A last minute decision saw me heading back over to Enstone Sports Club this Friday evening, for another Henry Hawtin Memorial Cup  group match as Charlbury Town took on Heyford Athletic. As it has only been a couple of weeks since my last visit to this ground, this match blog will take a different format to normal. There's no ground description and, for a number of reasons, the actual match description will be limited. However, thanks to competition organiser, Rob Smith, and John Hawtin, son of Henry whom the cup is in honour of, there will be far more detail about the competition.

In fact, let's start with that to give a little more background about the cup, its history and the current competition status. Following my recent visit for the Stonesfield v Chadlington game, Rob kindly did some research regarding my questions about the origin of the cup, and was able to speak with John Hawtin, who kindly hand-wrote a short history:

Henry Hawtin was born in 1914 and started working for Worth's Motor Services in 1928, selling cycles and cars in Enstone. Worth's Garage is still a thriving business in Enstone to this day. One of Henry's jobs was to take the Oxford University rugby team to matches, including the Varsity Game held in London every year. He did this for 30 years and was awarded a silver salver for long service after 25 years. He continued driving the buses until his death from a heart attack in the late 1980s.
Enstone Sports was reformed in 1960 with John Hawtin joining the committee. Henry joined a couple of years later and went on to become chairman in the mid-60s, before becoming President, a position he held until his death.
The Enstone Parish website is well worth a visit. There are many photos similar to the one below, showing Enstone as it was in days gone by.

Enstone Sports originally played at Church Enstone. In 1980 the parish council purchased the current ground, at which the club has played since.
When Henry passed away his wife, Lil, took over the role of President of the club. They had three children, all of whom are still involved with the club in some way. The Hawtin's also had six grandchildren, five boys and a girl. In 1991 four of them played in the final for Enstone and one ran the line. The match was against Hook Norton, Enstone ending victorious after a monumental tussle that went to extra-time and penalties. The Hawtin grandchildren were then presented the cup by their grandmother.
So, as you can see, the name Hawtin is very much associated with Enstone Sports and Enstone in general. It's very fitting that this competition keeps alive both Henry's and the family's name. Long may it continue.

This years' competition features ten teams in two groups of five. The top two from each group then progress to the semi-finals ahead of the final, scheduled for Saturday 31st August.

Group A contains Adderbury Park, Charlbury Town, Deddington Town, Heyford Athletic and Spartan Rangers. 
Adderbury started the competition as most people's hot favourites, and are still in a good position to make the semi-final. However, their draw with Deddington has put some pressure  on them. They key game could well be when Adderbury take on Heyford in just over a week. Prior to this evening's game, the table looked like this:

Group B features Chadlington, Ducklington, Milton, Stonesfield and Witney Royals. As it stands, Chadlington have won all three of their games so far, guaranteeing themselves a spot in the last four. Ducklington sit in second spot but Milton, who have played only once, could leapfrog them with their game in hand. Witney look to be out of the running after losing their opening two games.

​So, on to this evening's game and, as I said before, a somewhat truncated overview of the game. 
In all fairness, this wasn't the most entertaining game of football I have ever watched. Added to that, I don't have a way to translate shirt numbers to player names. Two reasons that the match review is shorter than normal.

Heyford, kicking down the slight slope, were the first to show calling the Charlbury keeper into action within the first ten minutes and, generally, having the lion's share of possession. However, the first big chance fell to Charlbury, just before the quarter hour mark, when a through ball set their right winger free, only to be thwarted by a strong block from the Heyford goalkeeper. Charlbury then had a header cleared off the line from the resulting corner.
Those two chances aside, it was still Heyford who were just edging what was a fairly even match-up. The Charlbury keeper being called into action more often than his counterpart.
Clear cut chances, however, were few and far between at either end.

HT Charlbury Town 0 Heyford Athletic 0. A relatively even contest, edged by Heyford. There's no real flow to the game for either team, not helped by constant stoppages and an increasingly gusty wind. It can only get better.

​The second half started with Charlbury taking the initiative. Two very early chances went missing. A fizzed ball across the face of goal just needed  a touch, but no-one could provide it. Then the Heyford stopper made a decent save to keep another effort out. Heyford's impetus from the first half seemed o have left them for the time being, as Town took more control of possession., without unduly stressing the goalkeeper.
As Charlbury prepared to make a substitution, by bringing on the player who had been running the line, we were treated to one of the most grassroots images I think I have ever seen. The two Charlbury players who had come off earlier were nursing niggles, so a supporter was drafted in to take over the flag, which he did whilst still wearing his sunglasses and carrying the pint he had been supping on the sidelines. To be fair to him, I don't think he spilled a drop even when having to keep up with play. 

Charlbury proceeded to waste one of the more clear cut chances, blazing a close range effort over, before Heyford began to get back into the game in the final ten minutes. This was probably the most entertaining period of the game. Heyford tested the Charlbury goalkeeper and saw a shot fly narrowly over before, at the other end, Charlbury came closest of all with a curling effort from Craig McCallum (thanks again Rob)  that clipped the post on its way out.

FT Charlbury Town 0 Heyford Athletic 0. A point apiece, which is probably far more useful to Heyford than Charlbury. However, it sets up the Group A table nicely for the remaining fixtures and makes the Adderbury v Heyford fixture even more important. ​The result lifts Charlbury into second place in the table. However, they now only have one remaining game, against Deddington.

​Both games I have seen so far have been very well attended. However, if you do get a chance to go along, I highly recommend it. It's a lovely club and the clubhouse is always open for matches. It's free to watch the games but I am sure Rob and the Enstone committee would appreciate all support.

Charlbury Town(Squad): Bradbury, McCallum, Lang, Nimmo, Goode, Hornblow, Robertson, Caws, Nutt, M.Fitzgerald, Williams, Eley, S.Fitzgerald
Heyford Athletic(Squad): Ingram, Badland, Dudley, Roberts, Campbell, Fletcher, Cameron, Bonito, Dawe, Gosling, Flarry, Stimson, Chambers, Spaenij

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

Game five of the season saw me back on the road up the M40 and M42. My destination was Earlswood Town, just over two miles away from Saturday's game at Leafield Athletic (Leafield's Big Day Falls Into DK). The Earls were opening their Midland League Division 2 campaign with a home game against newly promoted AFC Solihull. It was my first visit to Earlswood, although I did see Solihull play last season, on their way to the Third Division title. That day they were 4-0 winners at nearby AFC Birmingham (Soli Not Soli).
Earlswood, founded in 1968. have been playing in the Midland League structure, in its various guises, since 1982. Their heyday, so far, came after promotion to the Midland Combination Division One in 2007. They then won that division four seasons later, spending three years in the Premier League before being placed in their current division when the Alliance and Combination merged in 2014. AFC Solihull were only founded in 2012. They joined Division Three of the Midland League in 2015, progressing well over the seasons. A fourth a then third place finish in 2022 and 2023 saw them get close to promotion before, last season, they cruised to the title, winning 26 of their 32 games. So, this evening would be Solihull's debut at this level and the first league meeting between the clubs.
Both had already played a Les James cup match last weekend, with differing results. Earlswood drew 1-1 with fellow Division Two outfit, Cadbury  Athletic, before winning the shootout 5-4. Solihull suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to neighbours and Division 3 side, Silhill.
Thanks to officials from both teams who I managed to spot carrying team sheets before the game. Always appreciated to get a photo of the line-ups.

​Solihull, in their lime green shirts, were kicking down the slope in the first half and it was they who began much the brighter of the two. They had Earlswood pushed back in their own half and, as early as the second minute, were awarded a free-kick, fairly centrally, some 25 yards out. Right-back Brad Andrews strode up to take it, thudding his effort off Alexey Dallaway's right-hand post. It was a strange moment in a lot of ways because no-one reacted. Dallaway hardly moved and was well-beaten by the strike. When the ball came back off the post, neither attackers or defenders appeared to react for a second or two. When they did, Earlswood managed to get the loose ball clear of the danger zone.
The positive start continued for Solihull who, considering they had lost 3-1 at the weekend, were knocking the ball around with some confidence, whereas Earlswood were struggling to get their game going at all. Passes were being sent astray and possession lost as the visitors dictated the game.
Having said that, after 15 minutes, the home side did show signs of getting their act together. First of all Jonathan Hamer did well to control a long ball that dropped over his shoulder, only for his strike was blocked off by a defender. A few minutes later Jake Potter went on a mazy run up the left, beating a couple of players before cutting inside and unleashing a shot that was also blocked before being cleared. A slightly more promising period for The Earls.
Those two efforts on their goal seemed to spark Solihull back into action and debutant James Reid was a little unlucky on 21 minutes when he met a teasing cross into the home box with a glancing header, but failed to get enough on it to beat Dallaway. That, however, proved to be a dry run. Just past the midway point of the half Solihull earned a corner on the right. It was delivered deep to the back post where captain Sam Delaney met it with a towering header. Dallaway did well to make the save and the ball was partially cleared. Solihull kept up the pressure and, before the home defence could fully reorganise, the ball was delivered into the box again where this time James Reid, unmarked, made no mistake with the header. 0-1
It was all Solihull at this point. Their biggest threat was from corners, especially from the right. Delaney was winning every ball at the back post, causing so many problems for the home defence. However, despite being well on top in terms of possession, Solihull didn't manage to immediately extend their lead.
Five minutes before the break they cam every close when Dylan Daniels fizzed a shot towards the bottom corner, forcing Dallaway to go full-length to get a fingertip around the post. Another Delaney far-post header had Dallaway scrambling again a minute later, but this time the stopper came out on top.
With a minute left in the first-half, Earlswood would probably have taken a single goal deficit but Solihull had different ideas. It was that man Reid, having an all action debut, who created the goal. He did well to beat his marker on the right, driving to the line before driving the ball across the face of goal where Owen Williams had the relatively simple task of applying a close-range finish. 0-2

