The weather had some effect on fixtures last weekend, but credit to all of the clubs and ground staff who did all they possibly could to get games on. I did a video call with Hungerford Town Reserves on Friday afternoon/evening when a late downpour put paid to all their efforts to get their game on v Eversley & California Reserves.!
The Isuzu FA Vase Third Round where we had 3 clubs still involved only produced one result which saw Cinderford Town going down 4-0 away to AFC Stoneham. The other two games – Hallen V Hamworthy Recreation and Slimbridge v Amesbury Town go again this Saturday. All the best to Hallen and Slimbridge.
In the UHL Premier Division on Saturday, we lost 3 games to the weather. Roman Glass St George took advantage of Slimbridge being involved in the Vase by returning to top spot with a 3-0 win over Cirencester Town. Droitwich Spatravelled to Fairford Town and despite being 1-0 down, then 2-0 down, came back to equalize and then scored a 93rd minute winner to claim all 3 points. Tuffley Roversproduced a stunning display to win 4-0 at home v 5th placed Worcester Raiders, Royal Wootton Bassett Town climbed out of the bottom three with a 1-0-win v Pershore Town, Highworth Town and Mangotsfield United shared the spoils with a 0-0 draw.
In UHL Division One on Saturday, we only lost 1 game to the weather. Wantage Town took over top spot with FC Stratford’s game being postponed and did it in style winning 8-1 v Woodford United; there were hattricks for Josh Davis and Luke Whelan. Bewdley Town won 3-0 v Clanfield 85, Redditch Borough travelled to Wellingtonand won 3-2, Newent Town travelled to Brimscombe & Thrupp and lost 2-1, Stonehouse Town continued their march up the table and won 4-1 at home to Thame United Reserves, Shortwood United won 2-1 at home to Cheltenham Saracens in a rain swept game, Malmesbury Victoria and Ludlow Town drew 2-2 and Cartertontravelled to Alcester Town and won 1-0.
All scheduled games in Alliance East and Alliance Westwere postponed.
The scheduled Batemans Sports Alliance (Chairmans) Challenge Cup game was also postponed.
In the Vets we had 5 League Cup games on Wednesday evening with wins for Watlington Town Wanderers Vets, Didcot Town Old Boys Vets, Goring United Vets and Penn & Tylers Green Vets with a draw between Woodley United Vets and Faringdon Town Vets.
The League Exec have been holding some respect meetings with UHL Premier Division and UHL Division One teams who have breached the respect marks during the first half of the season over the past couple of weeks. These all went well and action plans are now in place at the various clubs to address this. Hopefully this will address the matter.
With a better looking forecast for the next few days, fingers crossed we get plenty of football played,
All the best,
Ian