Taff Ely & Rhymney Valley League

Premier Division

Monday 27th April 2026

Kick Off 18.00 Actual 17.58

Graig 0 Rhydyfelin Non Pol 4, attendance 67

55’ 0-1

77’ 0-2

84’ 0-3

87’ 0-4

@ Trehafod Park

Bridge Street

Trehafod

CF37 2NN

No Admission or Programme.

Graig normally play home games at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, where I’ve already seen a game, but I was tipped off that this was being played at Trehafod Park, in the next village up the valley towards Porth. The ground is sandwiched between the Rhondda River and the railway line, accessed via Bridge Street and then down a narrow access track, with a very small car park at the end. There’s a brick built changing room building behind the near goal, with the pitch fully enclosed with mesh fencing and despite giving the impression it’s a 3G cage, it’s actually a grass pitch and no problem watching from inside the fence. Just in case the football is dull, the scenery is anything but, with a different outlook on all four sides.

The match was 8th versus 5th in the league table and would complete all the fixtures in this division for this season. There was nothing riding on the game, bar the three points, although a win for the visitors would see them finish in third place. There was nothing end of season about it, with both teams going for the win. Graig had a goal ruled out for offside midway through the first half, but it was still goalless at the break. Ten minutes into the second half Rhydyfelin broke the deadlock, when a ball in from the right was flicked up and volleyed into the far corner. They didn’t grab the second goal until thirteen minutes from the end, which finally broke Graig’s resistance. Two more goals in the final six minutes made it look a more comfortable win than it was, with all four goals being quality finishes and all into the same corner of the net. An excellent game to start off the new week.

Apart from a two mile queue at a ‘police incident’ on the M4 between J16 and J17, it was a clear run heading west. With the game having kicked off a couple of minutes earlier than scheduled, followed by a short halftime interval, where everyone stayed on the pitch, we were done and dusted for 19.35, which meant a clear run home, beating all the roadworks!

Northern Ireland

Premier Intermediate League

Saturday 25th April 2026

Kick Off 15.00 On Time!

Strabane Athletic 1 Oxford Sunnyside 1, attendance 155

35’ 1-0

74’ 1-1

@ Melvin Sports Arena

Melvin Road

Strabane

BT82 9PP

£9 Admission

No Programme.

The journey from this morning’s game west to Strabane took around one and a half hours, taking a direct route that remained in a pretty straight line, taking in some very scenic views en route. Melvin Sports Complex is on the south side of the Mourne River from the town centre. It’s a pitch inside a cinder track, compounded by having a six lane sprinting track on the stand side. The stand itself has three rows of seating, with an open backed roof, so probably not that good when it rains and is flanked by six rows of open steps either side. There was a refreshment table set up just inside the entrance, with the changing rooms at the far end of the main viewing area. Grass banking runs along the far side, where the dugouts are, with mesh fencing running around the complex perimeter….perfect for the twenty or so free loaders to watch from!

Strabane are new into the Premier Intermediate League this season, having achieved the treble of Ballymena & Provincial Intermediate League, O’Gorman Cup and Crawford Cup in 2024/25. Oxford Sunnyside had won back to back Mid Ulster League titles before beating Strabane in a two legged play off to join the N.I.F.L. the season before, so there was recent history between the two clubs. Today’s match was 2nd versus 10th in the league table and was not a game to live too long in the memory, certainly not as far as the entertainment value, or lack of it, goes. Perhaps the hot weather didn’t help matters…we even had a drinks break midway through the first half! Strabane broke the deadlock ten minutes before halftime, when an Oisin Duffy strike found the bottom corner from just inside the box. They hit the crossbar seven minutes into the second half too, but failed to get a second goal, which would probably have killed the game off and were made to pay for it with sixteen minutes left, when a cross from wide on the right was missed by the ‘keeper and sent back over him with a looping header from Michael O’Connor that found the far corner.

The result was a blow to Strabane’s title hopes heading into the final games of the season and could even see them missing out on promotion too. Moyola Park lead the table by three points from second placed Dollingstown, with both having one game left. Strabane are one point further back, but do have one extra game to play than the top two, however, Newry City, Rathfriland Rangers and Ballymacash Rangers can still achieve second place too, so it will be an interesting last day of the season!

An overnight stay just south of Antrim, before catching the 09.55 EasyJet flight back to London Gatwick on Sunday morning, which left on time.

