The weekend of 13/14 December was a quiet one in the West London Vets’ League (WLVFL). Nine games across six different competitions were the order of the day. A weekend where teams played a few catch-up fixtures, by the looks of things.
Ascot on the rise
In terms of the Prem, there was just the one game on the agenda. That took place on Friday night at the Racecourse Ground where Ascot United entertained Actonians.
Ascot haven’t had the best start to 2025-26, but they appear back on the path towards the upper reaches of the league table. Actonians gave a decent account of themselves, but it was Ascot who came out on top. The hosts won 6-1, Ian Davies grabbing a hat-trick. Michael Devins responded for Actonians.
Saturday 20 December sees two more games in the top flight. Chelsea have the chance to pull three points clear; they makethe trip up to Croxley. Croxley might well be struggling, but they are never pushovers. Should be an interesting encounter.
Third placed Whippets entertain sixth placed Claygate in the division’s other game. Both sides have had good and not so good results this season, although a win for the Whippets and they could potentially end the day top of the table. We shall see how that pans out.
Three top flight sides are also in league cup action this coming weekend. Latimer and Actonians play each other, whilst Ascot United travel to Division One high-fliers Ruislip Rangers.
Ruislip ease away
Ruislip prepared for that cup encounter with a win against Nottsborough. The Rangers won 6-2. That sees them ease three points clear at the top. Nottsborough, meanwhile, slip into the relegation zone. They are just the one goal the wrong side of West Kensington Kings.
Nottsborough do have a game in hand on WKK, and they play that on Saturday. Notts are again on the road, although this time to Polytechnic. Poly are still on the hunt for their first win of the campaign. And, if relegation is to be avoided, they needed that win to come much sooner rather than later.
Thorntonians catch the eye
There were no league games in Division Two on 13 December, but there were a couple of League Vase games where Div 2 sides were involved. Croxley’s second strong beat Old Meadonians of Division Three at something of a canter. Roshan Patel bagged a brace as Croxley won 5-0.
Mid-table Laleham FC had home advantage against Old Thorntonians from Div 3, but that did them little good. They lost 3-1.
Looking ahead, Laleham are back in league action on 20 December. They host the struggling Old Tiffinians. Claygate Hares, currently second in the ladder, have the chance to go top when they welcome Thames Ditton. Given that the visitors haven’t won a game yet and Claygate are played six and won six, this has got coupon buster written all over it…..
MMB win a thriller
Division Three saw the most action; three games and sixteen goals.
MMB moved back to within touching distance of the top thanks to a barnstorming comeback against Hersham. Hersham were three up at half-time, David Risk, William Samuels and Matt Wardle all bagging for the hosts. The second half saw everything change. Two goals each from Andrew Larch and Adam Cooper saw the visitors roar back and claim all three points. That puts them level with Old Wimbledonians on 22 points.
Elsewhere, Salvatorians were surprisingly beaten at Hampton. Hampton always seem much stronger at home than they are away, but even then defeating a side with a 100 per cent record is still a mightily impressive performance. Peter Cragg put Salvatorians ahead, but Hampton came back in the second half to win 2-1.
The final game in the division was a little more one-sided. Double H travelled to Bank of England IIs. They came home with three points following a 6-0 triumph.
Looking ahead there are five Div 3 league games planned for 20 December. Wimbledonians will be looking to maintain that top spot when they travel to Meadonians. MMB, meanwhile, host Putney Vale Rangers. Third placed Thorntonians are off to fourth placed Salvatorians in what is arguably the game of the day, whilst Lighthosue Molesey and Merton lock horns in an interesting game at the foot of the table. Finally, Lyonianshost bottom of the table Bank of England IIs
There were also three games in the world of the Supervets last week. And, all three ended in away wins. Jamrock won a close one at Cheam, sneaking home 1-0. Croxley Green travelled to Chelsea and they, too, won by the most slender of scorelines (again 1-0). Whippets’ experience at Hampton Rangers was altogether different; they scored goals a plenty in an easy win in south-west London.
Go well everyone!