PRE-SEASON GAMES START

It only seems like yesterday that Enfield Town were celebrating promotion to the Ryman Premier but after a short summer break teams are returning to pre-season training and many friendly games are taking place. There was even a couple of local(ish) games last Saturday (30th June) when Fisher FC (in action at The QE Stad on Sunday) beat Spartan South Midlands Division One side London Lions 1-2 at Rowley Lane and Combined Counties Premier Division side Molesey beat Division One Knaphill 2-0.
This Friday night sees AFC Croydon Athletic play their first ever game. The club formed from the ashes of Croydon Athletic meet Fisher FC at Bacon's College. For Fisher fans will be interesting as the venue is next door to the now derelict Surrey Dock's Stadium which is the former home of Fisher Athletic.

AFC Croydon Athletic have been accepted into the Combined Counties Football League Division One for the 2012/13 season and will share with Croydon FC (of the Premier Division) at The Croydon Sports Arena.

They play twice next week with matches against Erith and Belvedere and Guildford City on Monday 9th July and Thursday 12th July. These are scheduled to take place at Eden Park Avenue the home of Beckenham Town FC.

Anthony Williams is the manager of The New Rams who previously was in caretaker boss of Ryman South Merstham. Andrew Martin who Williams took over from at Merstham is Assistant Manager.



The Rams v The Trams - Wednesday 1st August

An interesting game for the new club takes place on Wednesday 1st August when they face a pre-season Croydon derby against Croydon FC.

Waltham Forest kick off their pre-season on one of the 3G pitches at Wadham Lodge this Saturday (kick is advertised at 2pm but @walthamforestfc on twitter states it could be 3pm) with a game against a side from newly promoted Blue Square South Billericay Town. The Stags have recently added ex Ilford boss Colin Walton as Assistant Manager. Amongst their pre-season games they have a really interesting one set up for Saturday 11th August at Cricklefields when they face a Fulham XI.

Elsewhere on Saturday there are a few other local games occurring with Bush Hill Rangers (the new name for Hertfordshire Senior County League side Goffs Oak) taking on Spartan South Midland League side Hanwell Town. The game is taking place at The Hertswood Centre in Boreham Wood with a 2pm kick off. Bush Hill Rangers FC (a big youth team club in local football) and Goffs Oak merged over the summer months to form the newly named Senior club.

Other games see Hadley play Harpenden Rovers (2pm kick off with Hadley's website stating it's a home game so I think it'll be played at their ground in Arkley but can't confirm this at time of writing) and a double header at Pancake Lane as Leverstock Green face Crawley Green in reserve and first team games.

Next midweek there are a few more games of local interest with Hoddesdon Town v Hertford Town (venue TBC) and Gordon Boateng's new look Enfield FC 1893 side taking a trip to Colney Heath. St Margarestbury also play a fixture versus Cuffley FC at The Tesco County Club in Cheshunt. All three of these games take place on Tuesday night. Please check relevant club's websites for confirmation and kick off times.