REFLECTING on some of my varied adventures watching Sunday League football recently…
The Wall FC 3-0 Hatcham
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When: Sunday 8th October 2023
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Kick-off: 2pm
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Where: The Griffin Sports Ground, 12 Dulwich Village, Dulwich, London SE21 7AL
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Competition: The FA Sunday Cup First Round
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Attendance: 38
The FA Sunday Cup is an exciting national knock-out competition which has been running since 1964. To continue my groundhopping odyssey this season, I picked out a tie between two teams participating in the SFL – London.
Otherwise known as the Sunday Football League – London, this competition was formed last season as a “Super League” in the capital city. It mainly embraces clubs who very successfully film and broadcast their matches online.
Member teams combined have approaching one million followers and subscribers over the different internet platforms bringing increased awareness for grassroots football.
Ground Description
A pleasant set-up located in the exclusive Dulwich Village area of South-East London where average property prices top £1.8 million. Access to The Griffin Sports Ground is via a tight lane.
There were three matches taking place on the various pitches today. Administered by the London Youth Sports Trust charity and containing fully equipped clubhouse facilities where social events for up to 150 people can be staged.
Programme Details
A single sheet glossy production printed on both sides incorporating line ups and match details. It was distributed free of charge next to the pitch.
The Match
The Wall proved too strong racking up goals by Pope-Campbell 2 (22 & 26 mins) and Bobomurodov (77 mins).
There were several cameras filming the game to source online content. These included two overhead drones that created a constant source of fascination for my four year old daughter.
Market Hotel 6-2 Mid Day Sun
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When: Sunday 1st October 2023
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Kick-off: 2pm
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Where: Pitch 1, Croydon Post Office Social and Athletic Club, Trenham Drive, Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9RU
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Competition: The FA Sunday Cup First Round
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Attendance: 97
This was Market Hotel’s home fixture but they couldn’t host it on the specified date. So it was switched to the home ground of Mid Day Sun and rescheduled a week before the other FA Sunday Cup First Round ties.
I had wanted to groundhop the Croydon Post Office ground ever since AFC Croydon Athletic of the Combined Counties Football League played a home pre-season friendly there last year.
Ground Description
The 23 acre site has seven football pitches, a cricket square, a busy clubhouse bar and a separate changing room building.
It is almost next door to the old Warlingham FC venue - Verdayne Sports Ground - where I saw a Combined Counties League match in April 2007.
Programme Details
A four page glossy effort providing line ups and match details. Available free of charge at the bar.
The Match
Having travelled up from Kent, Ashford & District Sunday League champions Market Hotel dominated throughout. Their scorers were Howard 2 (7 & 45+3 mins), Sterling 3 (21, 53 & 61 mins) and Pogue (84 mins).
Meanwhile, Carew penalty (66 mins) and Hall 68 mins netted for Mid Day Sun of the Redhill and District Sunday League.
It was good to chat at length during the game to former Football Association competitions secretary Steve Clark who is now retired.
Steve helped me out a great deal for many years when I was editor of the official FA Clubcall telephone information line. He originally founded Mid Day Sun FC in 1973.
St Josephs (Luton) 5-1 AFC Flitwick 1
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When: Sunday 24th September 2023
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Kick-off: 10.30am
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Where: Pitch 5, Barton-le-Clay Parish Council Playing Fields, Sharpenhoe Road, Barton-le-Clay, Bedford MK45 4SD
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Competition: Deakin-White Champions’ League Group C
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Attendance: 24
St Josephs have appeared in a record seven FA Sunday Cup Finals winning the competition three times in 1995, 1996 and 2023.
They are members of the Leighton & District Sunday League. Today’s match was part of an Inter-League tournament for teams in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
Ground Description
A multi-pitch sports complex next door to Barton Rovers FC of the Southern League Central Division One – sharing the same entry lane and car park.
Programme Details
Teamsheet downloaded and printed off the excellent FA Full-Time web site.
The Match
Pretty one-sided overall.
FA Sunday Cup holders St Joes hit five through Rhiney 3 (8, 52, 75 mins), Neufville (45+2 mins) and Khan 88 (mins) with Draycott (27 mins) replying for well-beaten AFC Flitwick from the Bedford & District Sunday League.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
