Step 6 Preview: Sandhurst Town and Eversley & California derby clash

Arran Rowland's shot on target. Photo: Richard Milam.
Arran Rowland's shot on target. Photo: Richard Milam.

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There are a series of local derbies to look forward to in both league and cup action this weekend.

In the Combined Counties League Division One our two local representatives face off against each other, as Eversley & California make the short trip to Bottom Meadow, home of Sandhurst Town.

The Fizzers are on a strong run in the league having only lost one of their last eight matches, collecting 15 points in that time but will be without captain Harry Oakley who has left the club. The Boars have only played one league game in October due to cup commitments; that match being their 3-0 victory at Bagshot.

It’s Wokingham v Reading

There are two Berkshire derbies in the Bluefin Sports Challenge Cup where local Step 6 sides get to test themselves against Step 5 opponents. Fresh off the back of a thumping midweek victory in the Floodlit Cup, Wokingham & Emmbrook host Reading City at Larges Lane.

Wokingham & Emmbrook striker Jake White. Photo: Neil Graham.
Wokingham & Emmbrook striker Jake White. Photo: Neil Graham.

A hat trick from Jake White helped the Sumas to a 6-3 win at Abingdon Town on Tuesday, after they also won at home to Milton United last Saturday. Reading City also scored a big Floodlit Cup victory in midweek, coming from behind to win 5-1 against Virginia Water at home, and they currently sit seventh in the Hellenic Premier Division with 18 points from 10 games though they are a manager down after Andy Findlay stepped aside.

The other derby sees Holyport travel to Stag Meadow to face Windsor. Holyport will be looking to bounce back after a midweek defeat saw them drop out of the FA Vase at the hands of Ivybridge Town. Windsor have had a tough time in the league of late, winning just once since the end of August, but they have been more successful in cup competitions, recording big wins in the first round of the Challenge Cup and the Berks & Buck Trophy in recent weeks.

Long away day for Gloucestershire

AFC Aldermaston face a long away trip as they travel to Gloucestershire to face Hellenic Premier Division side Fairford Town. Fairford are currently in good form, being undefeated in their last six games, winning five, in a run that stretches back over a month. The Atom Men have already defeated another Step 5 side in this week, when they beat Shrivenham 2-1 in the Floodlit Cup on Tuesday.

Read on: All the latest Hellenic League transfers

The final Challenge Cup match with local interest sees Woodley United head to Oxfordshire to face Hellenic League Division One West side Clanfield (85). The Kestrels won their first game of the season last Saturday in the first round of this competition, so they will be looking to build momentum with another win on Saturday. Clanfield, nicknamed the Robbins, currently sit seventh in their league with 10 points from 6 games.

The only game in the Hellenic League Division One East this weekend sees Wallingford Town look to extend their undefeated start to their league campaign when they make the trip to Burnham. The Blues will provide a tough test of that record as they have won their last seven games in all competitions and are undefeated in the league in over two months. A win would see Wally leapfrog their opponents in the league standings.

Combined Counties League Division One

  • Sandhurst Town vs Eversley & California

Hellenic League Division One East

  • Burnham vs Wallingford Town

Bluefin Sports Hellenic League Challenge Cup

  • Clanfield (85) vs Woodley United
  • Fairford Town vs AFC Aldermaston
  • Windsor vs Holyport
  • Wokingham & Emmbrook vs Reading City

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Main image: Jordan Rowland by Richard Milam.

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Upcoming fixtures

Tuesday 19th March 2024

Binfield19:45Sutton Common Rovers
Hillingdon Borough19:45Windsor
Holmer Green Dev19:45Prestwood
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