Northern Ireland

Ballymena Saturday Morning League

Division 3

Saturday 25th April 2026

Kick Off 10.15 On Time!

Ravel Rovers 0 Cullybackey Blues 6, attendance 26

8’ 0-1

13’ 0-2

22’ 0-3

37’ 0-4

52’ 0-5

60’ 0-6

@ Cargan Park

Glenravel Road

Cargan

BT43 6RE

No Admission or Programme.

Staying in Portrush, on the north coast of County Antrim, meant this morning kick off in the lowest division of the Ballymena Saturday Morning League fitted the bill perfectly for this morning’s action, despite being a forty minute drive in the wrong direction for my favoured afternoon game. Cargan Park is a single pitch venue, entered via a gap between the houses as you head north on the A43 Glenravel Road through the village, with a superb backdrop of the Glens of Antrim, which looked even better on a sunny day like this. There’s a small car park, that could only accommodate about a dozen cars, raised behind the near goal, with the changing rooms in the corner just beyond. There was access to all four sides of the pitch, with each teams ‘benches’ setting up opposite each other. The local petrol station was where the majority of the crowd got their refreshments and hot drinks, about fifty yards from the ground entrance.

The match was 11th versus 2nd in the league table, with the visitors taking an early lead and never really looking like being pegged back. The opener came after cutting in from the left before sending an angled shot into the far corner. A downward header at the far post saw them double their lead, before they made it 0-3 midway through the half, heading a cross back across the ‘keeper into the far corner for the No.9 Gary Glass to complete his hattrick. Ravel had an effort hit the post soon after, but a cross from the right saw a first time shot between the legs of the ‘keeper to make it 0-4 eight minutes before the break. Right on halftime Ravel had an effort saved by the visiting ‘keeper, with the follow up cleared off the line by a covering defender. Seven minutes into the second half Cullybackey added a fifth goal, finishing one on one after a ball over the top. They added number six on the hour mark, when a cross from the right was finished with a first time shot into the bottom corner. Somehow no more goals arrived in the last half an hour, despite both teams creating a number of good chances.

With everyone staying on the pitch at halftime, for a break of barely five minutes, this was all over by 11.51, leaving ample time for me to head westwards again for my afternoon match.

League of Ireland

Premier Division

Friday 24th April 2026

Kick Off 20.00 Actual 19.59

Derry City 1 Shamrock Rovers 0, attendance 7,104

26’ 1-0

@ Celtic Park

Lone Moor Road

Londonderry

BT48 9LA

£10 Admission, booked online

£3 Programme available, didn’t bother buying.

When I last saw Derry City play a home game, back in January 2001, it was at Brandywell Stadium, where I witnessed a dreadful 0-0 draw versus Longford Town. With the pitch there currently being replaced, they’re playing a number of home games at Celtic Park, home of Derry G.A.A. (Gaelic Athletic Association), which hasn’t hosted association football since the 1940’s. It’s less than 200 yards from their regular home and holds around 18,500. There are seats along one side, with open terrace behind one goal (not in use tonight) and along one touchline. The other end has the changing rooms and a small viewing area, with food and drink outlets in the car park at the rear. Tickets were not on sale on the day, but no problem buying them online and nice to not be charged any additional add on fees when doing so. I managed to grab street parking just off Brandywell Road, under ten minutes walk away, which aided a reasonably quick getaway afterwards.

The ground was impressive, even with parts closed off and the novelty of playing at the G.A.A. Stadium drew a crowd of 7,104. The atmosphere was disappointing, especially as it was 5th versus 1st in the league table and at no time could the away fans be heard, not that they had too much to shout about. Shamrock did see a thirty yarder come back off the crossbar after twenty minutes, but six minutes later Derry grabbed what turned out to be the winning goal, when a corner from the right was headed back across the six yard box, with two strikers failing to make contact, before James Clarke sent the ball back into the far corner, despite falling backwards as he made contact. The second half saw a Derry free kick clawed away off the line seven minutes in and the game slowly petered out from there. Derry didn’t need to do anything and Shamrock just looked incapable of producing anything in the attacking third.

