ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE WEEKEND FIXTURES

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE 
Clapton v West Essex  
Ilford v Barkingside 
Redbridge v Sawbridgeworth Town  
Southend Manor v Leyton Athletic 
Sporting Bengal United v Hullbridge Sports 
Stanway Rovers v St Margaretsbury  
Takeley v Saffron Walden Town 
Walthamstow v Tower Hamlets 
Woodford Town v Enfield 

PETER BUTCHER MEMORIAL TROPHY CUP 
QUARTER-FINAL 
Tiptree Jobserve v Hoddesdon Town 

RESERVE DIVISION 
Saffron Walden Town Reserves v Harlow Town Reserves (to be played Friday) 
Grays Athletic Reserves v Southend Manor Reserves
Hullbridge Sports Reserves v Barkingside Reserves 
Redbridge Development v Aveley Reserves

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE WEEKEND FIXTURES

PREMIER DIVISION
Arlesey Town v Edgware Town 
Colney Heath v Crawley Green 
Harpenden Town v Baldock Town 
Leighton Town v Biggleswade FC 
Leverstock Green v Biggleswade United 
North Greenford United v Cockfosters 
Oxhey Jets v London Colney 
Tring Athletic v Stotfold 
Wembley v Potton United 

The game of the day in the Premier Division for me is the Tring Athletic v Stotfold fixture. The hosts, currently in second place, can go top of the division with a victory as the league leader's Hadley are not playing. Stotfold's form has improved of late with the appointment of Marce Collington as manager and they are making a real fight of it in trying to stay out of the bottom two. Since a 0-7 defeat against Baldock Town on Saturday 15th December they have only lost two in eight league games played with three wins coming their way. One of the defeats came only a few weeks ago at home to Tring Athletic.   

DIVISION ONE 
Amersham Town v Winslow United 
Ampthill Town v Codicote 
Buckingham Athletic v Hillingdon Borough 
Enfield Borough v Park View 
Harefield United v London Lions 
Hatfield Town v Brimsdown 
Milton Keynes Robins v Bedford 
Rayners Lane v Langford 
Risborough Rangers v Broxbourne Borough 
Wodson Park v Broadfields United 

I think the game of the day is at Spratleys Meadow as Winslow United need a win to keep their outside hopes going of finishing in the top two. They have a game in hand over currently second Broadfields United who are twelve points ahead of them. Amersham Town's form has improved recently winning two and drawing one in their last three games.  

DIVISION TWO
Aston Clinton v The 61 FC (Luton) 
Bovingdon v Pitstone & Ivinghoe 
Clean Slate v Grendon Rangers 
MK Gallacticos v Berkhamsted Raiders 
Mursley United v New Bradwell St Peter 
Old Bradwell United v Unite MK 
Sarratt v Totternhoe 

In Division Two there are two games that stand out as the top four in the division play each other. MK Gallacticos (4th) welcome Berkhamsted Raiders (2nd) with Bovingdon (1st) hosting Pitstone & Ivinghoe (3rd). 

DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
Stotfold U25 v Buckingham Athletic Development

HERTFORD AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE - CUP COMPETITIONS NEWS

CENTENARY CUP
SEMI-FINALS 

BROXBOURNE BADGERS v HERTFORD HEATH 
HIGHLANDS v WALTHAM ABBEY 'A' 
To be played on Saturday 9th March 

CHARLIE SMITH CHALLENGE CUP
SEMI-FINALS

BENGEO TRINTY RESERVES v STOTFOLD JUNIOR TOWN 
WATTON-AT-STONE v THUNDRIDGE UNITED 
to be played on Saturday 9th March 

PREMIER DIVISION CUP
FINAL

ORACLE COMPONENTS v WALTHAM ABBEY 'A' 
date to be confirmed 

DIVISION ONE CUP
FINAL 

WESTMILL v SUMNERS 
to be played on Friday 29th March at Herts FA Ground, Letchworth. 

DIVISION TWO CUP
FINAL 

WATTON-AT-STONE v BENGEO TRINITY RESERVES 
to be played on Friday 15th March at Herts FA Ground, Letchworth 

DIVISION THREE CUP
FINAL

MKS CARPENTRY v ALBURY 
to be played on Friday 22nd March at Herts FA Ground, Letchworth 

HITCHIN SUNDAY LEAGUE - WEEKEND RESULTS AND NEWS

CANTERBURY CITY MARCH ON - WEMBLEY DREAM OVER FOR BIGGLESWADE FC

A crowd of 602 were present at Salters Lane in Faversham where Canterbury City currently ground-share to witness today's Buidlbase FA Vase Quarter-Final. A good percentage were wearing green having made the journey from Bedfordshire with dreams of playing at Wembley stadium in the final. Sadly it wasn't to be for Biggleswade FC who went down 2-1 to a hard working home side who have reserved their best form for the Road To Wembley this season. 