HT Earlswood Town 0 AFC Solihull 2. Solihull deserved the lead and could easily have been further ahead. Earlswood would need a big second period if they wanted to get anything out of the game.

​The visitors were back out on the pitch earl for the second half. I guess there was not much the coaching staff needed to say after their first half performance other then "keep it going". Earlswood had the slope advantage in their favour and I suppose their visitors and most in the crown expected something of a red and white onslaught early in the second period. To be fair, they did have the first shot in anger, a Nathan Woodhouse long-range strike that didn't trouble Shaune Allen, and were seeing more of the ball, but the siege never transpired.
In fact Williams came close to grabbing his second goal after Cherno Sey engineered a chance for his with some good work on the right. Only a last ditch deflection took the striker's shot over the bar. From the resulting corner, Delaney once again got a head to the ball at the far post, this time putting his effort into the side netting under pressure from a defender.
There was no doubt that Earlswood were knocking the ball about with a lot more assurance than in the first half, but they were able to put Allen under any serious pressure. Then, in the 66th minute, Solihull were given the chance to seal the game. A foul on Sey inside the box gave the referee no option that to point to the spot. James Reid blasted the spot-kick to Dallaway's right and, despite the keeper getting something on it, the power was too much for him. 0-3
Earlswood the proceeded to produce a few chances. First of all some neat interplay between captain Harry Street and Amadu Yaya Bah won them a corner from which nothing came. A minute or two later Joe Kelso got a flick onto a cross which Allen fielded comfortably. A much more promising period for the hosts even if they hadn't managed to get a goal back.
That said, they were almost four down with ten to play. Dallaway parried a speculative effort, pushing the ball out wide to his left. Reid latched onto it, sending over a cross, or was it a shot, that beat the keeper but went safe after clipping the bar.
The action continued at the other end. Potter did brilliantly down the right before sliding the ball across the face of goal for Harry Street to tap in. Sadly for The Earls, the captain had not quite timed is run and the assistant's flag had gone up immediately
The evening then got worse for Earlswood as Alessandro Pierpoint, already booked earlier, was forced into a misjudged challenge to end a good run from Jake Davis. There was no argument from the number 4 as the referee produced a second yellow and the inevitable red card.
Conversely, with the home side a man light, they did then manage to hit back with a consolation, Phillip Mann with an unchallenged header, sending the ball past Allen much to the keeper's annoyance. 1-3

There was still just enough time for Solihull to waste two more glorious chances to add to the score before referee Paul Rodwell blew for the end of the game.

FT Earlswood Town 1 AFC Solihull 3. Not the start to the season that the home side would have wanted but, in all fairness, they were out battled and out played all evening by a Solihull side clearly smarting from the cup defeat at the weekend. Both teams are back in  action on Saturday, and both have home games in the league. Earlswood welcome another promoted team, Northfield Town, to The Pavilions.
AFC Solihull take on Cadbury Athletic at home, Rumbush Lane (Leafield Athletic FC).

Earlswood Town: Dallaway, McArevey, Street(c), Pierpoint, Mann, Woodhouse, Eden, Kelleher, Potter, Hamer, Kelso. Subs: Parvaiz, Bridges, Benjamin, Bah, Woodward
AFC Solihull: Allen, Andrews, Byron-Morgan, Cooney, Delaney(c), Daniels, McIlDuff, Said, Reid, Williams, Sey. Subs: Lediard, Jones, Davis, Moulton, Blackwood

​The Ground
Earlswood play at The Pavilions on Malthouse Lane, just to the South-West of Earlswood itself. There's a decent sized car park, which is marshalled to ensure the capacity is used to it's full extent. There's also an overflow area on grass behind the Malthouse Lane end goal. Parking outside the ground it possible but limited because the approach road is quite narrow. Entrance is through a small gate off the car park manned by a very sociable chap who gave the impression he had been in and around the club for a while. One of those bastions of non-league football. 
Once inside the ground, the first thing I noticed was something that, certainly in my experience, is a unique feature. Running down the outer edge of the path leading to the clubhouse there is a well-tended garden and rockery.
The clubhouse, toilets and players changing block looks to be a relatively new (or newly refurbished) building clad in wood and bearing the club logo in a few places. There are a few tables and chairs directly outside the clubhouse as well as a few benches lined up alongside the front of the clubhouse, all with a view across the pitch. There are no covered spectator areas around the pitch but there is some shelter provided by the overhang of the clubhouse roof and, at a push, you could watch the game from the comfort of your car if you had pole position in the car park. The playing surface does have a slope, from the car park end down to the halfway line. From that point onwards it looked to be relatively flat. There are wooden dugouts straddling the halfway line on the opposite side to the clubhouse. One thing I noticed was that the club has England kit man and West Brom supporter, Pat Frost, as a sponsor.
Overall, much like the programme (see below), everything gives the impression of a well run, well looked after and much loved club.

​The Programme
Earlswood produce what in my neck of the woods would be called a bostin' programme. A gloss, full-colour front and back cover and jam-packed with interesting articles and statistics. Unlike many programmes, there are very few adverts, the inside space is dedicated exclusively to pieces of interest. Aside from the standards such as an honours list and club history, there is also a round-up of Midland League Division Two news, today's squad lists and a history of the evening's opponents. The club chairman also has a column and there is an interesting piece about Earlswood's adopted Welsh club, Caernarfon Town, in which the programme editor, John Sharpe, keeps fans up to date with happenings at the Welsh Premier Division club. The programme is scattered with other little gems of information, not least on the back page, where there is a short history of the local area, something I don't think I have seen in a programme before. I can't recommend this piece of work highly enough. It is a superb programme and, at just a £1, very good value.

Ground Number: 412
Att: 92
Entrance: £4.00
Programme: £1.00

This Saturday I was able to get back to some real grassroots football as the West Midlands (Regional) season got under way. There was no better place to start than at The Coronation Ground, home of Leafield Athletic. The club was making its first appearance at Step 8, so it was a big day for everyone concerned. Their opponents on this historic occasion were Dudley Kingswinford, who were only in their second season in the West Midland League. It's less than a year since I visited DK, who play just 5 minutes from my mum's house, when they took on Punjab United last November (Goals Guaranteed). That 5-4 win was one of only five victories in a season that saw DK finish third from bottom with 18 points from 24 games. Leafield, for me, were an unknown quantity. They've most recently been members of the Birmingham and District League but, I'm sorry to say, I know very little of their history.

