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.

South of Scotland League

Wednesday 6th May 2026

Kick Off 19.00 On Time!

Lochmaben 1 Abbey Vale 1, attendance 92

16’ 0-1 (pen)

45’ 1-1

@ Whitehills Park

Whitehills Avenue

Lochmaben

DG11 1QP

£4 Admission

No Programme.

The trip to Scotland was rounded off by taking in this game at Lochmaben, which was en route home anyway and even better, it completed the South of Scotland League for me.

Lochmaben play at Whitehills Park, in the east of the town, which is just to the west of the A74(M). There’s a small car park as you enter from a narrow lane off Whitehills Avenue, with the pitch running lengthways in front of you. The changing room building is on the right hand touchline and has a small overhang on the front and also houses a tea bar. The pitch is fenced along each side, with the far side, where the dugouts are, having advert boards acting as infills. Grass banking runs along this side and extends behind the goals at both ends, whilst scenic views and farmland act as a backdrop.

This match brought down the curtain for this league’s fixtures, with 7th hosting 6th in the table and apart from the visitors being able to finish one place higher than they started the day if they were to win, there wasn’t much riding on it. It didn’t stop both teams putting on a decent display though and the game was in the balance right up to the final whistle. Abbey Vale went ahead after sixteen minutes, converting a penalty that was awarded for a push in the back. Lochmaben equalised right on halftime, when a long ball forward was finished first time into the bottom corner from just inside the box. There was a clash of heads involving two home players midway through the second half, resulting in nine minutes of stoppage time at the end of the game. Three minutes into this, Abbey Vale saw a header tipped around the post and from the resulting corner a header that went narrowly over the crossbar. In the dying seconds Lochmaben had a shot tipped onto the crossbar and the final whistle blew as the ball was hacked clear by a defender.

Having stayed overnight nearby, it was a drive back south the following morning, which took exactly six hours, including a couple of stops.

West of Scotland League

Premier Division

Tuesday 5th May 2026

Kick Off 19.30 Actual 19.32

Rutherglen Glencairn 0 Auchinleck Talbot 1, attendance 235

38’ 0-1 (pen)

@ Hamish B Allan Stadium (New Southcroft Park)

69 Toryglen Road

Rutherglen

G73 1HZ

£10 Admission

No Programme.

I’d seen Rutherglen Glencairn play at home back in October 2006, in what was their penultimate game at their former home ground Southcroft Park, where they beat Irvine Victoria 3-1 in a West of Scotland Cup 1st Round match. That ground was lost to the M74 extension, with the club getting a new ground just south of the former site, to the south of the motorway and the railway line that runs behind the north goal end. The car park and changing rooms are behind the south goal end, as is the tea bar that sells the normal fayre you’d expect at a Scottish non-league ground. They did a roaring trade, helped by the bloke in front of me in the queue whose bill came to £39 (yes thirty nine), as he was buying for a few of his mates too. On the left touchline there’s a covered piece of terrace behind the dugouts, flanked by three steps that run to the corners. Opposite are another three steps that run the full length of the pitch, with a small bit of cover at the halfway line. There’s spectator access on all four sides as well as four floodlight pylons down each touchline.

As with my game in this league on Saturday, it involved two clubs who’ve won the Scottish Junior Cup. Rutherglen have four wins, as well as three runners up achievements, whilst visitors Auchinleck have the best record of any club, appearing in seventeen finals and they’ve won fourteen of them, with no other club managing more than five! Rutherglen came into this sitting second bottom in the league table, but have no relegation fears due to the Lowland League restructuring at the end of this season. Auchinleck, on the other hand, are going for the title, despite coming into this in third place in the table. They’d lost the League Cup Final to leaders Troon on Sunday, going down 0-1 to a late goal at Broadwood Stadium, having been down to ten men late in the first half, but are still on for a double, as they’ve also got the Scottish Junior Cup Final versus Largs Thistle to come at the end of the month.

Rutherglen certainly made the visitors work hard for this, although not so much from threatening to score, but being very hard to break down and defending resolutely from the off. The visitors did create a few chances, but just couldn’t get a final touch when it mattered. In the end it was a penalty that separated the two teams and came seven minutes before halftime, when a striker cut inside from the right before being scythed down just inside the box and Ewan Turner gave the ‘keeper no chance from the spot. The goal was well received by the large away following, who made up around half the crowd.

After tonight’s games the top of the table now sees Troon on 61 points (2 to play), Cumnock Juniors on 60 points (3 to play) and Auchinleck on 57 points (5 to play). Next game in this division is on Thursday evening….when Auchinleck host Cumnock!

Above : Auchinleck net the winner from the penalty spot.

Caledonian League

Premier Division

Monday 4th May 2026

Kick Off 19.00 Actual 19.01

Drumchapel Amateurs 4 Strathclyde University 1, attendance 47

13’ 0-1

27’ 1-1

42’ 2-1

71’ 3-1

83’ 4-1

@ Glenhead Park

Farm Road

Duntocher

G81 6HF

No Admission or Programme.

Having been in Campbeltown yesterday and planning on doing a game near Glasgow tomorrow night, this re-visit, after a gap of nearly nineteen years, slotted in well with the schedule. The last time I was here, was for the ground sharers at the time Clydebank, who lost on penalties to Petershill in a S.J.F.A. West Region Cup Winner’s Cup Preliminary Round tie, after a 1-1 draw in ninety minutes. Tonight was a game involving the normal home club, Drumchapel Amateurs, who were top of the league coming into this game, boasting a 100% winning record from their ten games played, whilst Strathclyde University were propping up the table, managing just one win and one draw from their games.

The ground was much as I remembered, with just the one side accessible to spectators, although the steps under the cover looked rather new, so maybe they’ve been relaid since my last visit. The near goal end acts as a car park, with the two storey clubhouse/changing room building in the corner. The far side has grass banking, which runs round behind the far goal and there’s a dugout on each touch line.

Strathclyde University got off to a great start, hitting an unstoppable shot past the ‘keeper from the edge of the D after thirteen minutes. Drumchapel levelled just before the half hour mark, when a quick break and cross from the right was tapped in at the far post. Three minutes before halftime the hosts went in front, when a long throw in was headed in from six yards. The second half saw Drumchapel have an early shot deflected onto the crossbar and have a goal disallowed for offside, before making it 3-1 with nineteen minutes left, juggling the ball up before sending a shot high into the roof of the net. Strathclyde had a chance to get straight back into it, but saw a penalty well saved by the home ‘keeper, before Drumchapel made the game safe with seven minutes left, when a corner was cleared to the edge of the box, but returned with a volley that gave the ‘keeper no chance. A couple of minutes later the visitors hit the crossbar with a header, but the hosts deservedly took the three points as they march on towards the title.