As the season heads into the final few weeks the number of important fixtures increases. Tuesday evening was a prime example of that, as two of the top five in the Spartan Premier League went head to head in rural Buckinghamshire. Hosts Winslow United started the evening in second spot, two points adrift of Haringey Borough, but with two games in hand. Consequently, a win would see them climb to the apex of the league. Fifth placed Kings Langley, there visitors, sat a further eight points behind United and had already played a game more. They held a five point advantage in the final play-off spot but Cockfosters, in sixth, had four games in hand. A win for Langley would see them leapfrog Risborough Rangers and Biggleswade United, into third spot, depending upon Risborough's result at Dunstable Town. Winslow were looking to do the double over their promotion rivals after winning 1-0 in the reverse fixture, thanks to an Aaron King goal, in a game that saw Langley's Louie Collier see red.
Thankfully Winslow make the teams available on a large whiteboard near the gate, so there was no need to track down the match officials to get a photo of the team sheets. That was probably just as well because, upon arriving, I discovered that kick-off had been put back to 8pm because of the late arrival of one of the official.

​When we did get under way, on the stroke of 8pm, Kings Langley began the game attacking the clubhouse end of the ground.
The game started at a frenetic pace with both sides playing at 100 mph. Winslow were the first to threaten when Harry Scott got on the end of a long ball up the left, cut inside and flashed a shot past the near post. Shortly afterwards Jack Smith burst up the right side before delivering a superb ball across the face of the 6-yard box, inches too far ahead of Ty Deacon. At the other end Bernard Christie managed to get a foot to a Joe Dearman free-kick but couldn't keep a difficult effort down.
Three minutes later, however, Langley got their noses in front. A ball into the home box was only cleared as far as Jordon Frederick, who sent a low volley arrowing past Alfie Mumford's right hand. 0-1. 
The visitors led for just two minutes though. Winslow responded brilliantly, winning a free-kick on the right flank. The ball was delivered towards the far post where Charlie Attwell met it with a bullet header. 1-1
The action continued unabated. Four minutes after levelling, Winslow found themselves behind again. A long throw caused the problems and when the home side couldn't clear properly Isiah Hilaire was on hand to drill the ball past Mumford. 1-2
The game continued at a frantic pace with both sides trying to get the ball forward at the earliest opportunity, even though the long ball game wasn't proving to be particularly fruitful. Some of the play put me in mind of Eddie Waring's rugby league commentary, talking about the up and under and the Garryowen (named after a rugby club not a player). However, the no nonsense approach from both teams was very entertaining to watch. Certainly a lot better then the dire international friendly that was being shown in the bar, that's for sure.
The next goal opportunity came in the 39th minute when Charlie John struck one from distance that didn't trouble Mumford. Up the other end, Scott's deflect shot looped up, but not over, Charlie Crowley
Still leading 2-1 Langley almost scored an extraordinary third in the 45th minute when an attempted clearance was driven straight at Harry Dudley. Whether it struck him or he deliberately put his head in the way only he will know but, whatever the case, the ball flew towards Mumford's left-hand corner, forcing the keeper to dive full-length to push it away.
Two minutes into added time, with the pace not showing any signs of slowing, Ovington appeared to pull back Deacon as he was attempting to break clear on goal, some 40 yards from goal. The home side wanted a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity but, after consultation with his assistant, the referee signalled a free-kick to Langley for offside against Deacon. Two minutes later, however, Winslow had a golden opportunity to go in level when Aaron King pushed the ball past his marker before tumbling over an outstretched leg in the box. Penalty! King took the kick himself, sending Crowley the wrong way. 2-2

HT Winslow United 2 Kings Langley 2. A furiously frantic first-half. Very competitive and very direct. Great entertainment for the neutral, but it certainly couldn't be classed as subtle football. To be honest, the gathered crowd had already had their £8's worth  in the first 45 minutes. The second half was going to be a bonus.

​Credit to the fitness levels of both teams, because the second half began with just as much pace as the first. 100 mile and hour football at its best. Winslow, in particular, started the half like a train. Aaron King tested Crowley with a volley, before a mistake at the back gifted Ty Deacon a clear run on goal which he fired over the top. Just past the hour a left-wing corner found skipper Ryan Freshwater at the back post and his looping header had to be turned over the bar by Crowley.
For the first time in the game, one team had gained the upper edge for longer than a minute or two, as Winslow ramped up the pressure on the Kings Langley goal. Then, with just over 20 minutes remaining, the pressure paid off. A corner from the left was met by Ethan Flanagan who saw his header blocked. However, Ryan Freshwater was there to force the ball over the line. 3-2
Finding themselves behind for the first time, could Langley respond? As it happened, it was Winslow who went on to generate more chances. George Kerr's 80th minute screamer was probably deserving of a goal, but skimmed the roof of the net. Then, into added time, Winslow were awarded a penalty and Jamie Ovington saw a second yellow. However, Harry Scott couldn't apply the icing, smashing his spot-kick against the bar.
A small reprieve for Langley, but there was not enough time remaining for them to take advantage and find an equaliser.

FT Winslow United 3 Kings Langley 2. Potentially a massive win for Winslow as they take over at the summit, with a game in hand on second placed Haringey Borough. Kings Langley remain in the last play-off spot, but are only two points clear of Cockfosters, who have four games in hand. The teams meet on the final day of the season.
Coming up, Winslow have an Easter local derby at 14th placed Aylesbury Vale Dynamos. The sides drew 1-1 in the reverse fixture. Kings Langley, meanwhile, make the short journey over to Harpenden Town, who currently occupy 9th position. Langley won the reverse game 1-0.

Winslow United: Mumford, Smith, Attwell, Flanagan, Freshwater(c), Valentine, Goss, Kerr, Deacon, King, Scott. Subs: Stratton, C.Rowe, Wooley, J.Rowe, Herdman-Smith
Kings Langley: Crowley, Fitzgerald, Toomey, Abraham, Ovington, Johnson, Hillaire, Fredericks, Christie, Turner(c), Dearman. Subs: Green, Forde, Dudley, Collier, Coulson

Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att: 172
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: £1.00

​Sometimes the fixture computer throws up an absolute peach. Saturday was a prime example. It was Non-League Day and, in the Spartan South Midlands Division Two, it was top versus second, as Sarratt took on MK College. Perfect!
Sarratt started the day five points clear of their opponents, both having played the same number of games and having six left to play including today. There are a couple of others in the mix too. Bovingdon, two behind MK with three in hand of the top two and, one place further back, Pitstone & Ivinghoe United. Two more points behind but also with three in hand. These two were also going head to head this Saturday. Both teams also have to play Sarratt once more, Bovingdon at home, Pitstone away. All in all, it makes for a very interesting and exciting end to the season, but a win for Sarratt would definitely put them in a very strong position.
Earlier in the season Sarratt lost 5-2 at Sport Central MK, and MK College do hold a much better goal difference than the leaders as well as boasting the league's leading scorer, Thomas McDonald with 21 in 27 games.
Despite it being a clash between the top two, recent form had not been brilliant for either side. Sarratt had lost two and drawn one of their last four, MK had won two and lost two in the same period.
It was good to meet Sarratt chairman Tom Shurville before the game. Many thanks for sharing the team sheet with me. Very much appreciated.

With Sarratt, in yellow and black, playing down the slight incline in the first half, the game got under way in bright sunshine and it was the home side who generated the first meaningful attack when, after 4 minutes, Will Cloake won the ball in midfield and drove forward. He pulled his shot wide of the far post, but it was a warning shot for the visitors. They responded in kind when a long cross-field ball just evaded the defence and was controlled well by Harry Norman. Unfortunately for MK, he couldn't find a finish to match the initial chest trap.
In a lively start, MK goalkeeper Finlay Penniston-Walker was then called upon to make a brilliant save from Roman Piran's volley, and we still hadn't played a full 10 minutes yet.
Sarratt were beginning to take more control of proceedings at this point and when Ebou Joof spun sharply inside the 6-yard box, Penniston-Walker was once again called upon to make a good block. However, despite the home side keeping the ball inside the MK half for longer periods, they couldn't find a way to break down the visitor's defence.
Just past the half-hour MK top scorer Thomas Macdonald let fly from 20 yards out, sending the ball spiralling over the bar, but it was a sign the MK were beginning to find their feet. This became even more apparent in the 35th minute when Ryan Hawkins, up from the back, beat home keeper Oliver Abrahams to a flighted free-kick, and was a little unlucky to see his glancing header drop just wide. That was closest MK had come so far but three minutes later they probably should have been a goal down. A long throw from the Sarratt right was allowed to bounce across the penalty area, falling for Charlie Kindell at the back post, but the striker couldn't keep his close range effort down. 
Back at the other end, Hawkins rose above everyone to plant a header well wide and there was just enough time for Sarratt to have a big shout for a penalty when a defender slid in the block. However, the referee was having none of it.

