the 25th and 27th minute then had the Yellas three up at the interval. Littlechild added a fourth five minutes in to the second half. You can read the match report, courtesy ofNeal Jeffs on the Ascot United web site.

Winchester City Flyers 3-2 Selsey
Flyers bounced back from last weekend's home defeat to Wycombe, but they had to survive a second-half rally from Selsey before securing the points. Annie Northwood and Libby Wilkinson gave Winchester a two-goal lead at the break. However, Gemma Halford pulled one back on the hour before Kayleigh Tonks restored the two-goal gap with 11 minutes to go. Kate Delillis them made for a tense close to the game in the 82nd minute.
Watch the Winchester goals right here.

Woodley United P-P Wycombe Wanderers

​Abingdon United Development P-P Wycombe Wanderers u23

Ascot United Reserves 7-0 Caversham United
Caversham, without a win and with a few players missing, were always going to be up against it at high-flying Ascot. The Goats battled hard and, at times, frustrated their hosts but were ultimately well beaten. Sarah Jones scored twice in the first-half to send The Yellas in two up at the break. Shortly after the restart Keren Banduka added a third. Tiffany Skinner and Stephanie Ferreira added two quick fire goals before Lou Pullen and Keziah Banduka completed the scoring. You can read the match report on theBotP web site - Weather Beaten

Milton United P-P Tilehurst Panthers

Penn & Tylers Green P-P Kidlington Youth

Slough Town P-P Beaconsfield Town

​AFC Stoneham 2-0 Woking
Level at the halfway stage, Stoneham scored twice in the second half to stay level on points with Fleet Town. A thumping Abbie Awdas header got them on their way. Imogen Mullins then added a second with a superb curling effort from 25 yards. Watch both goals on the Stoneham X feed.

AFC Varsity P-P Abbey Rangers

Bursledon 2-3 Fleet Town
Fleet were made to work all the way by The Dons, despite taking a two-nil lead into the interval. Amy Granger and Keira Simpson scored for Fleet inside six minutes just before half-time. However, Isobel Pouncy was on hand in the 52nd and 70th minutes to put the home side level. Amy Granger popped up on 77 minutes to take the points for the visitors.

Wimborne Town P-P QK Southampton

​Havant & Waterlooville P-P Chesham United Development

AFC Portchester 0-4 AFC Bournemouth
The Portchy FA Cup dream came to an end at the hands of National League high-flyers AFC Bournemouth, but it was far from a disgrace for the Southern Region side. Molly Barron-Clark struck early for Bournemouth, giving them the lead after just 8 minutes. Bournemouth were reduced to 10 with just under half an hour played when  Amber Treweek was dismissed. Portchy kept the score at 0-1 up to the break, but rom the restart Chloe Gilroy fired in a superb second for the visitors (watch the goal here), shortly followed by the first of Gemma McGunness's two goal. McGuinness then completed the scoring just before the hour mark.
Read the report and view the photo gallery on the Bournemouth web site. You can also read the match blog from Tim Shots ATFC (@TimboATFC).

​Combined Counties Cup
Penn & Tylers Green v Beaconsfield
The only two unbeaten sides in Division One North go head to head in the Combined Counties Cup. If Penn were to win their league games in hand, they would be level with The Rams at the top, which shows how closely matched these sides are. This was borne out in the league meeting at Holloways Park in October, when the sides could not be separated, a game that BotP had the pleasure to witness -Undefeated
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

​Badshot Lea v Winchester City Flyers
The Baggies are still looking for that illusive first win of the season, but recent performances have suggested that it may be just around the corner. In the reverse fixture of this one, Badshot Lea took an early lead through Shellie Irvine before eventually succumbing to a 4-1 defeat. With the bottom three starting to look isolated in the Premier League, The Baggies will be wanting to get some points on the board, having played more games that both Selsey and Reading.
Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4PF

Oxford City v Sholing
Sholing were beaten at home by Ascot at the weekend, a result that put the Yellas top again. This weekend the Boatwomen face the team that Ascot usurped at the top. City are level on points at the top but behind Ascot on goal difference, and have played two more. City and Sholing have already met twice this season. An opening day 1-1 league draw was followed by a 4-2 for Sholing at Marsh Lane in early November.
Marsh Lane, Marston, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 0NQ

