FRIDAY 2nd AUGUST PREMIER DIVISION Thetford Town v Walsham Le Willows FIRST DIVISION SOUTH May & Baker v White Ensign SATURDAY 3rd AUGUST PREMIER DIVISION Brantham Athletic v Mildenhall Town FC Clacton v Stowmarket Town Gorleston v Ely City Kirkley & Pakefield v Hadleigh United Long Melford v Woodbridge Town Stanway Rovers v Newmarket Town Swaffham Town v Godmanchester Rovers Whitton United v Norwich United FIRST DIVISON NORTH Cornard United v Mulbarton Wanderers Debenham LC v Downham Town Fakenham Town v Framlingham Town Haverhill Borough v Norwich CBS Ipswich Wanderers v Great Yarmouth Town Lakenheath v Sheringham Leiston Reserves v March Town United Wisbech St Mary v Diss Town FIRST DIVISION SOUTH Burnham Ramblers v Little Oakley Frenford v Wivenhoe Town Halstead Town v Wormley Rovers Harwich & Parkeston v Brightlingsea Regent Reserves Holland v Coggeshall United MONDAY 5th AUGUST FIRST DIVISION SOUTH Barkingside v Newbury Forest TUESDAY 6th AUGUST PREMIER DIVISION Ely City v Mildenhall Town Godmanchester Rovers v Haverhill Rovers Hadleigh United v Stanway Rovers Newmarket Town v Long Melford Norwich United v Gorleston Stowmarket Town v Brantham Athletic Thetford Town v Swaffham Town Whitton United v FC Clacton FIRST DIVISION NORTH Diss Town v Debenham LC Framlingham Town v Ipswich Wanderers Haverhill Borough v AFC Sudbury Reserves Leiston Reserves v Needham Market Reserves March Town United v Fakenham Town Mulbarton Wanderers v Norwich CBS Sheringham v Great Yarmouth Town FIRST DIVISION SOUTH Brightlingsea Regent Reserves v Halstead Town Coggeshall United v Wivenhoe Town Harwich & Parkeston v Holland WEDNESDAY 7th AUGUST PREMIER DIVISION Woodbridge Town v Kirkley & Pakefield
SATURDAY 3rd AUGUST PREMIER DIVISION Arlesey Town v Leverstock Green Crawley Green v Edgware Town Dunstable Town v Broadfields United Eynesbury Rovers v Oxhey Jets Harefield United v Potton United Leighton Town v Aylesbury Vale Dynamos Newport Pagnell Town v Harpenden Town North Greenford United v Biggleswade United Tring Athletic v Colney Heath Wembley v Baldock Town Six new teams join the Premier Division for the 2019/20 season Dunstable Town and Aylesbury Vale Dynamos (formerly Aylesbury FC) are relegated from the Southern League Division One Central with Broadfields United and Harefield United promoted from the SSMFL Division One. Eynesbury Rovers and Newport Pagnell Town are transferred from the United Counties League Premier Division. Rovers have been members of the UCL since 1963 with Town since 1973 - they were members of the South Midlands League between 1971 to 1973. DIVISION ONE Amersham Town v Shefford Town & Campton Bedford v Park View Buckingham Athletic v Stotfold FC Broxbourne Borough v London Tigers Hillingdon Borough v New Salamis Langford v Winslow United Milton Keynes Robins v St Panteleimon Rayners Lane v Enfield Borough Wodson Park v Ampthill Town Division One has lost Harefield United and Broadfields United as above along with Hatfield Town (relegated to the Herts Senior County League) and Codicote (relegated to Division Two). Risborough Rangers have been moved across to Division One (East) of the Hellenic League. New Salamis (Herts Senior County Premier), St Panteleimon (Middlesex County League Premier) and Shefford Town & Campton (Bedfordshire County Premier) are promoted with Stotfold and London Tigers coming down from the Premier Division. New Salamis and St Panteleimon will renew the rivalry they had when Sunday League sides in the Kopa League.
DIVISION TWO Aston Clinton v MK Gallacticos There is just one game in Division Two. Division Two welcomes Codicote along with Buckingham United and Tring Corinthians. United move from the North Bucks & District League. TUESDAY 6th AUGUST PREMIER DIVISION Arlesey Town v Leighton Town Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Crawley Green Biggleswade United v Eynesbury Rovers Colney Heath v Harefield United Dunstable Town v Baldock Town Edgware Town v North Greenford United Leverstock Green v Broadfields United London Colney v Oxhey Jets Newport Pagnell Town v Potton United London Colney v Oxhey Jets Wembley v Harpenden Town DIVISION ONE Amersham Town v Buckingham Athletic Bedford v Ampthill Town Enfield Borough v New Salamis St Panteleimon v Rayners Lane Stotfold v Langford Winslow United v Milton Keynes Robins WEDNESDAY 7th AUGUST DIVISION ONE Park View v Hillingdon Borough
The Essex Senior League kicks off on Saturday with the following fixtures
SATURDAY 3rd AUGUST Clapton v Hoddesdon Town Hadley v Enfield Ilford v Stansted Redbridge v St Margaretsbury Saffron Walden Town v West Essex Sawbridgeworth Town v Woodford Town Southend Manor v Sporting Bengal United Takeley v Cockfosters Walthamstow v Tower Hamlets Hadley and Cockfosters, transferred from the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, are in action. Hadley host Enfield and Cockfosters have a tough looking away trip at Takeley. 'Fosters then welcome Hadley to Chalk Lane on Tuesday evening. Hashtag United, promoted from the Eastern Senior League First Division South, aren't in action until midweek when they host Southend Manor. Walthamstow and Saffron Walden Town are expected to do well this season. The Stow open with a local derby against Tower Hamlets with The Bloods having two home games in a row against West Essex and Sawbridgeworth Town.
