Well, wh at a weekend that was! We didn’t quite manage to get th at somewhat elusive 3 wins but I think we’re getting close. Anyway, j ust to recap it all for you. Hares and Hounds both took 3 points each this weekend, with two very good wins. Tertia played on Sunday and utterly bossed the match against Walton Warriors but had to settle for a 1 - 1 draw. This was a team that beat us 10 - 0 earlier in the season and I can ’t even tell you how good this performance was. So, it was Hound’s that kicked the weekend off with a WLVFL match at Esher College against Latimer Road. 3 - 0 up in the first 35 minutes, Chris Green and his troops (Pricey was away but cheering them on in Ber lin) absolutely ripped Latimer Road to pieces. However, you can’t keep a team that down for too long and they got one back before half time. They managed to get another one in the second half and this set up a very nervy ending. Updates were coming through on WhatsApp from roving reporter Naps, which must have been torture for Chris P but probably far worse for his wife Monica, as I’m betting he was nervous as hell and pacing up and down for the last half hour! In the end a 3 - 2 victory though and goals from Eric Hartman, Jon Pim and Pat Nathanson. The sequel to this was also at Esher College and Hares put in the performance of the season with a quite stunning 7 - 0 victory over a very, very good West Kensington Kings side. Goals from Scallan, Small (2) Taylor and Stolcers (3) leaves Hares 6 points clear at the top from Whippet Wanderers and 7 points from 3 rd placed Old Actonians. Wanderers have a game in hand and OA have two, but at this stage it’s all about points on the board and we’re definitely in the drivi ng seat. Good to see Mike Day return in this game as well and he’ll be important for the run in. So onto Sunday and Tertia went away to Walton Heath to take on Walton Warriors. After the battering we took earlier in the season, this would be a great test t o see how far we have come since that shaky start. Warriors went a goal up against the run of play but Tertia went straight back at them. The constant pressure eventually paid off when Matty Taylor netted his second of the weekend with a turn and half voll ey just outside the 6 yard box. This after some great play between Dave Gardiner and Joe Zerafa, followed by a neatly disguised “ flick ” from Ricardo Beeny. We pushed for a winner but they really were very good, especially at the back and we couldn’t break down. Brilliant draw though and a superb performance by all involved. Onto next weekend! In this edi tio n. Joe Ze ra fa hates Crystal Pal ace . Asc ot Utd ’ s Dan Houg h shares his WLVFL tho ughts. Hampton Rangers are having an auction . Top scorers, league tables and I really , really ho p e Chris Stephens meant the Chad and Dave comment !! Read on ... .. LEAGUE TABLES WLVFL Division 1 WLVFL Division 3 London and Surrey Vets Football League WEST LONDON VETS LEAGUE REVIEW In case an y of you haven’t seen this. Ascot United’s Dan Hough write’s a review of the WLVFL every week with a little help for some of the other clubs that played that weekend. We get a few mentions this week...... The weekend of 3rd/ 4th February saw another (more or less) full week of action in the West London Vets’ Football League (WLVFL). 13 league games took place across all four divisions whilst the final round of 16 tie was completed in the League Cu p. Only one of the two Ascot U nited sides was called into action. With nine sides in the top flight one is scheduled to miss out every week and this week it was the turn of the Yellas to get to Ikea or Homebase and stack up on those domestic Brownie points. The twos, however, did have a game. Before the weekend Martin Kay’s side were sitting second in Division Three. They welcomed third place Croxley to the Racecourse on Friday night. Croxley won the league encounter between the sides before Christmas so Ascot were taking nothing for gr anted. Phil White continued his impressive goal - scoring form, striking twice as the hosts edged home by two goals to one. That win sees the Yella’s cement their place in the promotion places, six points above Croxley in third (having played two games fewer ) and seven ahead of Clapham Old Xaverians. Chelsea Vets move back to the top A number of top flight sides were in cup action elsewhere so only two league games ended up taking place in the Prem. The most eye - catching of those involved Sporting Kitz trave lling to Chelsea Vets. Both teams have genuine title aspirations. A defeat for Kitz, however, would leave them eight points behind Chelsea having