Reading v Ascot United
A classic bottom versus top match-up. Reading sit rock bottom without a point. Ascot are at the summit and are unbeaten. This will be their first meeting this season. Ascot will be aware that Reading put a National League side out of the county cup in their last outing, whereas they lost at home to a lower league ide in the same competition. Ascot 4-0 win at Sholing last Sunday would have put them back on track for the season.
Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AY

Wycombe Wanderers v Selsey
Selsey are one of the three teams that have been cut adrift at the bottom. However, their second half comeback against Winchester on Sunday showed how they are capable of hurting any team in this league. Wycombe's game on Sunday was called off but they are on a run of there consecutive victories in all competitions. The reverse fixture ended in a 3-1 win for Wanderers.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG

​Ascot United Reserves v Abingdon United Development
Given the game in hand and the three point advantage that second-placed Ascot have over third-placed Abingdon, a home win would put a serious dent in Abingdon's title chasing aspirations. Ascot were convincing 7-0 winners at home to Caversham last time out, Abingdon's game on Sunday was postponed. They met at The Northcourt on the opening Sunday where a Beth Hawtin goal on the hour gave the home side the three points.
The Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ

Kidlington Youth v Caversham United
With Chesham not in league action, The Goats have an opportunity to climb back off the bottom of the table with a point or more at Exeter Park. However, they'll need to overcome a Kidlington side looking to get back on track after losing the last two in all competitions. This is the first meeting this season, but last year this fixture saw a Courtney Sumner hat-trick help the Greens to an 8-2 victory.
Exeter Park, Crown Road, Kidlington OX5 1AB

Milton United v Wycombe Wanderers u23
Two wins on the bounce for Milton will see them go into this one with a certain degree of confidence. However, Wycombe have also won their last two. They've not yet met this season. However, last season this fixture ended 3-2 to Milton thanks largely to two goals from Kira Ranxha. Milton will be looking for someone to step into the shoes of departed top scorer, Mollie Dyer.
Milton Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB

Penn & Tylers Green v Slough Town
Penn are unbeaten in their five league games so far. In fact their only defeat in any competition came two weeks ago when they were beaten by National League Chesham United in the county cup. Slough are just two points behind them, but have played two extra games.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

​Abbey Rangers v Fleet Town
With their 100% record after seven games, Fleet are sitting at the summit of the league going into this game. Abbey sit second from bottom but have played fewer games than all the teams around them. Flet have the meanest defence in the division but have conceded at just over one per game on the road. Whilst Abbey aren't prolific in front of goal, they have averaged two per game at The Moor.
Addlestone Moor, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2QH

AFC Varsity v AFC Stoneham
After a postponement and a walkover, Varsity have yet to get back on the pitch to shake off their League Cup defeat to Wycombe three weeks ago. A visit from The Purps is probably not highest on their list, however. Stoneham are bringing a 100% away record to Hatches Farm, a ruin that has also seen them keep a clean sheet in all three games.
Hatches Farm Sports Ground, Romsey Road, West Wellow, Romsey SO51 6EA

Woking v Bournemouth Sports Reserves
Sports are looking to stop a run of defeats, having lost their last three in the league. However, the three games in question were against the current top three in the division. Woking's current form is mixed, having won one, drawn one, and lost one in their last three. The reverse fixture, in September, ended 2-0 to Bournemouth thanks to first half goals from Lila Charlton and Anastasia Hnatiw.
Woking College, Rydens Way, Woking GU22 9DL

​AFC Portchester v Wimborne Town
Wimborne have settled into league life well, but they face an altogether different challenge in this tie, facing up to Premier League high-flyers AFC Portchester. Town have been very good on the road this season and are yet to lose a league outing away from Dorset. Portchester's last home game saw them as underdogs as they took on AFC Bournemouth. This weekend the tables are turned with Portchy facing a potential banana skin.
Venue: AFC Portchester Womens

Havant & Waterlooville v Chesham United Development
The Hawks lost top spot at the weekend after their game was postponed and both Fleet and Stoneham won. Chesham managed to claw their way off the foot of the table without playing, climbing above Caversham on goal difference after The Goats lost. All of Chesham's four league points have come on the road, so they'll not be too concerned at having to travel for this game. However, Havant have not suffered defeat on their own patch and have clocked up 26 goals in four games.
​Westleigh Park, Havant PO9 5TH