HT Sarratt 0 MK College 0. Sarratt edged the game in terms of possession and created the clearest opportunities, However, as the half progressed, MK began to pose more of a threat. All to play for in the second half.

​As in the first half, there was an early opportunity for MK's Harry Norman but this time his effort went high and wide of the Sarratt goal. Maybe that early threat sparked the home side into action because, with only two minutes on the second-half clock, they broke the deadlock. Will Cloake was the creator and the finisher. The winger broke up the left and when his attempted cross was blocked straight back into his path, he cut inside and drilled the ball under Penniston-Walker. 1-0
Ten minutes in Roman Piran must have thought he'd made it two when he sent a vicious volley goalward, only for Penniston-Walker to produce an acrobatic save to tip the ball over. Goal scorer Cloake then went on a mazy runup the left, showing some great footwork to open up a small space. However, this time, slightly off balance he couldn't find the target. 
A one goal lead can always be precarious and that almost proved to be the case with 15 minutes remaining. Sarratt had keeper Abrahams to thank after Hudson Maslyn hit the target. That however, was the closest the visitors were to come and, seven minutes from time, Sarratt doubled their advantage. Piran delayed taking a free-kick issue instructions to striker Ebou Joof. he then promptly delivered the ball across the face of goal for Joof to slot home. If that was a training ground move, it was executed perfectly. 2-0
The icing on the Sarratt cake was applied two minutes into added time when MK gifted the ball to Joof in the centre of the penalty area. The striker gleefully smashed in the third. 3-0

FT Sarratt 3 MK College 0. A big, and possibly crucial, three points for Sarratt who now lead the table by seven points. Bovingdon climb to second place, but have three games in hand on the leaders. MK College drop to third, a further point adrift of Bovingdon.
Next up for Sarratt is a trip to 8th placed MK Irish Reserves on Tuesday evening, before a crunch game at Bovingdon  next Saturday. Bovingdon won 3-2 at Sarratt in late December. A repeat of that score would put the ball firmly back in their favour. MK College will try to get their push back on track as they take on bottom side Codicote at home on Saturday. However they'll want to avoid a repeat of the reverse fixture, which they lost 3-2. 

Sarratt: 1.Abrhamas, 2.Bishop, 3.White, 4.Evans(c), 5.Hogan, 6.Beckford, 7.Piran, 8.Swan, 9.Kindell, 10.Joof, 11.Cloake. Sus: 12.Malloy, 14.Wellington, 16.Baker, 18.Maynard, 17.Shurville
MK College: 1.Penniston-Walker, 2.Lane, 3.Rowley, 4.Hargreaves(c), 6.Hawkins, 8.McKenna-Mannall, 9.Norman, 14.T.Macdonald, 15.Thorne, 17.Maslyn, 20.Stevenson. Subs: Searle, Bossman-Aggrey, S.Macdonald, Shoult-Mead

The Ground
Sarratt play at the King George V Playing Fields on the south-eastern edge of the village. There's a decent sized car park and the possibility of parking in the streets around the ground. Upon entering the ground the first thing you notice is that this is a real gem. The pitch is completely surrounded by white plastic fencing with advertising hoardings running down the far side, which is also where the dugouts are situated. Behind that side of the ground there are further small sided pitches and, in the corner, a children's playground. On the near side, as you enter, is the clubhouse and changing facilities for players and officials. The roof from the clubhouse protrudes to create a covered standing area. There are also a couple of benches along this side of the ground. At the far end the goals are backed by large trees, giving a very rural feel. The overall feel of the ground is akin to the village, clean, tidy and well-kept.


Ground Number: 482
Att: 74
Entrance: 
Programme: 

​Thursday evening presented an opportunity to check out a couple of teams that I had never seen before, at a ground I'd never visited before. Croxley Green of the Herts Senior County League Division Two taking on AFC Turnford, who play one division above them, in the Hertfordshire FA Intermediate Cup Final at the Herts FA headquarters in Letchworth Garden City. Both teams are pushing for promotion from their respective divisions. Croxley Green currently sit top of the league with a two point advantage and a game in hand over nearest rivals Enfield Rangers. AFC Turnford are in third, the last promotion spot, a point ahead of Ware United, also with a game in hand.
The route to the final for both teams had involved at least one penalty shootout, but it's fair to say that Croxley Green had the more difficult draws. Turnford received a bye in Round One then came through a Second Round tie against fellow Division 1 side Baldock Town Reserves, winning 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Next up for Turnford was a home 4-0 defeat of Division Two Chipperfield Corinthians Reserves, followed by a similar score in the semi-final, also against a Division Two outfit, Old Parmiterians.
Croxley Green, meanwhile, drew Spartan South Midlands Reserve League AFC Welwyn Development in Round One. After coming through that one by a 4-2 score line, they then welcome Division One Ware United, edging through 3-2. In the quarter-final Green took on another Division One side, Sandridge Rovers, and after  a 4-4 draw, won the shootout 5-4 to set up a semi-final date with Letchworth Garden City Eagles u23. Once again penalties were required after a 3-3 draw. Croxley coming through this one by 5-3.
Many thanks to the Herts FA stadium announcer who was gracious enough to send me photos of both teams sheets just before kick-off. Very much appreciated.

​The initial jousting was fairly even. However, just six minutes were on the clock when the deadlock was broken. Turnford broke quickly down their right flank. Josh Rubin was off his line quickly to narrow the angle, but the ball was lofted over him to find Tylar-Morgan Parker, coming in from the left, to apply a simple tap-in. 0-1
You could have forgiven the lower-ranked team for letting their heads drop after going a goal down so early on. However, the opposite was true. Croxley Green took the setback as a signal to up their game and they began to get their short passing approach into gear. Their biggest opportunity to get back into the game came just past the midway point when their press forced Turnford into turning over possession on the edge of their own penalty area. Harry Clark took aim from 18 yards but his low strike went just wide of Josh Tuansaam's right-hand upright.
On the half-hour an errant Croxley back pass allowed Bates to nip in, but Rubin was out quickly again, making the save and giving his defence chance to clear. Two minutes later, Croxley came close again when Alex Hilton had the ball some 20 yards out. Urged on by cries of "shoot!" from behind the gaol, he let fly and was unlucky to see his strike fly a foot over the bar.
At the other end, with four minutes of the half remaining, Rubin had to be at his agile best to tip over a George Williams piledriver that was destined for the net. As the half entered added time it appeared that Croxley Green's efforts would go unrewarded until, two minutes past the end of normal time, a cross from the right skipped off the surface and struck a Turnford arm. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. A tough one on the defender but, in this day and age, the referee had to award the spot-kick. James Todd stepped up and made no mistake. 1-1.

HT Croxley Green 1 AFC Turnford 1. The early Turnford goal seemed to spark Croxley into action and they were the better side for much of the half, using the artificial surface to assist with their short passing game. At one point they strung together 25+ passes, but didn't get a strike off. However, they deserved the late equaliser.
Good to chat with a Turnford supporter at the break, who also happened to be the father of their scorer. We initially discussed the penalty, because I had a clearer view than he did. As a neutral, I thought it was the correct decision, but a few years ago it wouldn't have been given. We agreed that handball, offside rules and many other things in the game were becoming a bit of a mystery to everyone.

