A Positive Result with a Splendid Pair of Draws

Missed the hard copy at Leigh but got the free pdf download

Hopperational Details
Dates & Venues	24 October 2026 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 25 October 2026 at Brewdog Stadium, St Helens 25 October 2026 at Leigh Sports Village
Results	Tottenham Hotspur Women 1 Arsenal Women 2 Liverpool Women 2 London City Lionesses 2 Manchester Utd Women 1 Manchester City Women 1
Competition	Women’s Super League
Hopstats	Only the Liverpool game gives me a new tick, and it goes on to the lifetime list at position 823.
Context
The fixture spread allowed me to get to three WSL fixtures this weekend, hoping that these games played inside larger stadia would be at least partially protected from the gusty wind and stormy weather.
Match Reports
These games have been well documented elsewhere with highlights readily available so I will comment rather than report. Tottenham have had a mixed start to the season. They started well with some new signings making an impact, but then they suffered thumping defeats by London City Lionesses and Chelsea. I saw the latter game (not blogged) and they collapsed in the later stages after a good first half. This performance was a good response. They took the lead, and although Arsenal’s equaliser was a classy goal from Georgia Stanway, it took a controversial penalty for handball to decide the results. Spurs have a safe and solid WSL side but only the cup competitions offer the outside chance of silverware, I think. Arsenal’s shaky start has raised the prospect of a managerial change soon but I’m not hearing Arsenal fans calling for that in large numbers yet. They are by far the best supported of the WSL teams at the moment. Their squad depth is impressive and keeping everyone happy must be a management issue. To this non-coach, it just feels like the endless recycling could be sacrificed in favour of a bit more risk-taking against lesser opposition. They look this season like a side that is more concerned about pass stats than xG. I suspect that they are going to give some unfortunate side a real thumping fairly soon. I will see them again later this week at Meadow Park for a Champions League qualifier against Benfica. Liverpool were good value for their point against their big-spend opponents from London. They had taken the lead with an excellent penalty, but both London goals were gifts. England’s reserve keeper Khiara Keating dithered over a clearance and recent Lioness debutant Freya Godfrey nipped in for a tap-in, and the other was as a result of a defensive slip too. Liverpool pressed and pressed for much of the second half and the very late own goal that got them a point was well deserved. The two sides served up a good watchable game in very difficult conditions as Storm Boelo turned up to interfere. Beata Olson's excellent penalty gives Liverpool the lead London City Lionesses have built a squad that keeps players of the calibre of former England keeper Mary Earps on the bench. The marquee signing was Alexia Putellas, and occasionally we saw flashes of her brilliant vision and composure. They are undoubtedly going to challenge the recent dominance of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City. I saw them beat Manchester United on the opening day of the season and they were fast, fluid and direct. Today they looked far less impressive and didn’t create a goal from their own efforts, albeit in challenging conditions. However, my expectation is that they will improve on last season’s mid-table finish and overtake Spurs in the process. Manchester United’s new manager Eva Olid and her squad look to be mutually adjusting to each other. This was so much better than the opening-day defeat and their late equaliser was deserved. They have a high energy midfield including England’s Ella Toone and Jess Park, but other than being in the right place for the late equaliser, Elisabeth Terland looked isolated up front. They are missing Melvine Malard, now at Chelsea. Manchester City are, of course, defending champions. The battle between United’s Maya Le Tissier and Bunny Shaw was interesting to watch. The City striker took her goal well but it was also her weak defensive header that led to the equaliser. She showed a lot of petulance and frustration today. Both Manchester teams have some direct runners, not afraid to take people on, which made a nice contrast to the possession play seen elsewhere this weekend. I’d single out City’s Lauren Hemp as arguably England’s best player at the moment. Maybe she is more predictable than Chelsea’s Lauren James, but she is consistent and effective. In the meantime, Chelsea were picking up another win to go to the top of the table. It is hard to see this season’s silverware going anywhere other than among the teams mentioned here. The WSL is a good product at the moment though I worry that the rich-poor divide is just going to turn it into a predictable league decided by a handful of games between the top four over the course of a full season. Ticket prices are very reasonable and availability is good. For all three games this weekend, the result was in doubt until the end, and given the challenging conditions the quality was impressive. With only three places available for European competition next season, there is going to be at least one disgruntled wealthy owner come next May.
So What?
The WSL table this morning has Chelsea ahead of Manchester City on goal difference, and London City Lionesses in third, three points behind. Manchester United are up to fourth, Tottenham hold fifth on the strength of the earlier form, and Arsenal are up to sixth. The sixth-to-first gap is already ten points, though. Liverpool are tenth.
Pix
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with 13700 in attendance Liverpool v London City : (Liverpool in red, of course)   Manchester United v Manchester City : (United in red of course)
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats Update
The background to this, and the latest keeper top colour league table, is here on this dedicated page. This weekend: Green (Spurs) loses to Pink (Arsenal) Green (Liverpool) draws with Black (London City) Yellow (United) draws with Green (City) Pre-match Prediction based on Keeper Top Colour: Predictions: Home, Home and Away in that order Was the prediction correct? No, No and No !! % of correct predictions so far 48% (114 from 237)
What Next?
Arsenal v Benfica in the Women’s Champions League, which I will add to #keepertopcolourstats but not provide a full blogpost. After that, no firm plans as yet.

