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Here we go again – 2020/21 SCFL season predictions

 After last year’s highly successful SCFL season predictions , in which not one prediction I made ultimately proved to be wrong, I’ve decided to give it another bash this year. Of course, the March abandonment of the league (along with normal life, in general) technically means that I didn’t get anything right either… but I’ve always been a glass-half-full kind of guy. In fairness, at the time of the season being declared null and void, I would say that about half of my predictions had looked like being on - or at least close to - the money, while half I couldn’t have got more wrong if I’d tried. With all the wholesale changes made to some SCFL squads since March, and the uncertainty surrounding practically everything at the moment, I’d be amazed if this season’s predictions bear any resemblance to what will actually transpire. So, for those I tip for a season of glory, please accept my apologies in advance for providing you with what will most likely be the unwelcome kiss of d
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Late drama provides the ideal end to groundhopping drought

Dorking Wanderers Reserves 1 Epsom and Ewell 1, Combined Counties League Division One, Saturday 7 th March 2020 My mid-season break from Non-League football is over! Which, loosely translated, means ‘it’s finally stopped raining!’ For now, at least. Having not been to a non-league match since 8 th February, when I watched Langney Wanderers defeat Pagham 1-0, I was itching to get back on the road again. Although my brief hiatus from Non-League football did see me take in a trip to the King Power Stadium to see Leicester City take on Manchester City, it’s just not the same. I really do miss going to Non-League games. Far more than I ever thought I would when I started this groundhopping expedition at the start of last season. Of course, the main reason for my month-long absence from the Non-League terraces has been purely down to the awful weather we’ve been enduring. It’s been annoying as a spectator. I can only sympathise with how frustrating the season must
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Langney match produces late drama (again)

Langney Wanderers 1 Pagham 0, Southern Combination Football League Premier Division, Saturday 8 th February 2020 We had just turned onto the A23, bound for Roffey vs Seaford Town, when I thought it would be prudent to check something. Although we hadn’t had much rain this week, there was a nagging feeling at the back of my mind. Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. My groundhopper sense was tingling. And tingling loudly. You see, I’ve tried to visit Roffey on numerous occasions this season. It’s one of only two grounds in the SCFL Division One that I’m yet to tick off. Each time, though, something has intervened. Usually the weather. In order to make it to the ground in time for the 14:00 kick-off, I’d decided to travel straight there from my Saturday morning coaching commitments. My wife would then take our two sons – both of whom attend the 5Ways Football school where I work – swimming in the nearby Horsham Leisure Centre. It was a sunny, mild, still a
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A miserable day-trip for Margate

Merstham 1 Margate 0, Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 1 st February 2020 Having been joined by a mini entourage (quite literally) on my visit to Lewes vs East Thurrock United last time out, I was back to ploughing a lone furrow this weekend. Perfect. 90 minutes of relative peace. Or so I thought. We’ll come to that in a bit. With the weather once again threatening non-league fixtures throughout the South-East, I left myself with a couple of match options this weekend. Horley’s visit to Alfold in the SCFL Premier or Merstham v Margate in the Isthmian League Premier Division. When Alfold’s match was switched to Horley ( a ground I’ve already visited this season ) on Friday evening, my decision was made. Barring a late postponement, I’d be heading up the A23/M23 to Merstham in the borough of Reigate. I arrived at Merstham’s Whisky Bible Stadium (possibly my favourite name for any ground I’ve visited thus far – can’t think why?) at 14:30. Having parke
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A youth team day-out in Lewes

Lewes 0 East Thurrock United 3, Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 25th January 2020 Back when I first decided to start this groundhopping lark roughly 18 months ago, I first needed something that would convince wifey to go along with the idea. Something that would make her think that me heading out for a few hours every Saturday afternoon would somehow be beneficial to her. In short, and to quote the greatest of all philosophical deep-thinkers, Baldrick, I needed a cunning plan. So I came up with one. And, if I may so myself, it was a blooming good one. I told her I'd take our two boys to the games with me. That way, she'd get a totally free afternoon for herself. Time to do whatever she wanted in. She was sold. The first part of my cunning plan had worked. A few weeks later, I was delighted to discover that part two of ‘operation cunning plan’ had also proved successful. As anticipated, by late September, with the weather starting to turn co
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