​Possibly buoyed by the late equaliser, Croxley came out for the second half and immediately went on the offensive. Harry Clark getting off the first strike of the half, but a defensive block took the sting out of it, making it easy for Tuansaam.
That, however, proved to be Croxley's only real chance for a while, as Turnford began to assert themselves, shutting down Croxley's quick passing movement much more effectively than they did in the first half. On the hour mark, after a couple of changes, one of the substitutes, Mark Thurlow, outpaced his marker and then won a 50-50 challenge with Rubin. With the goalkeeper out of position, Thurlow squared for Ronnie Bates to put Turnford back in front. 1-2.
Again, Croxley responded brilliantly. Only five minutes later, following a corner from their right which was headed goalward and blocked, the ball was slammed straight back past everyone for 2-2. From my vantage point, I couldn't see who scored. A minute after that, with their tails up, Croxley came very close to going ahead for the first time. Todd sprung the offside trap but, one on one with Tuansaam, the goalkeeper came out on top, making an excellent save.
That save proved to be pivotal too. Five minutes later, Turnford attacked up the right and when the ball ran loose inside the penalty area, Usher Adamson reacted quickest to lash a volley past Rubin. 2-3
This time Croxley were unable to find the same level of response to the goal. Tuansaam did have to react quickly in the 80th minute, but the Greens couldn't find a way back in again. In fact the final two chances both fell to Turnford. With a minute remaining Bates saw his headed deflected just wide for a corner which, when delivered by Adamson, was inches too high for captain Craig Lovett to make clean contact.
Which just left a final blast of the whistle for the Turnford celebrations to begin.

FT Croxley Green 2 AFC Turnford 3. A very competitive game, great to watch as a neutral. Eventually the Division One side came out on top, but Croxley Green showed why they will be playing at this level next season. A talented bunch, who play some delightful football. Turnford, in the end, showed their higher level experience. They too are a very good side who may well get promotion themselves this season.
Both teams are back in action this Saturday, Non-League Day. Croxley Green travel to 10th placed Hatfield Athletic in a league game, having already beaten Athletic 2-0 at home. Turnford have another cup game, a Greg Cup semi-final against Ware United at Wodson Park Sports Centre.

Croxley Green: 1.Rubin, 2.Tyson, 3.Fitzgerald, 4.Blake, 15.Hilton, 6.D.New(c), 14.Tuckley, 19.Weiss, 16.Todd, 10.Larkin, 11.Clark. Subs: 12.Tannian, 8.J.New, 26.Lawrence, 7.Payne, 5.Rhodes
AFC Turnford: 1.Tuansaam, 3.Wilson, 4.Williams, 5.Lovett(c), 6.Martson, 8.Offer, 9.R.Bates, 10.Adamson, 20.Parker, 56.Asaffo, 79.B.Bates. Subs: 11.Thurlow, 12.Braine-Edwards, 7.Emory, 23.Murphy-Froom, 13.Stapleton

The Ground
The Hertfordshire FA County Ground is situated just off Baldock Road on the Eastern edge of Letchworth Garden City. There's a reasonable car park on site, further parking on the opposite side of Baldock Road and in adjacent roads. There is platy of spectator cover available. On the car park side there is a covered seating stand that runs around a third of the length of the pitch. Next to this is the café and toilets. There's covered standing shelters behind both goals, one of which is slightly elevated on a grass bank. There's also another small covered stand in the corner of the ground between thee café and the Radburn Way end goal. On the opposite side from the main stand is another large covered terrace that spans half the length of the pitch, straddling the half way line. The playing surface is artificial.

Ground Number: 481
Att: 
Entrance: £8.00
Programme: Yes, but none available when I tried to get one

For the first Saturday this year, the sun was out and it was even reasonably warm. Perfect weather for a drive through the Cotswolds. Even more so when the destination was a crunch top of the table clash between Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division One leaders Whaddon United and third placed Dursley Town. Having seen Dursley win impressively at Bibury a few weeks ago (Dursley Are No Muggles), this would be my first time watching Whaddon.
At the start of play Whaddon held a six point lead over both Longlevens Reserves, in second, and Dursley, in third. However, Dursley had two games in hand and unbeaten Longlevens a massive four games in hand. Whaddon, however, were yet to lose at home and had a very impressive defensive record, conceding just three goals in ten games at Whaddon Rec. With Longlevens still to visit Cheltenham and a final day return match at Dursley to come, this game was certainly a six-pointer.
Many thanks to referee Adie Shilston, who I spotted enjoying a bit of pre-match sun, for sharing the team sheets with me before the game.

​The game started at a frenetic pace with both sides trying to establish some early superiority. However, neither goalkeeper had to make any saves in the opening encounters. Whaddon did, however, begin to gain the upper edge in terms of possession. Jordan Mitchell planted an eighth minute header wide of the mark and, a few minutes later, George Callinan did the same. Just before the quarter-hour mark a Will Arkell free-kick from practically the halfway line, was allowed to bounce in the Dursley area, forcing Jordan Schofield to back-peddle and palm the ball over the bar. Zack Hodges then hit the target for United, but it was straight at Schofield. The visiting keeper did do well on 18 minutes when a bit of pinball saw the ball fall to Mitchell, but the Dursley stopper readjusted well to make the save.
Whaddon were ramping up the pressure on the visitors who responded with a long-range Logan Weyman strike, that flew well wide of James Mitten's goal. A minute later, however, Dursley took the lead against the run of play. Whaddon conceded a needless free-kick wide on the left and, when the ball was delivered, it wasn't cleared and Luke Brunsdon was there to poke home. 0-1
The goal changed the complexion of the game. Where Whaddon had been dominating the ball, they were now finding Dursley had an extra spring in their step, although they did not unduly bother Mitten until the 34th minute. Once again the problem for the home side came from a free-kick on the left, this time a little further out, but still wide on the left. Dursley captain Joe Gray stepped up, sending the ball arcing over Mitten into the keeper's top left corner. A great strike if it was meant. Was it a cross, or did Gray go for it? 0-2

HT Whaddon United 0 Dursley Town 2. Whilst Whaddon had initially dominated the game, they were clearly rocked by the opening goal. Dursley came back into the game and play was fairly even from then onwards. The second goal was an added bonus for the visitors.

​Whilst Whaddon came out with a renewed sense of purpose in the second half, they did little to trouble Schofield until past the hour mark and, even then, the main problem for the Dursley keeper was a miscued clearance from Alfie Mann that had the keeper back-peddling to see it just clear the crossbar. From the resulting corner Connor Barrowcliffe, arriving at the back post, smacked his header off the upright.
Panic over, and Schofield was again not troubled for some time. A Jed Payton long throw caused a small problem, but was headed out for a corner. It looked as if Dursley were going to hold on for a precious three points. However, no-one had any idea of what was to come.
82 minutes were on the clock when the home side finally got one back. It was created by some great work on the right by Tyler White, battling his way through a couple of challenges before sending over a ball to the far post, where substitute Jesse James met it with a stooping header. 1-2
Dursley had little time to steady themselves before the hosts were level. Just a minute after their first goal another ball in form the right was not cleared properly. Jordan Mitchell swung at it, his shot hitting a defender and looping over Schofield into the net. 2-2
Whaddon were throwing everything at Dursley now, but it looked as if they would need to settle for a point when Jordan Mitchell's acrobatic effort flew wide in the 89th minute. However, a minute into added time Mitchell was on hand again as the ball was flashed across the face of goal for the Whaddon striker to prod it home. 3-2. What a turnaround!
Dursley were rocked but did try to respond. The referee indicated that there was still 7 minutes left to play, which gave the visitors some hope. That was finally fully extinguished in the final minute of added time when Whaddon broke on the right again and, when the ball was played across the face of goal, there was Jessie James to slot home his second. 4-2

FT Whaddon United 4 Dursley Town 2. What a comeback from the league leaders. Maybe Dursley should have seen it coming? After all, when Whaddon brought on Jesse James, shots were bound to be fired. The result sees Whaddon retain their six point gap over Longlevens Reserves, even though they have played four additional games than the second placed team. Dursley drop to fourth after English Bicknor won 4-1 at Tredworth Tigers.
Next week Dursley are at home to Longlevens in a make are break six-pointer. Whaddon will be hoping that today's opponents can do them a favour next week, as they travel to Lydney Town Reserves.
A note about today's attendance. I didn't make a headcount but I can say that there was a very healthy number of supporters around the pitch, from both camps. Certainly more than you would expect to see at a Step 8 game.