​The game couldn't have started much better for the home team. Taking the game to their opponents from the start, they took the lead as early as the 5th minute. Tom Roberts in the DK goal parried an initial attempt at goal but the ball fell invitingly for Jayden Bevan, making his league debut, who made no mistake from close range. 1-0 
An early setback for the team in blue who had been caught napping in the opening minutes. However, to their credit, they almost immediately began to get their act together, looking especially threatening down each flank through the pace of Zach Lamb and Oli Noble. The first hint of what was to come came in the 12th minute. A Lamb cross was fumbled by home keeper Christian Harris. However, the stopper reacted well to get a hand to the ball on the ground, pushing just out of reach of Shane Farrington, who was looking to pounce. A few minutes later, Lamb was again causing problems on the left, this time driving past his marker before cutting the ball back across the box. Noble met it on the run, but hammered his drive over from 18 yards. The visitors were picking up the pace and, when the equaliser arrived midway through the half, it came as no surprise. Again it was Lamb showing good footwork to disrupt the home defence. He then slipped the ball to Josh Parker who slotted past Harris to make it 1-1.
Leafield were struggling to retain possession at this point, constantly putting themselves under pressure against a DK side that were beginning to look more and more confident. Shane Farrington almost made it two for the Blues on 25 minutes, running onto a lovely through ball before chipping over the advancing Harris, only for Kyle Furness, who had tracked back well, to head off the line. Lamb then shrugged off another challenge on the left before putting in a low cross toward the front post where Shay Batham managed to get a toe in but saw his effort go wide of the mark.
Maybe the threat of Lamb on the left took the Leafield eye off potential for damage coming from the other side because, on the half-hour, Noble drove up the right before cutting a ball back into the path of Parker on the edge of the box. His mishit shot fell perfectly into the path of Shay Batham, who ignored the calls for offside (he definitely wasn't off) and calmly slotted past Harris. 1-2
Almost immediately Leafield brought on Mitchell Reynolds in an attempt to get to grips with the midfield battle. However, they soon found themselves further behind when Corrigan overran the ball trying to play out from defence. Parker was on it in a flash, feeding Shane Farrington who drilled the ball low into the corner. 1-3
Parker than called Harris into action again, the Leafield stopper making a good stop to prevent a fourth before the break. Farrington also came close after out-battling his marker but not getting enough power behind his shot, allowing Harris to make a fairly comfortable stop.
However, maybe giving themselves a bit of a lift for the half-time talk, Leafield did have the final opportunity of the half. Captain Jack Smith was the first to react to a loose ball inside the DK penalty area. However, Tom Roberts had remained alert and was off his line quickly and bravely to make a block from point-blank range.

HT Leafield Athletic 1 Dudley Kingswinford 3. A great start from Leafield but credit to DK who weathered the initial storm and got themselves back into the game, pressuring Leafield into a series of mistakes that were ultimately punished by some good finishing from the visitors.

​The first few minutes of the second half looked to be going in exactly the same manner as the majority of the first period, with DK setting the pace. Farrington again stung the palms of Harris with Gwilliam blasting the rebound over. Farrington was then put clean through but, as Harris came out to narrow the angle, the striker slid his effort just wide of the far post.
However, despite DK's early chances, Leafield visibly upped their game at this point and for the next ten minutes, began to push their opponents back. Their big chance came on the hour mark. A free-kick from 35 yards out was floated into the penalty area where the unmarked Jack Smith met it with a glancing header that was inches past Roberts' right-hand post. It maybe wasn't the easiest of chances but, having under the cosh for much of the match, that needed to be taken. A goal back whilst Athletic were on the front foot could have changed the direction of the game. As it turned out, that was as close as they got.
A few minutes later DK were back up the other end. First of all Oli Noble picked up a booking for simulation, much to the amusement of Tom Roberts, who made a quip about being at the Olympics. Then Jim Hiscox decided to give us a demonstration of his passing abilities. On 67 minutes Hiscox sent through a delightful pass to set Parker on his way, forcing Harris to make an excellent block with his feet. A few minutes later Hiscox upped his game further with a pinpoint 60 yard cross-field ball to find Zach Lamb bursting clear on the left. Sadly the winger couldn't find a suitable finish, putting his shot well over the bar.
The game was now all but up. Leafield's Kevin Bird did fire over a cross that required Roberts to get his knees dirty but they knew they were beaten. This fact was then rammed home further when, a minute into added time, Athletic gave the ball away again, this time inside their own penalty area. Josh Parker didn't wait to thank them for their gift, stroking the ball low past Harris to make it 1-4.

FT Leafield Athletic 1 Dudley Kingswinford 4. Leafield gave it a go early in the second half but, when they failed to get a goal back, they lost their way again. Ultimately, they were undone by a bit of naivety. Giving the ball away in crucial areas and being punished. It was something of a harsh lesson for them, but one they will learn from as they make the transition to Step 8. DK look to have a lot of attacking power, down both flanks and from Farrington up top, backed by Parker and Batham. Last season they conceded way too many. If they can stem that flow, they could well be a force to be reckoned with this term.
DK have two games in two days next week, both at home. On Thursday evening they face local rivals Enville Athletic before welcoming Oldbury United on Saturday. Leafield will have to wait a while to get back on the horse, so to speak. Their planned game at home to PS Olympic on Tuesday has been postponed. Their next league game will be at home to Norton Canes on Saturday August 17th.

Leafield Athletic: 1.Harris, 16.Beattie, 4.Furness, 3.Dunne, 11.Pittaway, 6.Corrigan, 14.Smith(c), 12.Fox, 9.Bevan, 19.Parker, 15.Bird. Subs: 7.Akinkunle, 8.Reynolds, 2.Livingstone, 5.Cox, 17.Hardy, 18.McGeever, 31.Butler
Dudley Kingswinford: 1.Roberts, 2.Hiscox, 3.Craddock, 4.Gwilliam(c), 14.Edney, 6.Humphries, 7.Noble, 8.Batham, 9.Farrington, 10.Parker, 11.Lamb. Subs: 12.Taylor, 5.Crampton, 17.Mason, 15.Waterhouse, 16.Broome, 19.Tshiangala

​The Ground
The Coronation Ground is situated on Rumbush Lane, Earlswood, a few miles South of Birmingham city centre. Despite its proximity to the second city, it has a very rural feel to it. Effectively, there are two grounds side-by-side. Leafield Athletic also have a thriving women's team, who play on the pitch next door, separated by a low white fence. This may soon be replaced the gleaming new wooden fence that surrounds half of the men's playing surface (although I sensed the committee were unhappy with some parts of the construction). 
There is a clubhouse block situated alongside the pitch, which also houses the payers and official changing rooms. A patio area, complete with bench tables sits between the club and the pitch, providing seating for spectators. There's no other spectator cover. Parking is available on both sides of the clubhouse as well as behind the goal at the Rumbush Lane end (no net, so you park at your own risk). The dugouts are also on the clubhouse side of the ground and are currently being rebuilt (no roof yet). The pitch looked to be in reasonable condition if not a bit hard and bumpy in places, which is not surprising given the recent dry spell.
I like this ground. Yes, it's step 8, so it is basic but it has a good feel to it. It won't be my last visit, I'm sure.

Ground Number: 411
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

Strictly speaking this was a revisit for me. However, as my one and only other visit to Arlesey came back in April 2013 and, what's more, I didn't right a blog about my visit, it feels more like a new ground. Back in those days I was mainly following Stourbridge's adventures in the Southern League and was visiting more as a fan than a blogger. What I do remember about that evening was that I bumped into a guy wearing a Stenhousemuir beanie hat. Not something you expect to see in rural Bedfordshire. The Glassboys won 4-2 that evening.
Arlesey are now plying their trade two steps lower than 11 years ago. However, they have made an excellent start this season, winning 5-0 at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in their opening fixture on Saturday. FC Romania, who have also played a step higher, lost their opening game 3-0 at home to Milton Keynes Irish. On the back of those results, Arlesey led the table after one game. FC Romania sat one off the bottom. Of course, it's very early days.
This season marks the 20th anniversary of Arlesey winning the FA Vase with a 2-1 defeat of Oxford City. To mark the occasion there were a few members of that squad introduced to the crowd before kick off this evening.

​(This section of the blog is also translated into Romanian. Scroll to the bottom to see the translation)
A fairly lacklustre opening to the game saw a couple of free-kicks from the home side. Aaron Hector put a sixth minute effort straight into the arms of Dren Hoti and then, two minutes later from the opposite side of the box, John Freeman put an effort way over the bar. That was about as close as either team got in the opening 20 minutes or so. Come the midway point of the first half, neither keeper had been stretched at all.
With 24 minutes on the clock Hoti punched a Freeman cross clear but didn't get too much distance on it. The ball was headed back into the mix where Alex Cathline nodded it goalward, but it was a simple save for Hoti.
At this stage, Arlesey were having more of the ball but failing to string enough passes together to seriously threaten The Wolves. Aaron Hector's pace on the left looked to be the home side's greatest threat, but unless they got their final ball right, that was not going to help them. For the Wolves, captain Zenon Stylianides was doing his best to prompt attacks but they too were struggling to find a rhythm.
With ten minutes to go until the break, Arlesey finally caused Hoti's heart-rate to increase when Andrew Osie-Bonsu tried his luck with a low drive from 25 yards. Hoti had to go full length to tip the ball around the post.
That seemed to kick life into Romania. Stylianides showed some great footwork up the left before being stopped illegally on the left-hand corner of the Arlesey penalty area. The captain picked himself up to take the kick, beating the wall and Oliver Skinner, only to see his strike come back off the inside of the post and rebound to safety. No more than an inch away from opening the scoring against the run of play.
As the game finally showed signs of some life, Arlesey went down the other end and came close themselves. Freeman's deep corner was met by a powerful header from Charne Lemba which saw the ball whistle past Hoti's right-hand post.
Styliandies then put another free-kick into the Arlesey wall before a late Wolves break saw then generate a two on one situation, but Tommy Pidgeon delayed the shot just that little too long and allowed an Arlesey defender to get a block in.