Leighton Fall at the Newmarket Hurdle

 

Hopperational Details
Date & Venue	Saturday 26 September 2026 at The NYO Stadium
Result	Newmarket Town 2 Leighton Town 1
Competition	FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round
Hopstats	Ground number 822 on my lifetime list. I am here non-randomly as it is my closest unvisited Step 4 ground and I’d needed to do some get-ahead lesson planning for the day job before leaving Chateau Yapp!
Context
Newmarket Town (The Jockeys) play at Step 4 in the Isthmian League Division One North. They arrive at this fixture following earlier wins at Haringey Borough (on penalties) and 5-2 at home to Gorleston in the previous two rounds. Leighton Town are now in Step 3 Southern Premier Central following their promotion at the end of last season. They enter the FA Trophy at this stage.
Match Report
The Jockeys turned the game around in the second half and rode their luck in the final few minutes for a memorable win. Leighton had already had one nervy moment early on when their keeper Carlos Simeon slipped on the artificial surface, but they took the lead in the 11th minute. Tyler Winters scored with a close range header after a free kick. Although the home side improved after that, the next clear chance also fell to the visitors. Kyal Williams executed a sharp turn and shot just wide. Both teams fluffed chances and half chances before the interval. If two half chances equal one chance in the xG calculations, then the teams were comparable. I wrote in my notes that the game was not over but it would be if Newmarket don’t become more clinical in their finishing. The home side did indeed make a flying start to the second half. The first time the ball hit the back of the net, scored from a rebound off Simeon, the assistant’s flag signalled offside. However, within a minute the ball was crossed in, headed on to the bar, and the rebound poked in by Elliott Reeves to bring the scores level. I found out later that this was his debut for the club. Just before the hour, a neat one-two created a good chance for Leighton, but Newmarket countered and a good pass from Ben Nolan released Reeves who coolly produced a sidefoot finish for his second. The Leighton keeper Simeon fell awkwardly after an aerial challenge and there was a lengthy stoppage before to general spectator bemusement he rejected both stretcher and crutches and opted to carry on. He showed discomfort from booted clearances thereafter but got no sympathy from the home supporters. With a nominal 83 minutes on the clock but lots of time to be added, Newmarket lived dangerously by presenting substitute Sydney Ibie with a shooting chance. They somewhat curiously left themselves very exposed particularly down their left flank, but Leighton did not exploit the space. The closing minutes included lots of action in the home penalty area as Leighton sent crosses in with increasing desperation. Home keeper James Young needed to make a good save, the clock showing 94 minutes now. It went on to complete its cycle and stop at 0.00, but Young made two more good catches under pressure. Ibie and home sub Emmanuel Osei-Owusu needed to be separated from pushing and shoving each other as a diversion, but Newmarket held on for the win.
So What?
Cliché time : Newmarket are in the hat for the next round and Leighton are not etc etc as per usual.
Pix
Newmarket in yellow and blue. The only advice that I would give to other hoppers is that some areas of the club car park are currently very pitted, with temporary repairs in place. Be careful when parking and leaving, especially if dark. Comfortable main stand, friendly volunteers, good 3G surface for “game on” hops in the winter months. Best pre-match music of the season, was almost sorry when it was time for kickoff. I watched from the back of the main stand.
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats Update
The background to this, and the latest keeper top colour league table, is here on this dedicated page. Today, Green beat Orange as expected. Pre-match Prediction based on Keeper Top Colour: Prediction: Home Win Was the prediction correct? Yes % of correct predictions so far 48% (112 from 231)
What Next?
Big game in the WSL (Sunday 27th) – Chelsea Women v Arsenal Women.