Northern Ireland

Premier Intermediate League

Thursday 23rd April 2026

Kick Off 18.45 Actual 18.48

Coagh United 1 Rathfriland United 3, attendance 121

51’ 0-1

62’ 0-2

72’ 1-2

74’ 1-3

@ Hagan Park

11 Ballinderry Bridge Road

Coagh

BT80 0BR

£9 Admission

No Programme.

A few days away, ticking off a few grounds in Northern Ireland, began with the 0825 EasyJet flight from London Gatwick to Belfast International, which left 25 minutes late. First up was a game in the Premier Intermediate League, which is tier three of the pyramid, in the town of Coagh, just west of Lough Neagh. The ground here at Hagan Park has very little parking, but no problem using the road outside. The social club is in the corner of the car park, before you go inside the entrance gate. There is a seated stand on the near side, with a tea bar at the far end, with the changing rooms towards the corner. There’s a raised section of cover on the far side, with a row of bench seating at the back, with the dugouts in front.

The match was 12th versus 6th in the league table, which produced a dull first half that came as no surprise to remain goalless at the break. When Rathfriland broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half, with an angled shot into the far corner, it opened the game up. Just after the hour mark they doubled their lead, when their ‘keeper made a point blank save and the ball was cleared downfield, ending with the ball being smashed low into the far corner from the edge of the box. With eighteen minutes left Coagh pulled a goal back, when from defending a corner, they broke away down the right before crossing to the far post where the ball was swept in from close range. The comeback was short lived though, as two minutes later Rathfriland restored their two goal lead, with a ball over the top that was cut back into the box and finished with a toe poke past the ‘keeper.

The result leaves Coagh in twelfth place, but Rathfriland move up into fourth and still in with a chance finishing as runners up.

Bedfordshire County League

Division 4

Wednesday 22nd April 2026

Kick Off 18.15 Actual 18.22

Meltis Rangers 3 Catsbrook Wanderers 0, attendance 11

48’ 1-0

60’ 2-0

62’ 3-0

@ Meltis Sports & Social Club

Miller Road

Bedford

MK42 9PB

No Admission or Programme.

There are two pitches here at Meltis Sports & Social Club, with this played on the pitch to the left when looking from the building, running parallel with the railway line that backs onto the far side of the ground.

This was a mid table game, with nothing riding on it, bar the three points, as 8th hosted 7th in the table. It was very hard fought, on a dry pitch that sounded very hard, judging by the clomping of studs in quite a few areas. The nearest we came to a goal in the first half was when Meltis hit the crossbar after twenty minutes. Three minutes into the second half the hosts broke the deadlock, intercepting a back pass intended for the ‘keeper and rolling the ball in unchallenged. They doubled their lead on the hour mark, with a 20 yarder into the bottom corner and rounded off the scoring two minutes later, when a corner from the left was met with a stooping header at the near post. Catsbrook thought they’d scored a consolation goal late on, but it was disallowed for a handball.

Despite kicking off seven minutes later than scheduled, a short halftime, where everyone stayed on the pitch, meant it was finished by 20.03. Outbound saw the usual M25 snarl up from J13 to J17, but the return journey was trouble free and home for 21.25.

Hampshire Premier League

Senior Division

Tuesday 21st April 2026

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.34

Denmead 5 Southsea Sports 2, attendance 40

1’ 1-0

11’ 2-0

26’ 2-1

33’ 2-2

45’ + 1, 3-2

63’ 4-2

71’ 5-2

@ Thirty Two Acres

Eastern Road

Farlington

PO6 1UN

No Admission or Programme.

The Thirty Two Acres complex is at the end of a lane leading off Eastern Road, sandwiched between the railway line and the A27. There are a number of pitches here, with the main one just beyond the changing rooms/clubhouse (tea bar open throughout). It’s railed off, with wire mesh infills and a pair of wooden dugouts on the far side.

The match was 8th versus 13th (out of 16) in the league table. Denmead got off to a flying start, opening the scoring in under a minute, with a low shot into the far corner. They doubled their lead after ten minutes, when a poor clearance by the visiting’ keeper was returned with a 30 yard daisy cutter that went in off the post. Seven minutes later they had the chance to score a third goal, but a penalty was hit high over the crossbar. A ball over the top was lobbed over the ‘keeper for Southsea to pull a goal back after twenty six minutes and seven minutes later they drew level, after a corner was cleared,but sent back over the ‘keeper from 25 yards. A minute into stoppage time at the end of the first half Denmead regained the lead, when a striker chased down a long clearance by his ‘keeper and just reached the ball ahead of the Southsea ‘keeper and managed to head the ball over him. When they made it 4-2 just after the hour mark, side footing home a cross from the right at the far post, the points were secured. Their fifth goal came nineteen minutes from the end, latching onto a through ball before rounding the ‘keeper and rolling it into the empty net.

