Non-League and Academy football writer

At step 7 of the Middlesex League, in the Premier Division, there were five matches taking place. One of those matches came from Hackney Marshes (on the show pitch), as Camden & Islington United faced Hilltop Reserves. Goals from Josh Gruby, Ansumana Njai, and Ryan Pickles (he got a hat-trick of goals), helped Camden & Islington United to a convincing 5-2 win. Another north London side, Camden United were in action at the New River Stadium, on Saturday afternoon. In good recent form, Camden United won 2-1 (the inform Matheus Santana, and Harold Ake got Camden United’s goals) against Eagles Land Cricklewood, to pick up their sixth league win of the season, and to keep them in (it’s still early days!) with a chance of challenging the top teams in the league, for the Premier Division title this season.

Kodak (Harrow) recorded back to back league victories for the first time this season, with them winning 2-1 at home to Kensington Dragons, on Saturday. Goals from Anthony Gomez and Kean Graver would help Kodak to get the win, and move them up to tenth place in the league standings. I think that Kodak (they’ve played eight league games so far this season) will continue to push up the league table during the remainder of 2024. In their 11th league match of the 2024/25 season, Pitshanger Dynamo would pick up their first win of the season, and first points on the board. They won 3-1 against Stonewall FC, on Saturday at Brentham Club. This is a big win for Pitshanger, as the defending league champions look to move up the league standings, away from the bottom of the table.

The final game in the Premier Division on Saturday afternoon, came from east London (at the Terence McMillan Stadium) as Soccer Stars Fennecs recorded a big 3-2 win over London Tigers. At step 8 of the Middlesex League, I was at a Division One (East & Central) local derby between Alexandra Knights and FC Wood Green, and you can read my in-depth match report of that game (https://nonleagueandacademyfootballwriter.co.uk/2024/11/24/alexandra-knights-fc-0-5-fc-wood-green-my-match-report-from-edmonton-county-school/). FC Wood Green would win this fixture 5-0, and in doing so they would pick up their first league points of this season. In the same division, FC Marylebone would continue their fine league form, with a 6-1 home win over Stonewall Reserves. At Hackney Marshes, Hackney Wick Reserves would lose 2-1 at home to Camden & Islington United Reserves. And at Ark Burlington Danes Academy, LBS Lions won 4-1 against Soccer Stars Fennecs Ascenders. With the league leaders’ goals coming from Izaak Jones Sajovic-Crosland, Fabio Amann-Fernandez, Antonio Magalhaes-Deccahe, and Valeri Stefano.

In the Division One (South & West), AFC Southall drew 4-4 with Hayes Town, at the Brunel University Sports Complex. At Feltham Rugby Club, Feltham FC lost 5-3 to third placed West London Athletic, and at Springwest Academy, SL Benfica B recorded a big 1-0 home league victory over Sporting Duet Academy. Kyron Malachi Marcano got the only goal of the game for SL Benfica B, who now have their third league win of the season. From the Division One (North & West) there were four games taking place in that division on Saturday. Brook House Reserves would win 4-3 away to Celtic (1995), at Cardinal Wiseman School. In one of two matches taking place at London Tigers Sports Complex, Bloomsbury FC impressively won 8-0 against Hillside AFC. Nathan Mandla and Louis Warnes both got hat-tricks in that game, for the division’s second placed side.

Also in the Division One (North & West), FH Whistlers recorded a 4-1 away win over Portobello, and Wood Lane’s really good unbeaten start to the season continued, with them winning 5-4 against Bessingby Park Rangers, at London Tigers Sports Complex. Among the goal-scorers for Wood Lane, was Mohamed-Amin Astan, who now has three league goals from five appearances so far this season. At step 9 of the Middlesex League (The  Russell Grant Division 2) league leaders Eastcote British Legion won 6-1 against Kodak (Harrow) Reserves, as they made it eight wins out of nine in the division, so far this season. The goals for Eastcote British Legion came from Joe Worsley-Hanson (he got a brace of goals), Thomas Hunt (he scored a hat-trick), and Alfie Hayes.

In what was another high scoring game of football in The Russell Grant Division 2, Southall Athletic beat Elite Football Club London 9-3, at home. And Wiseman West lost 9-4 at home to London Saracens, at Cranford Community College. Step 7 to step 9 sides of the Middlesex League who were competing in cup competitions on Saturday, are as follows. After being level at 2-2 after 90 minutes (Hervan Volney and Ebrima Cham got Jolof Sports’ goals), Jolof Sports won 5-3 on penalties against Essex Olympian League side Shenfield Association, to progress to round two of this season’s Anagram Records Trophy, in what was a good win for Danny Brissett’s side. In the first of six Middlesex County FA Intermediate Cup third round ties involving Middlesex League sides, Brentham faced amateur side Wilberforce Wanderers, away. And Brentham would win 3-2 against the former Middlesex League side.

Also in the third round of the Middlesex County FA Intermediate Cup, step 9 side Townmead would impressively beat CB Hounslow & Abbots A 3-2 at Riching’s Park Sports & Social Club. After being level at 3-3 after 90 minutes, Ruislip Town beat Harrow United 4-2 on penalties, and SL Benfica recorded a 5-0 win over step 8 side Ickenham. Step 8 side Westminster & Kensington dominated their cup-tie against Indian Gymkhana Club (away) on Saturday. However, the Division One (East & Central) side were very unfortunate to lose this match late on, 1-0. And finally, Southern Amateur League side Actonians Association won 4-2 on penalties (it was 4-4 after 90 minutes) against step 8 side Harrow Bhoys. Next Saturday my Middlesex Football League game of the week is in the Premier Division, as Shepherds Bush face Hayes & Hillingdon, in what should be a very good game of football.