Match 34
November 4th 2023
FA Cup
Chesham United v Maidstone United 0-2 att 2984
A decent start from both sides at a packed Chesham United, chances from both come early and the Stones bar is hit once, however on 12 minutes Sole curled a low delivery towards Aransibia who guided the ball into the bottom left hand corner 0-1. The same combination almost added a second on 20 minutes, as Stones pushed up looking for a second goal. On the half hour Chesham hit the post as Andrade's free kick found Casey who hit the woodwork from his header. On 40 minutes a great save from Covolan the Stones custodian as Edwards did well to fight off Stones defenders before forcing the save. On 50 minutes a ball from Bone on the left just needed a tap in by Wanjau-Smith but he couldn't get there with his slide. Substitutions made broke the game a little but on 73 minutes Aransibia curled the ball towards the 6 yard box and Amantchi brilliantly volleyed home from close range 0-2. Chesham pushed up as further substitutions were made but created very little for Covolan to save and the full timers won 0-2.

Match 35
November 5th
Championship
Watford Women v Crystal Palace Women 0-2 att 295
It was Palace that opened the Watford defence early as a poor defensive pass saw Sharpe intercept to put Hughes through and she tapped home having rounded Goldsmid the Watford custodian 0-1. Hughes fired just over the crossbar as she breached the home defence again minutes later, and Nolan fired across the face of Watford goal a few minutes on. Watfords first effort was a 32nd minute effort by Head well saved by Lambourne the Palace custodian. On 40 minutes Goldsmid saved from Sharpe twice in succession, but on 42 minutes a cross from Sharpe found Hughes totally unmarked to powerfully head home 0-2. Two minutes later a thunderous 25 yard shot from Guyana flew into the Watford net 0-3. On 52 minutes a Baptiste effort was saved by Lambourne, and on 65 minutes a Johns volley is tipped just over via the crossbar as Watford were pushing up. A number of substitutes were made by both teams and Goldsmid provided a good save from a Hopcroft free kick. On 70 minutes Baptiste fired a shot against the Palace post, but despite the constant threats from Watford the score remained 0-3.

Match 36
November 11th 2023
Combined Counties
Broadfields United v Chalfont St Peter 1-2 att 70
A first half of missed placed passes and superb goalkeeping by Clark the Chalfont custodian saw the half end at 0-0. On 69 minutes Holland was fouled in the penalty area and Spinks slotted home 1-0. Chalfont then come into the match pushed upo looking for an equaliser and on 73 minutes a ball into the United penalty area saw Shaw drop the ball and McGarvie headed home for the equaliser 1-1. Both teams then went for the winner with chances coming from both, but in the last minute a free kick saw a ball into the Broadfields penalty area and Hodgins head home from the right totally unmarked 1-2.

Match 37
November 18th 2023
FA Trophy
Bath City v Beaconsfield Town 1-0 att 1000
The match saw Town in the ascendancy with an opening header on goal after 5 minutes saved by Buse the Bath custodian, and 4 minutes later Rowley the Beaconsfield custodian saved from Wilson close in. On 20 minutes Buse saved a Cody effort going over the crossbar and on 25 minutes a Morrison effort was superbly stopped by Buse. On the half hour a Driver ball saw Cody fire just wide. Minutes later a Thomas effort also came close going just wide of Rowley. Just before half time it was Scott with a superb effort that swept past Buse 1-0. Their were very few even half chances until a Raynes effort was saved by Rowley on 76 minutes whilst substitutions broke up the play on a regular basis a late effort from Thomas was stopped by Rowley ensuring the score remained at 1-0.

Match 38
November 21st 2023
Euro 24
Wales v Turkey
Our last visit to see Wales was the Ukraine match so this was appropriate as a last group match on a cold night in Cardiff. An even early start as both teams looked at each others style of play and the opening goal came on 7 minutes Wilson turned into a space down the middle and sprayed a pass wide left for Williams, who dropped a shoulder opened up his body and steered an unstoppable curler into the bottom right 1-0. Turkey came into the match but Broadhead and Wilson were running the Turkish defence ragged, whilst Davies and Johnson both had decent efforts on goal well saved by Cakir the Turkish custodian. On 35 minutes a Johnson header came close to adding a second goal. Minutes later Özkacar crossed from the right. Yazici flicked on, and Aktürko blazed over from six yards. With Croatia 1-0 up in the other match the crowd were very much subdued, on the hour Celik and Sari began to come into the match down the left for Turkey, and on 70 minutes a foul by Davies on Yildiz saw the penalty awarded and Yazici shot to the bottom right sending Ward the wrong way 1-1. Substitutes were made by both sides and despite the effort from Wales Turkey held out resulting in a 1-1 draw.

Match 39
December 2nd 2023
Southern League
Harrow Borough v Gosport Borough
Match postponed Frozen Pitch

Southern League
AFC Dunstable v Thame United
Match postponed Frozen Pitch

National League
Brackley Town v Boston United 2-1 att 641
A 5 minutes late arrival after 35 miles travel on relatively clear roads, but at least the match was on. Upon only my second visit to St James Park on a cold afternoon with some fog, a long throw from O'Sullivan and a Lilly shot was flashed into the top corner of the Boston net on 10 minutes 1-0. Five minutes later and Roberts made no mistake 2-0. Brackley were well in control and on 20 minutes Newton powered a header that’s saved, the rebound fell to Gudger who shot but it hit the post and rebounded into the arms of Gregory the Boston custodian. On 33 minutes Knowles flashed a shot just over the Brackley crossbar, and a minute later a run down the left wing from Caulder saw O'Sullivan flash blocked. Two minutes later Caulder saw his cross headed just over the Boston crossbar by Roberts. On 47 minutes Nicholson went forward and scored for Boston beating Lewis the Brackley custodian 2-1. The second half on 50 minutes a Roberts shot was saved by Gregory and shortly after Newton saw his header saved by Gregory. A number of substitutes were made but Brackley were still pushing up looking for a third goal and on 76 minutes a Gudger shot was just over the Boston crossbar. On 85 minutes a good effort from a free kick flashed wide of the Brackley posts but the score remained 2-1.

