Action aplenty in WLVFL on 4/5 October

The 2024 West London Vets’ League (WLVL) is now very much up and running. All four of the over 40 divisions have seen action this season, as have the Supervets in the over 50s division. All good, onwards and upwards.

Big-hitters make their entrance in the Prem
The weekend of 4/5 October sees plenty of fixtures across the over 40 competition, although we are still some distance away from seeing every side being active in a league game on the same day.

How so? Well, the various cup competitions continue to take precedence, and a number of our sides are active in those. Kew Park Rangers, for example, meet Canning Town Vets in the London County Cup on Saturda and that means that their league game against Wandsworth Borough will have to wait to be played another day.

There are subsequently three Premier League games looming large, and in two of those we see the league’s big-hitters make their seasonal debuts. Chelsea and the West London Rams are, of course, the teams in question; Chelsea host Bank of England, the Rams will be entertaining Claygate.

The third fixture in the top flight sees the top two in the nascent league table – Ascot United and Croxley Green – lock horns on Friday 4 October. Both sides have played two games and are as yet unbeaten. Could be an interesting encounter.

Three games on in Div 1
Just the one Division One side – Acton Ealing Whistlers – is in cup; the Whistlers host Slade Green Knights in the same competition that KPR are competing in.

That subsequently means that Latimer Road are left on the sidelines twiddling their thumbs as are top of the table Actonians. The latter have got out of the blocks quickly, too; they have played two and won two. Both sides will have to wait until mid-October for their next league fixtures.

The three games that are taking place involve third placed Nottsborough travelling to Army Crusaders, Ascot United IIs hitting the road to visit West Kensington Kings, and Poly hosting Civil Service. Interesting contests, one and all.

Four 100 per cent records on the line in Division Two
Ruislip Rangers were promoted from Division Three at the end of 2023-24 and it looks like they’ve taken to their new life in Division Two like a duck to water. Ruislip are played two, won two and they’ve already got a goal difference of plus 10.

In Week 3 Ruislip welcome Old Lyonians. Lyonians have started the season in slightly less belligerent mode; do we sense a big London bus might be parked somewhere outside the 18 yard box? We shall see.

Elsewhere Clapham Old Xaverians travel to Laleham FC. Neither side has a point on the board as of yet; something will clearly be changing there this weekend. Old Tiffs are another side who haven’t really got going yet; they are off to Old Meadonians on the hunt for that elusive first point of the campaign.

Finally in Division Two Thames Ditton and Jamrock – four games played between them and all four won – lock horns. The immovable object meeting the irresistible force? As with Xavs and Laleham, something is going to have to give.

Full round of fixtures in Division Three
There’s been much less action in Division Three. Only three league games have taken place so far this season.

Given that, we’re still very much at the testing out stage of proceedings. Bank of England’s 2nd XI are one side have made a start in 2024-25, and they’ll be looking to make it two wins out of two when they host Croxley’s 2nd XI. Claygate 2s also have one win against their name; they host Molesey Lighthouse.

The final fixture in the division on Saturday sees MMB make their seasonal bow. They host near neighbours AFC Hampton.

Ascot United out of the (supervets’) blocks quickly
None of the Supervets’ sides play this week. They are all taking a well-earned break after a full round of fixtures on 28 September.

Ascot United have made the most eye-catching start, winning at Croxley in Week 1 and then easing past Cheam 8-1 in Week 2. Chris Ferdinand gave up the day job as a centre-half and re-vamped himself as a centre-forward. Seemed to work, too, as he scored a hat-trick.

Chelsea Supervets are also played two won two. They beat Claygate 3-1 to keep up their perfect record. Nottsborough are also looking ok; they’ve played just the one game but they won that – against Stonehouse – 3-1. Finally in Week 2 Croxley bounced back from their Week 1 defeat against Ascot United to win 4-1 at Old Lyonians.

The next round of Supervets’ fixtures take place on 11/12 October.

Go well everyone.

2 October 2024 Action aplenty in WLVL on 4/5 October - Download / Open