Surrey South Eastern Combination League

Junior Division 3

Saturday 23rd May 2026

Kick Off 14.00 On Time!

Ashtead 5 New Elm 0, attendance 66

4’ 1-0

11’ 2-0

35’ 3-0

57’ 4-0

77’ 5-0

@ Ashtead Recreation Ground

Barnett Wood Lane

Ashtead

KT21 2BZ

No Admission or Programme.

It was good to get a game at this time of the season with something still on it, in this case the league title, as 2nd hosted 1st in the table. If Ashtead won, the title was theirs. Any other outcome would see New Elm win it. There were at least thirteen other ‘hoppers here and even better for me, it was just ten miles from home.

There’s a small car park as you enter off Barnett Wood Lane, with the brick built changing room directly in front of you. The pitch runs lengthways away from here, rising slightly towards the far end, where there’s another pitch beyond a hedge which I believe has also staged some of Ashtead’s home games this season, due to the main pitch being waterlogged for long periods. No such problems today, with the game played in scorching heat, on a rock hard, dusty pitch, with a drinks break taken during each half.

Ashtead got the job done early, scoring from a close range effort after just four minutes and doubling their lead seven minutes later, tapping in a right wing cross at the near post. Ten minutes before halftime they made the game safe, with the goal of the game, when a cross from the right was finished with a cushioned volley back into the far corner. A cross from the left wing was flicked in at the near post to make it 4-0 just before the hour mark and they rounded off the scoring with thirteen minutes left, with another tap in from close range. There was still time for New Elm to have a man red carded nine minutes from the end, but the outcome of the match was decided long before that.

Mid-Essex League

Premier Division

Wednesday 20th May 2026

Kick Off 18.45 Actual 18.55

Stock United 2 Hutton Development 1, attendance 17

6’ 1-0

43’ 1-1

80’ 2-1

@ St. John Payne Catholic School

Patching Hall Lane

Chelmsford

CM1 4BS

No Admission or Programme.

The ground here at St. John Payne School is just an open pitch, in pretty poor condition, hidden away behind the buildings, with one end backing onto Partridge Avenue. Car parking was at the front of the building, with access through to the pitch being via a gate that was opened around an hour before the scheduled start, although the game actually got underway ten minutes late.

The match was 3rd versus 9th (out of 11) in the league table, with the hosts in contention for the runners up spot, behind already crowned champions Social Club Birchanger 1985, whilst the visitors couldn’t finish any lower in the table, but could still actually get themselves a fifth place finish. Stock United took a sixth minute lead, heading in a corner from the left. Hutton drew level two minutes before halftime, with a goal that looked to have had a handball in the build up, but play was allowed to continue and the ball was fired low into the bottom corner. Stock were then awarded a penalty, but it was saved, meaning it was still all square at halftime. The winning goal for Stock arrived ten minutes from time, finishing a through ball low into the bottom corner.

The journey to Essex had the usual two to three mile queue at Dartford Crossing and the return saw traffic held for almost ten minutes, again at Dartford Crossing, whilst two lanes were being closed off for roadworks.

Guildford & Woking Alliance League

Premier Division

Tuesday 19th May 2026

Kick Off 19.00 Actual 18.53

Upper Hale 1 Farnborough North End Athletic 0, attendance 42

85’ 1-0

@ Aldershot Traction Athletic Club

Weybourne Road

Aldershot

GU11 3NE

No Admission or Programme.

Aldershot Traction Athletic Club, known locally as ‘The Traco Club’, has two pitches, with tonight’s game played on the one adjacent to the clubhouse, running lengthways away from the building and roped along part of the pitch along the right hand touchline. There’s a small car park here, with very few spaces, not helped by the adjoining bowls club being very bust tonight, but got there just in time to bag one of the last remaining spots.

The match was 4th versus 1st in the league table, with the visitors having clinched the title after being awarded three points for their match away at Burpham, where the hosts couldn’t be bothered to raise a team, which saw them come into this still unbeaten for the season. Upper Hale had only lost one game themselves and the reverse fixture, which was only played on Saturday, had finished in a 1-1 draw.

It was a game between two evenly matched teams, producing few real clear cut chances. Upper Hale relied heavily on a long throw in merchant, but just couldn’t take advantage of it. Farnborough looked the more dangerous on the break, but just couldn’t find the breakthrough. Just as it looked liked it’d end up goalless, a quick break down the left saw a cross met with a side footed shot that diverted the ball low into the far corner to win it for the hosts and inflict the first defeat of the season on the champions.

Remarkably, a clear M25 and A3 in both directions, which is a real rarity these days.