played the same number of games. A bridge too far? Probably... And, that’s the gap that Kitz will indeed be need ing to make up. Chelsea ran out 6 - 2 winners. The game was competitive and there was no small amount of quality on show, but Chelsea are a tough nut to crack. Their visit to Ascot United on 17 Februar y is looking like it could be big in shaping the rest of the title run in (see here for the Premier Division table). Elsewhere, West London Rams visited Poly. Much as the league table might have suggested, Rams came out on top. They won 4 - 1. That victory moves the side – now minus Jodie Morris, the new Swindon m anager – up into third. They most certainly aren’t out of the title race ... and they still have to play Chelsea twice. Stolcers to the fore - Last week may just prove to have been a decisive week in the title race in Division One. Top of the table Claygate Royals Hares hosted West Kensington Kings (WKK) .... and summarily swept the board with them. They won 7 - 0. John Small grabbed a couple for the Hares, James Scallan and Matt Taylor also chipped in. The main man was nonetheless the ex - Latvia international (ju st the 81 caps) and former Fulham, Shakthar Donetsk, Spartak Moscow (and, in what was no doubt the highlight of a sparkling career, Chessington Sports and Social Vets) player Andrejs Stolcers. Not too many players in the WLVFL have a ‘greatest ever goals’ video on YouTube, but, well, Stolcers does (see here; the lovely little chip 1m10 in is the best in my book). He hit a hat - trick on Saturday as the Hares cantered home. The pressing question now is whether Hares’ skipper Michael Smith, a man who was absent on last week, is actually going to get back in the side..... Elsewhere, Old Actonians moved into second place. They were involved in a very tight affair against fellow promotion chasers Whippet Wanderers. Jamie Grainger - Smith gave the Whippets a first half lead, but Actonians soon drew level. Shaun Lydon put Wanderers back in front early in the second half but Actonians fought back gamely. Indeed, they won the match (3 - 2) with a last minute penalty. A decent game by the sounds of things. Civil Service contin ued their revival, gaining revenge for a defeat on the opening day of the season at Jamrock Steppa. Adam The final game of the day was also a high - scoring affair, Laleham & Kempton coming out 4 - 2 victors against poor old Old Tiffs. Shaun McGregor and Nige l White were on target for Tiffs, but ultimately that wasn’t enough to prevent Laleham & Kempton from prevailing. The defeat leaves Tiffs bottom of the pile. Laleham & Kempton, meanwhile, are now in touching distance of mid - table (see here). Jones scored a couple of great headers for Civils, one that was remini scent of Andy Gray (the real one, not one of the 1990s poor imitations) in his pomp. Rob Hodgson also grabbed a couple, with Jimmy Benn scored the final goal in a 5 - 2 triumph. The less said about the comedy own goal that Civils also managed the better. The final game of the day was also a high - scoring affair, Laleham & Kempton coming out 4 - 2 victors against poor old Old Tiffs. Shaun McGregor and Nigel White were on target for Tiffs, but ultimately that wasn’t enough to prevent Laleham & Kempton from prevail ing. The defeat leaves Tiffs bottom of the pile. Laleham & Kempton, meanwhile, are now in touching distance of mid - table. Double H move into second. With Hillingdon Abbots in cup action, Double H had the opportunity to make up ground on the league leaders in Division Two. And, that they did, defeating Army Crusaders 2 - 0. Molesey Lighthouse moved up to fourth. They beat MMB by the odd goal in seven. The three points sees Lighthouse jump above the inactive Bank of England 2nds. The final game in the division saw Old Tens travel to bottom of the table Old Meadonians. Goals were hard to come by there and indeed the final score was 0 - 0. The point was nonetheless enough to see Meadonians move up to 8th and a little closer to safety (see here for the table). Hersh am Southside run riot. With Ascot United 2s winning on Friday night against Croxley in Division Three, the pressure on was on Hersham Southside to respond. And, that they did, coming out emphatically on top against Clapham Xaverians. Clapham were without t heir star man, Matt Cefai, but they will nonetheless have been a touch disappointed to have gone down 8 - 3. Hersham started off like a hurricane and with little more than half an hour on the clock they were five goals to the good. Xavs pulled two back by ha lf - time, but Hershamthen got back into the scoring groove in