Pitching In to the new season: South Central Division

We start our preview down in Basingstoke, where we have a battle between two of the promotion favourites as Basingstoke Town and Bedfont Sports- last season’s two defeated Play Off Semi-Finalists- meet. The last time Sports arrived in Stoke they were preparing for a four-two win at the end of March, revenge for a four-one home defeat earlier in the season. So it seems we’re guaranteed goals!

Relegated Leatherhead are our title favourites, and given how close them came to survival under manager Luke Tuffs that’s not really a surprise. You suspect that if the season had gone on for another couple of weeks the Tanners would have pulled themselves clear, such was their form under the former Ashford Town boss as they turned what looked like an impossible situation on his arrival into a near-miracle. They welcome Westfield to Fetcham Grove, their visitors hoping that they can once again challenge at the right end of the table after flirting with the wrong end for some of last season.

Chertsey Town, who came so close to Play Off Final victory at the end of last season, are much fancied. They welcome South Park Reigate, who they scored seven goals against last season- a three-all home draw and a four-one away win. The last four meetings between the two sides have seen the Curfews win two, and the other two drawn.

Walton & Hersham, expected to make a mark this season, travel to face Marlow. The hosts had one of the best home records in the Division last season, but they’ll come under pressure from a Swans side who won four-nil against Kennington in their FA Cup replay in midweek, after a two-two draw initially. It is six years since the Swans were last with us, and it’ll be good to have them back.

Uxbridge, another of our play off challengers last year, welcome another fancied promoted side, Hanworth Villa. The Villains started their campaign in style last weekend with a three-nil FA Cup win at Abbey Rangers, but the Reds should pose a much stronger test. Uxbridge looked play off certainties for much of last season before falling away right at the end, and will hope not to make that mistake again; whilst their visitors will fancy themselves capable of making a challenge of their own.

Relegated Merstham have a new manager, a large number of new players- most of them seemingly moving down from Carshalton Athletic- and hope of an immediate return to our top flight. Peter Adeniyi’s Moatsiders start their campaign by welcoming Southall, back in our ranks for the first time in twenty two years following their promotion from the Combined Counties North. Southall defeated Redhill three-one in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday night.

Binfield had a very positive first Isthmian season, and they start the second on the road to Ashford Town. The Tangerines will be buoyant after scoring eight goals without reply in defeating Saltdean United in the FA Cup on Saturday, whilst the Moles will be confident after two wins and a draw against Town last season- they met not just in the League, but in the Velocity Trophy.

Tooting & Mitcham United failed to live up to expectations last season, whilst their hosts Northwood were better away from home that in their own backyard, winning nine times on the road- at one point seven in a row- to take a comfortable mid table slot after a poor start to the campaign. Both will be hoping to push on, and the Terrors will want to be reminded that they took four points from these opponents last season, and scored nine goals in the process.
Thatcham Town and Guernsey meet in what our supporters predicted to be a mid table battle, but both sides will have higher hopes. The Green Lions won three-nil the last time they travelled to Thatcham, after a two-two draw in the Channel Islands earlier in the campaign.

Finally, we’re taking the High Road to Chipstead, as the Chips welcome Sutton Common Rovers. Both sides departed the FA Cup to SCEFL opposition recently, the Chips losing to Tunbridge Wells on Saturday and Rovers succumbing to Fisher in a midweek replay. Last season saw Rovers take four points from their two fixtures against the side in green and white, the last one of those from a one-one draw at the High Road as recently as Monday 18th April.

Image: Justine Burch.

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