TUESDAY 6th AUGUST Clapton v Sporting Bengal United Cockfosters v Hadley Saffron Walden Town v Sawbridgeworth Town Takeley v Hoddesdon Town Woodford Town v Tower Hamlets WEDNESDAY 7th AUGUST Enfield v Stansted Hashtag United v Southend Manor Ilford v Redbridge
VANARAMA SOUTH DIVISION Current title odds at skybet.com Billericay Town 4/1 Havant & Waterlooville
9/2 Chelmsford City 12/1 Maidstone United 12/1 Bath City 16/1 Dulwich Hamlet 16/1 Hemel Hempstead Town 16/1 Braintree Town 20/1 Concord Rangers
20/1 Dartford
20/1 Welling United 20/1 Slough Town 22/1 St Albans City 22/1 Wealdstone
25/1 Weymouth
25/1 Dorking Wanderers 28/1 Chippenham Town 33/1 Hampton & Richmond
33/1 Oxford City
33/1 Eastbourne Borough
40/1 Hungerford Town 50/1 Tonbridge Angels 50/1 If the bookmakers are to be believed the title race in the Vanarama South Division will be between Billericay Town (currently rated at 4/1) and Havant & Waterlooville who were relegated from the National Division at the end of last season who are rated at 9/2. The nearest challengers are Chelmsford City (4th last season and lost in the play-off semi-finals) and Maidstone United (another side relegated from the National Division) both at 12/1. Here we focus on the top four in the betting and who I think are the best of the rest.
Billericay Town The club are now back under the management of Harry Wheeler, have made a number of players from higher levels and the football league that will improve their already impressive squad. Matt Rhead, 35, has signed from League One Lincoln City. He was a real fan's favourite at Sincil Bank and helped The Imps to promotion from the National League and League Two over the past few seasons scoring 44 goals in 163 matches. The 6ft 4inch centre-forward has signed a two year deal after an undisclosed free was paid. Gavin Gunning has spent the last one and half seasons with League Two side Forest Green Rovers. He helped them to a play-off place where they lost in the semi-final to Tranmere Rovers - The centre-back is probably best known for his time with Dundee United in Scotland where over two spells he made over 100 appearances for the club. Centre Back (but can also play in midfield) Craig Robson signs after being released from Barnet over the summer. He was part of The Bees squad which got to the Fourth Round last season beating Sheffield United in the Third Round at Bramall Lane. Doug Loft, 32, will bring a heap of experience to the midfield - He played on loan from Shrewsbury Town at Dagenham & Redbridge last season. He counts Brighton & HA, Port Vale, Colchester United and Gillingham amongst his former clubs.
Right Back Ben Nunn has joined from National League side Dagenham & Redbridge. The 29 year old was with Boreham Wood between 2012 to 2017 where he helped them to promotion to non-league's top division. Ronnie Henry, 35, was released by League Two side Stevenage at the end of the 2018/19 season. He played over 400 times for The Boro and is currently the club's all time record appearance holder. A defender who has also played for Luton Town and represented England 'C' during his career. He came through the academy ranks at Tottenham Hotspur. Attacking Midfielder Jordan Parkes was one of the stand out players in the division last season and joins from Hemel Hempstead Town whom he has played over 200 games in two spells for. He has also played for Ebbsfleet United and Barnet amongst other clubs. Scored 18 goals in 48 appearances for The Tudors last season and is likely to score around about the same amount for The Blues this campaign. Parkes could be a key player for the Essex side this season. VERDICTUnder the ownership of Glenn Tamplin since December 2016 the club have progressed upwards and there has certainly been some headlines made both on and off the pitch. With the quality of players they have signed over the summer they have a real good chance of being involved in the title race. Once again they will be the team everyone wants to beat and players will raise their game against them.