Match 40
December 9th 2023
FA Trophy
Barnet v Maidstone United 4-0 att 636
A dull windy cold afternoon saw the home team start so much better than FA Cup heroes Maidstone. An early Kanu shot flew over the Stones crossbar, on 20 minutes a Idris back heel found Kabamba whos effort was saved by Covolan the Maidstone custodian. On the half hour a Kanu cross saw Fowler head home an own goal 1-0. On 40 minutes with Barnet still pressing a Kabamba effort was saved but the rebound lands in the Maidstone net 2-0 and just before half time a Kabamba header went just over the Stones crossbar. Then right on half time Kabamba rounded Covolan to slot home a third goal 3-0. On 55 minutes Abraham was red carded for Maidstone, with Barnet still pressing a corner on 74 minutes from Gorman went directly into the Maidstone net 4-0. On 82 minutes a Potter effort was just over the Stones bar and on 87 minutes a Cropper effort was tipped over the crossbar by Covolan.

Match 41
December 12th 2023
Championship
Watford v Ipswich Town 1-2 att 18109
A cautious start on a very wet evening from Town and an early Watford chance as Rajovic headed over the top of the crossbar with Ipswich custodian Hladky beaten, shortly after a Harness header was held by Watford custodian Hamer. The opening goal came for Watford after an error at the back on 12 minutes Hladky was able to save Rajovic’s initial effort, but Asprilla was able to meet the rebound and slam the ball into the net 1-0. Just after Davis shot down the left and put the ball to Chaplin but Hamer saved well. On 25 minutes a move down the right saw Hutchinson cut inside and let off a good low shot with his left. Hamer saved but could only push the ball out into danger, with Hirst reacting quickest to turn it home 1-1. Shortly after Kayembe headed wide for Watford then Hutchinson took aim for Town bending his effort just past the upright. A Hirst ball saw Davis head home but it was offside. Hirst hit the Watford post early in the second half and then Hladky saved a Lewis effort. Multi substitutes were made and Kayembe fired just over the Town crossbar. On 80 minutes with Town opening up the hosts defence, Morsy hit home from the edge of the penalty area 1-2.

Match 42
December 17th 2023
Championship
Watford Women v London City Lionesses 3-3 att Not Given
A dry cool afternoon and a quick start from Watford as on 2 minutes a run down the right by Johns who delivered a good ball to Agyemang who drove home 1-0. Two minutes further and Harbert released Agyemang whos shot is saved by London custdian Maloney but Agyemang scored the follow up 2-0. On 7 minutes Agyemang terrorised the London defence and shot for goal Culver scoring in her own net 3-0. On 15 minutes Harbert launched the ball to Leon whos header was saved by Maloney, and on 20 minutes Halbert had an effort parried after skipping past two London defenders. On the half hour Johns went wide and Haines effort was saved by Maloney. On 38 minutes a Wilde effort was saved by Goldsmid the Watford custodian as London started to push up and on 40 minutes Joel took up the ball in the penalty area to hit home 3-1. The second period was a more even half both teams created chances, Johns went close for Watford, whilst London made a number of substitutions then on 79 minutes Boye-Hlorkah scored on the rebound after a shot from Joel from the edge of the area 3-2. On 83 minutes Harbert and Baptiste had shots blocked then in extra time Fitzgerald beat Goldsmid and scored from close in 3-3.

Match 43
December 26th 2023
Southern League
Biggleswade Town v Stotfold 3-3 att 306
A close to double header with Town who kicked off at 1pm then down Langford Rd for a 3pm Biggleswade kick off. It was an attacking start from Town who had a couple of early chances, Hoeness with the best seeing his shot saved by Stotfold custodian Bonfield. Despite that it was Stotfold that opened on 15 minutes as a Balls corner was met by Snee who headed past Forster the Town custodian 0-1. Five minutes later Morrell almost levelled but Bonfield saved well. On the half hour Andrews got behind the Town defence Copps and Bonfield collided and Draper tapped home the loose ball 1-1. Snee and Buchanan with a terrific header had chances for Stotfold both stopped by Forster. On 46 minutes a Goldgourne shot went just wide of Bonfield, then Hoenes had another effort just wide for Town. On 53 minutes Ball got in behind his effort hit Hoenes before looping into the empty net 2-1. On the hour Buchanon was bought down by Thorpe in the penalty area, Snee took the penalty whilst sending Forster the wrong way 2-2. A number of bookings for both teams and substitutions then Peters found Snee to the left of the corner he cut inside and curled superbly into the top right corner 2-3. Then on 95 minutes an Andrews shot from the edge of the penalty area beat Bonfield 3-3.

Match 44
December 26th 2023
Biggleswade v Bedford Town 2-2 att 441
Southern League
A very noisy crowd mostly from the Town supporters, as Bedford started the better with good efforts on the Biggleswade goal, the first home opportunity on the half hour as Kaunda shot wide across the Bedford goal. A minute later Green the home custodian saved well from Mensah with a 20 yard shot. On 34 minutes a foul in the penalty area saw Blake hit home the penalty 0-1. Biggleswade then pushed up looking for the equaliser. Hunt and Simpson had early second half chances then on 70 minutes Bedingfield hit home for the homesters 1-1. Three minutes later a free kick cross is slotted home by Mensah 1-2. Biggleswade continue to look for an equaliser then on 91 minutes a penalty is given for the home team and Marsh slots home 2-2.