Match Day 12 Round Up

A full weekend of WLVFL football was the aim. The reality ended up looking a fair bit different. The damp and dreary weather did for over half of the scheduled games across the four divisions with only seven matches ultimately going ahead.

The Whippets, Chelsea and Claygate secure wins in the Prem
There were three results in the top flight and that although only two games took place. Polytechnic tried to lock horns with Claygate, but ultimately a shortage of players prevented the game from getting over the line. Cue a Claygate walkover win.

That win takes Claygate up to fifth, one point head of Bank of England. The Bank were in action themselves, but they came off second best against Whippet Wanderers. The Whippets won 4-1, although the Bank did go into the half-time break a goal to the good. Second half strikes from the prolific Victor Badu and Logan Plant nonetheless saw the Whippets bounce back and take the three points.

For the second time in a week, Chelsea found themselves travelling to Ascot United. They’d beaten the Yellas convincingly in the League Cup on 16 February and they came through again in the league on 23 February. Ascot did nonetheless put in a much better performance, although that didn’t stop Tommy Williams’s side winning 4-2. Along the way the Chelsea skipper produced a goal-of-the-season contender, smashing a volley top bins from a good 25 yards out.

A full report is available on that game here.

Hersham Southside are nearly there
Hersham Southside now sit on the cusp of promotion. On Saturday they beat Army Crusaders 3-1, a victory that sends them 15 (!) points clear of third placed Double H. Steve Reddings, Ben Beavers and Adam Preece-Thomas put Southside three up, Sarun Gurung pulling one back in the second half for the Crusaders.

Double H may well be a long way behind Hersham Southside, but they are still in the promotion hunt. A 5-0 triumph against Acton Ealing Whistlers saw them move above the Crusaders and up into third. Wandsworth Borough are in second and they have games in hand. Still, Double H aren’t out of it yet.

Ascot 2nds win top of the table clash in Division 2
There wasn’t a great deal of football played in divisions two and three at the weekend. Indeed, only one game took place in Division 2 whereas two survived in Division 3.

The game in Div 2 was a big one, with third placed Ascot United travelling to top-of-the-table Jamrock. The Yellas knew that a win was vital in keeping their promotion hopes alive, and a win they duly produced. A comedy goal from Jamrock – a shot from the half-way line came back off the bar, hit poor Eryk Nawala in nets and went in – didn’t derail Ascot and it was ultimately left to goal-scoring centre half Nigel Gatehouse to notch the game’s decisive third goal.

The win means that Jamrock (24) remain one point ahead of both Latimer Road (23) and Ascot (23). Latimer Road have a game in hand on both of their rivals, but Lats and Jamrock do still have to play each other. Twice. Division Two could well be in for a rip-roaring finish at the top.

Ruislip ease away
Ruislip Rangers avoided a potential banana skin in Division Three, winning 5-1 at now bottom of the table AFC Hampton. On their day Hampton can be a match for anyone, but Saturday evidently wasn’t one of those days.

The bottom of the table nonetheless remains tight and any one of three sides – Hampton, Lighthouse Molesey and Croxley 2nds – could end up with the wooden spoon. And, the latter two met at the weekend, Croxley winning 4-1.

The win by the side from Rickmansworth sees them leap to third bottom. Croxley now sit on 9 points, Lighthouse have 8 and Hampton have 7. Croxley, however, still have five games left, whereas Hampton have three and Lighthouse have just the two. Given that Lighthouse are still to play Ruislip and Clapham Old Xaverians – the top two – the smart money is probably on them finishing bottom of the pile.

Looking forward
Over the weekend of 1st/2nd March games are taking place across three competitions.

First up, there are three Supervets’ fixtures. Nottsborough and Chelsea are clear at the top of the Supervets’ league and both hit the road at the weekend; Notts go to Croxley Green, Chelsea play Claygate.

Elsewhere, it is cup semi-final day. In the league cup Hersham travel to Chelsea whilst Croxley Green are making the long trek to West London Rams. Two potentially very interesting ties.

The Vase is also at the semi-final stage. Latimer Road take on fellow Division Two rivals Old Lyonians whilst high-flying Div 3 side Ruislip Rangers meet Old Meadonians. Again, intriguing contests beckon.

Finally, this weekend is also an opportunity for some catch up league games to be played. Two of those are taking place in Division Two, with Putney Vale Rangers travelling to Ascot’s second string on Friday night and Bank of England IIs welcoming Old Lyonians on Saturday. Clapham Old Xaverians also welcome Lighthouse Molesey in Division Three.

Go well everyone.
Dan