Non-League and Academy football writer

It was a good week for Premier Division sides of the Middlesex County Football League, in county cup competitions in midweek of last week. On Tuesday evening in the first round of this seasons Middlesex FA Premier Cup, Eagles Land Cricklewood recorded an impressive 2-1 home victory over step 6 side Enfield Borough. Then on Wednesday night, Premier Division side Camden United came from 2-0 down to get their Middlesex FA Premier Cup tie with step 6 side London Samurai Rovers to 2-2. They went on to win the tie on penalties, as Leon Louis’ side did ever so well to progress into round two of that competition.

On to the Premier Division action on Saturday, and at Wembley FC Eagles Land Cricklewood won 3-0 at home to Kodak (Harrow), as they returned to winning ways in the league. Sporting Duet Academy are the only Premier Division team to remain unbeaten in the league, as they won 3-2 away to Harrow United, on Saturday. A goal from Ramy Rouighi helped London Fennecs to an important 1-0 away win over Hayes & Hillingdon, at Uxbridge FC. That win for London Fennecs lifts them up to first place in the Premier Division table, after six league wins from seven league matches played.

Larkspur Rovers’ great form continued, with the west London club winning 5-2 away to Indian Gymkhana Club. And at London Marathon Community Track, Stonewall also continued their fine form, as they won 4-1 at home to PFC Victoria London Reserves. Kieran Dobbs, Loic Marcon, and Shane McCullough (x2) got Stonewall’s goals on the day. Eric Najib’s side are now tied on points with top of the table London Fennecs, after seven league games played, and third place Eagles Land Cricklewood.

Wood Lane won 2-1 at home to Kensington Dragons in the final Premier Division fixture taking place on Saturday, with Yusuf Khalaf and Jay Hines getting their goals on the day. In Division One East Apollo London made it two wins from two in the league, with an empathic 7-2 home win over Bloomsbury. In the same division Edgware & Kingsbury Reserves and FC Marylebone played out a 2-2 draw, and there was a big win for Soccer Stars Ascenders, who bounced back from their league cup defeat during the previous Saturday, with a 7-2 away league win over FC Wood Green. At Club Des Sports, Hackney Wick Reserves beat LBS Lions Reserves 3-1. 

In Division One West Explorers won 3-2 against Townmead, and Ruislip Town and Hayes Town played out a 2-2 draw. In the same division AFC Southall won 7-0 away to Uxbridge Athletic. To Division One Central now, and starting with the Harrow Bhoys versus Brent United match. Sam Brown’s Harrow Bhoys side would win that game 2-1, as they continued their fine start to the season. At London Tigers Sports Complex Bessingby Park Rangers also continued their good start to the season, with a Chase Lecky goal helping them to a 1-0 win away win over London Tigers. And Ruislip Rangers made it four wins from four in all competitions, as they won 4-2 against Celtic (1995), at home.

In the only match taking place in The Russell Grant Division 2, Inv3ntive won 4-3 against Feltham Reserves. There were two matches taking place in The Jeff Nardin & Combination Division. Kodak (Harrow) 3rds won 4-1 at home to The Isleworth, and Old Isleworthians Reserves won 7-2 away to OHM Sports. On to cup competitions involving Middlesex County League sides, and in the AFA Minor Cup first round, after a 2-2 draw in normal time, Old Isleworthians won 4-3 on penalties against Actonians Association 5ths.

There was a great win for Hilltop Reserves, who beat Tooting & Mitcham Under 23s 3-2 (away) in a first round tie of this seasons London County FA Senior Trophy. Hilltop Reserves will face step 6 side Tooting Bec, in the next round of that prestigious competition. In the same competition AFC Cubo won 5-0 against Camden & Islington United. In the first round of the London County FA Junior Cup, SAL Senior Division 1 side Hammersmith won 6-0 against Division One East side Stonewall Reserves.

There were nine matches involving Middlesex County League sides, in first round ties of this seasons Middlesex County FA Junior Cup. At Cranford Community College AFC Heathrow lost 9-0 to Hammersmith & Kensington. R F Elite won 3-0 against Hounslow Lions, SAL side Finchley & Islington won 10-2 against West London Wanderers, and Casual Ballerz won 7-1 at home to CB Hounslow & Abbots 3rds. Additionally Feltham Town returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Kensington Dragons Blues, and Wiseman West beat FC Sunbury 6-0. Further first round results saw FH Whistlers Originals win 4-0 against Indian Gymkhana Club Reserves, Whitton won 6-1 against Middlesex County League side Sudbury Court, and Heston lost on penalties to last seasons finalists, CB Hounslow & Abbots Senior Reserves, after drawing 1-1 with them in regulation time.

In the only second round tie of The Alec Smith Premier Division Cup, Camden United made it a great week, by beating LBS Lions 4-1 at Club Des Sports. In round one ties of The Jim Rogers President’s Division One Cup, CB Hounslow & Abbots A won 1-0 away to Feltham, to make it into round two. After a 3-3 draw between London Athletic and Camden & Islington United Development, it was Luca Malagigi’s Camden & Islington United Development side who won this tie 5-4 on penalties. Finally, there was an eventful 4-4 draw between Barnes and Brentham, with Barnes progressing into round two on penalties (4-2).

On Saturday my Middlesex County Football League game of the week is a Division One East fixture, between Camden & Islington United Development and Apollo London. This game at Regents Park, sees two teams who have made good starts to the season face each other, in what should be a really good game of football. And I will be covering this game on my blog on Saturday.