Cup games dominated proceedings on 17/18 January, although there was also action in Division 3 as well as in the world of the Supervets. So, 12 games in total, action aplenty.
Army Crusaders break the mould
The four semi-finalists in the League Cup are now all nailed down. Three of the names in there are reasonably predictable, one perhaps less so.
Army Crusaders are the only non-prem side left in the competition. They came through a tight quarter-final against West Kensington Kings. A close first half saw the game scoreless at half-time. The Crusaders, however, came out of the blocks quickly for the second half, Guy Wilkinson nosing one in before adding a second with Ant Gailey then making it three.
WKK realised they had nothing to lose so began putting the Crusaders under sustained pressure. Sure enough, an hour in and the score was back at 3-1. The Army then battened down the hatches and did all they could to keep WKK out. That they did and then now move into the last four.
They’ll be joined there by Chelsea (5-1 winners against the Whippets), Ascot United (big victors against Croxley Green) and West London Rams (via a penalty shoot out against Claygate). The draw for the semi-finals will take place live on Friday (24 Jan) via the league’s Facebook page (https://fb.me/e/2ph4xWRUk, 17h30 kick off). Do tune in.
Lyonians catch the eye in the League Vase
Three of the four semi-finalists in the League Vase are also now known.
After a tough start to the season, Old Lyonians look to have turned a corner. They hammered Jamrock 8-2. They’ll be joined in the SFs by Clapham Old Xaverians; they squeezed past Claygate Royals’ Hounds by the odd goal in five.
Thames Ditton are the final confirmed participants in the last four; they won 4-1 at Old Tiffinians. The last spot will be taken up by a Division Three side; Double H and Croxley Green IIs will be sorting that issue out in due course.
Ascot continue to lead in the Supervets
All eight Supervets’ sides were in action on 18 January, although across two different competitions.
Cheam Sports and Chelsea locked horns in the QF of the League Trophy. And, Chelsea came out on top; they won 3-1. Chelsea now join Claygate Strollers, Ascot United and Croxley Green in the semi-finals. The draw, just like those for the Cup and the Vase, will be made on Friday night.
The other six Supervets’ sides were involved in league action. Ascot United continued their excellent form with a 6-0 win at Stonehouse. Chris Ferdinand was again in decent goal-scoring form (he bagged a hat-trick), Chris Purdue added a couple with a bombastic Stu Flurry header rounding things off.
Croxley Green and Claygate remain joint second. Both managed wins at the weekend. Croxley beat Lyonians 2-1 while Claygate Strollers were 5-2 victors at fourth placed Nottsborough.
The final game of the weekend was a re-arranged one in Division 3. Bank of England took a hard-earned point from their encounter – a goalless draw – with AFC Hampton. That means the Bank move up to joint-second, alongside Double H and Croxley. All getting tight in the fight for that second promotion slot.
Looking ahead
The weekend of 24/25 January sees a full house of fixtures on the agenda.
Ascot United kick things off on Friday night when they welcome Bank of England to the Racecourse. Elsewhere in the Prem, top of the table West London Rams travel to the Whippets while second placed Chelsea have a weekend off. Claygate, a side that have been in decent form of late, host Kew Park Rangers, whilst Wandsworth will be welcoming Croxley.
Four intriguing games are on the cards in Division One. Top of the table Actonians are off to an improving Poly, whilst second placed Latimer Road host Nottsborough. Civil Service continue their hunt for a first league win of the season when they travel to the Army Crusaders, whilst Ascot United’s IIs will be locking horns with Acton Ealing Whistlers.
Ruislip Rangers will be continuing their quest for the Division Two title when they travel to Jamrock. Will the hosts be able to bounce back from their cup exit last week? We shall see.
Second placed Clapham are also on the road, they go to bottom of the table Tiffinians. Meadonians are currently third; they are off to a newly energised Lyonians, whilst fourth placed Thames Ditton welcome relegation threatened Laleham.
In Division Three Claygate Royals Hounds will be looking to continue their march towards Division Two when they visit AFC Hampton. With the Hounds nine points clear we are not too far away from thinking about when promotion can be mathematically secured. Impressive stuff from Claygate’s second string.
Elsewhere, two of the three teams on ten points face off; Croxley’s second XI visit Double H. Bank of England IIs will be hoping for a draw there. If that happens and they can beat Molesey Lighthouse then they’ll ease into a promotion slot.
The final game of the day sees Putney Vale Rangers continue their hunt for that elusive first win of the season. They go to the Milk Marketing Board (MMB). MMB might be fifth but they most certainly aren’t out of the promotion shake up. A win here and they could also plausibly leap up into second place.
Go well everyone!