Havant & Waterlooville The Hawks parted company with long serving manager Lee Bradbury just before the season's end. Former Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has been brought it - He achieved much success whilst at Gander Green Lane. He brings with him Ian Baird who was his number two at The U's and was also in charge of H&W from 2004 to 2007. Doswell has been busy with lots of comings and goings from Westleigh Park over the summer months. He has signed a number of former Sutton United players as well as a few from Ebbsfleet United. Goalkeeper Ross Worner, Dean Beckwith (defender), Striker's Jonah Ayunga and Roarie Deacon along with midfielder's Nicky Bailey and Josh Taylor have all signed from from Sutton United. Deacon spent the final few months of last season with Sutton United whom he rejoined from Scottish Premiership side Dundee where he had spent a season and a half North of the border. He counts Stevenage and Crawley Town as former clubs and came through the ranks at Arsenal. Sam Magri, Andy Drury and Danny Kedwell all join from Ebbsfleet United. Magri, a defender, was born locally in Portsmouth and did play for England at u16, u17, u18 and u19 level before switching to play for Malta where he has played seven full international games. He came through the ranks at Pompey before moving to QPR - He has also played for Dover Athletic in the National League. Drury, 35, brings with him a massive amount of experience having played for Luton Town, Eastleigh, Crawley Town, Stevenage, Ipswich Town, Lewes and Sittingbourne during his long career. Striker Kedwell will score goals for The Hawks. He has played for Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon, Grays Athletic and Welling United along with a number of Kent based non-league sides earlier in his career. If he gets run of games for his new side I think he will score over 20+ goals easily. Anthony Straker joins from Bath City and defender Simon Walton joins as player/coach from Maidstone United. Both bring bags of experience with them. Straker, 30, came through the ranks at Crystal Palace and has played for Aldershot Town, Grimsby Town, York City, Motherwell, Southend United and Wycombe Wanderers in his career. Walton played for his home tome club Leeds United between 2004 and 2006 before a move down South to Charlton Athletic. He has since played for Ipswich Town (loan), Cardiff City (loan), QPR, Hull City (loan), Plymouth Argyle, Blackpool (loan), Crewe Alexandra (loan), Sheffield United (loan), Hartlepool United, Stevenage, Crawley Town, Garforth Town, Guiseley, Sutton United (under boss Paul Doswell), Billericay Town and Maidstone United firstly on loan and then full time.
Defender Benny Reid, aged 21, has been snapped up from Wessex Premier side Horndean. He did have a trial with Sheffield United earlier in the year and big things are expected of the talented young player. Doswell has also kept midfielder Wes Fogden with the club. He is most well known for his time with AFC Bournemouth whom he joined after playing 100+ games in first spell with Havant and Waterlooville. He was with The Cherries between 2011 to 2014 under manager Eddie Howe. Alfie Rutherford, a fan's favourite, having been with the club since 2016 whom he signed for from local rival's Bognor Regis Town is also retained.
Joe Cook, 21, is a defender and joins after a successful trial period with the club. He was with Winchester City last season. VERDICTLots of new faces at Westleigh Park but most are known to Paul Doswell from his time at Sutton United. My verdict is they will finish in the top three of the table at least. Chelmsford City The Essex side have been knocking at the door of non-league's top table for a number of seasons under manager Rod Stringer with 4th, 3rd and 4th placed finishes over the past three campaigns. On the first occasion they lost in the play-off final to Ebbsfleet United and then lost to Hampton and Richmond Borough at the semi-final stage before losing to Welling United (3-2) at the same stage last season. All in all since promotion from the Isthmian Premier in 2008 The Clarets have qualified for the play-offs in seven of their eleven seasons - surely they must be due some luck soon? They have lost 28 goal striker Rhys Murphy who has moved to Yeovil Town but have recruited some decent players over the summer months. Sam Higgins, recruited from East Thurrock United, will be a good replacement for Murphy. He is a club legend with The Rocks where he is all time top goalscorer (275 goals!) and re-joins City for a second spell. He was with the club for the 2010/11 where he scored 16 goals in 28 games including one in the FA Cup against Wycombe Wanderers. Another forward player in Jamar Loza makes the short trip from local rival's Billericay Town after a short spell there last season. He was with Maidstone United from 2016 up until joining The Blues and came through the ranks at Norwich City. Another striker Shaun Jeffers has rejoined for a second spell with City. He joines from Brackley Town and will be looking to recreate the form from his first spell at the club where he was the most prolific of his career when he scored 21 goals in 39 games during the 16/17 season.
Defender Frazer Shaw was with Concord Rangers last season but left the club following the departure of player/manager Sammy Moore to Hemel Hempstead. He came through the academy ranks at both Arsenal and West Ham United before dropping into the non-league game with Billericay Town and then Dulwich Hamlet where he joined Leyton Orient from for the 15/16 campaign. He has since been with Accrington Stanley, East Thurrock United, Woking, Dulwich Hamlet, Eastleigh and Leatherhead before joining Concord Rangers. Experienced goalkeeper Carl Pentney joins the club for a fourth spell after spending the last four years with Maidenhead United. He will replace Nathan McDonald who has rejoined his former club in Isthmian League side Enfield Town.