The visitors were more of a footballing side with the home side playing a more direct long ball style. It was a dream start for the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side as Tom Cookman finished from close range on seven minutes to make it 0-1.  

The game would be ultimately decided with a goal either side of half time by Canterbury City. On 42 minutes Chris Saunder's spectacular dipping shot from way outside of the box was out of the top draw and gave Biggleswade keeper Ross Tompkins no chance.  

Then on 46 minutes Dean Grant was played in and neatly slotted the ball into the net. Biggleswade piled on the pressure for the remainder of the second half and had most of the possession but never looked at their fluent free-scoring best against a dogged hard working physical Canterbury City side.  

City are the second Southern Counties East League side in the semi-finals alongside Cray Valley PM who won at Willand Rovers yesterday. Chertsey Town and Northwich Victoria make up the four who will be in the draw made tomorrow. 

For Biggleswade FC the Wembley dream is over and they now have a little over 48 hours until their next game which is a an away league game at Leverstock Green on Tuesday evening. For City playing in the final could become a reality with a victory in the two-legged semi-final coming up - off the pitch the club will remain homeless for the foreseeable future after plans for a new stadium were refused by local councillors recently. I'm sure every football fan will wish them well in their search for a place they can call home. Their successful run in the Vase will hopefully gain them some much needed local support in their campaign. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

JUST THE GOALS 
At the time of writing which is just after 10.30pm they have been viewed over 4,500 times on social media which shows that non-league football is gaining in popularity - support your local club! 


FULL HIGHLIGHTS 

EAGLES WIN COMFORTABLY AT KNEBWORTH TO MOVE TOP OF THE TABLE

It was a good day for Letchworth Garden City Eagles yesterday as they won comfortably at Knebworth to move top of the Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division table. The Eagles have now won sixteen and drawn one of their seventeen league games. Eagles six goals were scored by Joe Tyler who bagged a hat-trick, Scott Piggott who got two and Mark Bryant. Jack Gilbert got the K's goal with the score only 1-2 at half time - the home side has been reduced to ten men for a straight red card following a hand ball on the line - Eagles missed the resulting penalty kick. 

Next weekend is a massive game for The Eagles as they travel to second placed Bushey Sports Club for a top-of-the-table clash. 


HERTS SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE 
PREMIER DIVISION - TOP TWO ONLY 

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	FORM
1	LETCHWORTH EAGLES	17	+60	49	WWWWWW
2	BUSHEY SPORTS CLUB	19	+55	47	WLWWWW

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

JUST THE GOALS 

A LITTLE BIT MORE 

PICTURES 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION RACE FOR THE TITLE UPDATE

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE 

PREMIER DIVISION - CURRENT TABLE 

TOP FOUR ONLY (PP denotes possible points) 

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	FORM	PP
1	HADLEY	29	+25	61	WWWDDW	88
2	BIGGLESWADE FC	25	+53	59	DDWWLW	98
3	TRING ATHLETIC	27	+36	58	LDLWDW	91
4	BIGGLESWADE UNITED	27	+25	53	DWDLWL	86

With second placed Biggleswade FC in FA Vase action and third placed Tring Athletic not in action this weekend their SSMFL Premier Divsion title rivals get a chance to move ahead of them tomorrow. Hadley went back to the top of the table on Wednesday night when they came from 0-1 down to record a 2-1 victory at home to Wembley in front of 75 people at Brickfield Lane. 

Hadley have a tough game with a visit to fourth placed Biggleswade United who have dropped down of late with two defeats in their last six league games. 

There are midweek games next week with Biggleswade FC facing a tricky Tuesday trip to Leverstock Green just over 48 hours after their Vase game with Canterbury City and Tring Athletic hosting London Colney who are currently in thirteenth place but have been in decent form winning four of their last six league games. 

Baldock Town are the form side of the division as they are unbeaten in eleven league games winning nine and drawing two of those games. They travel to Oxhey Jets tomorrow afternoon. 

FORTHCOMING PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES

SATURDAY  
Arlesey Town v Harpenden Town 
Biggleswade United v Hadley 
Cockfosters v London Colney 
Leighton Town v Colney Heath 
Leverstock Green v Stotfold 
London Tigers v Crawley Green 
Oxhey Jets v Baldock Town 
Potton United v North Greenford United

TUESDAY 
Oxhey Jets v Arlesey Town 
Biggleswade United v Harpenden Town 
Leverstock Green v Biggleswade FC 
London Tigers v Colney Heath 
North Greenford United v Leighton Town 
Tring Athletic v London Colney 

WEDNESDAY 
Baldock Town v Crawley Green 

BUILDBASE FA VASE QUARTER FINAL WEEKEND

Excitement has been building since the FA Vase Quarter-Final draw was made a few weeks ago and this weekend eight teams get the chance to get one step closer to Wembley stadium. 