the second period. Steve Reddings again led the way. He bagged four. Adam Preece - Thomas notched a hat - trick and Ash Martin got the final one. In truth, Hersham could have had a few more, too. The win puts Hersham back four points clear. Ascot United are second, Croxley third and Clapham stay fourth. Latimer Road could have jumped into the play off places had they beaten Claygate Royals Hounds. They didn’t, the hosts won 3 - 2. Jonathan Pim, Pat Nath anson and Eric Hartman scored the goals for Claygate in what was an excellent weekend for the club. Their 3rd (!) Vets’ side also managed a hard - earned draw; there can’t be many clubs about that are putting out three Vets’ sides over the same weekend. Resp ect due. The final game in the division saw AFC Hampton register their first win of the campaign. They beat Old Tiffs’ 2nds 3 - 2. Josh Wilkins and Richard Jones were on target for Tiffs, but they couldn’t stave off defeat. Hampton are now just one point beh ind them in the ladder (see here for the table). Looking Ahead - The final game of the weekend saw first division Wandsworth Borough host second division Hillingdon Abbots in the League Cup. It was the Abbots who started stronger, racing into a two goal le ad. Wandsworth, however, are nothing if not resilient and they soon bounced back. Dwayne Carrington - Jones bagged four for Hillingdon, but Wandsworth scored six of their own. Borough move on into the quarter - finals. Those quarter - finals will all be taking p lace this coming weekend. As a reward for beating Hillingdon, Wandsworth travel to Sporting Kitz. Army Crusaders host Whippet Wanderers in the only tie not involving a premier league side. Ascot United are off to Spelthorne to face Hersham Southside and la st season’s finalists – Chelsea Vets and West London Rams – meat in the fourth and final game. Elsewhere, there are two other games taking place. Bank of England host Kew Park Rangers in the Prem whilst Old Tens are off to Old Lyonians in Division Two. Go well everyone. Walton Strollers 1 – 1 Claygate Royals Tertia The S un was shining bright on a beautiful February afternoon as Tertia entered the battlefield at Walton (not - on - Thames) to take on the ‘Warriors’. Tertia have become accustomed to flat, pristine pitches but sadly this was your classic Sunday League bobble fest. The opening stages saw both teams cautiously measuring each oth er up, as they looked to establish their dominance on the field. Neither side found much rhythm with players trying to settle into their positions and get a feel for the pitch. Walton struck the first blow, finding some space between Tertia’s midfield and defence and producing a neat finish past Scotty. Tertia refused to let their heads drop - it was clear everyone was up for putting in a shift. The midfield was tightly conteste d, with Rich, Mike, and I battling for every ball and disrupting the Warriors flow of play. This allowed Tertia to come into the game with Paul, and Ricardo linking up well down the right. The Warriors were then under siege as Rob launched wave after wave of attacks, raining down free kicks and corners on the Walton defence. However Tertia couldn’t capitalise with Walton’s defence standing firm. They thwarted every attempt at goal (helped by some questionable Tertia volleying). 1 - 0 down at half time Tertia regrouped, sharpened their studs, and charged back into the fray, picking up from where they left off. Chad and Dave (Gercha!) were getting joy down the left, taking it to the Warriors. At one point, the game was stopped as their right back was left with a bloodied nose, though neither Chad nor Dave would admit to being the culprit. The Warriors were starting to tire, and Tertia could smell (the right back’s) blood. Tertia noticed there were five Walton players wearing fitness trackers (even warriors need to meet their daily step goals). With flailing arms starting to appear, the referee was kindly asked to get the watches removed (who apologised for not noticing sooner). Walton’s sudden lack of incentive to move allowed Tertia to pounce. They didn’t want t o play football and went into survival mode. It became a case of ‘if in doubt - lump it as far as possible into the woods’. Matty was brought on and his direct running and energy took it to the Warriors. Tidy link up play between Dave and Joe presen ted Matty with an opportunity to strike back. With traffic in front of him, he needed to lift his shot between a couple of players. Tertia held their breaths and Matty produced a thunderous strike that smashed into the roof of the net. The battle was far f rom over