SSML Challenge Trophy - 2023/24

[Rhodes]

On 11/11/2023 at 16:43, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
10. Sarratt v Biggleswade United (Saturday 25 November, kick off 2.00pm)

Second Division Sarratt host Premier Division Biggleswade United on Saturday:

Saturday 25 November

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round

Sarratt v Biggleswade United (kick off 2.00pm)

Edited November 27, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

The penultimate First Round tie takes place tomorrow at Cow Lane, see the match programme, Berkhamsted Raiders v The 61 FC (Luton) will be played at Broadwater next Saturday, 9 December:

Saturday 2 December

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round

Tring Athletic v Long Buckby AFC

https://issuu.com/tringafc/docs/2023.11.21_long_buckby

[Rhodes]

5 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Saturday 2 December

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round

Tring Athletic P Long Buckby AFC

Disappointing news, Long Buckby AFC are unable to field a team so presumably the tie is awarded to Tring Athletic.

[Rhodes]

On 18/11/2023 at 13:35, Rhodes said:

The draw for the Second Round of the competition so far, other ties to be posted once the remaining First Round ties are completed

Further Second Round ties (highlighted), Aylesbury United, Tring Athletic, Berkhamsted Raiders or The 61 FC (Luton) and Buckingham FC are still awaiting dates or news of their Second Round (last 32) opposition:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn v London Lions (Tuesday 30 January)
Ampthill Town v Stansted (Tuesday 23 January)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 16 January)
Codicote v Bovingdon (Tuesday 9 January)
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)
Langford v Irchester United (Tuesday 23 January)
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 19 December)
Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish (Tuesday 23 January) 
New Bradwell St Peter v Caddington AFC (Saturday 3 February)
Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania (Tuesday 23 January)
Potton United v Harpenden Town (now Tuesday 23 January)
Real Bedford v Cockfosters (Tuesday 9 January)
Sarratt v Winslow United (Saturday 13 January)

[Rhodes]

On 23/11/2023 at 18:21, Rhodes said:

Saturday 25 November
SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
Sarratt v Biggleswade United

Apologies for not congratulating Sarratt for their amazing 1-0 win over Biggleswade United in the First Round of the competition on Saturday 25 November, a groundhopper from another Forum was in attendance at the King George V Playing Fields:

Sarratt FC 1-0 Biggleswade United (HT 0-0) KO 2.00pm
King George V Playing Fields, Sarratt, Herts
Gladwish Challenge Trophy (Spartan South Midlands League Trophy)
Spartan SM Div 2 (Step 7) v Spartan SM Premier (Step 5)
Attendance 33 and 6 dogs - est HC.
Admission free, Programme £1, Tea £1.50, Newly issued pin badges were available.
An earlier KO time suited me, except on my way home, traffic lights in Chorleywood delayed me by over 30 minutes on my way back towards the M25, so any time saving was negated with my arriving home well after 5.00pm.
My first game on a pitch named after King George V, I'm sure it won't be my last. A small (ample enough) car park behind the goal line, a pavilion and club house on the near touchline and a practice pitch beyond the far touchline. The programme was a single sheet, basically having a paragraph inside from S saying they didn't expect to win this fixture.
BU, whilst doing well in the Premier Division never really turned up to this game, a free kick, just outside the GK box was awarded to BU, because I think the S GK handled the ball outside of his area (I didn't have a clear view), but BU failed to score from this. S kept up the energy and pressure and managed to go ahead in the 2nd half. Physically overall they looked a smaller and younger team than BU.

[Rhodes]

On 16/11/2023 at 14:08, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 14 November

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
Dunstable Town 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 1 (after 90 mins, Dunstable Town win 4-3 on pens)

Highlights from Creasey Park:

[Rhodes]

Two SSML Challenge Trophy ties this evening, one being the delayed First Round meeting between Division Two Club's Berkhamsted Raiders and The 61 FC (Luton). See the match programme for the Second Round tie taking place at Pancake Lane:

Tuesday 19 December (kick off 7.45pm)

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
Berkhamsted Raiders v The 61 FC (Luton)

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town 
https://issuu.com/tonysmart/docs/dunstable_town_programme_035d2ccec8b14c?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

Edited December 19, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Disappointingly the Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town Second Round tie this evening has been called off following a pitch inspection:

Tuesday 19 December

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Leverstock Green P Dunstable Town 

[Rhodes]

The Berkhamsted Raiders v The 61 FC (Luton) First Round tie will take place at Broadwater this evening (Wednesday 20 December):

Wednesday 20 December (kick off 7.45pm)

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
Berkhamsted Raiders v The 61 FC (Luton)

[Rhodes]

Last night's result, tough luck on The 61 FC (Luton), Berkhamsted Raiders will now travel to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in the Second Round of the competition:

Wednesday 20 December

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
Berkhamsted Raiders 1 The 61 FC (Luton) 1 (Berkhamsted Raiders win 4-3 on pens)

Edited December 21, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 16/11/2023 at 14:08, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
Colney Heath P Codicote

Apologies, the Colney Heath v Codicote First Round tie, postponed on 14 November, finally took place two weeks later with Codicote pulling off a surprise, they now host Bovingdon on Tuesday 9 January in the Second Round of the competition:

Tuesday 28 November 

SSML Challenge Trophy First Round
Colney Heath 1 Codicote 1 (Codicote won 4-2 on pens)

[Rhodes]