North Wales Coast West League

Premier Division

Saturday 16th May 2026

Kick Off 14.30 Actual 14.34

C.P.D. Bontnewydd 0 Cemaes Bay 8, attendance 37

14’ 0-1, 20’ 0-2, 38’ 0-3, 39’ 0-4, 44’ 0-5,

55’ 0-6, 75’ 0-7, 83’ 0-8

@ Cae Stanley

Lon Caeathro

Bontnewydd

LL55 2UN

£3 Admission

No Programme.

At this time of season it’s best to pick a game with something still on it, as many (most?) teams can’t be bothered to complete their scheduled fixtures otherwise. The hosts certainly need to pick up something from their remaining games, in order to avoid relegation, whilst the visitors, who were completing their games today, were ninth and could finish one place higher if they won today, depending on the result at Penrhyndeudraeth going in their favour.

Cae Stanley is on the right hand side of Lon Caeathro, heading eastwards out of the village. Theres plenty of parking, whilst the pitch is railed on three sides and has hard standing as well. It’s just the left hand goal end that lacks both. There’s a seated stand on the near side, with toilets/tea bar/changing rooms behind and there’s a pair of dugouts opposite. There would normally be a good view beyond the dugouts, but not today. There was low cloud/mist and light rain/drizzle that fell for the majority of the game, with the sun really struggling to break through.

Despite the scoreline, this was actually competitive. Cemaes Bay were just far too strong on the day and certainly had their scoring boots on. The visitors hit the crossbar in the opening five minutes, but were lethal from then on. They opened the scoring after fourteen minutes, nicking a throughball past the on rushing ‘keeper, shooting on the turn to find the bottom corner. Six minutes later they made it two, following in after an initial save by the ‘keeper. Three more goals in the final seven minutes of the half saw them open up a 0-5 lead by halftime. Ten minutes into the second half it was 0-6 and both teams hit the woodwork before goal number seven came with fifteen minutes left. The scoring was rounded off with seven minutes left, cutting in from the left, before firing a shot low into the far corner.

The defeat leaves Bontnewydd third bottom in the table, three points clear of Mynydd Llandegai, but still having two games in hand, so they should still be safe, although after today’s result, they now have a goal difference worse by four and have scored fewer goals. They only trail fourth bottom Gwalchmai by three points, so their destiny is very much in their own hands.

It was an early start heading up to Snowdonia, so I encountered no traffic problems whatsoever and an overnight stop in the northwest, followed by a rugby league match on Sunday, meant a leisurely drive back across the A55 afterwards. It just leaves me with Talysarn Celts to do in this Tier 4 league now.

Southend Charity Cup (Section A)

Semi Final

Wednesday 13th May 2026

Kick Off 20.00 Actual 20.03

Wakering Sports 5 Shoebury Town 3, attendance 70

2’ 1-0

20’ 2-0

22’ 2-1

31’ 3-1

66’ 3-2

71’ 4-2

89’ 5-2

90’ 5-3

@ Shoeburyness High School, 3G Pitch

Caulfield Road

Shoeburyness

SS3 9LL

No Admission or Programme.

The caged pitch here at Shoeburyness High School has a designated spectator area along three quarters of one side, with the changing rooms being inside the Shoeburyness Leisure Centre, about fifty yards from the pitch. Parking is available at the school, where toilets were also available and there a couple of vending machines just outside the cage entrance.

The match involved two teams from the Essex Olympian League. Wakering Sports are 4th in the Premier Division and Shoebury Town 8th in Division 3 South East, with this being played at the regular home ground of ‘the visitors’. It was a really keenly contested contest and the difference in playing level between the two was not really noticeable. Wakering were ahead after two minutes and hit the crossbar shortly afterwards too. When a lob over the ‘keeper made it 2-0 after twenty minutes, I feared it might be too one sided, but Shoebury hit back within two minutes to make it 2-1. Just after the half hour mark Wakering headed in at the far post, to go 3-1 up, and surprisingly there were no more goals before halftime.

With twenty four minutes left a cross from the right was headed in at the far post for Shoebury to pull it back to 3-2 and it was game on once more. Unfortunately for them, Wakering got the next goal, with an angled shot into the far corner to make it 4-2 just five minutes later and there was no way back from there. A corner from the left was forced in at the far post to make it 5-2 in the last minute, before Shoebury scored their third goal with the last kick of the match.

The 60 mile journey into Essex took a ridiculous two and a quarter hours, not helped by a four mile queue at the Dartford Crossing and very slow moving traffic from the M25 along the A13 towards Southend-on-Sea. Thankfully, totally trouble free on the return, although there were two lanes closed on the Dartford Crossing.