It was a clear run down the A3, with just a six minute delay getting past Guildford. No delays coming back and home just before 21.30. That completes the top division of this league once again.

Thames Valley Premier League

Division 1

Monday 20th April 2026

Kick Off 18.00 Actual 18.36

Hype Train 2 Marlow United 4, attendance 10

6’ 1-0

19’ 1-1

43’ 1-2

52’ 2-2

57’ 2-3

82’ 2-4 (pen)

@ Calcot Recreation Ground

Highview

Calcot

RG31 4XD

No Admission or Programme.

Hype Train normally play home games on the 3G pitch at Waingels College, but some sort of problem with the changing rooms means they’re temporarily using Calcot Recreation Ground. It’s just a pitch in a huge field, about 200 yards from the changing rooms and car park. I’d confirmed venue and kick off time via the away club, who advised the kick off would probably be closer to 18.30 than the advertised 18.00. We eventually got underway at 18.36, but on a nice sunny evening fading light wasn’t going to be a problem.

The match was 7th versus 6th in the league table, with both well clear of the relegation zone and very unlikely to grab a promotion place, although the latter is not mathematically impossible. With no real pressure on either side, it produced a very entertaining match, with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. Hype Train took an early lead, after a quickly taken throw in saw a looping shot over the ‘keeper that found the far corner. Marlow levelled after nineteen minutes, lobbing the ‘keeper from the angle of the 18 yard box and went in front two minutes before halftime, when a through ball was finished with a lob over the ‘keeper from just inside the box. Hype Train had a player sin binned five minutes into the second half, but then grabbed an equaliser a couple of minutes later, chasing a through ball down the left before cutting inside the full back and beating the ‘keeper low inside the near post. Marlow then had a shot cleared off the line, but soon made advantage of their extra man by making it 2-3, with a shot fired high into the roof of the net after a corner wasn’t properly cleared. Once back to full strength the hosts were unable to force an equaliser and the visitors wrapped the game up by scoring from a penalty with eight minutes left.

Unusually, no traffic problems in either direction, going M25 and M4 outbound and returning via Bracknell and M3.

Mid Sussex League

Championship Division

Saturday 18th April 2026

Kick Off 14.00 On Time!

Wivelsfield Green 1 Cuckfield Town 3, attendance 22

10’ 0-1

23’ 1-1

24’ 1-2

68’ 1-3

@ The Arc Centre for Outdoor Sport, Pitch 4

West End Farm Avenue

Burgess Hill

BN6 9HH

No Admission or Programme.

After clocking up a fair few miles in midweek, it was nice to get a local game in today and at a recently opened venue. I’d sent a text to the home club, which was returned as a phone call from their very helpful secretary, confirming that the game was going ahead okay and that it was on a grass pitch at The Arc Centre (there’s also a new 3G pitch here), rather than at their normal home venue in Bolney, where the pitch is currently unplayable. The game was played on Pitch 4, which is to the left of driveway/car park as you enter the complex. The changing room building is further on, adjacent to two 3G pitches (one football, one rugby), but I didn’t venture this far.

It was 6th versus 3rd in the league table, both in with a chance of picking up one of the promotion places behind champions elect Hurstpierpoint. Cuckfield went ahead after ten minutes, when a ball cut back from the right was finished at the far post. Wivelsfield levelled midway through the half, when a corner from the right was headed down and flicked past the ‘keeper from a couple of yards out. Straight from the restart the visitors regained the lead, when a ball through the middle was finished low past the ‘keeper. The second half was end to end, with the hosts hitting the crossbar just after the hour mark, before the visitors made it 1-3 with just over twenty minutes left, when a corner from the right was knocked down and hooked in right in front of the ‘keeper. A sin bin five minutes later extinguished any hopes of a home come back and the visitors comfortably held on to take all three points. It sees them move up to second in the table with one game left to play. Both AFC Uckfield Town Reserves and Sovereign Saints could still pip them though, as they still have a game in hand and are trailing by two and four points respectively.