Central Midfielder Ollie Muldoon joins from Maidstone United where he has been for the last two seasons. He started his careeer with Charlton Athletic before joining Gillingham and then The Stones. VERDICTWith the bulk of last season's squad still with the club could stability be the key for Rod Stringer and Chelmsford City? Maidstone United After a rapid rise through the pyramid from step 4 in 2013 followed by step 3 in 2015 and then step 2 in 2016 under Manager Jay Saunders The Stones looked to have established themselves at non-league's top table with a 14th placed finish in 2016/17 - there followed a 19th placed finish before a poor start to last season saw the shock departure of long serving boss Saunders in August 2018 to be replaced by Harry Wheeler who had left Billericay Town. His stay with in Kent only lasted for four months and he was replaced by John Still who only a month beforehand had left Barnet after he had stood down as boss at The Hive. Still was in charge of the original Maidstone United club between 1986 and 1989 when they were promoted from the Conference to the football league in 1989. Still is "Head Of Football' with Hakan Hayrettin 'Head Coach'. Still has now been involved with football management for over 40 years having started out in 1976 with Leytonstone in the Isthmian League. Still is well known for picking up players from the lower divisions in non-league football and guiding them to become full time professionals. Paul Benson is one of the best examples - He signed with Still who was then boss of Dagenham and Redbridge, then in the Conference, in 2005. He had scored 65 goals in 107 matches for White Ensign who were then in the Essex Olympian League. It took time for Benson to adjust but in 06/07 he was the Conference top scorer with 28 goals and helped The Daggers to promotion to the football league. In 2010 he scored a goal at Wembley in the play-off final victory against Rotherham United which clinched the club promotion to League One. It's been a summer of re-building for the club lots of transfer activity. Jake Cole (goalkeeper) has joined after his release from Aldershot Town. He started his career with QPR before joining Barnet, Plymouth Argyle and Woking before his three season stint with The Shots. Experienced defender Gavin Hoyte joins from Dagenham & Redbridge. The 29 year old is a product of the Arsenal academy and has played for Barnet, Gillingham and Eastleigh as well as two spells with The Daggers. Another defender in Luke Pennell also joins from Dagenham. He is another example of Still's knowledge of the lower leagues having joined the East London side whilst he was boss in March 2016. He signed from then Southern League side Dunstable Town counting Banbury United and Wolverton Town as former sides. Sam Corne has been signed from Isthmian League side Ashford United so he steps up two divisions. The box-to-box midfielder played under Hayrettin at Braintree Town and counts Welling United and Greenwich Borough as former clubs. Centre-Back George Elokobi has been signed after his release from Aldershot Town. The 33 year old brings with him massive amounts of experience having started with Dulwich Hamlet in 2002 before moving to Colchester United in 2004 and then Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2008 for a reported transfer fee of £500,000 where he made 85 appearances. He has also played for a number of other football league sides.
Twenty one year old Nana Kyei is a player Still will know well having signed from Barnet. He came through the youth ranks at The Bees and made 20 first team appearances for the club spending time on loan at Potters Bar Town, Hampton and Richmond Borough and Concord Rangers over the past two years. Saidou Khan steps up from the Isthmian League where he has been playing for Tooting and Mitcham United. The 23 year old is a central midfielder. Twenty two year old striker Jon Edwards has moved from FC Halifax Town who he joined from Hull City in August 2018. He had joined Hull from Dunstable Town in 2016 but his stay with The Tigers wasn't successful. He came through the ranks at both Stevenage and Peterborough United and has played for a number of other non-league clubs on loan. Justin Amaluzor joined the club shortly after Hayrettin and Still moving from Braintree Town. The 22 year old winger/forward has bags of pace and counts Barnet and Dartford amongst his former clubs. Striker Ibrahim Olutade steps up after an impressive campaign with Isthmian League side Leatherhead last season whom he joined from Hanwell Town. Left back Noah Chesmain joins after he left Colchester United over the summer. He spent the majoirty of last season on loan to Hitchin Town. He is 21 years old and came through the Millwall academy. VERDICTCould it be a season of consolidation for The Stones with maybe a play-off push and a decent FA Cup run?
THE BEST OF THE REST Wealdstone I think they should be somewhat lower than their current 25/1 odds. The Stones crept into the play-offs last season finishing seventh in the table before beating Bath City (5th place) away and then after being 0-2 up at runner's up Woking they lost 3-2 at the semi-final stage. Bobby Wilkinson stepped down as boss during the summer after a two year spell in charge at Grosvenor Vale to be replaced by former Hemel Hempstead Town and Billericay Town boss Dean Brennan. There is a rivalry between The Stones and The Tudor fans so the appointment is likely to make the two league games eventful this season and add some extra spice. Brennan has signed a large number of players as he rebuilds the squad at his new club. It will be near enough a completely different team for 2019/20. Reece Beckles-Richards joins from Isthmian League side Wingate and Finchley. The 23 year old striker has made over 100 appearances for the North London side. Kavan Cotter joins from Brennan's former side Hemel. The 20 year old midfielder played over 30 times for The Tudors in 2018/19 and has also played for Kings Langley, Hitchin Town and at youth level for QPR and Arsenal. Full back Ryan Sellers has rejoined the club after a one season stint with FC Halifax Town in the Vanarama National Division where he made over 20 appearances. He also played in the football league for Wycombe Wanderers in 15/16 playing 15 times for The Chairboys. 26 year old midfielder Connor Smith has joined for league rival's Billericay Town. The Irish born midfielder came through the youth system at Watford and spent a successful period on loan at Grosvenor Vale in 2011/12. He left The Hornets in 2016 for AFC Wimbledon and then played for Plymouth Argyle, Yeovil Town, Boreham Wood and then joined Billericay in January 2019 - He spent time on loan with Kingstonian and Kings Langley in the final part of the 18/19 campaign. Smith's previous spell on loan at the club was with then team mate Britt Assombalonga who I saw both play in the Middlesex Cuptie at Donkey Lane on Tuesday 6th December 2011 - Both scored two goals each in the 0-6 victory. Defensive midfielder Jacob Cook joins from Kings Langley making the move up to Step Two football. Cook was with Watford u18s and will know both Smith and Cotter from their time on loan with Langley last season. Nick Arnold has signed after his release from Aldershot Town. The 25 year old full back began with Reading in their academy system being making football league appearances for Wycombe Wanderers. He then spent two years with Whitehawk before joining The Shots. Another ex Watford academy player to sign up is 20 year old Dejon Noel-Williams - He has been with Oxford United since 2016 and had two spells on loan in the Vanarama South with Slough Town and Gloucester City last season. He is the son of former Watford player Gifton Noel-Williams. Centre-Forward Ross Lafayette returns to the club for second spell after a very short stay in 2009. He was with Billericay Town last season and has represented a large number of clubs around London and the Home Counties during his playing career. He played for Luton Town in the football league during the 2014/15 season. His other former clubs are Chesham United (two spells), Barton Rovers, Aylesbury United,.Aylesbury FC, Burnham, Hemel Hempstead Town, Welling United (two spells - one on loan from Luton Town), Woking (loan), Eastleigh, Aldershot Town, Dover Athletic, Sutton United, n Maidstone United (loan) and Billericay Town. Dennon Lewis joins from National League side Bromley. The 22 year old is another former Watford Academy player where he played for both Woking and Crawley Town on loan. He was with Scottish Championship side Falkirk for the first part of last season where he played a total of 23 times before joining The Ravens. Lewis has made headlines this summer as he was on ITV television show Love Island.