Nuts and Bolts Can't Hold It Together at Croydon Athletic

 

Must be one of the better programmes at this level

Hopperational Details
Date & Venue	Saturday 19 September 2026 at The Mayfield Stadium
Result	AFC Croydon Athletic 3 Ashford United 1
Competition	Isthmian League Division One South-East (Step 4)
Hopstats	Ground #821 on the lifetime list and I’m here for non-random pragmatic reasons today. This is my closest unvisited ground in Steps 2-4 and I let the train (and tram) take the strain.
Context
8th entertains 12th though the three-point difference comes from one game more, so the two sides have a similar league record so far. In nicknames, this is The Rams v The Nuts and Bolts.
Match Report
It was a tetchy start. An Ashford player stayed down for a full minute after a tackle but the referee allowed play to continue. His decision was vindicated when the player needed no treatment and was soon running around again, but a confrontational tone had been set. The atmosphere soured even more for the away team when a straight red card was shown to Sam Hasler for a mistimed lunge with only five minutes gone. However, United took the lead from the penalty spot after 15 minutes. Louis Collins was body-checked in a one-on-one situation by the onrushing home keeper Amadou Tangara, who escaped with a yellow card, moving the ref another few places down the Ashford Christmas card list. Collins did the honours himself from the kick.   Tangara goes left, Collins goes down the middle. 0-1. Croydon continued with their patient buildup play and were level five minutes later. Greg Cundle was able to take a touch and send a low shot into the bottom right-hand corner. Good finish. In the remainder of the first half, Croydon struggled to make the extra player count. They kept possession well but players just seemed more comfortable with the easy recycling option. Ashford had a good chance of their own on the break, Collins shooting just wide. Then, just before the break, Croydon’s Cian McCarthy led with his elbow in an aerial challenge. It was a yellow card, and he’d already picked one up a few minutes earlier so out came the red to follow. It would be 10 v 10 in the second half. I don’t have too many notes from the next 30 minutes. For my money, Ashford were slightly more likely to score. They hit the post once and had several other half-chances, including a backheel attempt that didn’t fool Tangara. The result was sealed with two home goals in quick succession that took the wind out of any Ashford sails. Josh Williams showed perseverance on the left flank and put a good cross on to the head of David Boateng who couldn’t miss. It was Croydon’s first real chance of the second half, on 76 minutes. Then almost immediately Williams used his strength to win the ball from a defender and he kept his composure to score and secure the points. So, an odd game, not as comfortable as a 3-1 scoreline might suggest, and a fair afternoon’s entertainment for this passing neutral.
So What?
Croydon Athletic are up to 5th, Ashford United down to 14th but it’s still that part of the season when some clubs have played fewer matches than others due to the impact of the FA Cup and FA Trophy precedence.
Pre-match Entertainment
Getting lost in Croydon Cemetery! Any future hoppers are advised to research the route carefully, especially for an evening kickoff. I made the mistake of trusting Google Maps (normally reliable to be fair). Whatever you do, don’t take the tram from East Croydon to Therapia Avenue and walk through Croydon Cemetery like I did. There is no proper entry to the ground by that route, just a teasing view of the turnstiles through a 2m metal fence. I ended up with a 40-minute detour. A walk of about 20-25 minutes is better done by taking the 60 or 109 bus from Streatham station, and that’s how I got home after the game. There may well be other reasonable routes, but plan yours in advance. It’s a longish walk down a single-track gravel road for the last part of the route. The photo below is where I'd pitched up before doubling back - and from the state of the fence maybe I'm not the first, but the image does not really show how steep that bank is!   Entrance to the ground as per Google Maps!
Pix
Ashford United in unambiguous (see below) Green.
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats Update
The background to this, and the latest keeper top colour league table, is here on this dedicated page. Today, I had to think very hard about classifying the home keeper (Amadou Tangara). In the end I decided that Sage has to go with Green but this is a definite outlier in the keeper top colour world. The away keeper (Jordan Gilmon) lined up in pale Blue. I've put this (Sage?) in the Green group. No appeals allowed. Pre-match Prediction based on Keeper Top Colour: Prediction: Home Win Was the prediction correct? Yes % of correct predictions so far 48% (109 from 228)
What Next?
@ModusHRandom on Twitter will reveal my next game as I do not yet have a definite plan. I might try to sneak another game in today before I take in two Women’s Champions League group stage games (Arsenal and Chelsea) in midweek.