Whaddon United: 1. Mitten, 2.White, 13.Arkell, 15.G.Callinan, 3.Barrowcliffe, 10.Hodges, 5.T.Callinan, 6.Payton, 11.Mitchell, 8.Alderman(c), 9.Denman. Subs: 14.Harrison, 19.James, 16.Burrows, 12.Oxley
Dursley Town: 1.Schofield, 2.Billings, 5.Barclay, 6.Monday, 3.Deakin, 4.Fowler, 8.Gray(c), 7.Weyman, 18.Brunsdon, 10.Herbert, 9.Mann. Subs: 11.Martins, 12.Clark, 14.Gosling, 15.Dolbear, 16.Harper

The Ground
Whaddon Recreation Ground is literally opposite Cheltenham Town FC. There's no car park at the ground, but you can park alongside the pitch on Whaddon Road. Having said that, if Cheltenham were at home there would be parking restrictions in place. There are on-street parking places dotted around the ground, but you need to be aware of any permit restrictions. You could also park at the Parklands Community Centre, which is a few minutes walk away, although there is, I believe, a charge for parking.
There's not too much to say about the ground itself. It's a community recreation ground. There's a changing pavilion next to the children's playground, but no other features to speak of. No spectator cover, although there are a number of benches on the Whaddon Road side that offer a good view of the pitch, if you wish to sit whilst watching the game. The playing surface looked to be pretty much flat and in reasonably good condition.

Ground Number: 480
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

With no match opportunities in the coming weekend, I took the decision to head out to a game on Thursday evening this week, although a look at the weather almost persuaded me otherwise. Given the conditions, I decided to stay relatively local and re-visit Spratleys Meadow, a ground I had not been to since February 2019. My chosen game, however, did not feature the landlords of the ground, Amersham Town. Instead it was a Combined Counties Division One match with a distinctly European feel to it, Sport London e Benfica versus Deportivo Galicia. I'd never seen either team before, so I did a little research before setting out.
Sport London e Benfica, as their name suggests, are affiliated to Sport Lisboa e Benfica (or Benfica as we know them), the most successful club in Portugal. The London club was formed in 1981, and originally played Sunday League football. They moved into Saturday football in 2005, joining the Middlesex County League, Division One. They quickly progressed, and in 2007 were promoted into the Spartan South Midlands League. Unfortunately, a couple of season's later, they resigned due to ground sharing issues, eventually re-joining the Middlesex League in 2017, and were immediately relegated. However, since then, they have gone from strength to strength, gaining promotion to Combined Counties Division One last season, after winning the league by a point courtesy of a 2-1 defeat of second placed Camden & Islington on the final day.
Deportivo Galicia were founded in 1968 by a group of Galician migrants who had settled in London, partially taking their name from the Galician team, Deportivo La Coruna. They also began life as a Sunday League outfit, moving into the Middlesex League in 1995. They earned promotion to the Combined Counties League in 2017, and have played there ever since. Their best finish to date came in the 2022-23 season where they ended the season in 6th spot. last season they finished bottom of the pile, but remained in the division.
Fortunes have differed for the teams this season. Benfica started the day in 11th spot on 48 points, well adrift of the play-off spot chase but very safe from any worries. Deportivo, however, began the evening only two points outside the drop zone with 30 points from their 35 games, and had a real relegation battle on their hands. Both teams were coming into the game on the back of wins. Deportivo beat play-off bound PFC Victoria 2-0 whilst Benfica won 1-0 at bottom side Rising Ballers Kensington.
The reverse fixture, back in September, ended with Benfica clocking up a resounding 5-0 victory after getting off to a flying start, racing into a 2-0 lead inside four minutes.
Many thanks to the officials and Benfica's coaching staff for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.

​With kick-off being delayed, I managed to grab a warming cup of tea before heading out into the chilly and gusty weather. Thankfully, at that point, the rain had slowed to a light drizzle, although that was not going to be the case for the entire game. The wind, however, was clearly going to cause havoc. Although not constant, when the gusts blew across the pitch, they were very strong.
The game eventually got under way 15 minutes behind schedule, but at least it was on.

With the gusty wind not really benefitting either team, it was the home side who seemed to settle into the game better. Captain Egidio Mahmoud looked lively, and it was he who had the first real chance, latching onto a through ball on the left and sending his cross-cum-shot past the keeper only to see it hacked away for a corner by a covering defender. A few minutes later Marco Raposo went on a run to open some space, but sent his shot over the bar. Then Mahmoud again caused problems for Deportivo, this time on the right, getting behind the defence and cutting the ball back to Helder Mannesim, who couldn't quite get enough power on his attempt.
Deportivo took a little longer to get into the flow of the game but were starting to get a little more possession inside the Benfica half. Noah Salama had their first meaningful attempt on the quarter-hour, getting his effort on target but not troubling Luis Silva too much. Just on the midway point of the half, Deportivo's Aitor Andon turned sharply inside the box, but again couldn't get his strike past Silva.
Clear cut chances were at something of a premium, but one did fall to Benfica's Helder Mannesim just before the half hour. The striker was put clean through but was thwarted by a good block from George Douglas, who had spotted the danger and raced off his line. Just on the stroke of the half-hour, Alfie Finnan saw his fizzing, low drive sail inches past Douglas's right-hand upright and the same player was then a little unlucky, ten minutes later,  when a ball into the box just wouldn't sit down for him to get a meaningful strike away. A minute after this Mahmoud sent another shot whistling into the side-netting, as Benfica looked to get ahead before the break.
The half, however, ended on a slightly sour note when a late challenge on a Benfica player over on the far side (I had no view of the players involved), left the home player on the deck, wailing in pain. There was, of course, a few minor coming together of opposing players before the referee gained control and issued a yellow to the Deportivo player.

HT Sport London e Benfica 0 Deportivo Galicia 0. A first half spoiled by the gusty wind to a certain extent. Neither team had really come to grips with it and clear-cut opportunities were at a premium. Benfica definitely generated a few more opportunities than Deportivo, but they had showed that they could cause some problems especially thought the pace of West and trickery of Andon.

If anything, the weather had deteriorated during the half-time break. As the second half got under way the gusty wind felt stronger and more raw, plus the rain was coming down a little more persistently.
Deportivo seemed to have the bit between their teeth though. They started the second half with more verve than they had shown in the first 45 minutes and suddenly looked the more likely team to break the deadlock. Of course, the opposite happened. Seven minutes in, Benfica broke up the left though Mannesim. His low, driven cross was then met at the back post by Egidio Mahmoud, who squeezed the ball in. 1-0
Two minutes later it could easily have been 2-0 when Mahmoud cut inside from the right and drove a shot towards the near post, forcing Douglas into a very good diving save.
Despite Deportivo trying to bounce back, and continuing to play some decent football, they couldn't find a way to get through the Benfica defence and, just past the hour, they were two down. Benfica were awarded a free kcik some 40 yards out on the right-hand side. The ball was delivered diagonally across the penalty area, missing out everyone at the near post, but finding Saran Sutharsan, making a late run in at the back and smashing the ball past Douglas. 2-0.
It was a long way back for Deportivo from two down. They continued to push and did force a few corners, and hit the bar, but couldn't quite find a way through. The game was also beginning to get increasingly niggly. Benfica were happy to defend their two goal lead and more than happy to slow the game down whenever they could, much to the displeasure of the Deportivo team, who were desperately trying to establish some pace and rhythm. The challenge late in the first half was also still lingering in some minds.
Deep into added time Benfica rubbed salt into the Deportivo wounds when Mahmoud sent an absolute screamer into the top corner from 25 yards. 3-0 . A great strike that the home captain celebrated with a couple of somersaults. This display seemed to really incense the Deportivo team and there was a fairly lengthy delay whilst the referee attempted to regain control and calm the situation. In the chaos and aftermath Aitor Andon also appeared to be sin-binned. Not that it really mattered at this point, with just a minute or so remaining.

FT Sport London e Benfica 3 Deportivo Galicia 0. Football can be a strange game at time. Deportivo played much better in the second half, but conceded there goals. The victory sees Benfica move up a place to 10th, still 17 points shy of the final play-off position, occupied by London Samurai Rovers, but they do have four games in hand on Rovers. Deportivo remain two places and two points above Sandhurst Town, in the drop zone. However, they have now played one more than Town. 
Coming up for Benfica is a home game against 8th placed Wembley on Saturday. SL lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture in a game that saw both teams reduced to ten men. Deportivo have no game this coming Saturday and will have to wait another week before they then welcome Wembley to Bedfont Sports Club. The reverse fixture ended 4-0 to Wembley, who scored two goals in each half.