Jacob Mendy has made the move up after a successful spell with Carshalton Athletic in the Isthmian Premier Division. The left footed winger was one of the stand out players for The Robins who finshed as runner's up last season. His pace and skill will be likely to cause problems for many bank lines in step two over the coming weeks. Afolabi Coker has stepped up two levels after playing for Ashford United in the Isthmian South East division for 2018/19. The 23 year old central defender spent time with Leeds United and Norwich City academies as a youngster. Michael Efete joins from Billericay Town. The 22 year old defender was with Norwich City up until last summer when he was released joining Maidstone United and then Bath City (on loan) before joining the blues last January. Midfielder Billy Clifford is also a player to have followed Brennan from Hemel to Billericay to Wealdstone. He was released by Chelsea in 2014 joining Walsall, Boreham Wood, Crawley Town and then Hemel. He spent time on loan with Slough Town at the end of last season. Another ex Hemel player Matty Saunders also joins. The 29 year old midfielder came through the ranks at Fulham and then joined Dagenham & Redbridge where he spent three seasons. He also has played for Whitehawk, Dover Athletic and Aldershot Town. Midfielder Michael Phillips is the last signing joining after being crowned player of the season at Madistone United. The 21 year old is a product of Crystal Palace's academy. VERDICT Will all the new players gel together? If they do The Stones will do very well under Dean Brennan. I would rate them at 12/1 and not 25/1. Bath City Jerry Gill has been in charge of Bath City since October 2017 and he has kept the majority of last season's squad and added some good signings too. Midfielder Jordan Simpson (from Forest Green Rovers), Midfielder Tom Smith (from Cheltenham Town who has been on loan with the club last season), attacking midfielder Tyler Harvey (from Truro City who has also been on loan at Twerton Park previously), Alex Hartridge (a defender on loan from Exeter City), left back Connor Riley-Lowe (from Truro City) and central midfielder Harry Hamblin (on loan from Southampton) VERDICT Likely to be there or thereabouts in the race for the play-offs. Dorking Wanderers Isthmian League Champion's Dorking Wanderers are preparing for life at step two with minimal player movement. Centre-Half Ed Harris comes in from Havant & Waterlooville who was followed by Rory Williams - A change in circumstances for him saw him move back closer to home with Gosport Borough. Midfielder Jake Gallagher had joined from Aldershot Town where he made over 100 appearances since joining in 2015.
Chris Boulter and Tom Tolfrey who have been with the club for seven seasons have departed along with Robb Sheridan who leaves after a three season stay along with Reece Hall who had a short stay with the club after joining from Merstham. VERDICT I think Wanderer's fans will be very happy with a mid-table finish - they could well surprise a few teams along the way. Braintree Town Relegated from the National Division last season, are under the new management of former Leiston boss Glen Driver who has made many new signings who move to Cressing Road. Sean Bonnett-Johnson (Potters Bar Town), Kyran Clements (Bury Town), Michael Johnson (Hitchin Town) and Trey Charles from Northwood are amongst the signings. They have a chance to pit themselves against big spending Billericay Town in an Essex derby in their second game of the season!
VERDICT It's likely to be season of transition for the club as many of the players recruited have come from the lower divisions.