Essex Olympian League

Division 3 South East

Tuesday 12th May 2026

Kick Off 19.15 Actual 19.17

South Woodham Ferrers United 2 Benfleet Reserves 1, attendance 133

15’ 1-0

74’ 2-0

87’ 2-1

@ South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre, 3G Pitch

Brickfields Road

South Woodham Ferrers

CM3 5XB

No Admission or Programme.

Although the ground here at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre is a cage set up, it’s better than most, as spectator access is along one side and behind both goals, with the ‘benches’ set up on the unused side. There’s plenty of parking, with the changing rooms located inside the main building, about fifty yards from the pitch.

The match was 2nd versus 1st in the league table, with Benfleet a point ahead, with a game in hand, so a win for them would see them crowned champions as SWF only have one game to play after this. It was the hosts who opened the scoring after fifteen minutes, finishing a through ball low into the bottom corner. There were plenty of chances, but it was SWF who grabbed the all important second goal of the game, when a free kick within the centre circle was met with a glancing header just inside the box, sending it into the bottom corner of the net with sixteen minutes left. With five minutes left Benfleet had three consecutive shots cleared off the line, in a desperate attempt to force the ball in, but a couple of minutes later they did pull a goal back, when a cross from the right was headed in at the far post, leaving the hosts hanging on nervously. So, SWF go into their final game two points clear of Benfleet Reserves at the top, but the latter crucially still have a game in hand.

The journey to Essex had the normal three mile queue approaching the Dartford Crossing, whilst the return was only hindered by two lanes being closed, again at the Dartford Crossing.

Yeovil & District League

Division 1

Monday 11th May 2026

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.32

Bruton United 1 A.F.C. Strode 4, attendance 38

33’ 0-1

37’ 1-1

59’ 1-2

65’ 1-3

74’ 1-4

@ Jubilee Park

Godminster Lane

Bruton

BA10 0NA

No Admission or Programme.

Bruton United’s Jubilee Park is just a pitch in a recreation ground, but it’s a pleasant setting, with the highlight being the Bruton Dovecote that’s behind the goal furthest from the changing rooms. Raised banking runs along one touchline, with the other side tree lined, separating the main pitch from what looked to be a cricket pitch, down on a lower level. As well as a car park next to the changing rooms, there’s also one behind the far goal, accessed off Dropping Lane.

The hosts came into this in eighth place, safe from relegation, but could still possibly finish a couple of places lower, depending on other results elsewhere. Strode were top, knowing a win here would see them crowned champions, but a defeat could see them overhauled by either Pitney or Wagtail Athletic Reserves, who were playing each other at Wagtail tonight, with this being the final game for all three. If the league table on FA Full Time is correct, fourth in the table Westland Sports Colts could also win it, if they win their last three games. Regardless of all the permutations, it was simple. A Strode win would seal it, no matter what went on elsewhere.

Considering the hosts had nothing to play for, they put up a real fight, which was good to see. They almost went in front after thirty two minutes, but the shot hit the post and a minute later a long clearance from the visitors ‘keeper got flicked on and was cut back inside for a right footed finish low into the bottom corner. Three minutes later Bruton drew level, when a poor attempted clearance from the Strode ‘keeper was intercepted and finished from a tight angle. Bruton missed an absolute sitter right on halftime, somehow failing to convert a ball across the six yard box from no more than two yards out. Just before the hour mark Strode went back in front, tapping in from close range after a cross from the right wasn’t dealt with by the home ‘keeper. The killer goal came six minutes later, when a header made it 1-3 and the home side’s resistance was broken. There was only going to be one winner from here and Strode added a fourth goal nine minutes later, shooting low into the bottom corner to make it 1-4 and the title was wrapped up.

An unusually traffic free M25 and M3/A303 in both directions rounded off an excellent evening.

St. Piran League

Division 1 East

Saturday 9th May 2026

Kick Off 14.30 Actual 14.34

St. Teath 1 St. Newlyn East 1, attendance 59

60’ 1-0

82’ 1-1

@ St. Teath Recreation Ground

Trewennen Road

St. Teath

PL30 3JZ

No Admission or Programme.

I’d checked my two preferred afternoon options prior to kick off at my morning game and both were showing okay on the F.A. Full Time website, so I never checked them again and headed off to my first choice. I arrived at Calstock (where the visitors needed a win to secure promotion) to find it deserted. No problem, second choice game at Pensilva was nearby (visitors needed a win to secure title). Arrived there to also find nothing doing. I was unable to get any internet connection/phone signal, so had no idea what was going on. It transpires that both home teams couldn’t be bothered to raise a team, which shows how ‘Micky Mouse’ leagues become once you drop from the higher divisions. With no punishment/repercussions involved for the guilty clubs, then hardly a deterrent. It does not reflect well on the league though and certainly brings the integrity of the league into question regarding awarding games/points when promotion/relegation positions are affected. Thankfully, I remembered St. Teath were at home, so set off not having time to check it, but I hadn’t got time to hang about anyway. A mile or so out of Pensilva phone signal was restored and I saw the SatNav arrival showing I’d miss kick off anyway, but continued onwards. I parked up in the road next to the ground at 14.29 and arrived pitch side at 14.34…..just as they were kicking off!….phew.