HT Arlesey Town 0 FC Romania 0. Arlesey have had more possession and the greater number of chances at goal. However, the closest we came to a goal was The Wolves captain's free-kick that hit the post. In all honesty, it's not been the best game so far. Hoping for a more entertaining second half

​Sadly the second half also failed to take off, at least initially. Ten minutes in Pidgeon was again thwarted by a last ditch toe that took the ball off his foot as he was about to strike for goal but, as we passed the hour mark, neither keeper had been unduly stressed since the break.
Things started to get a little more spicy when, on 71 minutes, Flavio Gyawu-Kyem was flagged offside for the fourth time in a few minutes. The winger was clearly not happy (I heard him say later that he was convinced he was onside for all of them) and let his feelings be known to the officials. He must have argued the point a little too strongly because the referee issued a yellow and sin-binned the player.
Eight minutes later, with just 11 remaining of normal time, we finally saw a shot on target when substitute Alleyne stung Hoti's hands with a powerful drive.
Then, inside the final ten minutes, the game finally sprang into life. The clock had just ticked over to 81 minutes when Zenon Stylianides went on a mazy run into the home penalty area before striking a good effort goalward. Oliver Skinner did well to parry the hot but, as it bounced in the area, Stylianides just got a toe to it before being challenged. Penalty FC Romania. Stylianides stepped up and fired the ball into the top right-hand corner. Superb spot-kick. 0-1. The Wolves had taken the lead whilst still down to ten players.
Gyawu-Kyem then came back onto the field and almost immediately made his mark. This time he beat the offside trap before slipping the ball under Skinner. 0-2. Obviously, the joy of finally not getting flagged for offside was too much for the Romania player as he peeled off his shirt in celebration. Not the best move when you've already been booked. Out came the second yellow and, almost as quickly  as he had come back on, Gyawu-Kyem was back off the pitch. However, with his side now two goals to the good with very little time left, it may well have been a small price to pay.
Arlesey, of course, tried desperately to get back into the game in the knowledge that there were at least 5 minutes of added-time to go. However, they were then undone completely by the goal of the game. With Arlesey attempting to play it out from the back Wolves sub George Horn-Hayes latched onto a lose pass some 30 yards out and unleashed a first-time strike that left Skinner grasping at thin air as the ball sailed over his head. Excellent strike. 0-3

FT Arlesey Town 0 FC Romania 3. I don't think anyone saw this score line coming even after 80 minutes played. With the game goalless at that point and neither keeper having a particularly busy evening, the wide money would have been on 0-0. However, the sin-binning of FC Romania's Flavio Gyawu-Kyem seemed to stir the game into action. A tough one for Arlesey to take but they didn't take their chances when they had them and, ultimately, were undone by a Wolves side that pushed to the end.
Check out the excellent highlights real from @thecoldend
It's FA Cup action for both sides on Saturday. Arlesey travel to fellow Premier League side London Lions whilst FC Romania are at Essex Premier League outfit, Sawbridgeworth Town.

Arlesey Town: 1.Skinner, 2.Lemba, 3.Gilbert, 4.Osie-Bonsu, 8.Freeman, 9.Cathline, 10.Dowridge, 14.Mosanya, 15.Olaleye, 16.Mulley(c), 19.Hector. Subs: 5.Boodhoo, 12.Castanho, 13.Taylor, 17.Lewis-Burgess, 20.Alleyne
FC Romania: 1.Hoti, 2.Awobimpe, 3.Danquah, 4.Warmerdam, 5.Leca, 6.Kalule, 7.Friend, 8.Dabbouk, 9.Pidgeon, 10.Stylianides(c), 11.Gyawu-Kyem. Subs: Ntim, Ilies, Williams, Cunningham, Horn-Haynes

​The Ground
New Lamb Meadow is situated just south of the village of Arlesey, on Hitchin Road. The ground is set back a little from the road allowing space for a reasonably large car park in front of the stadium. There is a large clubhouse which can be accessed from the car park or from inside the ground. If you choose to enter through the turnstile, this is situated towards the far left hand side of the car park. Upon entering the ground you can immediately sense that Arlesey have played at a higher level than their current Step 5 birth. There's an abundance of stands and spectator cover around the ground. On the clubhouse side, where there is also a snack bar, there is a covered seating area that is raised above the level of the standing section. Opposite this and rising above the large dugouts, there is another spectator stand that features both covered standing and seating. There is also an open terrace behind the Hitchin end goal.
Confession time - I've wanted to see FC Romania for a little while now because I have had a leaning towards the country since I was young. Showing my age a little, my first celebrity crush was Nadia Comăneci, the Romanian gymnast who scored the first-ever perfect 10.

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 111
Entrance: £7.00 prepaid (£9.00 on the gate)
Programme: Included

​Match Report translated to Romanian (used translate facility in Word, so apologies if it is not correct)

O deschidere destul de slabă a jocului a văzut câteva lovituri libere din partea gazdelor. Aaron Hector a depus un efort în minutul șase direct în brațele lui Dren Hoti și apoi, două minute mai târziu, din partea opusă a careului, John Freeman a depus un efort mult peste bară. A fost cam la fel de aproape ca oricare dintre echipe în primele 20 de minute sau cam așa ceva. La jumătatea primei reprize, niciunul dintre portari nu fusese întins deloc.
Cu 24 de minute pe ceas, Hoti a lovit clar o centrare a lui Freeman, dar nu s-a distanțat prea mult. Mingea a fost trimisă înapoi în careu, unde Alex Cathline a dat din cap spre poartă, dar a fost o simplă salvare pentru Hoti.
În această fază, Arlesey avea mai mult din minge, dar nu reușea să strângă suficiente pase pentru a-i amenința serios pe lupi. Ritmul lui Aaron Hector pe stânga părea să fie cea mai mare amenințare a echipei gazdă, dar dacă nu reușeau mingea finală, asta nu avea să-i ajute. Pentru lupi, căpitanul Zenon Stylianides făcea tot posibilul să provoace atacuri, dar și ei se străduiau să găsească un ritm.
Cu zece minute înainte de pauză, Arlesey a provocat în cele din urmă creșterea ritmului cardiac al lui Hoti, când Andrew Osie-Bonsu și-a încercat norocul cu o cursă joasă de la 25 de metri. Hoti a trebuit să meargă până la capăt pentru a înclina mingea în jurul stâlpului.
Asta părea să dea viață României. Stylianides a arătat niște pași grozavi în stânga înainte de a fi oprit ilegal în colțul din stânga al suprafeței de pedeapsă Arlesey. Căpitanul s-a ridicat pentru a lua lovitura, bătând zidul și Oliver Skinner, doar pentru a-și vedea lovitura revenind din interiorul stâlpului și revenind în siguranță. Nu mai mult de un centimetru distanță de deschiderea scorului împotriva desfășurării jocului.
Pe măsură ce jocul a arătat în cele din urmă semne de viață, Arlesey a coborât la celălalt capăt și s-a apropiat. Colțul adânc al lui Freeman a fost întâmpinat de o lovitură de cap puternică a lui Charne Lemba, care a văzut mingea fluierând pe lângă stâlpul din dreapta al lui Hoti.
Styliandies a executat apoi o altă lovitură liberă în zidul lui Arlesey, înainte ca o pauză târzie a lui Wolves să genereze apoi o situație de doi la unu, dar Tommy Pidgeon a întârziat șutul puțin prea mult și a permis unui fundaș Arlesey să blocheze.