 

Two Ghoul Defeat for the Ghosts

 

Hopperational Details
Date & Venue	Saturday 12 September 2026 at The Daly Group Stadium, Clipbush Lane
Result	Fakenham Town 0 Waltham Abbey 2
Competition	FA Trophy 2nd Round Qualifying
Hopstats	Ground 820 on the lifetime list, and I am here randomishly because Aune Heggebø scored the only goal of the game as WBA won at Derby a few days ago. I wanted to choose from 11 unvisited grounds – the home teams were linked alphabetically to the 11 WBA players on the pitch at any given time. The rules and details are on the image below. Why West Bromwich? Well, I was born there, and although I’m not an active supporter these days, it’s always their result I’m looking for first.
Context
This is a knockout game between two Step 4 sides. Fakenham (The Ghosts) came up from the Eastern Counties league playoffs last season and are in the Isthmian League Division One North. Waltham Abbey were in that division last season but have been transferred to the Southern League Division One Central.
Match Report
The game started at a lively pace, both teams able to try some slick moves on a good playing surface. They traded half-chances before the game settled a bit, but largely these two sides cancelled each other out before the danger areas. The odd freekick was due to mistiming or overenthusiasm rather than cynicism. Some of the visiting support began to show impatience at repeated recycling of the ball by their team. Almost immediately a good move down the right created the best chance of the half so far but Jayden Wright was in a good place to clear the ball. Fakenham were somewhat more direct in style and a good run by their fullback Oser Okpiahbele led to a shot going just wide. So the first half ended scoreless, with plenty of effort on both sides but clear chances at a premium. Waltham Abbey started the second half well, with two chances for Jake Watts. They continued to be better at keeping possession and on the hour mark I noted that they probably should have been ahead by now. Indeed, the realistic and seasoned home supporters around me were beginning to comment that it was just a matter of time, and so it proved. The first goal came on 73 minutes, hooked in by sub Steve Cawley after a corner which itself had followed a period of sustained pressure. Abbey nearly got an immediate second with a header after another slick move. Fakenham were not finished yet and they created two half-chances of their own, but a second Abbey goal from the penalty spot put the result beyond doubt. Prince Domafriye scored from the spot after a handball. A fair result on balance of play, says this passing neutral.
So What?
Time for Fakenham to concentrate on the league, as they say. Waltham Abbey go into the proverbial hat, and they have a big FA Cup game against Dagenham & Redbridge coming up too next weekend.
Pre-match Entertainment
Nothing apart from a sausage sandwich. I got caught up in the traffic around Duxford Air Show en route and my GPS alternative suggestion made things worse with gridlock in narrow lanes, so I ended up with a three-hour drive and no spare time.
Pix
Fakenham in yellow-and-black (and with a mysterious club crest).
Goalkeeper Top Colour Stats Update
The background to this, and the latest keeper top colour league table, is here on this dedicated page. Today, the rarity of Blue (Luke Pearson) v Blue (Bradley Robinson), albeit different shades thereof. #keepertopcolourstats predictions are on a terrible run at the moment although the percentage success has never varied that much from 50%. The whole sample (>370) including those games before the predictions started is still probably not statistically significant enough for the mathematical testing required. Pre-match Prediction based on Keeper Top Colour: Prediction: Draw Was the prediction correct? No % of correct predictions so far 48% (108 from 227)
What Next?
Hopefully another ground from my priority list next Saturday, but whether it is a random selection or a pragmatic one will depend on the weather forecast.