Sport London e Benfica: 99.Silva, 2.Okon, 71.Spearing, 5.Cleyton, 32.Udanoh, 18.Richardson, 8.Finnan, 15.Camolas, 10.Mahmoud(c), 7.Raposo, 29.Manessim. Subs: King, 77.Ketter, 24.Jackson, 11.Fernando, 12.Southarsan
Deportivo Galicia: 1.Douglas, 2.Panos, 3.White-Glean, 4.Filip, 5.Kemp(c), 6.Diaz, 7.West, 8. Salama, 9.Fernandez, 10.Andon, 11.Petch. Subs: 12.Ambrose, Mejdoubi, Relf, Stephens, Andon

Ground Number: Re-visit
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This weekend BotP headed back to the picturesque village of Bibury for what looked to be an interesting Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division 1 clash between Bibury and Dursley Town. I last visited Aldsworth Road back in April 2022 when the home side were still in Division 2. On that day they Bibury were edged out 2-1 by Viney St Swithans (A Game Of Justice?) and both teams missed out on promotion. However, the following season Bibury were promoted to Division 1 via a third placed finish.
This season, in the top flight, Bibury came into today's game in sixth spot with 22 points from their 18 games. Their opponents, Dursley Town, started the day in second, three points adrift of the leaders, Whaddon United, but with a game in hand. It had been a mixed bag in 2026 for the visitors. A 3-0 defeat at Longlevens reserves and draws with English Bicknor and, last week, at home to Brockworth Albion, were interspersed with solid wins against Cheltenham Civil Service and Stonehouse Town Reserves.
Bibury meanwhile were looking to get back to winning ways at home after losing their last two fixtures at Aldsworth Road both by 3-1 score lines.
This would be the first meeting of the teams this season. However, last season, Bibury had taken a point at Dursley but been beaten 2-1 at home.
Thanks to referee Robert Green for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off

​After the promise of Spring breaking last week, the weather had taken another turn back towards Winter and, the game got under way under leaden skies, a sprinkling of rain and a chilly breeze.
However dreary the weather, Dursley were soon brightening things up, taking the lead after only six minutes. Logan Weyman, who went on to terrorise the Bibury defence for much of the game, was the provider, sending over a cross from the right that Alfie Mann headed past Jamie Penfold. 0-1.
Bibury's response was almost very swift. Only a minute later Sam Simmonds drove down their left flank before cutting the ball back to the edge of the box where it was met by Dec Kenn who, slightly off balance, could only put his effort over Jordan Schofield's crossbar. 
Following that early goalmouth action, the game fell into more of a midfield battle for a while. Dursley were gaining the upper hand but didn't unduly trouble Penfold. Adam Price probably came closest, but his 26th minute snapshot didn't really trouble the keeper.
The visitors almost paid the price two minutes later when Schofield was forced into a good save to prevent Keen from levelling the scores. As it happened the flag had already gone up, but the keeper was not to know that at the time.
Right on the stroke of the half-hour, Dursley almost doubled their lead when a defensive header from a ball in from the right looped over everyone and seemed to come back off the post. A follow-up header was then scrambled off the line and the home side survived.
At the other end, Schofield's main activity of the day had been chasing after errant back passes, preventing them from going for a corner. This had already happened a couple of times before Sean Monday did it again, but this time the ball was on target for the goal. Thankfully Schofield was quick enough to get back and make the clearance relatively comfortably.
The visitors goalkeeper then played a major part in their second goal. Launching a huge kick downfield, the ball travelled into the Bibury penalty area. Penfold came but only got a slight touch to the ball, allowing Logan Weyman to nip in and slot the ball past a defender on the line. 0-2
As we approached the final five minutes of the half, Penfold made some amends by saving well from Luke Brunsdon, but, just before the half-time whistle, the keeper was helpless to prevent a third Dursley goal. Once again Weyman was the architect, sending over a ball into a dangerous spot for Josh Barclay to put a diving header into the bottom corner. 0-3

HT Bibury 0 Dursley Town 3. Whist Dursley controlled much of the half, they only had a one goal advantage until the final few minutes. Those additional two goals look to have given them an unassailable lead going into the second half.

​If Bibury did have any lingering thoughts of making a second half comeback, they were fully extinguished three minutes before the hour. Luke Brunsdon latched onto a sloppy back pass, took the ball around penfold and slotted the ball in from a tight angle. 0-4 and the points were heading back to the home of Harry Potter's aunt and uncle.
Whether Dursley took their foot off the accelerator or Bibury finally got their game going a little, I don't know, but after the fourth goal went in, the pendulum seemed to swing a little.
Home substitute Leo Jones struck a good effort just wide of the Town goal and, although Dursley sub Billy Herbert glanced a Brunson cross wide, the chances were starting to come at the opposite end more often.
With 20 minutes to go Sam Simmonds was sent through but, with no-one up alongside him, was forced into having a pop from outside the box, sending the effort over the bar. Two minutes later, Simmonds robbed Monday just outside the box but was thwarted by a good save from Schofield.
That close call must have sparked Dursley back into life because they immediately broke down the left. Mann's cross was met by Herbert, but Penfold got across to parry the ball away, only for Luke Brunson to follow in and smash home number five. 0-5
With less than fifteen minutes remaining, there was little more action. Schofield did have to another decent stop when an attempted clearance ricocheted off a defender and almost crept inside his left-hand post. However, the points were safely in the bag, and pretty soon referee Green called an end to proceedings.

FT Bibury 0 Dursley Town 5. A comfortable win for Dursley who remain three points behind Whaddon, who also won, with a game in hand. English Bicknor are a further five points back with another game in hand. Longlevens Reserves are also a threat, nine points adrift of Whaddon with five games in hand. Bibury drop to seventh in a very tightly congested mid-table. They are only five points above second from bottom Cheltenham Civil Service. Coincidentally, next weekend Bibury travel to Cheltenham, whilst Dursley don't have a game. Their next outing is a massive trip to Whaddon United on the 21st of March. The following week they entertain Longlevens Reserves.

Bibury: 1.Penfold, 3.Davies, 9.Hopegood, 5.Knowles, 6.Carter, 4.Day(c), 16.Milner, 17.Carpenter, 10.Simmonds, 2.Keen, 11.Griffin. Subs: 12.Jones, 7.Potter, 8.Willetts, 14.Coram, 15.Shannon
Dursley Town: 1.Schofield, 2.Billings, 5.Deakin, 6.Monday, 3.Barclay, 4.Fowler, 8.Gray(c), 10.Weyman, 7.Mann, 15.Price, 16.Brunsdon. Subs: 9.Harper, 11.Walker, 12.B.Dolbear, 14.J.Dolbear, 17.Herbert

Ground Number: Re-visit
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This Saturday BotP was dipping back into the Northants Combination. This time, a Division Two clash featuring the team in third hosting the team in second. Thankfully the game was a 2:30 ko, which allowed me enough time to get from my daughter's late kick-off in Brackley.
Making my way over to the clubhouse, I had a stroke of luck when I spotted match referee Niki Inwood heading my way clutching the team sheets. This gave me the opportunity to not only get photos of the team sheets, but also to have a pleasant few minutes chatting to Niki about local junior football, the weather and general football-related issues. I also explained how I had chosen this particular game because of the potential to be a good game, rather than going to a new ground just to tick it off. The difference between ground-hopping and, to steal a great description from Wandering Tractor, match-hopping.
At the start of the day today's hosts, Kislingbury, sat in third spot having taken 24 points from their 10 league outings. Their visitors, Corby Rovers, were three points better off but had played a game more. Both teams were trying to chase down Daventry Town Hobbs, who had a 15 point lead on Corby but had played five more than Rovers and six more than Kislingbury. So, both teams could go level on points with the leaders should they win all of their games in hand. The teams had already met once before this season and Kislingbury had come out on top. Two goals from Sam Giddens and one from Michael Watson had been enough to trump two Dylan Griffiths strikes for Rovers.
With Daventry not playing, it was a chance for one of these two to narrow the gap a little, especially as Hobbs still have to visit both teams.