​Pace v QK Southampton
Hampshire League Division Two side Pace have lost both of their home league outings this season. QK have yet to pick up a SoReg point. So, both teams will be looking forward to a little relief from their league campaigns. Goalscoring seems to be an issue for both teams. In 17 league games between them, they have scored just 5 goals.
Venue: Pace FC

Despite the best efforts of Storm Bert, I managed to get to two games this weekend. After my trip over to Finmere on Saturday, I eventually opted for a return to The Racecourse Ground on Sunday for a Southern Region Division One North clash between Ascot United Reserves and Caversham United. As any long-term readers will know, Caversham were a major reason for BotP getting more involved with The SRWFL, even sponsoring one of their players for a couple of seasons. So, it is difficult to see the team struggling a little at the moment. Every team goes through tough periods, and The Goats are no different. They are a small club and have recently put out a social media request to create a partnership with another club in the pyramid. The link to the post is here. If anyone reading thinks they may be able to help, click on the link and get in touch with the club. I can assure you, they are great bunch and deserve any backing they can possibly get.

​Ascot knew that they could close the gap on Beaconsfield with a win, and started the game accordingly. Within two minutes of kick-off, Holly Robinson in the Caversham goal, was called upon to thwart Sarah Jones, who had been put clean through by a ball that dissected the Goats defensive line. It was to become something of a theme for the day. Three minutes later, Jones was again played in on goal and, this time, Robinson hesitated slightly giving the striker time to compose herself and a slip the ball into the net. 1-0
Not an ideal start for the side second from bottom, but they were clearly determined not to capitulate and, despite Ascot largely dominating possession, the home side were not able to add to their lead, at least for a while. Jones turned provider, playing in Delphi Perkins, who put her effort wide. The same player then went close again after 18 minutes. However, Robinson wasn't having to work too hard at this stage.
Just before the half-hour mark, Ascot did increase their lead, but it owed a little to fortune. A ball through the defence looked to be meat and drink to Robinson, who slid out to claim it. However, the ball squirmed out of her grasp, presenting Sarah Jones with an opportunity to chip it into an unguarded net. 2-0. Such a shame for the goalkeeper, who before and after this unfortunate slip-up, performed brilliantly for The Goats.
Conditions were not helping either side to put together any flowing moves. The gusty wind making it very difficult to judge the weight of pass, even when keeping the ball on the deck.
Caversham were battling away as best they could, with a few players out this weekend. Katie Dearling, who was previously sponsored by BotP for 2 seasons, probably better known as a defender, was ploughing a lone furrow up front. One thing she will always give is 100% effort, but the Ascot defence was proving to be a tough nut to break down. At the other end, Robinson saved well from Brejge Gering and Sarah Jones again, as well as throwing herself at the feet of any attacker that came inside her penalty area. No lack of bravery there.
Then, just before the break, Caversham almost, and probably should have, snatched a goal back from nowhere. Dearling somehow wriggled free on the left before slipping the ball across the face of goal. How it stayed out, with a number of players coming in on it, is a mystery. However, it did and Ascot managed to smuggle the ball clear from literally on the line. That could have hit an attacker or a defender and gone in, but when as the saying goes, when you are at the bottom, things just don't seem to run for you.

HT Ascot United Reserves 2 Caversham United 0. Awful conditions for watching, let alone playing. Ascot were, no doubt, worthy of their lead and will feel that they could and should be further in front. Caversham, for their part, worked their socks off to stay in the game, and credit to Holly Robinson for being a formidable last line of defence.