An update on the confirmed last 32 of the competition, Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town is still to be arranged:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn v London Lions (Tuesday 30 January)
Ampthill Town v Stansted (Tuesday 23 January)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Tuesday 16 January)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 16 January)
Codicote v Bovingdon (Tuesday 9 January)
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)
Langford v Irchester United (Tuesday 23 January)
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (tbc)
Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish (Tuesday 23 January) 
New Bradwell St Peter v Caddington AFC (Saturday 3 February)
Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania (Tuesday 23 January)
Potton United v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Real Bedford v Cockfosters (Tuesday 9 January)
Sarratt v Winslow United (Saturday 13 January) 
Tring Athletic v Buckingham FC (Tuesday 6 February)

Edited December 26, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town will take place on Tuesday 23 January:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn v London Lions (Tuesday 30 January)
Ampthill Town v Stansted (Tuesday 23 January)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Tuesday 16 January)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 16 January)
Codicote v Bovingdon (Tuesday 9 January)
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)
Langford v Irchester United (Tuesday 23 January)
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish (Tuesday 23 January) 
New Bradwell St Peter v Caddington AFC (Saturday 3 February)
Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania (Tuesday 23 January)
Potton United v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Real Bedford v Cockfosters (Tuesday 9 January)
Sarratt v Winslow United (Saturday 13 January) 
Tring Athletic v Buckingham FC (Tuesday 6 February)

[Rhodes]

Two Second Round ties last night (Tuesday 9 January) with Real Bedford and Codicote progressing:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn v London Lions (Tuesday 30 January)
Ampthill Town v Stansted (Tuesday 23 January)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Tuesday 16 January)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 16 January)
Codicote 2 Bovingdon 1
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)
Langford v Irchester United (Tuesday 23 January)
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish (Tuesday 23 January) 
New Bradwell St Peter v Caddington AFC (Saturday 3 February)
Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania (Tuesday 23 January)
Potton United v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Real Bedford 2 Cockfosters 1
Sarratt v Winslow United (Saturday 13 January) 
Tring Athletic v Buckingham FC (Tuesday 6 February)

[Rhodes]

On 10/01/2024 at 12:41, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Sarratt v Winslow United (Saturday 13 January) 

Can Sarratt pull off another cup upset tomorrow afternoon at the King George V Playing Fields:

Saturday 13 January (kick off 2.00pm)

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round

Sarratt v Winslow United 

Edited January 18 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Sadly no cigar for Sarratt then this afternoon as they exit the competition but with their head held high. See an 'Around The Ground' feature by groundhopper Chris White who happened to visit the King George V Playing Fields for the hard fought SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round tie on a difficult playing surface:

Saturday 13 January 

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round

Sarratt 0 Winslow United 1

Edited January 18 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Two further Second Round ties take place on Tuesday (16 January) evening, highlighted:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn v London Lions (Tuesday 30 January)
Ampthill Town v Stansted (Tuesday 23 January)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Tuesday 16 January)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 16 January)
Codicote 2 Bovingdon 1
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)
Langford v Irchester United (Tuesday 23 January)
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish (Tuesday 23 January) 
New Bradwell St Peter v Caddington AFC (Saturday 3 February)
Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania (Tuesday 23 January)
Potton United v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Real Bedford 2 Cockfosters 1  
Real Bedford Produce Cup Win Over COckfosters | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin
Sarratt 0 Winslow United 1
Tring Athletic v Buckingham FC (Tuesday 6 February)

Edited January 18 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 14/01/2024 at 16:46, Rhodes said:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Tuesday 16 January)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 16 January)

Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town has been postponed however, surprisingly, Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders looks like going ahead (see below):

Initial inspection and the pitch has light icy patches on one side but soft underneath and the stand side is absolutely fine. As of now, the match is on subject to match Referees decision at 6pm.

[Rhodes]

58 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

Initial inspection and the pitch has light icy patches on one side but soft underneath and the stand side is absolutely fine. As of now, the match is on subject to match Referees decision at 6pm

It sounds very much as if the match Referee at Haywood Way, Ashley Norris, wanted to get home for one of the five FA Cup Third Round Replays this evening, perhaps he is a West Ham fan.

Tuesday 16 January

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos P Berkhamsted Raiders

Baldock Town P Huntingdon Town

Edited January 16 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders will now take place on Saturday 27 January and Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town on Tuesday 6 February:

SSML Challenge Trophy Second Round
AFC Welwyn v London Lions (Tuesday 30 January)
Ampthill Town v Stansted (Tuesday 23 January)
Arlesey Town v Crawley Green (Tuesday 13 February) 
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Berkhamsted Raiders (Saturday 27 January)
Baldock Town v Huntingdon Town (Tuesday 6 February)
Codicote 2 Bovingdon 1
Eynesbury United v Pitstone & Ivinghoe (Tuesday 30 January)
Langford v Irchester United (Tuesday 23 January)
Leverstock Green v Dunstable Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Moulton FC v Milton Keynes Irish (Tuesday 23 January) 
New Bradwell St Peter v Caddington AFC (Saturday 3 February)
Northampton ON Chenecks v FC Romania (Tuesday 23 January)
Potton United v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 23 January)
Real Bedford 2 Cockfosters 1 
Real Bedford Produce Cup Win Over COckfosters | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin
Sarratt 0 Winslow United 1
Tring Athletic v Buckingham FC (Tuesday 6 February)