​After a relatively quiet start in terms of goal chances, Corby's Danny Ward was the first to hit the target, but his strike was comfortably dealt with by Laurence Benham and, from that point, the home side began to establish themselves in the game. With 15 minutes gone this possessional advantage turned into a goal advantage. A lovely through ball from Peter Taylor split the Rovers defensive lines allowing Michael Watson to run in behind and slide the ball past the advancing Edward Hunter. 1-0
Corby's response, some four minutes later, was to send their top scorer, Dylan Griffiths, clear. His miscued attempt from the right-hand edge of the box flew across to the opposite flank where Ryan Morton picked it up. However, his strike went across the face of goal and out for a goal-kick.
Just past the midway stage The Swans almost conjured up a goal of real quality. James Giddens brilliantly intercepted a Corby attack inside his own box and drove forward through the middle of the park. He laid the ball off to the left flank, continuing his own progress through the middle. Two more passes later, the ball arrived back at the feet of Giddens on the edge of the Rovers box where only good reactions from Hunter prevented the home centre-half scoring.
The hosts and James Giddens, however, did not have to wait too much longer for a goal when the centre-half rose above everyone to power a header home from a 34th minute Michael Watson left-wing corner. 2-0. The hosts were now in control of the game and, despite a little lull, extended their lead further with a minute to go. Again the goal came from a corner, this time from the right. The ball, delivered by Watson again, arriving at the far post where the other centre-half, Aaron Blundell, towered above everyone to head home. 3-0

HT Kislingbury 3 Corby Rovers 0. A very good half for the hosts who fully deserve to be in front at the break. Corby have rarely threatened Benham's goal.

​Following a few short WhatsApp exchanges with some Oxford United supporting friends who were enjoying their team take a commanding lead against the absolute basket case that is West Brom at the moment (despite not going to pro games any more, the Baggies are still my team, unfortunately), the second half began.
Kislingbury were soon on the offensive again, Jack Shaw firing in a dipping volley that Hunter dealt with comfortably. A few minutes later, Peter Taylor struck 20-yard free-kick cleanly, but again straight at Hunter. Then, just before the hour, Corby pulled a goal back. A ball down the left allowed Ian Hales to run in behind the defence. Benham was quick off his line but Hales got there first, sending the ball past the keeper and across the face of goal where Dylan Griffiths just about won the race to bundle the ball over the line. 3-1. Unfortunately for Corby, the joy of scoring was cut short by their top-scorer being helped off the pitch and unable to continue after picking up a knock in the act of scoring.
The hosts then set about re-establishing the three goal lead. Hunter did well to save from Sam Giddens just past the  hour, the with twenty minutes to go, Josh Crawley was sent clear of the Rovers defence only to shoot straight at Hunter.
Heading into the final 15 minutes Corby almost got themselves right back in the game when a corner from their right caused chaos inside the home 6-yard box. However, no-one in red could get the ball over the line before the home side scrambled it clear. That missed opportunity looked even more crucial a few minutes later when Kislingbury produced a superb move to make it four. Sam Giddens began the move, driving up the left. He then slipped the ball inside the defence for the overlapping run of Nathan Stewart, who intelligently cut the ball back to the edge of the box for Peter Taylor to apply a fitting, first-time, finish into the top corner. A lovely move and a great strike from Taylor. 4-1
Corby tried to respond, Hales fired over in the 84th minute and James Cassidy kept Benham honest with a decent effort three minutes from time. However, by this point, the points were already decided and, five minutes into added time, this fact was emphasised by a fifth home goal, albeit a very strange one. Substitute  Fernand Bass, in a foot race with a defender and the oncoming goalkeeper managed to cause enough of a problem for the ball to squirm loose from both. The striker, who was sent sprawling in the collision then somehow managed to flick the ball, from a prone position, into the unguarded net from a tight angle. 5-1

FT Kislingbury 5 Corby Rovers 1. The Swans remain in a position whereby they can still catch the league leaders if they win their games in and. Corby now have to rely on both teams above them making a mistake along the way. Kislingbury were fully deserving of the points on the day, looking in control of the game throughout. Having not seen either team play previously this season, it was hard to say if this was a dominant home performance, a bad day for Corby, or a bit of both. I'd say the latter. It did feel as if Corby never really got going today. I'm sure they must have more in them considering their position in the league.
Next weekend both teams are at home. Kislingbury face fifth placed Spencer Mil Reserves, a team they beat 2-0 in the reverse fixture. Corby have another big game that could do both themselves and Kislingbury a favour. They take on the leaders, Daventry Town Hobbs having lost the reverse fixture 4-2.

Kislingbury: Benham, Msampha, Bramley(c), J.Giddens, Blundell, Downing, Ibrahim, Taylor, Shaw, Watson, S.Giddens. Subs: N.Stewart, Crawley, Davenport, Bass, D.Stewart
Corby Rovers: Hunter, L.Morton, McGovern, O'Donovan, Carr, Buckingham, Ward, R.Morton, Hales, Griffiths, Cassidy. Subs:  Goode, Morgan, Mutengo

Ground Number: Re-visit
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This Saturday I was pretty much resigned to another match on plastic, especially after seeing postponements coming in thick and fast. However, midway through the morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the game on top of my grass list was on. The match in question was the Northants Combination Premier clash between Kettering Nomads and Blisworth. Still wary of last-minute changes in the weather, I set out a little early to give myself ample time to get back to Earls Barton United's 3G pitch should this one get called off.
With league leaders Roade sitting twelve points clear at the start of play, both second placed Bliswoth and fifth placed Kettering knew that a win today was essential. Both had games in hand, Blisworth two and Kettering five, but neither could catch the leaders even if they won them all. so they would still be counting on a mistake or two from Roade. The reverse fixture, played in October, had been a close encounter that Blisworth had edged 2-1. Today was expected to be much of the same.
Blisworth had a very good penalty shootout win against Desborough Town in the Les Underwood Cup last weekend, but suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat at Roade at the end of January. Nomads beat Heyford Athletic last weekend but also lost 2-1 at Roade the week before.
Many thanks to the Kettering Nomads official who fetched both team sheet for me to photograph before the game. Very much appreciated.

Although Blisworth started this game on the front foot, it was Joe Mann's 11th minute effort for Kettering that provided the first real strike in anger. It was wide of the mark, as too was Kaine Clinton's free-kick a couple of minutes later. However Sam Starkey, in the home goal, was the first of the two goalkeepers to get his knees dirty when he had to dive to his right to push away Adefolarin Ademidun's effort, before the rebound was sent spiralling over the bar.
The team's continued to spar, but it was Blisworth who looked the more dangerous of the two, and Jamal Said sent a shot whistling past Starkey's goal just before the half-hour mark as if to emphasise the point. So, it was somewhat against the general run of play when Nomads took the lead in the 31st minute. Oscar Horton was the beneficiary, getting on the end of a ball into the box, after good work up the left flank. 1-0
Four minutes later the home side thought they had doubled their advantage when Josh Mcadoo spilled a long-range effort. Charlie Wilson was first to react, nipping in to lift the loose ball over the keeper, only for the assistant to put his flag up. The home players and bench were convinced that the striker was onside, but the referee agreed with the assistant. No goal. To be honest, from the opposite end of the pitch, it was impossible to get a perspective.

HT Kettering Nomads 1 Blisworth 0. Nomads take a lead into the break despite Blisworth creating slightly more opportunities. All to play for with not a great dela to choose between the teams.