SATURDAY 

WEST AUCKLAND TOWN v CHERTSEY TOWN 

Ninth in the EBAC Northern League Division One v Second in the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division 

West Auckland's best performance in the FA Vase was recently in 2012 and 2014 when they were runner's up to Dunston UTS and Sholing - Chertsey Town's best came in both 1988 and 1992 when they reached the Quarter-Final stage. 

WILLAND ROVERS v CRAY VALLEY PAPER MILLS 

First in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division v Third in the Southern Counties East Premier Division 

Rover's best performance was in 2010 when they were knocked out by Barwell in a Fifth Round replay with the South London side's best being in 2013/14 when South Park beat them in a Second Round replay. 

NORTHWICH VICTORIA v SHOLING 

Fourth in the Hallmark Securities League North West Counties League Premier Division v First in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division 

Having dropped down the division this is only The Vics second appearance in the Vase where last season they were knocked out by Stockport Town at the second qualifying stage. There will by many fans who will fondly remember their famous FA Trophy runs in the past where as recently at 2012 they reached the quarter-final losing to Newport County. They won the Trophy in 1984 beating Bangor City 2-1 in a replay at Stoke City's old ground after a 1-1-1 draw at Wembley. Sholing are the only side left in the FA Vase who are previous winners as in 2014 they beat West Auckland Town 1-0 at Wembley. 

SUNDAY 

CANTERBURY CITY v BIGGLESWADE FC 

Twelfth in the Southern Counties East Premier Division v Second in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division 

City reached the third round of the Vase in 2015/16 where they lost to Knaphill so this is the Kent side's best run in the competition as it is for Biggleswade FC who were only formed in 2016. They were beaten by Thatcham Town, who went on to win the competition, at the Fourth Round stage last season. Canterbury City currently ground share at Faversham Town's Salters Lane ground hence this game is being played on Sunday which should make this a well attended game with lots of neutral supporter's present. The visitors have three coach loads of fans making the journey which should make for a great atmosphere. 

CURRENT ODDS 

currently available on BetVictor 

West Auckland Town 2/1

Sholing 11/4                   

Chertsey Town 5/1                   

Cray Valley 8/1

Northwich Victoria 8/1                   

Biggleswade 12/1

Willand Rovers 20/1                   

Canterbury City 25/1 

MK GALLACTICOS EDGE UNITE MK IN THE MILTON KEYNES DERBY

MANOR FIELDS IN THE FENNY STRATFORD AREA OF MK IS A WELL EQUIPPED GROUND. CURRENTLY HOME TO BOTH UNITE MK OF THE SSMFL DIVISION TWO AND MK ROBINS OF THE SSMFL DIVISION ONE

It was derby day in Milton Keynes last Saturday at Unite MK welcomed MK Gallacticos to Manor Fields for a Spartan South Midlands League Division Two game. The match saw 4th placed Gallacticos playing 9th placed Unite - Unite had been well beaten 3-5 by Mursely United in their last game with the visitors going into the game on the back of 0-2 defeat to Grendon Rangers. 

On a bobbly pitch this was a scrappy game at times in front of a crowd of twenty-two people but it was the away side who created the best chances in the first half. They took the lead via Demarlo Smith on the half hour mark when he pounced on the ball after a mistake at the back by Unite to slot the ball home nicely. Unite hit back almost immediately after this and hit the post from the close range but it was 0-1 at the break. 

On 61 minutes it was 0-2 when Josh Smith finished well after a quick break up field by Gallacticos. Unite scored 74 minutes via Nick Doherty who looping cross/shot (depending on who you speak to and how you view it) from way outside of the penatly box sailed into the corner. 

The final score was greeted with lots of cheers and celebration from the visitors & their supporters who had come along to watch. 

 A BAD DAY FOR UNITE MK'S MANAGER LEE KIMBERLEY

A GOOD DAY FOR GALLACTICOS MANAGEMENT 

MINI MATCH HIGHLIGHTS


  FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 



This weekend Gallacticos, who moved up to third in the table following this victory, make the trip to fifth placed Pitstone & Ivinghoe with Unite MK also on the road travelling to second from bottom Sarratt.  

Looking at the league table it's Bovingdon who are firm favourites for the title - they are three points clear of Berkhamsted Raiders with three games in hand. Bovingdon have only lost one of their eighteen games played so far this season against Aston Clinton on Saturday 20th October. 

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO 

TEAM	P	GD	PTS	FORM
BOVINGDON	18	+47	47	WWWWWW
BERKHAMSTED RAIDERS	21	+16	44	WWWWLW
MK GALLACTICOS	20	+22	36	WWWWLW
OLD BRADWELL UNITED	15	+25	35	WLWWWW