Not in the immediate future it seems, maybe long term.
Localish but I know there’s one or two other gasroomers around these parts (maybe @StevePeart ?) - on Friday night Bedford Town play Real Bedford for the first time ever in the Bedfordshire FA Senior Cup Final. Tickets in advance only if you’re interested. If I see anyone wearing Wycombe merch I’ll come over and say hello.
I can’t make that @NewStyleOfPlay but I look forward to your match report! I saw that the merger between the clubs was ‘cancelled’ last season, do you know if it may happen in the future?
Looks well and truly off the cards now - the gossip among the Town fans was that the merger was starting to look more like a takeover because Real wanted the ground.
I’ll provide a rundown of which leagues our local teams are in this season in the next week or so.
But with many seasons about to begin this or next weekend, it escaped my attention that the Combined Counties Division 1 is already up and running!
Newly promoted Maidenhead Town have got off to a flying start, winning both of their opening games. Langley are the fledgling leaders, with maximum points and a +10 GD!
Keith Scott’s Holmer Green will be hoping to mount a more concerted play-off push having ended last term on a high with a good run of form and a Challenge Cup win. They’ve won one, lost one so far.
For those craving some competitive action, the CCL Prem North kicks off on Saturday. Amersham Town host Easington Sports whilst Penn welcome Thatcham Town for their first ever match-up at Step 5 level.
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When I was refereeing, I hated refereeing at this time of year as we always had the “We are expected to play on a rock-hard pitch but we can’t play on a frozen pitch when its softer than this”
To be fair, they had a point…
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Thanks for doing this. Between you and @StevePeart we are well served!
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Wouldn’t fancy playing at Beacons Bottom at this stage of the season. It was very flinty at the best of times.
The only ground, where in the far right corner towards Radnage, your corner taker would dissappear from sight.
Hats off to Penn for making a dream start on their Step 5 debut. A healthy recorded crowd of 167 saw them triumph 3-1 at home to Thatcham Town. Also in the CCL Prem North, Burnham were the big winners on the opening day, thrashing Abingdon United 5-1. Amersham Town slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Easington Sports.
In the division below, Holmer Green held on for a 2-1 win at Deportivo Galicia. New sides Bovingdon and Maidenhead Town are currently leading the way in the CCL Div 1.
Back to Step 5 and in the Spartan South Mids Prem, Risborough Rangers kicked-off their league season with a 2-2 draw against Potton United. Aylesbury Vale Dynamoes were on the wrong end of a 4-3 scoreline at home to Sawbridgeworth Town.
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The grass is looking lush at Chesham.
I read that a bore hole has been dug to irrigate the pitch. This might be it.
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Sorry for turning this thread into a Penn-fest (groan) but the folk from French School Meadow are on quite a roll. Penn rolled over Holyport last night, running out 5-1 winners at Summerleaze. Another season of toil awaits the Maidenhead based side. In the same division, Amersham Town won a Bucks derby against Burnham (3-2).
And for those at a loose end on Saturday, Penn head to Beaconsfield Town for their first ever FA Cup tie. It’ll be a tricky test against higher-ranked opposition, on an artificial pitch. But who knows? I don’t recall seeing him the flesh but a chap named Aitor Andes Pasantes has already bagged 4 goals for PTGFC this season. Sounds like a Champ Man regen. But certainly has hearts racing in leafy South Bucks.
In the CCL Div 1, there was a midweek home defeat for Holmer Green, losing 3-1 to Belstone.
Over in the Spartan South Mids Prem, Risborough Rangers hammered Harpenden Town 4-1 whilst Aylesbury Vale lost 4-2 at Everett Rovers.
Selected FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round ties:
(All Saturday 8 August, 3pm ko)
Beaconsfield Town v Penn and Tylers Green
Burnham v Slimbridge
Holyport v Wallingford & Crowmarsh
Windsor & Eton v Bristol Manor Farm
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I was up Holmer Green for their game on Tuesday. Belstone were dominant first half and should have led by more. Holmer Green edged it second half and were unlucky to lose the half 2-1 for a final score of 1-3.
Wycombe tonight of course, but my nearest new ground in the FA Cup tomorrow which is in Lowestoft. Kirkley & Pakefield v Little Oakley for me, via some pubs in Norwich.
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Brick walls banned around football pitches after the tragic death of Billy Vigar last year. Going to be a lot of clubs needing to make changes. I know Flackwell Heath are one of those locally.
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Speaking of Flackwell, their FA Cup extra preliminary game tonight has been called off after floodlights failed due to a power cut, they were playing Aylesbury United, who are playing home games at Beaconsfield.
Aylesbury United v Flackwell Heath at Beaconsfield abandoned at HT due to a power cut, lights failed. Heathens were 1-0 up.
Did Chesham boot out the Ducks so that they can undertake their pitch renovations? Or is it a temporary thing? Either way, playing that far away from home is not ideal.
Annoying for Flackwell.
They are only playing at Beaconsfield because Chesham’s pitch either isn’t ready yet or they want to limit its useage
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Chesham pitch is some weeks off being ready.
Edit, the Ducks said early September is when they can start playing there.
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