HT Arlesey Town 0 FC România 0. Arlesey a avut mai multă posesie și un număr mai mare de ocazii la poartă. Cu toate acestea, cel mai aproape de un gol a fost lovitura liberă a căpitanului Lupilor care a lovit stâlpul. Cu toată sinceritatea, nu a fost cel mai bun joc de până acum. Sperând la o a doua repriză mai distractivă

Din păcate, nici repriza a doua nu a reușit să decoleze, cel puțin inițial. Zece minute în Pidgeon a fost din nou împiedicat de un ultim deget de la picior care i-a luat mingea de pe picior în timp ce era pe punctul de a lovi pentru poartă, dar, când am trecut de marcajul orei, niciunul dintre portari nu a fost stresat în mod nejustificat de la pauză.
Lucrurile au început să devină puțin mai picante când, în minutul 71, Flavio Gyawu-Kyem a fost semnalizat în offside pentru a patra oară în câteva minute. Extrema nu a fost în mod clar fericită (l-am auzit spunând mai târziu că era convins că este de partea tuturor) și și-a făcut cunoscute sentimentele oficialilor. Trebuie să fi argumentat punctul puțin prea puternic, deoarece arbitrul a emis un galben și l-a condamnat pe jucător.
Opt minute mai târziu, cu doar 11 rămase din timpul regulamentar, am văzut în cele din urmă un șut pe țintă când înlocuitorul Alleyne i-a înțepat mâinile lui Hoti cu o unitate puternică.
Apoi, în ultimele zece minute, jocul a prins în sfârșit viață. Ceasul tocmai trecuse la minutul 81 când Zenon Stylianides a intrat într-o cursă labirintică în suprafața de pedeapsă a gazdelor înainte de a face un efort bun spre poartă. Oliver Skinner a făcut bine să pareze fierbinte, dar, pe măsură ce a sărit în zonă, Stylianides tocmai a primit un deget de la picior înainte de a fi provocat. Penalty FC România. Stylianides a intervenit și a tras mingea în colțul din dreapta sus. Superbă lovitură la fața locului. 0-1. Lupii preluaseră conducerea în timp ce încă se reduceau la zece jucători.
Gyawu-Kyem a revenit apoi pe teren și aproape imediat și-a pus amprenta. De data aceasta a bătut capcana ofsaidului înainte de a aluneca mingea sub Skinner. 0-2. Evident, bucuria de a nu fi în cele din urmă semnalizat pentru offside a fost prea mult pentru jucătorul român, deoarece și-a dezbrăcat tricoul în sărbătoare. Nu este cea mai bună mișcare atunci când ați fost deja rezervat. A ieșit al doilea galben și, aproape la fel de repede cum a revenit, Gyawu-Kyem a revenit de pe teren. Cu toate acestea, cu echipa sa acum două goluri spre bine, cu foarte puțin timp rămas, ar fi putut fi un preț mic de plătit.
Arlesey, desigur, a încercat cu disperare să revină în joc, știind că mai sunt cel puțin 5 minute de prelungire. Cu toate acestea, au fost apoi anulate complet de obiectivul jocului. Cu Arlesey încercând să joace din spate, înlocuitorul lui Wolves, George Horn-Hayes, a blocat o pasă pierdută la aproximativ 30 de metri și a dezlănțuit o primă lovitură care l-a lăsat pe Skinner să se prindă de aer în timp ce mingea trecea peste capul său. Grevă excelentă. 0-3

FT Arlesey Town 0 FC România 3. Nu cred că cineva a văzut această linie de scor venind chiar și după 80 de minute jucate. Cu meciul fără goluri în acel moment și niciunul dintre portari neavând o seară deosebit de aglomerată, banii largi ar fi fost pe 0-0. Cu toate acestea, păcatul lui Flavio Gyawu-Kyem de la FC România părea să agite jocul în acțiune. Una grea pentru Arlesey, dar nu și-au riscat șansele atunci când le-au avut și, în cele din urmă, au fost anulate de o echipă a lupilor care a împins până la capăt.

After a midweek visit to Enstone, BotP was back on the road on Saturday as some leagues began the season in earnest. One of those starting quite early was the Spartan South Midlands League, which gave an excellent opportunity to nip just down the road to Buckingham for their opener against Letchworth Garden City Eagles. Although I have been to Stratford Fields many times over the years, this would be the fist visit since the Buckingham teams consolidated into a single club under the banner of "One club for the town".
It also gave me a first ever chance to see The Eagles in action. A glance back at the history of the fixture showed that it was Letchworth who had had much the better of the meetings, winning five and losing one of the last six. In fact, Buckingham had not won any until the last meeting at Stratford Fields when they won 4-2, despite having a player dismissed. Interestingly, the reverse fixture, which ended 2-0 to Eagles, had seen them have a player sent-off too. Letchworth had also outscored their hosts by 13 to 7 over those six games. Still, this was a new season and the slate was effectively wiped clean.

​As if to prove this point, Buckingham started much the stronger of the two teams, aided considerably by Letchworth's inability to retain possession. Time and again, they gave the ball away within seconds of getting it back. You don't want to be constantly chasing the ball on the opening day of the season when match fitness has not yet been fully gained.
However, despite having the lion's hare of the ball, Buckingham did not really test Adam Seymour, in the Eagles goal, until the 13th minute and even then the on target effort was comfortable for the stopper. The game was then delayed for a good 4-5 minutes after the home number 9 (sorry for lack of names, I wasn't able to get a home team sheet) went down under a challenge. There was nothing malicious in the incident but the Swans striker did look in some discomfort. He was eventually able to limp off, to be replaced by Wesley Iroegbu. The newly introduced player then almost made an immediate impact when a 24th minute corner from the right was flicked on at the near post. Ireogbu met it on the volley only to see his effort crash back off the bar. 
A minute later Letchworth's Will Blair had their first good effort when a freekick from 25 yards had Jamie Adim scrambling across his goal, happy to see the effort drift wide.
On the half hour Jamie Culley's dipping drive forced Seymour to tip the ball over his bar. The visitors cleared the resulting corner and launched a break of their own, culminating in Max Smith's volley being safely gathered by Admin. Although the effort didn't trouble the keeper it was, at least, a shot on target for the Eagles and a sign that they were starting to get a foothold. However, they had their own keeper to thank a few minutes later when Culley struck a freekick into the defensive wall. The ball rebounded to the Swans player who drilled a low shot through a group of players only for Seymour to make a good block with his legs.
As we moved into added time of a half that the home side had dominated in terms of possession, Letchworth came close to snatching a lead against the run of play. From defence to attack in the blink of an eye, a long ball out found Blair on the left flank and the home defence, for once, completely out of position. Blair fed the ball inside to the unmarked Luke Baranowski who looked odds on to score until Adim flew off his line and brilliantly smothered the attempt. Excellent goalkeeping to keep the scores level.

HT Buckingham 0 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 0. A dominant half for the home side but no goals to show for it. They were all so nearly caught out in the last seconds of the half and have their keeper to thanks for being level. Aside from that, the home defence has looked way to organised for the visitors to trouble them, marshalled expertly by Nathan Hawkins.

​Presumably the Buckingham coaching team would have expressed the need for them to take advantage of their possession advantage during the break, and it didn't take long for the hosts to finally take the lead. However, their goal, when it arrived, came completely out of the blue. The Buckingham defence were being tested themselves, but once again came up trumps and cleared their lines. The response was like lightning. Before the visitors could blink a long ball had bypassed their defence and Dalitso Chibwe was wheeling away in triumph after sending the ball past Adam Seymour. 1-0
Letchworth responded well to the setback, immediately pushing Buckingham back into their own half. A few minutes later Albie Battle got ahead of the home keeper to meet a corner with his head but couldn't direct his effort on target. Two minutes later Baranowski was presented with a free header at the far post but couldn't hit the target.
Maybe if one of those chances had been taken, the result could have been different but, as it was, the Eagles soon found themselves two down, and what a goal it was.
Buckingham had a goal kick which was played short to Hawkins on the left, he carried the ball across the box and played a diagonal pass to Tysan Aluko. His Crossfield ball to Wes Britnell, making a break inside the Eagles half, was inch perfect. Britnell laid the ball off first time into the path of Jamie Culley, bursting into the penalty area on the left, and his precision finish beat Seymour, going in off the far post. Four passes and one shot, from goalkeeper to the back of the net. Beautiful goal. 2-0
It was pretty much game over at this point. Letchworth, maybe having an off day, just didn't seem to have anything in them to trouble the home defence, certainly not enough to score twice. In fact, just past the hour mark, it was the home team who almost added to their tally. Substitute Iroegbu muscled his way through a couple of challenges. However, Seymour was off his line quickly and bravely to make the block, getting a knock for his troubles.
The game was then petering out into a comfortable 2-0 win for the hosts,  until the 93rd minute when a clumsy challenge saw the referee point to the spot. Penalty to Buckingham, despite many protest from the visitors. I was at the other end, so I'm not entirely sure if they were protesting that it wasn't a foul or if the incident was outside the box. Whatever the case, the referee pointed to the spot and Jack Clarkson calmly sent Seymour the wrong way to round off the scoring. 3-0

FT Buckingham 3 Letchworth Garden City Eagles 0. A comfortable opening day victory for Buckingham. Eagles Manager, Mark Nunn, said afterwards that they just weren't at the races and they were out battled. I couldn't agree more. Having said that, if Letchworth had snatched that late goal in the first half, who knows? Buckingham's defence looked very impressive. The entire back four looked solid, well organised and capable of playing out from the back, as the second goal demonstrated. There of the four players in the build up were defenders.
Next Saturday Buckingham travel to Royston Town Reserves, who lost their opener 2-1 at Moulton. 
Meanwhile, Letchworth have their first home fixture as they welcome Rothwell Corinthians, who won 3-0 at Colney Heath this weekend.