Dulwich Hamlet Gavin Rose's side had a decent finish of 14th in their first season at step two last campaign and have recruited well over the summer. Midfielder Jefferey Monakana has signed after spending last season with Wealdstone. The 25 year old came through the Arsenal academy and played 40 times for Preston North End between 2010 and 2014. He is joined by Christian Smith who also joins after one season with The Stones. The 31 year old midfielder has played for a large number of clubs in his career including Chester and Chelmsford City. Striker Ade Yussuf joins from Folkestone Invictia where he was one of the stand out players in the Isthmian Premier Division last season. Defender Ryan Case comes in from Oxford City. Kieron Monlouis joins from Hemel after stating the season with Scottish club Hamilton Academical. Central defender Richard Orlu joins from Welling United. Connor Hunte joins after spending time on loan from Billericay Town last season. I think the talented 22 year old midfielder has joined the right club if he wants to climb back up to the football league where he came through the ranks of both Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Stevenage on loan. Forward Danny Mills has moved from Ebbsfleet United - He is likely to weigh in with some goals for the South London side this season. 20 year old midfielder Ben Chapman joins from Gillingham where he made 3 first team appearances. Left sided defender Jack Connors also joins from Dover Athletic who counts Dagenham & Redbridge as a former club. Goalkeeper Preston Edwards, Midfielder's Nyren Clunis and Quade Taylor along with Aryan Tajbakhsh and Dominic Vose have all signed up for the news season. One club man Clunis starts his 10th season with Hamlet. VERDICT After a season of adjusting to the new surroundings of the Vanarama South division, a huge support and now some quality signings I think Gavin Rose's side will reach the play-offs. OPENING FIXTURES Saturday 3rd August Bath City v Braintree Town Billericay Town v Eastbourne Borough Chelmsford City v Hampton & Richmond Borough Havant & Waterlooville v Welling United Hemel Hempstead Town v Hungerford Town Maidstone United v Weymouth Oxford City v Concord Rangers Slough Town v Dorking Wanderers St Albans City v Chippenham Town Tonbridge Angels v Dulwich Hamlet Wealdstone v Dartford Tuesday 6th August Braintree Town v Billericay Town Chippenham Town v Oxford City Concord Rangers v Chelmsford City Dartford v St Albans City Dorking Wanderers v Hemel Hempstead Town Dulwich Hamlet v Wealdstone Eastbourne Borough v Tonbridge Angels Hampton & Richmond Borough v Havant & Waterlooville Hungerford Town v Slough Town Welling United v Maidstone United Weymouth v Bath City Saturday 10th August Braintree Town v Wealdstone Chippenham Town v Billericay Town Concord Rangers v Slough Town Dartford v Havant & Waterlooville Dorking Wanderers v Tonbridge Angels Dulwich Hamlet v St Albans City Eastbourne Borough v Oxford City Hampton & Richmond Borough v Hemel Hempstead Town Hungerford Town v Maidstone United Welling United v Bath City Weymouth v Chelmsford City
Monday 12th August Chelmsford City v Dartford Tuesday 13th August Bath City v Hungerford Town Billericay Town v Welling United Hemel Hempstead Town v Dulwich Hamlet Maidstone United v Eastbourne Borough Oxford City v Hampton & Richmond Borough Slough Town v Weymouth St Albans City v Braintree Town Tonbridge Angels v Concord Rangers Wealdstone v Chippenham Town Wednesday 14th August Havant & Waterlooville v Dorking Wanderers PLEASE REMEMBER - GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY gambleaware.org
Here are the current odds for the Vanarama National League which kicks off next Saturday. Last season's play-off losers and FA Trophy winner's AFC Fylde are 13/2 favourites closely followed by Chesterfield at 15/2.
ODDS FOR THE TITLE currently available with skybet.com AFC Fylde
13/2 Chesterfield
15/2 Notts County
8/1 Wrexham
10/1 Torquay
12/1 Barnet
14/1 Harrogate
14/1 Stockport County14/1 Yeovil Town 16/1 Solihull Moors 18/1 Dagenham & Redbridge 20/1 Bromley
22/1 Eastleigh
25/1 Hartlepool United 25/1 Sutton United 25/1 Barrow
28/1 Dover Atheltic 28/1 Chorley
33/1 Ebbsfleet United 33/1 FC Halifax
33/1 Woking
33/1 Boreham Wood
40/1 Maidenhead United 50/1 Aldershot Town 66/1 Last season's golden boot winner Danny Rowe is 4/1 favourite to retain his title with Scot Boden for Chesterfield next up on 6/1. Paul McCallum who bagged 25 goals for Eastleigh last season (Rowe pipped him with 26) has joined last season's runner's up Solihull Moors so could again go well. TOP SCORER ODDS courtesy of skybet.com Danny Rowe (AFC Fylde) 4/1 Scott Boden (Chesterfield) 6/1 Kane Hemmings (Notts County) 13/2 Paul McCallum (Solihull Moors) 7/1 Kristian Dennis (Notts County) 8/1 JJ Hooper (Wrexham) 10/1 Anthony Spyrou (Chesterfield - on season loan from Norwich City) 14/1 Jamie Reid (Torquay United) 14/1 Rhys Murphy (Yeovil Town) 16/1 Shaquile Coulthirst (Barnet) 16/1 OPENING FIXTURES Saturday 3rd August Stockport County v Maidenhead United (12.30pm Live on BT Sport)Aldershot Town v AFC Fylde Barnet v Yeovil Town Chesterfield v Dover Athletic Chorley v Bromley Dagenham & Redbridge v Woking Eastleigh v Notts County Ebbsfleet United v FC Halifax Town Harrogate Town v Solihull Moors Hartlepool United v Sutton United Torquay United v Boreham Wood Wrexham v Barrow The season opens with Vanarama North Champion's Stockport County welcoming Maidenhead United to Edgeley Park for the early kick off game which is live on BT Sport. The bookies currently make the home side 4/5 favourites with the visitors 11/4 to get a win. PLEASE REMEMBER TO GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY begambleaware.org