​The second half started with conditions even worse than in the first half, the wind blowing at almost gale force and horizontal rain in the faces of the Caversham defence. With the conditions against them in the second half, it was always going to be a difficult 45 minutes.
With only six minutes played int her second period, Ascot increased their lead. A corner from the left dropped into the centre of the Caversham box where Keren Banduka was on hand to stab it over the line. 3-0. Two minutes later, the same player was put clean through and looked odds on to get her second before Robinson brilliantly and bravely threw herself at the ball, blocking the strike and taking a knock in the process.
The attacking waves from Ascot were now as relentless as the wind from Storm Bert. Just past the hour they had an effort cleared off the line and then, from another left-wing corner, captain Laura Moss crashed a header off Robinson's bar. It was only a matter of time before the next goal arrived and, sure enough, on 69 minutes it did. Tiffany Skinner with an absolute belter from 30 yards, dipping over Robinson leaving the keeper helpless. 4-0
Four minutes later another substitute, Stephanie Ferreira was played in behind the Goats defence. She steadied herself before calmly stroking the ball past Robinson. 5-0. You feared for Caversham now. Having been chasing the ball for the entire game, they were starting to tire and Ascot looked in the mood for adding to their tally.
With fifteen minutes left on  the clock, Lou Pullen got in on the act for The Yellas. Her low, angled drive flew past Robinson into the bottom corner. An excellent strike, giving the goalkeeper no chance. 6-0. With just under ten minutes remaining, Ascot struck again, and it was a goal that summed up Caversham's season so far. Another corner, this time from the right side was played into the mix. Just as the ball reached the area a sudden, sharp gust caught it, directing the ball close under the Caversham bar. Robinson adjusted her footing and managed to get to the ball  but could only palm it away as far as Keziah Banduka, who slotted the ball home to make it seven. 7-0. Even the wind seemed to be against the visitors.
There was still enough time for Robinson to pull off another great stop, this time thwarting Ferreira again, before referee Paul Surtees drew a close to the game. 

FT Ascot United Reserves 7 Caversham United 0. A comprehensive victory for Ascot, taking them to within striking distance of Beaconsfield. Only two points separates the teams at the top now. The defeat means that Caversham fall to the bottom of the table, dropping below Chesham on goal difference.
Next weekend Ascot welcome third placed Abingdon United Development to The Racecourse, in a real title-chasing six-pointer. Abingdon beat Ascot 1-0 in August thanks to a Beth Hawtin strike on the hour. Caversham make the journey North to take on Kidlington Youth at Exeter Park. This will be their first meeting this season.

Ascot United Reserves: 1.Allen, 16.Moss(c), 5 Killick-Bird, 6.Russell, 2.Wright, 8.Pullen, 4.Sumner, 17>gering, 14.Wilson, 9.Jones, 3.Perkins. Subs: 7.Ward, 12.Keziah Banduka, 11. Ferreira, 10.Skinner, 15. Keren Banduka
Caversham United: Robinson, Buckingham, E.Burns, S.Burns, Dearling, Downey, Fletcher, Paton, Scott, West, Wicks. Subs: Clarke, Goldring, Timms

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

​With Storm Bert beginning to show its teeth across the country, a number of games had already fallen foul of the weather, including my daughter's game in the morning. So, I was pleasantly surprised to hear that my first choice game was on. Not wanting to do too much travelling today, I had opted for a North Bucks Intermediate League clash between Finmere and Deanshanger Athletic, teams at opposite ends of the table. Prior to kick-off Athletic sat in third spot, seven points off the leaders, Olney, having  played a game more. Finmere were second from bottom, seven points clear of the bottom side, Bletchley Scot Reserves and within striking distance of jumping a couple of places with a win. The teams met on the opening day of the season (presumably a much warmer and drier day than today), with Deanshanger coming out victorious by 4-0. Two goals from Dan McLaren and one each for Jack Harris and Ben Stevenson. It would be my second time watching Deanshanger this season, having witnessed their 1-1 draw at Woburn & Wavendon back in September (Call The Cops. There's Been A Mugging). I'd never seen Finmere play, home or away, before, despite the village only being 8 miles from home.
Many thanks to match official Joe Major for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick-off.

