It’s 30 years this month since any professional football team in England scored 10 (or more) goals in a competitive game*. The West London Vets’ League (WLVFL) doesn’t (quite) fall under the rubric of being ‘professional’, but no matter. It’s a curious old day when not one but two sides manage to notchdouble figures in games on the same day.
Yellas back in the saddle
Neither of the double figure scores were in the Prem. Indeed, everything there seemed to be positively low key when compared with the goalscoring chaos lower down.
The Rams are now back on top of the Premier Division tree. They won 5-2 at Latimer Road. Warren Coborne caught the eye, scoring two, whilst Anthony Oakes, Anthony Taggart and the evergreen Barry Hayles also found their way onto the scoresheet.
Chelsea slip to second, although they are level on points with the Rams and have a game in hand. The Whippets remain third. They won a tight one against Actonians, substitute Chris Booker grabbing the only goal of the game.
Claygate remain just the point behind the Whippets following a convincing win against a struggling Kew Park Rangers. Adam Piggott got the scoring underway, Ahmed Hussain bagged a couple and Kurunchi Murugathas rounded things off. 4-1 it ended.
The final game of the weekend saw Ascot United host Croxley. The Yellas have been playing well, but they’ve struggled to get the ball in the net. That all changed on Friday night. Les Sykes grabbed a hat-trick and Jon Bennet bagged a brace as the hosts cruised to a 7-1 triumph. The win sees the Yellas move out of the relegation zone, although there’s a way to go before they can start comfortably looking at the league table.
Ruislip carry seamlessly on in Div 1
Ruislip Rangers continue to look good in Division One. They have recovered from their reverse against the Army Crusaders and are now two points clear at the top.
Last week they welcomed Poly to North-West London and sent them home with little to show for their efforts. Ruislip won 5-0.
Wandsworth are now up in second. They had a good day, beating Bank of England 3-2. Phil Westcott and Lee Sutton were both on the scoresheet for the Borough, although it was their ‘keeper, Steve Chart, who was man of the match. The Bank currently sit just above the relegation zone. You get the feeling that that’s not where they are ultimately going to end up; they have too many decent players to stay in 6th for long.
Ascot United’s 2nd string also had a good weekend, winning 4-3 at Army Crusaders. The Crusaders will feel a little unlucky. They were 3-1 up mid-way through the second half and decent value for that lead. Two goals from Chris Purdue and a 40 yard late winner were enough to turn that round, Scotland-style, for the men from Berkshire.
Nottsborough also had a good weekend. They travelled to West Kensington Kings and came home with three points. Two goals to the good at half-time, they ended up winning 4-1. That sees Nottsboroigh sitting mid-table with nigh on a third of the season gone.
Woking Welcome back on top of Div 2
Just the two games took place in Division Two and both went pretty much to form.
Woking Welcome moved back to the top of the table thanks to a 1-0 win against Croxley’s second string. The game was goalless at half-time, but Neil Bantel stood up and pocketed three points for the league newcomers.
Laleham are also three points better off than they were. They claimed a 2-0 triumph against Civil Service. Poor old Civils remain bottom of the league, Laleham move up to fifth, level on points with Croxley.
Clapham Old Xaverians were also in action, although in the League Cup. They played Putney Vale Rangers. The game ended all square so a penalty shoot-out was needed to separate the sides. PVR came out on top there, winning 5-4.
Goal–mania in Div 3
Division Three, meanwhile, was the land of the bedlam. Goals were flying in everywhere.
Old Lyonians set the tone. They hammered 14 past poor old Molesey Lighthouse. An in form MMB did their best to follow that lead, although they ultimately fell short. They managed just the 11 (!) in beating Southall Athletic. Shout out to Leon Brown for grabbing a consolation for Southall.
That win sees MMB back in the top two, level on points with Old Wimbledonians. The Wimbledonians didn’t go goalscoring potty, but they did do enough to beat Merton (3-1). Iain Chance, John Jupp and David Taplin got their goals.
Old Salvatorians remain in the promotion shake up. They travelled to Double H and won 4-2. Gary Stanley bagged a couple for the Salvatorians along the way. The win sees the visitors move into third with plenty of games in hand. Double H, meanwhile, are now 11th.
The final game in Division Three took place between two sides nestled nicely in the Europa League places; Hersham and Old Thorntonians. A close one was predicted, but ultimately it was Hersham who eased to the three points. They won 3-0. That puts Hersham fourth and Thorntonians fifth.
Looking ahead
There’s action in a range of competitions on 22 November.
First up, AFC Hampton and Bank of England IIs lock horns in Division Three. A win for the Bank would see them hurtle off the bottom and up the table. Hampton wouldn’t move anywhere if they won, but they’d be a lot closer points-wise to mid-table than they currently are.
The Supervets are all in action on Saturday; there are two games in each of the two conferences. The star turn looks like it will be provided by Claygate and Ascot United; a repeat of last year’s cup final that Ascot will be keen to win following a reverse to Claygate on day one of the season.
A number of O40 sides are also in cup action. West London Rams travel to Xaverians in the County Cup, whilst Ruislip travel to Old Ignatians. Nottsborough and KPR also meet.
Finally, there are a host of league cup games taking place. The Army Crusaders versus Claygate will be intriguing, as will Wandsworth v Chelsea.
Go well, everyone.
*For those who are interested, (the mighty) Shrewsbury Town were the last side to score ten in a competitive game of professional football in England. That they did on the 11 November 1995, smacking 11 past the hapless Marine in an FA Cup Round One tie. Just so you know.