PREMIER DIVISION (10 teams) ALLENBURY's BURY RANGERS FC ALPHA HEDGEHOG INFERNOS ELITE MARINA VALE PERCIVAL SHAMROCK ROVERS THUNDRIDGE CITY WELWYN GARDEN UNITED
DIVISION ONE (11 teams) AFC CHESHUNT AFC GOFFS ATHLETIC BRADMORE ROVERS CHESHUNT COBRA's CHURCHBURY HERTS PRODIGIES LORD HAIG NORTHAW OLD POND ATHLETIC ORACLE RANGERS THE HOUSE
DIVISION TWO (12 teams)
ANGEL SAVIOURS BULLY's CRUSADERS BUMBLES GREEN BURY FC CESTREHUNT HARTHAM UNITED INFERNOS UNITED LITTLE HEATH REAL HADHAM RILETT ROVERS SOUTHBURY WARNER BROTHERS
DIVISION THREE (11 teams) ANGEL WARE BROXBOURNE ATHLETIC BROXBOURNE BULLS BROXBOURNE CCFC BROXBOURNE RANGERS CHAMPAGNE SUPER ROVERS CUFFLEY EN ELITE FC COSMOZ JAGER WHITE HART
DIVISION FOUR (13 teams)
ABBOTTS OAK AFC HERTFORD BENGEO BLINDERS CUFFLEY TIGERS GOFFS OAK COMRADES 0 HODDESDON FC NORTHAW RESERVES REAL STORTFORD TURNFORD TURNFORD TIGERS TURNMILL UNITED WARE HERTS WORMLEY UNITED
Local Estate Agent Mather Marshall have laid down a challenge to the players and management at Hertfordshire Senior County Premier Division side Knebworth for the 2019/20 campaign. They have stated via Social Media that if The Mighty K's win five consecutive home games in a row they will treat them to a free curry night at The Raja Tandoori in the village. The company are also encouraging local businesses to advertise at Knebworth Football Club with them - details are below.
Following on from the feature on The Highland and Lowland League in Scotland we have to give a mention to Fort William Football Club who opened their season with a 6-0 defeat at Brora Rangers yesterday. The club is to feature on a BBC Scotland programme to be aired on Tuesday called THE FORT which will also be on the I-Player and is definitely well worth a watch - it focuses on the team's fortunes last season with Manager Russell MacMorran taking over in the dug-out in January 2019. He had only volunteered to help out behind the scenes at the club in the summer of 2018 and was working as Secretary. McMorran, originally from Inverness, had represented clubs in the Highland League Reserve section but his playing career was ended with a serious knee injury when he was in his early 20s.
You have to go back to Wednesday 12th April 2017 and the penultimate game of the 2016/17 season to find a Fort William win The Highland League when they beat Strathspey Thistle 4-1 at their Claggan Park home which has to be one of the most picturesque ground in the game affording views towards Ben Nevis and the beautiful surrounding countryside in Lochaber. The Fort's record over 17/18 and 18/19 is 61 defeats and 7 draws in 68 games with a goal difference of -377. Last season they finished on -7 points as they were deducted 9 points for playing a ineligible on three occasions. The club have recently announced a link up with Scottish Championship side Inverness Caledonian Thistle where nine young players have been loaned to gain experience and develop playing for Fort William. Eight of those were in the starting XI in Saturday's defeat at Brora. The Fort's next fixtures come on Wednesday when Nairn County visit in the Pat Munro North of Scotland Cup - they won 0-2 at Deveronvale in their opening league fixture. They then host Inverurie Loco Works on Saturday 3rd August before travelling to Strathspey Thistle the following Saturday.
Further down South in the Scottish non-league game Berwick Rangers will play their first Lowland League game on Tuesday evening when promoted Bonnyrigg Rose visit their Shielfield Park ground. The 2018/19 East of Scotland League Champion's won their opening league game 6-0 against Vale of Leithen yesterday.
Rangers haven't had a great start to their season playing in the BetFred Cup losing 0-7, 0-6, 0-5 and 0-3.
Scottish football's top non-league divisions kick off this weekend and since the 2014/15 season there has been promotion to the Scottish Football League on offer for the winners of both leagues who play off against each other over two legs and then the winners play the bottom side of the SFL over two legs. Last season Highland League winners Cove Rangers moved up to the SFL replacing Berwick Rangers who move down to the Lowland League.
East of Scotland League champion's Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic have been promoted to the Lowland League who replace Whitehill Welfare who have been relegated. Their home ground is only two miles away from Bonnyriggg in the village of Rosewell, Midlothian. Edusport Academy have been renamed to Caledonian Braves over the summer. With Cove Rangers moving up the Highland League will run with only 17 teams this season. Berwick Rangers are in BetFred Cup action this weekend so will play their first Lowland League game on Tuesday when Bonnyrigg Rose visit Shielfield Park in a battle of the relegated/promoted teams - the result of which will be very interesting to see.
