The weekend of 14/15 November saw plenty of entertaining fare across the four divisions of the West London Vets’ League (WLVFL). There were four games each in both the Prem and Division One, whilst there were six matches across Divisions Two and Three. All good.
Ascot win the showdown with the West London Rams
In terms of the Prem, the standout contest undoubtedly took place at Ascot United’s Racecourse Ground. West London Rams were in town. The Rams were previously played three won three, whilst the Yellas had won all but one of their league games thus far. A clash of the titans was on the cards.
To be fair to the Rams, they probably travelled a bit lighter than they might have hoped, but even a below par WLR remains a dangerous force. And, it wasn’t long before the visitors took the lead.
The hosts did, however, bounce right back. Stuart Tanfield was in electric form down the left, and he provided plenty of ammunition for Ian Davies in the centre. Davies ended the night with five goals next to his name, Tanfield, meanwhile, pinged home a gem of a free kick from outside the box. 6-2 to Ascot it ended.
Chelsea took advantage of the Rams’ slip to move up into second place. They won impressively at Wandsworth. Croxley Green also had a decent weekend, winning on the road; they came away from Bank of England with all three points having won 2-0. That sees them in third, but level on points with Chelsea.
The final game in the top flight saw a strong Claygate side grab their second league win of the campaign; they put seven past what sounds like it might have been a below par Whippet Wanderers.
John Small was very much at the centre of things; he helped himself to a hat-trick. Warren Coborne, Adam Piggott and Vinnie O’Sullivan were also in goal-scoring mood. The win sees Claygate move up to fifth, one spot ahead of the Whippets.
Actonians surge ahead in Div One
Actonians continue to set a blistering pace in Division One. They’ve played two games fewer than their nearest challengers and yet are still a point clear.
On Saturday Actonians travelled to poor old Acton Ealing Whistlers. The Whistlers have had a miserable start to the season and that continued as they lost 6-1 to their rampaging visitors.
Actonians’ nearest challengers remain Latimer Road, although Latimer missed a chance to put a bit of pressure on them when they drew 0-0 with an improving Poly. Two points lost for Latimer? Possibly, although Poly ran Ascot’s second XI very close the week before. It may well be that the side from Hartington Road are on the up.
Another side that could have ended level on points with Actonians were Army Crusaders. They, however, came a cropper in what sounds like a close game against West Kensington Kings. Ali Beard was on the scoresheet for the Crusaders and the game was in the balance until a bullet-header own goal gave WKK the advantage. They ended up winning 3-1.
The final game in the division saw Nottsborough travel to Civil Service. Rob Hodgson was on target for Civils (following a superb run and cross from Gary Hazel), but by the time the ball hit the net Nottsborough were already well clear. Nottsborough’s win sees them move above WKK and into fifth. Civils remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
Thames Ditton close in on promotion places in Div 2
There were three games in Division Two on Saturday, although none involved league leaders Ruislip Rangers. They nonetheless remain top of the pile, a colossal eight points clear of the chasing pack.
Old Meadonians stay second, although a 1-0 defeat against now-third Thames Ditton did little to help their cause. The game was a tight one, but a TD goal midway through the first half was enough to secure them the three points.
There was another tight contest over at Jamrock. They drew 2-2 with Laleham. The point apiece was enough to keep both out of the bottom two places, although not by much.
The big winners at the bottom of the table were Old Lyonians. They registered their first win of the season; a 4-0 triumph against fellow strugglers, Old Tiffs. Ben Pierre set things rolling for the hosts with a goal from a free kick, whilst Karim Essiaghi, Chris O’Leary and an own goal accounted for the rest.
Milkmen on the march in Div 3
Much as was the case with Ruislip Rangers in Div 2, Claygate Royals Hounds didn’t play at the weekend but still remain top. Their margin is a ‘mere’ four points; a healthy advantage to have at this stage of the season.
MMB have now jumped into second place. They registered their third win of the campaign thanks to a 6-2 drubbing of Bank of England’s 2nd XI. Dan Biss was on the scoresheet twice for the Milkmen, with Scott Stafford, Daron Hind, Dean Kimber and Ollie Whiteford all adding further goals.
The defeat means that the Bank slip to third, with Croxley in fourth. Croxley welcomed Putney Vale Rangers and (just about) had the best of a seven-goal thriller. Skipper Vito Perkin certainly did all he could to try and get PVR their first win of the season – he bagged two goals – but to no avail. Fingers crossed the Vale get a few of their injured players back before their next game a week on Saturday.
The final game in Division Three was another entertaining affair. AFC Hampton hosted Molesey Lighthouse and the spoils were shared after a 4-4 draw. The point nonetheless sees Hampton over a win clear of PVR at the bottom, while Molesey Lighthouse are safely ensconced in mid-table.
Moving forward
Looking ahead, there are three Supervets’ fixtures on Saturday 23 November plus three ‘catch up’ fixtures elsewhere.
In the Prem Wandsworth host Kew Park Rangers whilst the West London Rams welcome the Whippets to Leatherhead. Top of the table Claygate Royals Hounds are also in action in Division Three; they play AFC Hampton.
In terms of the Supervets, Stonehouse will be looking to get their first points on the board when they visit Chelsea. The same applies for Old Lyonians; they travel to third placed Nottsborough. The final game of the day sees Cheam hit the M25 and travel over to Croxley.
Go well, everyone.