THE PREM GETS EVER TIGHTER
There wasn’t much in the way of action at the top of the Prem over the weekend of 17/18 October, but there was certainly a bit of movement elsewhere in the table.
Claygate Royals’ Hares were one of the key beneficiaries there, they moved up to third thanks to a 6-3 win at Kew Park Rangers (KPR). Jon Small was the man who set things in motion for the Hares; he bagged a hat-trick to put the visitors 3-0 up. Jonathan Allen, Ahmed Hussain and Kurun Murugathas added to that to ultimately see Claygate home. KPR, meanwhile, sit second from bottom. A long winter may be ahead for the Rangers.
Elsewhere, Croxley Green notched their second victory of the season. They beat poor old Latimer Road 5-2. Dean Culpit was much to the fore, bagging a brace. That win sees Croxley move to fourth, Latimer remain rooted to the foot of the table.
The final game in the Prem saw a dramatic conclusion at the Racecourse Ground. Ascot had dominated the ball against the Whippets, but Logan Plant’s strike midway through the second half meant that the hosts were one down going into injury time. With barely seconds left Carl Withers launched a free kick into the box, the ball dropped and Adam Moroney swept it home.
The draw keeps the Whippets second and Ascot seventh. Although with just two points between the sides, it’s pretty clear that the whole division is as congested as the M25 at 8am on a Monday morning. Makes for entertaining viewing though, that’s for sure.
ARMY MOVE TWO POINTS CLEAR IN DIV 1
One Prem side that wasn’t in league action but did have a game was the West London Rams (WLR). They travelled to Bank of England in the County Cup. Despite being relegated in 2024-25, the Bank did manage to beat the Rams in the league. No such shock this time round though, WLR won 5-0 and progress through to the next round.
Three league encounters took place in Div 1. Ruislip Rangers continued their acclimatisation to life in the second tier with a 3-0 win against an up and down West Kensington Kings (WKK). That sees the Rangers fourth, whilst WKK sit uneasily in the relegation zone.
Army Crusaders are the side leading the way. They made it three wins out of three by beating Polytechnic 4-2. The Army were 2-1 up at half-time, but two second half goals by Jon Miller saw them ease away and pick up the three points. Ryan Ford and Carl Kelly were the Crusaders’ marksmen in the first half.
The final game in Div 1 took place in Tolworth. Nottsboroughwere the hosts, Ascot United IIs the visitors. Both sides were defensively strong, and it’s entirely plausible that even if they were still playing now it could be 0-0. No goals then, so a point apiece.
Looking ahead, a number of Div 1 sides are in cup action this week. Nottsborough host London South United in the County Cup, whilst Old Salvatorians and Ruislip lock horns in the same competition. Wandsworth Borough and KPR are also in action there.
WOKING AND CLAYGATE MOVE CLEAR IN DIV 2
There were two games in Div 2 on 18 October, and that enabled both Woking Welcome and Claygate Royals to cement their positions as the sides to beat.
The Hounds have made a perfect start to life in Division 2; Saturday’s win at Laleham makes it four wins from four. Their latest triumph was far from a walk in the park though, they just edged what was ultimately a nine-goal thriller. Still, a win’s a win and that means they sit second on 12 points.
Woking Welcome also have 12 points, but they are ahead of the Hounds on goal difference. The Welcome had little trouble wrestling the points off Old Tiffs. Woking were 3-1 up at half-time, and 5-1 up by the end. Jon Darvill bagged a hat-trick with Reece White helping himself to a couple.
The only action concerning Div 2 sides this week is cup action. Civil Service travel (not far at all) to face Old Meadonians in the County Cup, Clapham and Croxley Green 2s are involved in League Cup prelim contests.
WIMBLEDONIANS WIN GAME OF THE DAY
Division Three has 15 teams in it. Slowly but surely it’s nonetheless becoming clear who the teams to beat are.
Old Wimbledonians are top of that list. They played Old Thorntonians in what was in effect the irresistible force against the immovable object. Both had started the season impressively and neither had yet experienced defeat. That reflects the tightness of the contest. David Taplin scored the only goal of the game to give Wimbledonians the three points. That sees them one point clear at the top.
MMB are doing a decent job of staying in touch. They travelled to Merton and won 4-0. Still, Merton put up a decent fight and it was only 1-0 at half-time. That win puts MMB three points clear of Salvatorians in third.
That having been said, Salvatorians do appear to be on the march. They hosted Old Meads and went big on the goal-scoring front. Meads actually took the lead, but that effectively poked the bear and led Salvatorians to come roaring back. Goals came from all corners of the pitch, with striker Steve Ruddy managing just the one. Player of the game Danny Cash was at the centre of all Salvatorians’ good work as they cruised to a 7-3 triumph. Steve Fox, Alastair Gordon and Les Holdbrook scored for Old Meads.
Elsewhere, Lyonians had a 2-0 walkover win against Double H, Molesey Lighthouse enjoyed their first win of the league season (4-2 against Hersham), Michael Ziverts grabbing both of the visitors’ goals there. Claygate Royals Tertia also claimed three points. They beat AFC Hampton 4-3 in what sounds like a tight game. Daniele Morelli, Simon Patton, David Sewell and Adam Pigott were on the mark for Tertia.
TWO SUPERVETS’ GAMES ON THE RADAR
There are two Supervets’ games on the radar for 25 October. Both of them take place in the ‘Alliance’ section.
Croxley Green will be defending their 100 per cent record when they host second placed Whippet Wanderers. Hampton Rangers, meanwhile, welcome Stonehouse. Both of those sides currently have three points to their respective names. Should be a decent doo.
Go well everyone!