and Tertia pushed for the winner. In the dying seconds of the game, I broke free from midfield and was cynically scythed down approaching the penalty box. I brushed myself off, teed the ball up on a rare patch of grass, took 3 steps back and the r eferee blew his whistle. The keeper for some reason was still organising his wall whilst hugging his left post - all I had to do was clip it into the other side of the goal to win the match... Unfortunately, it turned out the tee was not required and like th e ball, the game was over. It had been a magnificent defensive performance with Dan and Mark uncompromising in the middle supported by the two Robs. Tom and Swanny (who was making his on field debut) were excellent replacements and followed their examples. Scotty didn’t put a foot wrong all game in goal, quickly coming off his line to snuffle every through ball. He enjoyed it so much he’s keen to wear Swanny’s gloves again next week. Despite the last - minute disappointment, the 1 - 1 draw shows just how much t he team has improved since our 10 - 0 loss earlier in the season. The result was a testament to our determination and resilience, and we can be proud of our performance. Squad: Scott Gordon; Rob Wyatt; Rob Young; Mark Dearing; Dan Ward; Darren Swann; Michael Payten; Chris Stephens; Rich Moran; Chad Newbould; Dave Gardiner; (Bunny, b unny, yap yap, bun ny) Ricardo Beeny; Paul Rayner; Matt Taylor; Tom Wright; Joe Zerafa Scorer: Matt Taylor Man of the match: Chris Stephens Most of you will at some point have played a game at Hampton Rangers in some capacity or other. You’ll probably have been kicked by Billy or had an dodgy referee ing decision from Rodg go against you. If that has or hasn’t happened to you, you’ll almost ce rtainly have had a beer and a pizza in the Portakabin behind the pitch. They ’ r e a good bunch at HR and w e ’ d like to help them out. Billy and the team at are trying to raise enough money to build a brand new clubhouse. To help do this they are having an online auction on Feb 17 th and if you follow thi s link https://ww1.emma - live.com/HamptonRangers/?home_page you’ll see all of the items they have under the hammer. This includes a signed Pele shirt, signed Liverpool, Chelsea, Brentford, Palace, QPR and Wolves shirts. Peter Crouch’s boots and many many other items. Go take a look. I’ll post the link on Whatsaapp so that you can follow it straight there. So next Friday 17 th log on and do some bidding. It’s also my birthday on Feb 19 th an d if you ’ re asking, I’d quite like the Pele shirt !!! HAMPTON RANGERS ONLINE AUCTION – FEB 17TH Name : Joe Zerafa Squad No : 18 1) Football team supported and why? Millwall. Growing up in Clapham in South London, T hey were one of a few clubs that I could get to watch. I wasn’t going to watch The Nigel’s at Palace and didn’t fancy going to watch the train spotters at Charlton, so me and my mates used to go and watch the m ighty Millwall down at the old Den during the mid to late 80’s. It was great to witness them get promoted to what was the old first division back then for the first time in their history. We had a strike partnership of Cascarino and Sheringham, and let’s not forget the continental flair of Terr y Hurlock in midfield of course! Good old days... 2) Who would you support if they didn’t exist? Probably Liverpool. Back in the 80’s we all liked Liverpool if you were a 70’s child as they were an attractive club, with eye catching football and really good players. They used to pretty much win everything at the time. 3) Who was the greatest player ever? Apart from John Small....? I’d say it has to be the one and only ‘real goat’, Diego Armando Maradona. He was a genius who was had god given talents and played in an era where you wasn’t protected by referees from leg breaking tackles, and was still able to perform at the biggest stage. What he did for Argentina and not to forget at Napoli, will probably n ever be replicated ever again. 4) Favourite Band I was never really into bands growing up and even to this day, I wouldn’t say I have a favourite. Although I must say, I did like Oasis back in the day and went to watch them live at the peak of their popularity at Wembley Stadium back in July 2000. That was a decent afternoon... 5) Musical guilty pleasure I’ve got loads! Haha . But I won’t embarrass myself too much on here. I like music from all eras if I’m honest, from different genres. But those who know me well enough, know I am partial to a bit of 60s Motown or 70s boogie. I also like old school reggae and a bit of ska. Elv is was also a bit of a musical icon of mine growing up. I can only think that a lot of this was down to my dad’s musical taste, and having to listen to this whenever I was at home or sitting in the back of his Mark 4 Ford Cortina on the way back home from school sometimes. 