​With second placed Woburn & Wavendon in cup action, Athletic knew a win would take them into second place, and they didn't waste too much time in asserting themselves. Only four minutes were on the clock when they were awarded a free-kick in a fairly central spot some 20 yards out. Scott Moore struck his shot well enough but it was the deflection off the wall that wrong-footed home goalkeeper Alex Hayley and resulted in the ball nestling in the back of the home net. 0-1.
An already confident Deanshanger side were bolstered by the early goal and set about increasing their lead, something they achieved in the 10th minute. A corner from their right was directed toward the back post where captain Jack Harris rose highest to plant his header into the corner of the net. 0-2 Two became three in the 14th minute, and it was all too easy for the visitors. George Barry burst down the right before pulling the ball back into the path of Ben Stevenson, who gleefully swept the ball past Hayley for 0-3.
Finmere were in real danger of being overrun by their visitors at this point but, to their credit, they did stem the flow a little. Hayley was called into action again to thwart Dan Forbie on 21 minutes but, a further four minutes down the line, Athletic made it four. Once again, the damage was done on the right, Barry again being sent clear. His low cross was aimed at Dan McLaren but the centre-forward couldn't get a clean strike on the ball, which continued on it's path, falling for Dan Forbie, and the winger smashed the ball home. 0-4
It looked like game over, with barely half an hour played. Then, out of nowhere, Finmere got a goal back. It came from Deanshanger making a mess out of playing out from the back. They gifted the ball to Finmere deep inside their own half, which was fed across the box to Louis Cane, who made no mistake with his finish. 1-4.
The goal seemed to rattle the visitors a little, and gave The Fins a boost. Cane, who had already looked like Finemere's most lively player, was that yard faster. Whilst not threatening the away goal too much, they did have a brief period where their own goal wasn't under threat. That was until the 37th minute, when Deanshanger restored their four goal lead. The ball was fed to Dan Forbie on the left. He drove forward, cutting inside and across the face of the penalty area, beat a couple of challenges, before firing low past Hayley's right-hand. 1-5
The response from the home side was almost immediate. Only a good save from Sam Watts prevented Toby Bullivant from pulling a goal back. 
Then, with three minutes to go before the break, something I don't think I have seen before. The game was briefly stopped to allow a player to retrieve a stray umbrella that had been blown onto the field of play. Safely back in the hands of its owner, the game was allowed to continue and there was just enough time left for Athletic to almost make it six when Sean Dyer saw his strike glance the bar before going over for a goal-kick.

HT Finmere 1 Deanshanger Athletic 5. Not exactly one-way traffic, but not too far off. Deanshanger played some lovely passing football on a very difficult surface. The home side had little to offer in exchange.

​Interestingly, despite the weather, Deanshanger stayed out on the pitch for their half-time talk, whereas Finmere took shelter in the changing room. Maybe the slightly warmer muscles of the home team had the advantage, because they certainly started the second half on the front foot. Only three minutes had passed when they reduced the deficit with a goal from captain Cameron Thomas, a well struck drive from 20 yards that Sam Watts will be disappointed not to have stopped. 2-5
Things were a lot more even in this half. Without a doubt, the home side had increased their intensity and, equally, Deanshanger seemed to have taken their foot off the gas a little. The result was that there were no clear-cut goal chances at either end for the next fifteen minutes or so. 
However, this changed in the 65th minute when Athletic substitute, Ben Baker, latched onto a through ball to volley home from 15 yards. A great strike, especially as he was challenged and knocked off balance as he struck the shot. Even so, it flew past Hayley into the top corner. 2-6
Once more, the home side did their best to respond, even though the game was now almost certainly beyond them. They missed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit again with just under 20 minutes to go. Visiting keeper Sam Watts did well to get down to a low strike, pushing it away, but only into the path of Jason Ronald who, with the goal gaping, somehow smashed the ball against the upright from six yards out. A few minutes later, Watts was again called into action, saving well from Cane.
With eight minutes to go, Deanshanger put the icing on the cake. A low, driven, left-wing corner found Ben Baker running in at the near post. His flicked effort somehow squirmed past a sea of legs to go in off the foot of the upright. 2-7
That was the end o the scoring and, as the weather worsened, thankfully the referee drew a close to proceedings.

FT Finmere 2 Deanshanger Athletic 7. A much more even second half. Finmere definitely upped their game in response to the first half performance. However, the damage had already been done. The result lifts Deanshanger up to second spot, but still seven points adrift of Olney at the summit. Finmere remain second from bottom.
Next weekend Finmere make the trip over to Milton Keynes to take on bottom side Bletchley Scot Reserves. The Fins won the reverse fixture 3-2 back in September. Deanshanger make the short journey to Buckingham as they take on sixth placed Buckingham, the first time they have met this season.

Finmere: 13.A.Haley, 12.C.Haley, 14.Thomas(c), 8.West, 6.Ashely, 3.Marshall-Stepens, 4.Anderson, 11.L.Cain, 27.R.Bullivant, 10.Ronald, 15.T.Bullivant. Subs: 7.Bone, 16.J.Cain
Deanhanger Athletic: 1.Watts, 2.Grose, 3.Stallard, 5.Dunning, 5.Harris(c), 15.Dyer, 7.Stevenson, 8.Moore, 9.McLaren, 14.Barry, 11.Forbie. Subs: 12.Fisher, 10.Bonsell, 16.Kissane, 6.Baker

​The Ground
Finmere play their home games at a facility shared with the cricket club, just to the North of the village, situated alongside the village hall. There is a reasonably large car park alongside the village hall building and a small gate that leads in to the football and cricket grounds. The changing rooms and toilet facilities are just to the left of the car park, between the corner flag and one of the goals. This wooden structure has a small covered veranda looking out over the pitch. Perfect for days such as today, when the weather was awful.
The playing surface looked in need of a trim and was a little bumpy in places. There are, of course, no further spectator areas around the pitch.

