There were 18 games and goals galore as the 2025-26 WLVFL season entered October. Marvellous stuff.
THE RAMS ARE BACK ON THE HORSE
The West London Rams, perennial title challengers in the Prem, haven’t had the most straightforward of starts. A 4-0 reverse at Ascot United was prima facie evidence of that. But the Rams of yesteryear were certainly on show on 4 October as they returned to the top of the league. A thumping 10-2 triumph against Kew Park Rangers saw to that.
Ascot United, meanwhile, might well have beaten the Rams, but they have found Claygate a more difficult nut to crack. The sides played out a 1-1 draw at the Racecourse in mid-September, and an even contest at the weekend was just shaded by the Hares. That gave them their first win of the season.
Looking ahead, there’s just the one game scheduled in the top flight on 11 October. A point or more for Chelsea against Croxley Green will see them return to the top of the pile. A win for Croxley, meanwhile, and they’ll scoot out of the relegation zone….and quite possibly go top of the league! Yep, it’s pretty close in there.
LEADERS SLIP UP IN DIVISION ONE
Wandsworth Borough remain top of Division One, although a 3-2 reverse at home to Nottsborough at the weekend has helped a gaggle of teams behind them close the gap. Indeed, one of those sides is Nottsborough; up to third, three points behind the Borough with a game in hand.
Ascot United’s second string remain second, although they,too, came off second best last week. A patched-up band of Yellas lost 4-1 at West Kensington Kings.
The final game in Division One last Saturday saw Ruislip Rangers make their seasonal debut. And, that debut went well, they won 3-1 at Jamrock.
Looking ahead, there are two fixtures in Division One this weekend. If Ascot United IIs can snuffle three points against Bank of England at the Racecourse Ground on Friday then they’ll go top of the pile. Two other promotion contenders – Ruislip and Army Crusaders – meet on Saturday afternoon. Both won their opening games, so something has to give there.
WOKING WELCOME FIRE IN THE GOALS
Three teams have nine points in Division Two with only goal-difference separating them.
Woking Welcome have continued their strong start to the campaign. Despite only having ten players when their game at Civil Service kicked off (traffic around Twickenham, and South Africa’s rugby union game against Argentina, caused havoc there), the Welcome performed admirably in Chiswick.
Michael Farrell was one of those caught up in the fun and games on the A316, but that didn’t stop him appearing for the second half and scoring a hat-trick. Chris Rogerson also got two as Woking put eight past their hosts and went top of the league.
Claygate Hounds are just behind them. They travelled to Old Tiffs and just about had the better of a five goal thriller. Croxley IIs were also involved in a bit of a knickergripper; they won 4-3 at Thames Ditton, sealing their first win of the campaign.
The final game of the day in Div 2 saw Clapham win a tight affair at Laleham. That one ended 1-0 to the visitors.
There’s just the one game this weekend. Croxley IIs lock horns with Civil Service. The visitors in particular will be keen for what would be their first three points of the campaign. A win there and Civils will go rocketing out of the relegation zone.
LOTS GOING ON IN DIV 3
As ever, there was plenty of action in Division Three; seven games and 29 goals to be precise, as everyone bar Putney Vale Rangers was in action.
Old Thorntonians certainly had a good weekend; they won 5-0 against Molesey Lighthouse and subsequently went to the top of the table. Club chairman Richard Scott helped himself to a couple of goals, Deji Ogunyemi, Eric Mitszal and Paul Jalil grabbed the others. Rumours of club legend Rich Lundie squandering chances galore from within the six-yard box remain as yet unsubstantiated.
MMB remain second, and that despite suffering their first reverse of the campaign. They lost 4-2 at what looks to be a decent Salvatorians’ side. Southall are third and that although they, too, came off second best on Saturday. Old Meadoniansroared back to form with a 5-0 win there.
At the foot of the table, poor old Bank of England IIs sit bottom of the pile. They continue their search for their first point of the season following a 2-1 reverse at Merton. AFC Hampton are in a not dissimilar position; they lost a close one (1-0) at Old Lyonians. Double H, meanwhile, slipped into the bottom half of the table following a 3-1 home defeat against a decent Wimbledonians side.
A number of those teams will be back in action on 11 October with three fixtures planned. Wimbledonians will replace Thorntonians at the top of the table if they win at Bank of England IIs, whilst Meadonians will be looking to carry on where they left off last week as they play Lighthouse Molesey. Putney Vale Rangers also have the chance to record their first win of the season; they host Hersham Vets.
SUPERVETS; ASCOT BACK ON THE HORSE
Finally, there were two games in the Supervets’ Conference last weekend.
Last year’s champions, Ascot United, shook themselves out of their slumber to register an impressive 6-1 win against Old Lyonians. Mike Tomlinson led the way in terms of goal-scoring, he bagged a brace.
Claygate were also in action. They travelled to Cheam and (just) had the better of a five goal contest. They sit top of the table (just ahead of Lyonians) on account of their better goal-difference.
This coming weekend sees four games planned across the two Supervets’ divisions. Lyonians travel to Claygate as the top two clash, whilst Cheam go to Jamrock. Both sides arelooking for their first win of the season.
In the Alliance division Chelsea Vets play their first game of the season at Stonehouse whilst Croxley make the long trek around to Hampton Rangers.
Go well everyone.