6) Favourite Film Easy. Goodfellas! Great performances from Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro and of course Joe Pesci! Martin Scorsese is a genius, and this was one of his finest pieces of work. An honourable mention for The Shawshank Redemption an d Rocky 1, 2, 3 and 4. Who else thought 5 was shit?? 😄 7) Film that you hate I can’t say that I actually hate any films. But recently I watched “On the line” starring Mel Gibson and I must say, it was the biggest load of shit I have ever seen! It was certain ly 1hr and 45mins of my life wasted if I’m honest! So do yourself a favour, and swerve that one!! 8) Other than kids/family, the thing you’re most proud of? Starting up my own recruitment business. I launched it back in 2009 and it has been going for 14 year s now. So fingers crossed all continues to go well 9) An abscure fact about you When I was at secondary school, having been born in late August, I was the 2nd youngest out of 180 kids in my school year and was subsequently a late bloomer! I was small and skin ny back then and then had a late growth spurt when I was around 18/19 years old and later became the fine specimen of a man you now see before your eyes! Haha 10) Your favourite CRVFC moment There has been a few, but I would probably say it was in my first se ason with Tertia when I won the “Golden Boot” as their top goalscorer. I also remember scoring a hatrick in a game against Old Vaughnians that season. Let’s just say, neither goal was a 2 yard tap in! 😉 LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN TOP S CORERS LEAGUE Strange happenings this week in the goal scoring charts. Hares managed to score a hatful of goals again, seven to be exact but Mr Scallan only managed 1 instead of his usual 4. This blip in form was more than made up for by John Small continuing his goal charge up the league with a brace to take his total to 10. He is now level with Chris Napper, who is the clubs top scoring defender . Scallan is obviously still top though and is odds on favourite to stay there come the end of season awards ceremony in May. Andrej Stolcers hit his first goals in that 7 - 0 demolition and a hat trick to boot. Elsewhere, Eric Hartman git himself another g oal in Hounds win. Jonathan Pim also his first for the club and that must surely be the first of many that he will get. The other goal came from Pat Nathanson. Eric is now up to 6 th in the league, coincidentally on 6 goals. Total is now up to 147 and with 4 months still to go, we should probably start a sweepstake on who scores goal number 200 Just in case anyone had forgotten about this. It’s still very much alive and kicking and waiting for its next victim. Be afraid penalty takers, be very afraid!! Or, just don’t miss. I’d probably go with the latter option and avoid joining Mikey B LEAGUE OF HIS OWN MISSED PENALTY LEAGUE Coming up ... Three games ne xt Saturday. Hares are at home to Laleha m & Kempto n. Hounds are on the road and travelling to Croxle y Gree n a nd Tertia are away to BBC. Kick off times and venues to be announced. We also m ay have a new platf orm for the Newsletter if I can work it ou t in time. I ’ m also hoping that we can keep the 10 questi ons pie ce going and maybe have a few of the new guys getting involved in that. Ham pton Ranger s have their auction on Friday 17 th and we ’ re h oping that they can make enough money to make that clubhouse a reality . Good luc k Bill y! F inally, best of luc k to tho se of y ou playing this weekend and commiserations to those that aren ’ t. I ’ ve also managed to get myself a roun d of gol f on Sunday , so if anyo ne knows how to tur n the weather up a bit, I ’ d appreciate some help! Good luc k everyone. Come on y o u Roya ls!! THIS WEEKS MATCHES AND SQUADS TEMPLE BAR V STROLLERS Away fixture – Blue shirts 2PM KICK OFF Walton Heath Sports Ground B2032 Tadworth KT20 7 TJ Squad: Chris Price Paul Rayner Eric Hartman Dan Ward Michael Payten Sergey Shakhnazarov Graham Buller Paul Camp John McNamara Rob Young Ian Hennings Matt Creasey Kev Warner Ricardo Beeny Karl Te Aika Garry Morgan HAMPTON RANGERS V TERTIA Away Fixture – Red shirts 2PM KICK OFF HR Training Grounds 166 Priory Road Hampton TW12 2PS Squad: Mark Dearing Chad Newbould Joe Zerafa Mike Baldwin Luke Webb Chris Cowell Dave Gardiner Ihor Zemtsov Scott Gordon Dave McDonnell Tom Wright Dean Brooke Matt Scanlan Shane Westell