Ground Number: 425
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

​Reading may still be awaiting their first league point of the season but the cups are a different matter, especially once they get into a penalty shootout. Sunday saw them take a higher division scalp and once again it was from the spot. After drawing 0-0 with National League Abingdon United, the Royals went through from 12 yards for the third consecutive cup tie.
In the leagues, we have a new Premier League leader after Oxford beat Portchester at Marsh Lane. Beaconsfield were in cup action, but stay top in the North, although the chasing pack all won to close the gap to five points. IN the South Fleet won the big, top of the table, clash beating Havant & Waterlooville. However, The Hawks remain in top spot for now.

​Badshot Lea 2-3 Woodley United
The Baggies took an early lead in this game when Alyssa Hall scored after just 9 minutes. They held that lead until the stroke of half-time before Sarah Lawrence put United level. Two minutes after the break Chloe Melton had the visitors in front and seven minutes later Lauren Devlin added Woodley's third. Rebecca Munro pulled a goal back with just over 20 minutes remaining, but Woodley held on to take the points.

Oxford City 2-1 AFC Portchester
Gemma Hillier gave Portchester an early lead at the MGroup Stadium, but that was cancelled out just before the half-hour by Isobel Bradley. Five minutes later an unfortunate own goal put the hosts in front. The Hoops then held onto their advantage, getting back to winning ways, taking them to the top of the table in the process.

Winchester City Flyers 0-4 Wycombe Wanderers
Eman Kassem struck a hat-trick for the second match in succession, catapulting Wycombe firmly into the mix at the top end of the table. The game was goalless at the break but Kassem struck just a minute after the restart, adding a second on 74 minutes before completing her hat-trick with there minutes to go. In between goal two and three, Jessica Watkins added her tenth of the season. Three Wanderers players, Kassem, Watkins and Kayla Potter, are all now in double figures for the season.

​Chesham United Development 0-2 Milton United
Milton United won away from home for the first time, consigning Chesham to an unwanted 100% home defeat record in their fifth match at Chiltern Hills Academy. April England and Grace Wiseman were on target for the visitors.

Kidlington Youth 1-2 Ascot United Reserves
Kidlington slumped to their third consecutive defeat in all competitions after Ascot scored late on to take the points at Exeter Park. Kiera Isaac scored her fifth of the season for Kidlington whilst Bregje Geling and Danielle Kjaer were on target for United. The victory puts Ascot just five points behind leaders Beaconsfield, with a game in hand.

Tilehurst Panthers 2-4 Abingdon United Development
Home league form is proving to be an issue for Panthers. This was their fifth outing at Scours Lane and they are yet to win. Charlotte Bigmore scored a hat-trick for Abingdon whilst Iva Georgievska added the other goal. Kloe Peters and Leah Why scored for Tilehurst, both goals coming in the second half.

Wycombe Wanderers u23 6-0 Caversham United
Wanderers eased past Caversham with two more goals from top-scorer Shannon Read and further strike from Elena Mitchell, Ammara Qureshi, Emma Vaughan and Poppy Lloyd. The Goats remain second from bottom on goal difference but their lack of goals this season must be concerning, with only two scored in seven league outings.

Bournemouth Sports Reserves 0-1 AFC Stoneham
An Emma Simpson goal was all it took for Stoneham to maintain their 100% away record in the league. The result leaves them third, a point shy of the leaders, with a game in hand.

Bursledon 1-0 QK Southampton
Kirby Anderson's goal gave Bursledon their first home league win of the season. It was QK's ninth league defeat on the bounce, leaving them anchored to the foot of the table. However, recent results are showing improvements, giving reason for optimism.