Buckingham: Adim, Aluko, Atkinson, Britnell, Chibwe, Clarkson(c), Clayson, Culley, Hawkins, Karim, Masad. Subs: Doyle, Howarth, Iroegbu, Lloyd-Roberts
Letchworth Garden City Eagles: Seymour, Bell, Jennings, Christie, Battle, Humphryes, Smith, Charles(c), Baranowski, Blair, Zekri. Subs: Waldock, Isles, Marvell, Kelly, Ali

​The Programme
Buckingham put out an excellent programme both online and printed. A whopping 28 pages, printed on thick paper and full colour throughout. Articles include a club history page and roll of hounour, visitors information, squad lists, league table (all zeros at this stage), stats from last season, a complete fixture list, coming next including fixtures for all teams, and plenty of adverts for local businesses. An excellent effort from the club. My only criticism (and this is not directly related to the programme) is that the team sheets are not displayed anywhere around the stadium.

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 102
Entrance: £6.00
Programme: Included

For the second season running my first outing of the new season was taking place even before August had begun. This year, in fact, I was even a few days earlier than last season's trip to Wellingborough. The plan as to make the short trip over to Enstone for a Henry Hawtin Memorial Cup Group B clash between Stonesfield and Chadlington and so start the new season with a new ground and two new teams. To be honest, before the game, I knew very little about this competition and, to be fair, even after the game I still know very little about it. I did find that a Henry Hawtin, born in Adderbury, lived in the local area from 1808 to 1875. Is this the Henry Hawtin? If so, this competition could date back quite some time. I'd be really interested to know more if any local historians out there have more details.
One thing I could find out, thanks to the Chadlington X feed, was that both sides had already played one game in the group. Chadlington beat Ducklington 2-1 (goals from Isaac Harrington and Jordan Godfrey) and sat at the top of the table. Stonesfield opened their campaign by drawing 1-1 with Milton-u-Wychwood and sat third. With the top two teams progressing, a win for Chadlington would pretty much guarantee their place in the next round.
Both of these teams will play in the Witney & District Premier League next season. Lats year Stonesfield finished in sixth spot having won 5 and drawn 3 of their 14 matches. Chadlington gained promotion from Division One on the back of a second place finish behind Tower Hill. The side's last played in the same division back in 2018-19. The game at Stonesfield ended 2-2 whilst Stones took the away game 2-1, on their way to winning the league. Chadlington finished the season in third spot, seven points adrift of the leaders.
Thanks to the referee, who's name I forgot to ask, for allowing me to photograph the team sheets. Sadly, no shirt numbers were provided, so I haven't been able to match names to shirts.

​It was Stonesfield, in the yellow kit kicking down the slope, who started the more lively of the two. They engineered a couple of half-chances in the opening few minutes before taking the lead after 11 minutes. Chadlington had not yet got themselves into the game at all when Stonesfield's right-winger (Number 7) wriggled free, drove to the by-line and squared for their Number 11 to tap the ball home. 1-0
Whilst well-deserved on the opening few minutes, the goal served as a kick up the backside for Chadlington. Two minutes later, they were level. Captain Ethan Bennett produced a perfect slide-rule pass for Kyle Grimmett to run onto, and his first time strike with the outside of the left-foot gave the Stonefield keeper no chance. 1-1
Chadlington had awoken. They now had Stonesfield on the backfoot and immediately set about looking for a second goal. Tyler Bradley's snapshot flew just over the bar after 23 minutes and a minute later the Stonefield goalkeeper had to be at his best to block from Chadlington's Number 9. However, the stopper had no chance whatsoever in the 26 minute. Tyler Bradley, who had put an effort just over a few minutes beforehand, had clearly used the opportunity to get his rangefinder working as he unleashed a dipping volley from 30 yards that flew pat the Stones keeper. 1-2
Stonesfield tried to hit back almost immediately and it was their number 7 again, who had looked their biggest threat so far, this time testing Will Foster with a low drive from a tight angle. A few minutes later Stonesfield engineered another golden opportunity with a neat passing move that culminated in the Number 9 being set up some 12 yards out. However as he struck goalward Chadlington's number 17 slid in from nowhere to make a incredible last ditch block.
Chadlington then almost grabbed a third goal after a quick break allowed Prince Nyongolo a run a goal. His curled effort drifted just wide of the far post. Then just before the break, another long ball saw Chadlington's Number 10 beat the defensive line only for his lobbed effort, under pressure from an advancing goalkeeper, fall wide of the post.

HT Stonesfield 1 Chadlington 2. A really fast start from Stonesfield but Chadlington responded well to going behind and edged the half after that point.

​Whereas Stonesfield had started the first half strongly, it was the blue and white stripes of Chadlington that surged forward early in the second period, and they so nearly added to their tally inside two minutes of the restart. Their Number 8 produced an excellent pass that sliced open the Stones defence, allowing Bradley to drive low past the keeper only to see his effort come back off the inside of the far post.
So close to a third for Chadlington but they weren't allowed to rest on their laurels because 10 minutes into the half, Stonesfield were back on level terms following a corner from the left that was not fully cleared. When the ball was recycled, Number 7 was on the spot to flick the ball high past Foster. 2-2.
The goal swung the pendulum again. Now it was Stonesfield looking the more likely to score a third and, just past the hour mark, they would have done just that if not for a brilliant, full-length stop from Chadlington stopper Will Foster. It's not just goals that win games. Saves like that make a huge difference too. It allowed Chadlington to steady themselves and calm the game down.
For the next ten minutes, neither side managed to generate a significant goalscoring opportunity but, as we close din on the final 10 minutes, Chadlington once again began to step things up. Their number 12 had two bites at the cherry from 15 yards out, volleying the second effort just wide of the mark before, on 82 minutes, they retook the lead with an almost identical goal to Stonesfield's first-half opener. Chadlington's Number 9 got to the same by-line before laying it on a plate for Jordan Godfrey to slot home the third. 2-3
There was still time for Stonesfield's Number 9 to send a volley marginally over Foster's bar and for Bradley to send a drive straight at the Stonesfield keeper, before the referee drew a close to an entertaining game of football.

FT Stonesfield 2 Chadlington 3. Not a bad way to open the BotP account for the season. Two good sides producing a very competitive game. There really wasn't too much between them. Both had periods when they were on top but, ultimately, Chadlington edged it because they finished one more chance than their opponents.

Stonesfield (squad): Hatton, J.Newman, Wynn, Holloway, Wiggins, D.Newman, J.Barker, Hart, Oliver, Phipps, W.Barker, Clarke, Sale, Connolly
Chadlington (squad): Foster, Betts, A.Bennett, Curtis, Harris, Nelson, E.Bennett(c), I.Harrington, Grimmett, Bradley, Peachey, Nyongolo, Godfrey, S.Harrington, Fuller, Bolt

The Ground
Enstone Sports & Social club is situated just outside the village of Enstone, between Chipping Norton and Kidlington. The ground has two football pitches and a cricket pitch. There's car parking next to the stone pavilion, which houses a licensed bar as well as changing facilities for players and officials.
The main pitch is directly alongside the pavilion and car park. There is a slope from right to left as you look from the car park side. There are no covered spectator areas but there is some shelter provided by overhanging trees and, in extremes, you could still watch the game from the pavilion. It's clearly a popular community location as shown by the large turnout for this pre-season match.

Ground Number: 410
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

The FA has announced the allocations for the 2024-25 season and this is how the SRWFL will line up for the new season. There'll be a more in depth look at each team closer to the start of the season.

Note: These allocations are subject to approval at upcoming League AGMs and any subsequent appeals. Any amendments will be confirmed in due course

The last day of May and the end to what has been a long season. Friday night saw BotP heading South on the M40. Destination, Burnham FC and the Robin Woolman Memorial Challenge Cup Final between Windsor Royals FC and Pobbers FC. Both teams are members of the Thames Valley Sunday Football League (TVSFL), the organisation that also hosts the Robin Woolman Cup. The TVSL, founded in 1974, currently has four divisions, from Premier League through the Division 3. Tonight's final matched Pobbers, from the Premier Division, with Division 1 side Windsor Royals.
The Robin Woolman Cup is in its second year and was created to honour former referee, instructor, assessor and TVSL Chairman, Robin Woolman, who passed away in 2022. As well as TVSFL Chairman, Robin had also been chair of the East Berkshire Football League and Secretary at Beaconsfield Town (SYCOB). His lifelong dedication to local football was recognised in 2012 when the FA awarded him the prestigious 50 Year Service Award. Last season saw the first competition in his name, won by Singh Sabha Slough.

