The weekend of 22/23 November was a Supervets’ weekend in the West London Vets’ Football League (WLVFL). But,alongside three games in the over 50s’ tournament there were also a couple of over 40s’ league games taking place elsewhere.
That included in the Prem where Kew Park Rangers (KPR) travelled to Wandsworth Borough. The Borough have had a pretty tough start to the season fixtures-wise, playing all the top sides at least once already. This game therefore represented a decent chance to begin getting some (more) points on the board.
KPR have also not had the easiest of beginnings to the current campaign. Something therefore had to give. And indeed it did, with Wandsworth claiming the three points thanks to a 3-2 win. That triumph doesn’t just take them off the bottom, it sees them jump out of the relegation zone.
Elsewhere, Claygate Royals Hounds (in effect Claygate’s second XI) hosted AFC Hampton in Division Three. Given Claygate’s impressive start to the campaign the pools panel were certainly predicting a home win. That is indeed what they got, Claygate winning 4-1 and moving seven points clear at the top of the table. Jon Harding, Pat Nathanson, Eric Hartman and Chris Napper were all on target for the rampaging Royals.
Stonehouse spring a surprise
The remaining three matches to take place were all Supervets’ encounters.
The big surprise of the day came at Chelsea where Stonehouse won a seven-goal thriller, 4-3. That wasn’t just Stonehouse’s first win of the campaign, it was their first point. Decent effort.
Elsewhere Cheam trekked round the M25 to face Croxley Green. Let’s just say that that one went very much the way of the hosts; they won at a canter.
The final match in the SVs’ division was a tight one with Old Lyonians visiting Nottsborough. There was just the one goal in it as the home side eeked home. That sees both Nottsborough and Croxley on ten points, a couple behind Ascot United (who didn’t play).
Looking ahead
Moving forward, there’s a full round of fixtures on the agenda for 29/30 November.
In the Prem second play third as Croxley travel to Chiswick to play Chelsea Vets. That looks very much like the game of the day. Top-of-the-table Ascot United are also on the road, they play Claygate Royals Hares; Claygate have certainly got the potential to spring a surprise, Ascot will need to be on the money.
Elsewhere, the bottom two meet in Roehampton. Bank of England only have one point, but that point did come against Chelsea. With a fair wind, they are a tough side to beat. They’ll be hoping that the first win of the season comes when KPR roll into town.
The final fixture in the top flight sees Wandsworth travel to Whippet Wanderers. Both sides are on four points and will be looking to use this game to bounce up to mid-table.
Actonians to keep on flying?
Actonians are currently top of Division One with a 100 per cent record. They’ll be putting that on the line when the ever-dangerous West Kensington Kings come to town. The Kings are mid-table and, providing availability is decent, they are the type of side that can give Actonians a run for their money.
Much as in the Prem, the bottom two in Division One are also meeting. Civil Service have been suffering a bit of late, but they’ll be hoping that their contest with Acton Ealing Whistlers helps them get up and running.
Poly and Nottsborough also lock horns, whilst fourth placed Ascot United IIs play Army Crusaders at the Racecourse on Friday evening.
Can anyone stop Ruislip Rangers?
No side is in a better position in their division than Ruislip Rangers. They are eight points clear of the pack….at this rate you feel that they might be mathematically promoted by Christmas!
Laleham are the latest team to be tasked with stopping the Ruslip juggernaut. They travel to north-west London to give that a go. Second placed Meadonians are also on the road, they travel to South London to play Clapham Old Xaverians.
Bottom of the table Lyonians will be looking to keep their better form of late going; they play third placed Thames Ditton. The final game in the division sees Old Tiffs host Jamrock.
Top two clash in Division Three
It looks like there are just the two games taking place in Division Three. League leaders Claygate Royals Hounds are in action again; they play MMB. Given that MMB are currently second in the ladder this one has the feel of a potentially pivotal game; if Claygate win they could well be off in the distance and basically thinking about Division 2 next season. If MMB can reel them in then things are looking much more open.
Elsewhere, Double H and Putney Vale Rangers (PVR) lock horns. Will this week be the one that the Vale finally get up and running? We shall see.
The final game on this weekend’s agenda is in the Supervets’ competition. Cheam will be looking to bounce back from their mauling at Croxley when they host a resurgent Stonehouse. Could be an intriguing one.
Go well everyone!