Fleet Town 3-1 Havant & Waterlooville
A Phoebe Hamilton goal could not prevent The Hawks going down to a Fleet side who have now won six from six in the league. Elin Roberts inside the first 10 minutes, Olivia Cervino just before the break, and a late Keira Simpson goal ensured a 3-1 win and second spot for Town.

​Abingdon United 0-0 (3-5) Reading
Reading claimed a National League scalp following their fourth penalty shootout win in just over a month. After the game remained goalless after 90 minutes, Reading went on to win 5-3 from the spot. This added to the FA Cup defeat of Richmond & Kew, County Cup victory over Caversham United, and League Cup progress past Tilehurst, all from shootouts.

Ascot United 0-1 Newport Pagnell Town
A late Jasmine Spence goal secured County Cup giant-killing progress for Newport Pagnell Town. In a game of few clear-cut chances, Spence's 86th minute strike was the deciding factor. You can read match report on the Ascot United web site.

Beaconsfield Town 0-5 Maidenhead United
National League Maidenhead proved a step too far for the high-flying Rams. Simone O'Brien gave The Magpies the perfect start, putting them in front inside a minute. Izzy Stockton made it two just before the half-hour. Two quickfire goals within 11 minutes of the restart, from Tia Johnson and Nat Cowell, effectively sealed United's victory even before the 74th minute own goal made it five.

Penn & Tylers Green 1-4 Chesham United
A penalty, the last kick of the first-half, was converted by Sarah Harrison, to give Penn a half-time lead. However, Becky Fraser got The Generals level just after the break and, ten minutes into the second half, Gemma Fraser made it 1-2. Tasha Smith then added a quickfire third goal before Gemma Fraser made it safe in the 82nd minute.

​Bognor Regis Town 5-1 Selsey
The Rockettes proved too strong for their Sussex coast rivals. Rhiannon Hambleton opened the scoring on 16 minutes before defender Alice Gue added a second close to the half-hour. Shortly after the break Millie Carter put away a spot-kick to make it 3-0 only for Mai Childs to pull one back for Selsey with just over 20 remaining. In the closing ten minutes Jade Widdowson and Alice Gue, with her second, made it a commanding win for Town. You can check out match photos from @lynandtrev and Martin Denyer. You can also read about the game in the Sussex Express.

​Poole Town 1-1(p4-2) Wimborne Town
Poole eventually came out on top from the penalty spot, but they had to come from behind to take the game to a shootout. Goalless at the break, Sadie West gave The Magpies the lead just before the hour, but Lauren Kelly popped up with the equaliser for The Dolphins.

​Epsom & Ewell 0-7 Woking
The Cards proved to be too strong for Epsom & Ewell, scoring three in the first half and four in the second, unanswered. Jasmina Vanvooren out Woking into a 6th minute lead, Amy Richards made it two and Louise Curr added a third before the interval. Shortly after the restart Alicia Christie added a fourth before, two minutes later, Vanvooren grabbed her second. Frances Cotter made it six before the hour, then Trudy Bryan-Kerr completed the scoring on 66 minutes.

Richmond & Kew 1-0 Abbey Rangers

​Badshot Lea v Reading
Two team in desperate need of league points. Reading sit bottom, two points adrift of The Baggies but with a colossal six games in hand. Neither team has won a league match and neither will want to be cut adrift at the foot of the table.
Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4P

Sholing v Ascot United
Ascot lost their place at the top of the table and went out of the county cup last weekend, and will be keen to get back up there as soon as possible. First of all they'll need to overcome a mid-table Sholing side who will be fresh, having not been in action last Sunday or in midweek. Last season, Ascot won the corresponding fixture 1-0 with a Sarah Jones goal just after the interval.
Oasis Academy Mayfield, Ashley Cresent, Southampton SO19 9NA

Winchester City Flyers v Selsey
One place, but five points separates City in 7th from their visitors in 8th. Two weeks ago, Selsey notched their first win of the season in all competitions, but are still winless in the league. Flyers have lost their last two home league outings 4-0, so they'll be very keen to buck that trend.
Hiller Way, Winchester SO50 7SU

Woodley United v Wycombe Wanderers
Woodley know that, whatever Ascot do in their game, a win against The Chairgirls will see them sit on top of the pile by close of play. However, two consecutive league wins has seen Wycombe put themselves back in the mix near the top of the table too. Last season's corresponding fixture, toward the end of the season, saw the sides fight out a 0-0 draw.
​UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3HE