This season's finalists both saw some high-scoring games on their road to Burnham. Windsor began with a 5-1 defeat of Division One winners King George V and followed that up by beating last season's winners, Singh Sabha Slough of the premier League, 3-1. In the quarter-final they won 4-1 at Division Two Chicken Ranch United before repeating the score line in their semi-final defeat of mid-table Premier side Mtown Rovers.
Pobbers, meanwhile, had a bye in the first round but were then drawn away in every other game. They went on to win 4-3 at Premier League bottom side Datchet. In the quarter-final they won 4-1 at Division Two outfit Pinkneys Green before edging their semi-final 3-2 at Premier Division champions, Inter Versa.

​Pobbers, in their all yellow kit, got the game under way, kicking towards the car park end in front of a fairly sizeable crowd. They were on the front foot very early on with both Luke Appleton with a flicked header and Josh Kurton with a fizzing strike from the edge of the box, coming close in the opening four minutes,
Windsor Royals, in their green shirts, were struggling to get to grips with the Pobbers passing game on the artificial surface and only seven minutes were on the clock when the yellows went in front. Oliver Murray latching onto a loose ball some 25 yards out and shaping a drive into the far corner that left Royals keeper Gabriel Pinzaru helpless. A great strike from Murray. 0-1
Pobbers were well on top at this point. Their keeper Matt Brophy had so far had little to do with Royals failing to get a strike on target in the opening 20 minutes. Despite their dominance, however, Pobbers were unable to increase their lead. They came quite close in the 17th minute when a nice piece of interplay culminated in Kurton bringing a good stop out of Pinzaru but, aside from that, didn't make the Royals keeper work too hard.
As we hit the midpoint mark of the first half, Royals did finally muster a half-chance when Lex Young, who had looked their liveliest option so far, got in behind the Pobbers defence on the right-hand side of the box. His cut back across the penalty area was just behind Kian Lotz, who then fouled his marker in an attempt to get a shot off. 
Two minutes after that Appleton rose well to get a head to a good cross from the Pobbers right, only to see his effort go wide of the same post as his earlier attempt.
To be fair to Royals, they began to get more of a foothold toward the end of the half. Brophy had to get down sharply to field a deflected Marcus Ball cross before, on 38 minutes, Matteo Giacobbe made the keeper work even harder with a low drive that was heading for the bottom corner before Brophy threw himself to his right to make the save. Lotz then had a shot deflected over before heading the resulting corner just over.
A much more promising end to the half for Windsor, but they still trailed at the break.

HT Windsor Royals 0 Pobbers 1. Despite being a goal down, Windsor would probably be fairly happy to still be in it. Pobbers could and should have been further ahead. Would they be made to pay for not increasing their lead when they were on top?

​Pobbers began the second half in good fashion when Connor Shingleston curled a free-kick goalward, forcing Pinzaru into an early stop. However, it was the Windsor contingent who were soon celebrating. Only eight minutes into the second period, Royals were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards out. Lex Young took responsibility with a fine strike that took the smallest of knicks before flying past Brophy to make it 1-1.
The goal signalled a complete change in the pattern of the game. Suddenly it was Windsor who were on the front foot. Pobbers, previously looking very confident as they stroked the ball around, were misplacing passes and looking decidedly shaken by the equaliser. It could have got a lot worse for them just before the hour mark when Alex Jackson's glancing header beat Brophy but came back off the foot of the post. Royals were certainly having their best period of the match. However, they couldn't find the all-important second goal and the game slipped into something of a flat period, which helped Pobbers to re-group.
The Premier League side gradually played their way back into the game and only a last-ditch defensive block prevented them from re-taking the lead on 67 minutes. Defender Stefan Bennet then looped a header just over before the yellows had the ball in thr net with 13 to play, only for the assitant's flag to deny them.
That disappointment did not last too long though. A  minute later a deep cross from the right was too high for Pinzaru but perfect for the leaping Luke Appleton who, after putting two headers wide, made no mistake this time. 1-2.
Windsor tried to respond again. Substitute Lawson Jones had a golden opportunity ion the 81st minute but guided his header into the arms of Brophy. Alex Jackson then swivelled to blast an effort over Brophy's bar in the 87th minute, with time running out on the Royals. Their task was then made even harder when, after being caught on the break, left-back Chris Stocker was forced to haul down Shingleston, denying Pobbers a goal-scoring opportunity in the process. After a brief discussion with his assiatant, referee Nick Phipps showed the Royal the red card.
A minute later, from the resulting free-kick, Pobbers applied to final nail in the Windsor coffin when Luke Appleton matched Young's earlier strike with a beauty of his own, hitting the top corner from 22 yards, giving Pinzaru no chance. 1-3

FT Windsor Royals 1 Pobbers 3. In the end a deserved victory for Pobbers. Windsor staged soemthign of a comeback earkly in the second half and, if the Jackson header that hit the post had gone in, who knows what may have happened. A really entertaining game to finish the season, both sides were a credit to their league.
You can see a few shots and short videos on the game on the TVSFL X feed (@tvsfl), including a behind the goal shot of the Windsor equaliser from Slough Town and Windsor Royals fan Scot McNeish (@darthscrote)

Windsor Royals: 1.Pinzaru, 3.Stocker, 16.Stratton, 4.Neville, 12.Cuthbert(c), 8.Dreelan, 23.Jackson, 19.Ball, 11.Giacobbe, 7.Young, 9.Lotz. Subs: 13.Chandler, 21.Jones, 17.Crotch, 22.Lancaster, 14.Dhanda
Pobbers: 1.Brophy, 17.Appleton, 9.Bennett, 5.Crouch, 15.Edwards, 10.Kurton, 8.Mann(c), 2.Munt, 14.Murray, 6.Shingleston, 11.Turner. Subs: 7.Clark, 16.Dawes, 12.Hart, 3.O'Reilly, 4.Rawlings

Ground Number: Revisit
Att: 
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: N/A

It is now.
The final blog of the Southern Region Women's League 2023-24 season begins with a round-up of the games play in the past couple of weeks.

Chairman's Cup Final
Woking 2-3 Beaconsfield Town
The Rams continued their upturn in form with a narrow 3-2 defeat of Woking in the rearranged final, played at Holloways Park. Two more goals from top scorer Lucy Casey and one from Charlotte Hill was enough to put some silverware in the Beaconsfield trophy cabinet.

League Cup Final 
Havant & Waterlooville 0-3 Bournemouth Sports
Spots completed the league and league cup double with a resounding 3-0 defeat of Division One South high-flyers Havant & Waterlooville. Early goals from Emily Phillips and Hollie Shaw had Bournemouth two up at the break. A very late Hannah Bennett goal put the icing on the cake. Check out the Bournemouth Echo piece on Bournemouth Sports.

Oxfordshire Women's Senior Cup Final 
Oxford United 1-0 Oxford City 
This one was a lot closer than many expected. City didn't pose too much of a threat, but defended with great heart to restrict their higher-ranked neighbours to a single goal. Considering that United had clocked up 44 goals in three games leading to this final, City's achievement in restricting them to one was something special. Ellie-Mae Richardson grabbed the United goal. You can read the BotP match blog, check out the match report on the Oxford United web site and take a look at Pete Kinsella's (@petekinselal69)feed for the match action shots.

Division One North

Eversley & California A-W Caversham United

Kidlington Youth 0-2 Beaconsfield Town
Still on a high from their Chairman's Cup Final victory, Beaconsfield finished the league season on a high with a 2-0 win at Exeter Park. Still goalless at the break, Hannah Hester broke the deadlock in the 70th minute. Freya Harris added the second in the final minute.

SDFA Cup Final
Southampton 10 AFC Stoneham 0
It's been a great season for Stoneham but this was never going to be their night as they came up against a superb Southampton u21 side. Four goals from Kaylee Buckingham, two from Isabel Watts and one each from Mollie Peachey, Anya Luca, Kate Jeffery and Sofia Mallon gave The Saints a resounding victory on the night. You can rea the BotP match blog here (X Rated Saints)

So, that's it. We draw a line under the 2023-24 season. Speaking from a neutral perspective, it's been brilliant. I've enjoyed every minute of every game I have seen this season. Thank you to the players, coaches, backroom staff, volunteers and supporters from every club. And, of course, a big thank you to the photographers, bloggers and assorted media people out there, chronicling the season. You are all proving people like Joey Barton wrong. Women's football is brilliant. It's entertaining, skilful and genuine.

Congratulations to Bournemouth Sports, Long Crendon and AFC Portchester for winning their respective divisions. I'm really looking forward to seeing how each of them fare in a higher league next season.

This season BotP covered 18 games featuring SRWFL teams. From Milton's FA Cup exit at New Bradwell St Peter, through to AFC Stoneham's SDFA cup final defeat against an excellent Southampton u21 side. A total of 73 goals scored. All the blogs are available here (BotP SRWFL page). 