East Kilbride who were beaten by Cove Rangers at the play-off stage last season after winning the title are expected to go well again this season - they travel to Dalbbeattie Star on Wednesday in their first game. The Kilby also won the 16/17 title where they in turn beat Buckie Thistle to play Cowdenbeath in the play-off final which they lost on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw. Since joining the Lowland League in 2013 they have finished 8th, 2nd, 5th, 1st, 2nd and 1st. In 15/16 they famously reached the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup where they faced Celtic and narrowly lost 0-2. They are probably most famous for currently holding the record for most consecutive wins in football - In 2016 their 3-1 win over BSC Glasgow was their 27th in a row which beat previous holders and Dutch giant's Ajax's record. Their streak went to 30 games before a 0-1 loss to Spartans. Both Berwick Rangers and East Kilbride have been in BetFred Cup (Scottish League Cup) action over the last few weeks. Rangers have lost all three of their games played so far and are already eliminated - Ayr United (0-7), Stranraer (0-6) and Falkirk (0-3). East Kilbride have lost to Albion Rovers (0-1) and drawn 0-0 against Scottish Premiership side St Mirren. They travel to Championship side Dunfermline Athletic tomorrow OPENING DAY FIXTURES HIGHLAND LEAGUE Brora Rangers v Fort William Deveronvale v Nairn County Fraserburgh v Wick Academy Inverurie Loco Works v Buckie Thistle Keith v Formartine United Lossiemouth v Huntly Strathspey Thistle v Clachnacuddin Turriff United v Rothes LOWLAND LEAGUE Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic v Vale of Leithen BSC Glasgow v East Stirlingshire Edinburgh University v Caledonian Braves Gala Fairydean Rovers v Cumbernauld Colts Gretna 2008 v Civil Service Strollers Kelty Hearts v Dalbeattie Star University of Stirling v The Spartans BETFRED CUP Dunfermline Athletic vs East Kilbride Livingston v Berwick Rangers
HISTORY OF THE SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO PLAY OFFS 2014/15 SEMI-FINAL 1st leg - Edinburgh City 1-1 Brora Rangers 2nd leg -Brora Rangers 1-1 Edinburgh City (AET) Brora won 4-2 on penalty kicks FINAL 1st leg - Brora Rangers 1-0 Montrose 2nd leg - Montrose 3-1 Brora Rangers Montrose win 3-2 on aggregate 2015/16 SEMI-FINAL 1st leg - Cove Rangers 0-3 Edinburgh Cirty 2nd leg - Edinburgh Ciry 1-0 Cove Rangers Edinburgh City win 4-0 on aggregate FINAL 1st leg - Edinburgh City 1-1 East Stirlingshire 2nd leg - East Stirlingshire 0-1 Edinburgh City Edinburgh City win 2-1 on aggregate Since promotion City have finished in 7th, 9th and 3rd in League Two Since relegation East Stirlingshire have finished in 2nd, 4th and 6th in the Lowland League 2016/17 SEMI-FINAL 1st leg - Buckie Thistle 2-2 East Kilbride 2nd leg - East Kilbride 2–1 Buckie Thistle East Kilbride win 4–3 on aggregate FINAL 1st leg - East Kilbride 0–0 Cowdenbeath 2nd leg - Cowdenbeath 1–1 East Kilbride (AET) Cowdenbeath win 5-3 on penalty kicks after 1-1 draw on aggregate 2017/18 SEMI-FINAL 1st leg - Cove Rangers 4–0 Spartans 2nd leg - Spartans 2–1 Cove Rangers Cove Rangers win 5-2 on aggregate FINAL 1st Leg - Cove Rangers 0–0 Cowdenbeath 2nd leg - Cowdenbeath 3–2 Cove Rangers Cowdenbeath win 3-2 on aggregate
The Blue Brazil went very close to losing the Scottish League status they have held since 1905 in both 2017 and 2018 but had a better season in 18/19 finishing in sixth place in League Two. The club slid down the Scottish pyramid after relegation from the Championship in 2015 where on the final day they were defeated by fellow struggler's Alloa Athletic and with Livingston also winning they finished bottom - they were relegated from L1 the next season and then had to the two bottom of the table finishes in 16/17 and 17/18. Hopefully better times are to come for The Central Park club who last competed in the top flight in 1970/71. 2018/19 SEMI-FINAL 1st leg - East Kilbride 1–2 Cove Rangers 2nd leg - Cove Rangers 3–0 East Kilbride Cove Rangers win 5-1 on aggregate FINAL 1st leg - Cove Rangers 4–0 Berwick Rangers 2nd leg - Berwick Rangers 0–3 Cove Rangers Cove Rangers win 7-0 on aggregate SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO LINE UP FOR 2019/20 Albion Rovers Annan Athletic Brechin City (relegated from League One) Cove Rangers Cowdenbeath Edinburgh City Elgin City Queen's Park Stenhousemuir (relegated from League One) Stirling Albion Opening Fixtures Saturday 3rd August Brechin City v Annan Athletic Cove Rangers v Edinburgh City Elgin City v Cowdenbeath Stenhousemuir v Albion Rovers Stirling Albion v Queens Park Current Odds courtesy of skybet.com Cove Rangers
7/4 Edinburgh City 4/1 Annan Athletic 6/1 Stenhousemuir
7/1 Stirling Albion 8/1 Brechin City 10/1 Queens Park
14/1 Elgin City 16/1 Cowdenbeath
20/1 Albion Rovers 33/1
The bookmaker's currently make Cove Rangers 7/4 favourites with Edinburgh City, their opponents on the opening day, second favourites at 4/1. Albion Rovers, who finished second from bottom on 27 points which was 16 points behind Elgin City in 8th place, are 33/1 outsiders for the title!