​The wind seemed to have picked up a little during the break, and was now in the favour of Blisworth for the second half. They immediately set about using the conditions in their favour. First Dylan Surace and then Ross Watson tried their luck from distance, using wind assistance. Both were marginally off target
However, just before the hour mark, the visitors were level. Jamal Said picking the ball up some 25 yards out, steadying himself and sending a dipping drive beyond Starkey's right hand into the bottom corner. 1-1
Just the other side of the hour there was an unusual incident that confused a few of the onlookers for a while. McAdoo collected the ball in his area and, as he was about to throw it out, changed his mind. He dropped the ball right on the edge of the box before picking it up again. The referee blew for a free-kick with the majority, myself included, believing the keeper had handled outside the box. However, the ball was placed inside the area and it soon became apparent that the free-kick had been awarded because the keeper picked the ball up again after first releasing it. As it happened, nothing came of the free-kick.
Five minutes later, with just over 20 minutes remaining, Blisworth produced the best piece of football in the game. A series of quick passes and movement off the ball ended with Morgan Littlejohn playing a one-two and slipping the ball under Starkey. 1-2. 
Two became three after 77 minutes when Don Gillard sent a low, skimming shot past Starkey from 25 yards. Great strike for 1-3 and possibly game over. However, Kettering substitute Max Jelliman had other ideas. Two minutes after conceding the third goal, Jelliman found the ball in front of him, just inside the Blisworth half. A quick glance revealed McAdoo to be off his line, allowing Jelliman launched a perfect 45 yard lob over the stranded keeper. 2-3
Nomads were now looking to get back on level terms and were not too far off when Matty Sherwood let fly, missing the target by a narrow margin. However, they were leaving gaps at the back in the ir efforts to get a goal and, on 83 minutes, were a little lucky when Blisworth had a fourth goal disallowed for offside. To be fair, there were no real complaints from the visitors.
Then, with the minutes ticking down, Clinton said a little too much to the referee and earned a sin-bin, reducing Nomads to 10 for the final few minutes. They almost paid the price when Ross Watson was sent clear, but Starkey was out quickly to make a great one-handed block. There was still enough added time to almost allow Clinton to return to the action, but whilst the Nomads bench were trying to get him back on, the referee finally blew for the end of the game.

FT Kettering Nomads 2 Blisworth 3. A crucial three points for Blisworth, who keep their slim chances of catching Road alive. The result leaves them 9 points adrift of the leaders with one game in hand. Kettering stay in fifth, 21 points off top spot with four games in hand.
Next weekend Nomads make the trip to Corby to face Stewart & Lloyds in the first of a double-header, with the return match taking place the following Saturday. Blisworth are back at home as Corby Pegasus come calling. A first league meeting this season, but Blissy did win 2-1 at Glebe Park in the Les Underwood Cup back in October.

Kettering Nomads: Starkey, Hale, Boyce-Chong(c), Lingley, Tolton, Heads, Mann, Horton, Wilson, Clinton, Cawkill. Subs: Sherwood, Jelliman, Proctor
Bisworth: Mcadoo, Sergeant(c), Bazeley, Redding, Gartland, Gillard, Said, Surace, Wilkes, Ademidun, Watson. Subs: Heasman, Hadley, Hogben, Littlejohn

The Ground
Kettering Nomads play their home games at Isham Cricket Club which is situated between the villages of Isham and Orlingbury, some five miles south of Kettering. The club has a reasonably large car park with additional parking available on the road outside the ground. Next to the car park is the club house and patio area that looks out over the playing fields. The football pitch is at the far end of the ground, beyond the cricket pitch and has a backdrop of open countryside. There's no spectator cover around the pitch and no dugouts. The playing surface, although in need of a trim, looked to be in pretty good condition given the recent wet weather, and clearly drains quite well.

Ground Number: 479
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​After my daughter's game got pushed back to an 11:15 kick-off, it looked very much as if I wouldn't get toa game on Saturday afternoon. However, step forward Community Football Academy and Glen Villa, who were scheduled to meet at 4pm on the Oadby 3G pitch. Perfect! Just enough time to get back from Oxford, have a quick cup of tea and set off up the M1 for what looked like a tasty Division One clash. Hosts Community Football Academy sat in second prior to kick-off, having just played back to back games against the leaders St Patricks. After losing 2-0 at The Emerald Centre, CFA threw the cat amongst the pigeons with a resounding 8-2 win at Beauchamp College last Saturday. That result left CFA four point behind the leaders, who also had a game in hand. At the start of play, Glen Villa sat in fifth, a further 10 points adrift of CFA but with two games in hand on today's hosts. Earlier in he season BotP had the pleasure of watching both games between St Patricks and Glen Villa, a 4-2 away win for Villa (Reversal Of Fortune) and a 2-0 away win for St Patricks (A Warm Welcome). 
As a consequence of these two match, I already knew Villa boss Jonny Morgan and it was he who was one of the first people I saw upon arriving at the ground. After asking if I had the team sheets yet, he had a word with the CFA coach, who came over to share their list with me. Jonny then got the Villa sheet a little later, after a last minute change through Jake Inskip pulling up in the warm-up. Thanks to both teams for sharing their team sheets. It's very much appreciated.
I was also very pleased to meet CFA Chairman and founder Ahmed Maravia before the game, and even more pleased when it turned out that my blogs were already known to CFA, despite not having seen them play before. Ahmed spoke to me about the reason he set up CFA and just how far they and the charity had come in the 22 years since being founded. To find out more about the excellent work they do, I'd recommend taking a look at their website, especially the ABOUT US section.
Back to today's game. CFA were in search of a double over their visitors, having won 2-1 at The Rec in November. Two Charvin Ambhire goals enough to trump Jack Langton's goal for Villa.

​Both teams started the game looking quite lively, but it was the visitors who had the first real chance when Ira Caster was sent through. However, under pressure from a defender, his shot went straight at CFA keeper and captain, Aamir Bham.
CFA then soon made Villa rue that missed opportunity as the hosts went ahead. Four minutes in, Jaseem Khamkar drove up the right before firing over a low, driven cross that Lewis Dowle couldn't hold onto. The loose ball fell to Zak Yusuf who steadied himself before planting the ball into the net. 1-0.
It quickly got worse for Villa as CFA began to stroke the ball around with the confidence of a team who scored eight in their last game. Four minutes after going ahead, another raid into the Villa box culminated in Jaseem Khamkar being clipped inside the area. Penalty given. The same player picked himself up and slotted home the spot-kick. 2-0
To be fair to Villa, they tried to respond to this setback. Josh Wright saw his curling effort brilliantly pushed away by Bham and, after Hales had headed down a long ball, Caster arrived at the far post, but could only hit the side-netting. Harry Boorman then came close for CFA, but his header was just over the bar. Then Dowle made a very good stop to keep out Khamkar as CFA threatened more goals. 
A third did arrive, just past the half-hour mark. Younes Mihoubi was the architect, driving down the left before cutting the ball back into the path of Liam Taylor, who drilled the ball into the bottom corner. 3-0.
Once again, Villa tried to respond, but George Parker's free-kick, given after Cameron Grieff was caught by a stray arm that Villa thought was more than accidental, was never really troubling Bham, as it sailed over the bar and, if anything, it was CFA who looked more likely to add to their total before the break. In fact, only a very brave block from Dowle prevented Bleu McNeil from making it four in the final minute of the half.

HT Community Football Academy 3 Glen Villa 0. CFA well on top and played some very good football, using the surface to their advantage with quick passing. Villa with plenty of work to do if they want to get back into the game. 

​If the Villa coaches had wanted to see a marked improvement in the second half, they almost got their wish just three minutes after the restart. Josh Wright took aim from 30 yards sending his shot arrowing past Bham only for it to come back off the joint of post and bar. Very unlucky.
Credit to Villa, after chasing shadows for much of the first half, they had definitely got to grips with things in the second half. The fluent and fluid CFA attacks had been stemmed, but the visitors still couldn't find a way to cause problems for Bham. In fact, it was Dowle who was still the busier keeper, making comfortable stops from Adam and Hajat.
Into the final fifteen minutes, Villa did conjure up a coupe of half-chances. First Myles Cosgrove burst up the right wing, sending over a cross that was only marginally too far in front of George Parker flying in a t the far post. A few minutes later, a corner from the left found its way to the back post, arriving very quickly at the feet of Cosgrove, who couldn't get his strike on target.
A minute after that opportunity, CFA sealed the game completely when a dissecting through ball sent Mohamed Mahir clear. He calmly stroked the ball past Dowle for 4-0. That left just enough time for another substitute, Meroune Fahri, to see his goal-bound effort deflected over, as CFA saw out the game.

FT Community Football Academy 4 Glen Villa 0. A much better second half from Glen Villa, who stemmed the flow of CFA, but couldn't quite find a way back into the game. Maybe with a three-goal cushion, CFA also took their foot off the pedal a little, but they'd done the damage in the first half.
The result leaves CFA a point behind St Patricks, but having played two games more than the leaders. Villa remain in fifth spot but are now thirteen points behind CFA, albeit with two games in hand.
If you want to catch either of these teams in action then, weather permitting, they both have league games next Saturday. CFA travel to 12th placed Barrow Town who they beat 3-2 in the reverse fixture at the start of January. With St Patricks not playing, a point or more would see them go top. Glen Villa are back at home, as they welcome mid-table Holwell Sports Reserves to The Rec. The reverse fixture saw Sports score in the 89th minute to edge a the game 3-2.