The ground here is very neat and an excellent set up for Step 8. From the roadside, the changing rooms are to the left, with the pitch raised on a higher level, running lengthways away from here. It’s fully enclosed with a plastic rail and has a small area of cover on the left touchline, with a tea bar operating from here, whilst toilets were at the changing room building. The dugouts are on the far side, with a second pitch running parallel behind a hedge. Both pitches were in excellent condition. From the cover, along to the corner and continuing behind the far goal is raised grass banking, giving a good view from the top.

The match was 3rd versus 4th in the league table, with both still able to pip second in the table Nanpean Rovers, but they’d need Nanpean to lose their last two games, such is the gap in goal difference, as well as taking maximum points themselves, even if today’s game was a draw. As you’d expect, there was little between them and it was very evenly matched. It remained goalless at halftime and looked like that would be how it would finish too, but on the hour mark St. Teath broke the deadlock, dispossessing the full back before cutting inside and shooting low into the far corner. The equaliser came eight minutes from time, when a cross in from the left was miss controlled , but turned into a perfect pass for a supporting player and he curled the ball beyond the ‘keeper into the far corner of the net. The draw was probably about right and it would have been harsh on whichever team had lost and the result does at least keep them both in the promotion hunt.

I had originally planned on stopping over, but didn’t fancy the prospect of a ‘no show’ at the Sunday game, wasting both time and money on a hotel, so headed home at the final whistle. A clear run meant arriving home just before 20.30….and yes, the Sunday game did take place. Obviously, the lower reaches of the Devon & Exeter League are more reliable than their counterparts from across the border!

St. Piran League

Division 1 East

Saturday 9th May 2026

Kick Off 11.00 Actual 11.03

St. Dominick 1 Boscastle 9, attendance 21

11’ 0-1

25’ 0-2

33’ 0-3

37’ 0-4

45’ 0-5 (pen)

47’ 0-6

62’ 1-6

67’ 1-7

80’ 1-8

82’ 1-9

@ Lovell’s Park

Vogus Lane

St. Dominick

PL12 6SU

£3 Admission

No Programme.

It was a 5am alarm this morning, in order to head to Cornwall for this morning kick off, which would enable a double today. Apparently, the early start was a request from the visitors, as their players wanted to watch a local cup final in the afternoon. A clear run meant I was at the ground just before nine thirty, but the nets were up and the rope around the pitch was in place. There’s a slope on the pitch and a scenic view across the River Tamar beyond the far right corner. Parking is on the road behind the near goal end, with a pair of wooden dugouts on the right hand side and behind them the changing rooms, where toilets were available and there’s a tea bar too. Hot pasties were available from the community shop that adjoins the left hand side of the ground. The club are registered as St. Dominick, which is the historic spelling, but most signage refers to them minus the ‘k’ these days.

The match was 15th versus 9th in the league table, with nothing riding on it for the visitors. Despite sitting second bottom and with a minus 92 goal difference, St. Dominick can still save themselves, as they’re only a point adrift of third bottom (bottom two go down) Launceston Reserves, who’ve somehow got a worse goal difference! It soon became obvious why St. Dominick are struggling, as Boscastle totally overran them, shooting from distance at every opportunity. The visitors hit the bar with a long range effort early on, before a 25 yarder, straight over the ‘keeper’ opened the scoring after eleven minutes. Another 30 yarder hit the crossbar before a mere 25 yarder made it 0-2 midway through the half. An angled shot into the far corner, a corner kick that went straight in and a penalty, awarded for a trip, saw the visitors lead 0-5 at the break. The second half was more of the same and despite conceding again two minutes into the second half, St. Dominick did get on the score sheet just after the hour mark, poking the ball past a hesitant ‘keeper, following a long punt forward. The visitors added three more goals after this and despite the ninth coming with eight minutes left, the hosts somehow managed to avoid it reaching double figures.

Despite the defeat, St. Dominick can still avoid relegation as Launceston Reserves lost 0-6 later in the day, so the gap remains at three points, but St. Dominicks now have the worst goal difference of the two (-101 to -99) and have scored far fewer goals.