Abingdon United Development v Wycombe Wanderers u23
Two sides in good recent form. Wycombe have won their last two games without conceding. Abingdon have also won their last two, scoring 11. A month ago, in the revers fixture, Abingdon came away from Burnham with a 4-0 victory thanks to two goals from Isabel Hughes and one each from Charlotte Bigmore and Nina Maitlis.
The Northcourt, OX14 1PL

Ascot United Reserves v Caversham United
Ascot's 2-1 defeat of Kidlington last weekend saw them move to within five of Beaconsfield, with a game in hand. Meanwhile, Caversham were going down 6-0 to Wycombe. Last season, eight goals were scored in a frantic second half after Ascot had gone in three up at half-time. The Yellas went on to win the game 8-3.
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ

Milton United v Tilehurst Panthers
Milton's win and Tilehurst's defeat last weekend saw United move to within a point of Panthers, with a game in hand on Sunday's visitors. Six of the eight points that Panthers have gained this season have come on the road and after taking only a single point from four consecutive homer games, they may be happy to be travelling again.
Milton Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB

Penn & Tylers Green v Kidlington Youth
Unbeaten Penn could go level with the leaders should they win all of the games in hand. Step one is to get the better of a Kidlington side who have blown hot and cold this season. Defeat to Woking in the League Cup and, last week's 2-1 defeat at home to Ascot, came on the back of three wins on the bounce, which include a very creditable 3-2 win at Abingdon.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

Slough Town v Beaconsfield Town
A first league meeting between these local rivals. They have, however, already met in the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup, a game that saw Beaconsfield progress by 6-2, scoring three goals in each half. The Rams have a five point lead at the top of the table but, with Ascot having a game in hand, they'll be keen to continue their unbeaten run, at the very least. Since that cup defeat at Holloways Park, Slough have won one, lost one in the league. They also come into the game on the back of a 3-1 League Cup win at QK.
Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AY

​AFC Stoneham v Woking
The Cards have hit a patch of form recently, winning their last three in all competitions without conceding a goal. Stoneham, currently third in the table, are a point behind the leaders with a game in hand. Last season this fixture ended 3-2 to Stoneham, Chloe Marshall scoring twice for the Purps. Charlotte Keenan, who has since moved on to Portchester, scored both Woking goals.
Stoneham Lane Football Complex, SO16 2PA

AFC Varsity v Abbey Rangers
Rangers make their first league visit to Hatches Farm, knowing that a win would take them level on points with their opponents in the table, with a game in hand. Varsity are yet to win a league game at home, Abbey are yet to win on the road.
Hatches Farm Sports Ground, Romsey Road, West Wellow, Romsey SO51 6EA

Bursledon v Fleet Town
Fleet take their 100% league record down to Toynbee School on Sunday, knowing that a win would put them top of the table. The Dons won in the league on their own patch for the first time last weekend, but have also only lost their once, a 1-0 defeat to Stoneham. However, Fleet's 22 goals in 4 away games is the best record in the league.
Toynbee School, Bodycoats Road, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh SO53 2PL

Wimborne Town v QK Southampton
QK's search for a first point of the season continues in Dorset this weekend. The reverse fixture ended in a 4-0 win for Wimborne, with two goals coming in each half. The Magpies have not scored too many at home this season so far, just 3 in 4 games. QK have scored twice in five away games. So, neither are prolific. Maybe that will change this weekend.
​Wyatt Homes Stadium, New Cuthbury, 16 Ainsley Road, Wimborne BH21 2FU

​Havant & Waterlooville v Chesham United Development
The Hawks retained their top spot at the weekend, despite losing to Fleet Town. Chesham remain in the drop zone of Division One North. Maybe a weekend of cup action is exactly what both teams need? All of Chesham's four league points have come on the road, so they'll not be too concerned at having to travel for this game. However, Havant have not suffered defeat on their own patch and have clocked up 26 goals in four games.
​Westleigh Park, Havant PO9 5TH

​AFC Portchester v AFC Bournemouth
A very tasty looking south coast derby in the FA Cup and a very tough test for Portchy. AFC Bournemouth currently sit top of the National League Division One South West with a 100% record, having only conceded two goals in the league all season. They progressed to this round of the FA Cup with a 6-0 win at Saltash United, whilst Portchester won 4-1 at Winchester City Flyers.
​Venue: AFC Portchester Womens