Community Football Academy: 1.Bham(c), 11.Mihoubi, 18.Boorman, 5.Kone, 17.McNeil, 12.Bhandal, 13.Husain, 45.Taylor, 6.Adam, 15.Yusuf, 7.Khamkar. Subs: Hajat, 2.Jameel, 4.Bobat, 10.Mills, 16.Farhi, 8.Patel, 9.Mahir
Glen Villa: 1.Dowle, 13.Wright, 6.Payton, 12.D.Garrat, 7.Caster, 8.Greiff(c), 9.J.Parker, 10.G.Parker, 11.Morton, 15.Hales, 16.Cosgrove. Subs: 14.Mason, 2.Rowe, 18.Nwaigwe, 17.A.Garrat

The Ground
The Oadby 3G pitch is part of Beauchamp College campus. There's not a huge amount to say about the ground. It's a standard green cage design with spectator access along on side, although you can probably get a good view of the game from the pathway that rises up above the playing surface behind one of the goals. There's plenty of parking around the college and pathways leading around to the 3G pitch. There's no spectator cover but there are dugouts on the far side of the pitch.

Ground Number: 478
Att: 
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A

This Saturday, after another nerve-jangling morning watching my daughter's very depleted squad earn a tough point (this time against one of her old teams), I decided stay fairly local for the afternoon's entertainment. A short journey up the M40 for a Ben Turner Cup quarter-final between Oxfordshire Senior League Division Two side, Hornton, and the leaders of Division One, Witney Town. I last visited Hornton's delightful ground, The Cauldron, back in October 2023 when they beat Kings Sutton 3-1 in a league game (Countryside Caldera). Not too much has changed since that visit, although I do believe some extra hard-standing has been added towards the clubhouse end.
Last season, these two teams competed in the same division, with Witney winning the league and Hornton finishing in the lower half. Witney won both encounters, 3-0 at home and 3-2 in Hornton, a game that saw Hornton's Sam Sherpa-Moore see red.
This season Witney have gone from strength to strength and currently sit top of Division One, ten points clear albeit having played more games. Hornton are sitting in fifth spot, eight points from the promotion places. This position has been mainly down to their home form, where they have taken 10 points from five games.
Witney had already played a game to get to this stage of the competition, beating Hanney 5-2. It would, however, be Hornton's first game in the tournament this season, after receiving a bye in Round One. In last season' Ben Turner Cup, both Hornton and Witney were eliminated by the same team, eventual beaten finalists, North Leigh Reserves.
Many thanks to referee Barry Darvell and Hornton manager Liam Manley for sharing the team sheets prior to kick-off.

​On a very heavy pitch, kicking towards the clubhouse end in the first half, it was the lower-ranked, home side who started the stronger. Despite the fact that they had to make a last-minute change to their starting line-up when one of their players couldn't make the early kick-off on time, they set about their task with a certain vigour.
Having said that, the first effort to cause any kind of concern was Dom Griffin's 4th minute strike that fairly whistled over Matt Brice's crossbar. 
After that, it became the Tom Bennington show for a the next 20 minutes. The Witney goalkeeper took centre stage as the home side created a series of chances. The first save came on 8 minutes when Bennington was forced to go full-length to his right to fingertip Sam Sherpa-Moore's rasping drive around the post. A minute later the visiting stopper was quickly off his line to block from Olly Richards. Then, approaching the quarter-hour, Bennington produced the best stop yet when, after a great move down the left, Hornton fed the ball across the face of goal to Sherpa-Moore, coming in on the back post. Bennington somehow got across his goal to make a point-blank stop from the stunned striker.
On the half-way point, Bennington finally proved he was human when he spilled another Sherpa-Moore effort, recovering quickly to grab the ball before it squirmed over the line. Sherpa-Moore could easily have had a hat-trick and his side probably should be in front. However, it was still goalless. That was when Witney hit their hosts with a stunning three-goal salvo.
With 24 minutes on the clock and Griffin's 4th minute strike still the closest they had come, Witney sent a long ball forward up the left-hand channel. Hornton tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick, but the heavy ground held it up. Before it could cross the line, the ball was slipped across the face of goal where Adam Holloway was lurking to stab past Brice. 0-1.
The home players had barely caught their breath from that shock when they found themselves two goals down, and this time it was an excellent piece of football from The Blanketmen. A series of quick passes sent Tyler Dix free on the left. He played the ball into the path of Redi Karaj, bursting into the box. Karaj took one touch in his stride before slipping the ball past Brice. 0-2. Lovely goal.
Witney were now full of confidence and, on 28 minutes, they made it three goals inside four minutes. Mercayd Morgan-Allen burst down the right, firing a low ball across the six-yard box to find Dom Griffin, who slammed the ball into the net. 0-3.
Shell-shocked Hornton, to their credit, steadied the ship from this point, but they couldn't find a way back to the dominance they showed in the opening minutes. Witney, now with a big cushion, also tightened things up, not allowing the home strikers the amount of room they got earlier on.

HT Hornton 0 Witney Town 3. An extraordinary half in some ways. Hornton were on top until the first Witney goal went in. That goal seemed to light a fire in the visitors, who suddenly bean playing with a renewed confidence and style.

The second half began in a very similar way to the beginning of the first half, Bennington making yet another save from the unfortunate Sam Sherpa-Moore, who was getting increasingly frustrated and had already picked up  yellow card.
The Hornton striker's mood was probably helped a little in the 53rd minute though, when he finally got the better of his nemesis, drilling the ball past the Witney stopper from the edge of the box. 1-3.
Having got a goal back, it was Hornton's turn to be inspired. Just past the hour, Daniel Hirst tried his luck from distance but couldn't trouble Bennington. Hornton were getting far more of the ball at this point, but couldn't find a way back into the game. Then, with just over 20 minutes remaining, Witney sealed their progress with a fourth goal. A long ball forward found Griffin, who was held up by Horton captain Peter Thorne. Griffin did well to hold the ball up though, waiting for reinforcement to arrive. Some quick feet engineered a yard allowing Griffin to fire the ball across the box where Adam Holloway had arrived, unmarked. All the striker had to do was put his head on the ball and it was game over. 1-4
At this point both sides knew that the game was up. Hornton, to their credit, kept pushing, but Witney were relatively comfortable now, and defended solidly to see the game out.

FT Hornton 1 Witney Town 4. Witney progress to the semi-final with what, on paper, looks like a comfortable victory. In reality, it was far from that. Their goalkeeper, Tom Bennington, must take full credit, and man of the match, for keeping them in the game early on, before they hit their hosts with a stunning trio of goals.
Hornton are back in league action next Saturday as they make the journey to fourth placed Dorchester, who won 4-1 at The Cauldron in the county cup back in October.
Witney, meanwhile, have a weekend off before they make the trip to relegation threatened Charlton United. Witney won the reverse fixture 5-0 with a hat-trick from Jack Morton and two from Adam Holloway.

Hornton: Brice, Burton, Bowden, Hist, Jordan, Lee, Sherpa-Moore, Phillips, Richards, Sabin, Thorpe(c). Subs: Boyle, Fox, Hillman, Middleton, Manley
Witney Town: Bennington, Shayler, Dix, Clarke, Robinson, Walker, Oliver(c), Preston-Carrey, Holloway, Karaj, Griffin. Subs: Morgan-Allen, H.Jackson, G.Jackson, Edwards

The Programme
Hornton produced a programme for this game, priced at £2. With 16 full-colour pages, it contains all of the features you'd expect. A column from the Hornton boss, Liam Manley and another from club captain, Peter Thorne. Coach Steve Jesic provides the column welcoming players and supporters. There are a few photos from last season's meeting between the sides, stats from Hornton's last game and a piece on today's visitors.
Well worth purchasing as a way of adding a few extra pennies to club's coffers.

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 36 (manual count. not mine)
Entrance: 
Programme: £2.00