Next season I am hoping to extend the number of games and improve the coverage. There's a few ideas already being worked on including a podcast (which needs some work) and the possibility of a dedicated website instead of the current subsection of BotP.

For now, it's time to sit back and enjoy a break. Have a great Summer everyone. The build-up to 2024-25 will begin as soon as the make-up of the divisions is announced.

​Friday Night Football was back this week and, most likely, the final BotP game of the season. Last year, early on in the season, BotP dipped into the Salop Leisure League with games at Ludlow (Ludlow Look To The Evans) and Morda United (Morda Hang On To Top Spot), both of which were very enjoyable. It wasn't too much of a decision to make the long journey North on Friday evening for the Division One Cup Final between Division One Champions Bridgnorth Spartans and SAHA FC, who had finished fifth in the table. The game was being played at Midland League Division One runners-up Allscott Heath's ground.
The road to the Final saw Bridgnorth first dismantle Ercall Evolution Aces 7-1 before beating Ercall Ranger 4-0 in the next round. In the semi-final they saw off Shrewsbury Juniors Development 4-1.
SAHA (Shropshire Area Health Authority) began their cup campaign with a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat of Shrewsbury Up & Comers Development, after a 3-3 draw. That was followed with a 7-1 demolition of last season's beaten finalists Llanymynech (they lost 2-1 to Brown Clee). Their semi-final with Impact FC was abandoned and awarded to SAHA (unfortunately, I haven't been able to find the reason).

Thanks to the very helpful Salop Leisure League official who allowed myself and another spectator to get photos of the team sheets prior to kick off. Very much appreciated.

​League champions Bridgnorth, as you would expect, started full of confidence. This was exemplified by their first attempt at goal, an acrobatic overhead kick from Tyrone Anthony, sent just wide of the SAHA goal after 4 minutes. 10 minutes in, Anthony turned provider, producing a slide-rule through ball to set Sam Preece on his way. The striker's low shot beat Kian Parsons but went wide of his left-hand upright. A few minutes later the same striker was put through again, this time a precision pass from Brandon Bristow slicing open the SAHA defence. Preece's first time attempt flew just over the bar.
Spartans were well on top in terms of possession at this stage. However, as if to try to prove what an unpredictable game football can be, it was SAHA who came closest to taking the lead on 27 minutes. Goalkeeper Ryan Joys had to go full length to keep out a Callum Davies attempt.
Normal service was then resumed as yet another defence splitting pass sent Anthony clear. This time the strike was on target but Kian Parsons was well positioned to make the block. The keeper was called into action again just past the half-hour when Bristow's went for goal when everyone was expected a cross towards the far post. Parsons adjusted his feet well to palm the ball over. Then, with 10 minutes left in the half, SAHA had a huge let-off. A rapid Spartans break down their right culminated in the ball being fed into the path of Anthony who, without breaking strike, took the ball around Parsons but then, with the goal gaping, inexplicably planted his shot against the post and out for a goal-kick. A minute later a Dougie Roberts also flew wide of Parsons' goal. Spartans could easily have been three up or as easily a goal down.
With time ticking down towards half-time and a stalemate looking increasingly likely, Spartans finally got the breakthrough in the 41st minute. A free-kick from the right was delivered into a dangerous spot inside the 6-yard area. Jon Gaff got his head to it and, in all fairness probably should have given Parson little chance. However, the keeper did get a hand to the ball, pushing it into a melee of players. In the ensuing scramble the ball ended back at the feet of Gaff who stabbed it over the line. 1-0
Bridgnorth just needed to keep it tight for the next couple of minutes to get into the changing rooms with their noses in front. However, they were almost caught out in the final minute of the half and, once gain, had their goalkeeper Ryan Joys to thank. SAHA captain Jaden Beven, who had put himself about all half, finally got a sight of goal. Beating the offside trap, he cut the ball back onto his left and tried to curl one inside the post only for Joys to throw himself to his right, pushing the ball clear of danger.

HT Bridgnorth Spartans 1 SAHA FC 0. Spartans had the lion's share of possession but, conversely, Ryan Joys made the two best saves of the half. SAHA would need to find a way to prevent Bridgnorth's through balls from slicing their defence apart. Too many times they had left their keeper exposed and Spartans were not going to always be so generous with their finishing. The next goal in this game would be crucial.

​Four minutes into the second half Spartans showed that they were keen to continue where the left off. Another quick break down the right gave Preece another opportunity but, once again, Parsons did well to block the effort. A minute later Tayos Flowers, on as a replacement for Anthony, started and almost finished a lovely move on the left. Unfortunately for Bridgnorth the final volley went wide of the mark. It was shortly after this point that the grassroots stalwart, Shay Purley, showed up. Clearly being called upon to bolster the SAHA defence.
Despite the early attempts from Bridgnorth, the second period was a lot quieter than the first. As we passed the hour mark, neither side had managed to threaten again. Although SAHA had managed to stop the through ball that caused so many issues in the first half.
Four minutes pas the hour, however, Spartans did get that all important second goal. when Walford's deep cross from the right was met at the far post by a Tayos Flowers volley. The ball clipped the inside of Parson's right -hand post before settling in the back of the net. 2-0
Ten minutes later the game looked to have been put beyond SAHA. Bridgnorth captain Sam Owen did well to latch onto a ball on the halfway line, clipping it past a defender to run in on goal. He shrugged off a challenge and then clipped a delightful shot, with the outside of his foot, over Parsons and into the net. A very skilful finish. 3-0. It looked all over but, two minutes later, SAHA managed to sow a little doubt into Bridgnorth minds. captain Jaden Beven was the scorer, driving a low shot across the face of Joys into the far corner. 3-1

The goal sparked SAHA's best period of the game. They certainly looked more threatening and Spartans resorted to  hoofing the ball clear at times, perhaps starting to feel the strains of a long season. There was also quite a bit of added time to play after a number of stoppages. 
SAHA came close to getting another back from a corner and then Callum Davies, running in onto a right-wing cross, was unfortunate to see his effort fly of the bar. Maybe, if that had gone in, we coudl have had a barnstorming finish. Instead, with a minute to go, SAHA went down to 10 when Charlie Fletcher was shown a red for what the referee deemed to be a kick out at Flowers. The SAHA defender claimed that the winger fell into him but the referee was having none of it. It was a hard one to call. The Spartans player was falling towards the defender but there also looked to be deliberate movement from the defender towards the player. The referee had a much better view than I did, to be fair.
Into added time and follwoing another Sam Owen strike going just wide, Spartans were awarded a penalty. Teh game was already won, so the spot-kick duty was handed to goalkeeper Ryan Joys. He calmly sent Parsons the wrong way. 4-1.
One of the SAHA players must have taken exception to the penalty award beacuse, just as the restrat was about to be taken I looked up to see a plyer walking off. Maybe a sin-bin rather than a red but, with a minute remaining, it mattered little either way.

FT Bridgnorth Spartans 4 SAHA FC 1. 
Congratulations to Bridgnorth Spartans, Division One League a Cup double winners.
In all fairness they were in control of this game pretty much from the first to last minute. SAHA worked hard and had their chances too, but Spartans were just too good on the evening.

Bridgnorth Spartans: 1.Joys, 2.Hill, 3.Bristow, 4.Gaff, 15.S.Walford, 6.A.Walford, 7.Minifie, 8.Roberts, 9.Preece, 10.Owen(c), 11.Anthony. Subs: 14.Cox, 21. Bluck, 17.Flowers, 22.Woodcock, 18.James
SAHA: 1.Parsons, 2.Turner, 15.Dec Harris, 6.Denfhy, 4.Fletcher, 5.Murch, 8.Denton, 12.Murphy, 10.Opoku, 9.Beven(c), 11.Davies. Subs: 14.Dylan Harris, 16.Dale, 17.Awofisan, 7.Carter, 3.Langford

The Ground
Allscott Heath's ground is situated between the villages of Allscott and Walcot, midway between Telford and Shrewsbury. The football ground is part of a broader sports complex that plays host to cricket, bowling and archery. There is a car park running the width of the ground behind one of the goals, with additional parking at the car dealership that backs onto the ground. Access is through a purpose built wooden structure and a turnstile off the car park that brings you into the corner of the ground. Immediately to your right as you enter is the clubhouse, snack bar and toilet block. Alonside this is a covered standing spectator area, behind which are the players and officials changing blocks. The dugouts are also on this side of the pitch. On the opposite side there is a small covered seating area, with hard-standing running around three sides of the ground. The pitch looked to be pretty flat and in a decent state considering it was the end of a long, hard season. A nice, tidy ground with rolling hills in the background giving it a rural feel.

Ground Number: 409
Att: 
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: N/A