SSML Premier Division Cup - 2023/24

[Rhodes]

The First Round draw of the competition as far as I am aware:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Leverstock Green v London Lions (Tuesday 31 October)
Shefford Town & Campton v FC Romania (Tuesday 7 November)
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (Saturday 11 November)
St Panteleimon v Stansted (Saturday 18 November)

First Round byes for the remainder of SSML Premier Division Club's.

[Rhodes]

On 02/10/2023 at 15:36, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Leverstock Green v London Lions (Tuesday 31 October)

The first SSML Premier Division Cup fixture of the season, indeed the first 'domestic' SSML Cup fixture of the season, was completed last night at Pancake Lane, a groundhopper from another Forum was present and see Leverstock Green's match report and the match programme: 

Tuesday 31 October 2023

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Leverstock Green 0 London Lions 3

https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/231031f/

https://issuu.com/tonysmart/docs/london_lions_programme?fr=xKAE9_zU1NQ

SSML - Premier Division Cup, Round 1 (aka Dudley Latham Memorial Cup)
Leverstock Green v London Lions 0-3 (ht 0-1)
Venue: Pancake Lane (ko 1945hrs), Entry: £8/4, Programme: free, online by issuu (47 pages), Teamsheet: on whiteboard next to tea hatch, Attendance: 49 h/c
Leverstock Green were on a five game winning streak, but tonight that came to a shuddering halt with a horror show at the back and a lack of bite up front. Since I last saw them in a goalless draw with leaders St Panteleimon they have scored thirteen goal in the process of picking up a maximum fifteen points, and now sit just two points behind them in fourth place. But I saw none of that sparkle in tonight's cup tie.
In the first minute of the game, their defence was all over the place as Felix Shalom was able to run on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and fire into net with the keeper out of position. The rest of the first half was pretty even in terms of possession but the visitors could only manage one more attempt on goal and that was on 45 minutes with the shot going narrowly wide. The host's possession was equally blunt in the early stages, but eventually yielded a number of openings, none of which troubled the keeper.
For the hosts, the second half started as badly as the first half. On 46 minutes a long ball down field found Austin Lipman free on the edge box and he had plenty of time to place the ball beyond the keeper. This appeared to enliven the game for a while with a few attempts at either end. But eventually it just became a matter of Leverstock Green attempting to get back into the game and failing to break down a resolute defence.
And things got even worse for the hosts in the last ten minutes as they lost a player to the sinbin on 83 minutes and conceded a third goal, scored by Lee Goldberg, five minutes later. A minute before the 90, their night was summed up when they were awarded a penalty which was saved by the keeper and the loose ball fired wide. For Lions this was a good performance and revenge for last week's 4-3 home defeat to Leverstock Green in the league. In the next round of this cup they will play away to MK Irish who are second in the table.

Edited November 2, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 02/10/2023 at 16:36, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Shefford Town & Campton v FC Romania (Tuesday 7 November)

Another SSML Premier Division Cup tie takes place tomorrow evening:

Tuesday 7 November (kick off 7.45pm)

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Shefford Town & Campton v FC Romania

[Rhodes]

Somewhat of a surprise last night at the Shefford Sports Club with lowly Shefford Town & Campton defeating fifth in the Premier Division table FC Romania:

Tuesday 7 November 

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Shefford Town & Campton 2 FC Romania 1

[Rhodes]

On 02/10/2023 at 16:36, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (Saturday 11 November)

Another SSML Premier Division Cup tie takes place tomorrow afternoon, well Haywood Way permitting that is:

Saturday 11 November (kick off 3.00pm)

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town

[Rhodes]

On 10/11/2023 at 15:46, Rhodes said:

Saturday 11 November
SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town

Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the tie at Haywood Way this afternoon has been called off with a new date 'pencilled in' for as long ahead as Saturday 6 January:

Saturday 11 November
SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos P Sawbridgeworth Town

Edited November 12, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

An update on the First and Second Round ties:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Leverstock Green 0 London Lions 3
Shefford Town & Campton 2 FC Romania 1
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (Saturday 6 January)
St Panteleimon v Stansted (Saturday 18 November)
 

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round

Arlesey Town v Colney Heath (Tuesday 12 December)
Cockfosters v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 12 December)
Crawley Green v Shefford Town & Campton (Tuesday 19 December)
Milton Keynes Irish v London Lions (Tuesday 19 December)
Tring Athletic v Biggleswade United (tbc)
Dunstable Town v Real Bedford (Tuesday 16 January)
(Baldock Town and Potton United awaiting the winners of the Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town and St Panteleimon v Stansted First Round ties)

Edited November 12, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 11/11/2023 at 21:10, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
St Panteleimon v Stansted (Saturday 18 November)

There is another SSML Premier Division Cup First Round tie this afternoon: 

Saturday 18 November

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

St Panteleimon v Stansted

[Rhodes]

Another update on the First and Second Round ties:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Leverstock Green 0 London Lions 3
https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/231031f/
Shefford Town & Campton 2 FC Romania 1
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (Saturday 6 January)
St Panteleimon v Stansted (now Wednesday 20 December)

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round

Arlesey Town v Colney Heath (Tuesday 12 December)
Cockfosters v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 12 December)
Crawley Green v Shefford Town & Campton (Tuesday 19 December)
Milton Keynes Irish v London Lions (Tuesday 19 December)
Tring Athletic v Biggleswade United (now Tuesday 16 January)
Dunstable Town v Real Bedford (Tuesday 16 January)
(Baldock Town and Potton United awaiting the winners of the Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town and St Panteleimon v Stansted First Round ties)

[Rhodes]

On 08/11/2023 at 19:31, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 7 November 

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Shefford Town & Campton 2 FC Romania 1

Over ninety photographs from this First Round tie last month courtesy of groundhopper and photographer :Local Bus Driver':

[Rhodes]

On 02/12/2023 at 16:18, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round
Arlesey Town P Colney Heath (Tuesday 12 December)
Cockfosters P Harpenden Town (Tuesday 12 December)

Both Second Round ties were postponed on Saturday, see the revised dates (highlighted):

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Leverstock Green 0 London Lions 3
https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/231031f/
Shefford Town & Campton 2 FC Romania 1
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (Saturday 6 January)
St Panteleimon v Stansted (now Wednesday 20 December)

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round

Arlesey Town v Colney Heath (Tuesday 23 January)
Cockfosters v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 2 January)
Crawley Green v Shefford Town & Campton (Tuesday 19 December)
Milton Keynes Irish v London Lions (Tuesday 19 December)
Tring Athletic v Biggleswade United (now Tuesday 16 January)
Dunstable Town v Real Bedford (Tuesday 16 January)
(Baldock Town and Potton United are awaiting the winners of the Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town and St Panteleimon v Stansted First Round ties)

[Rhodes]

On 02/12/2023 at 16:18, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 31 October 2023
SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Leverstock Green 0 London Lions 3
https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/231031f/

Highlights of the action from Pancake Lane:

[Rhodes]

On 13/12/2023 at 20:29, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
St Panteleimon v Stansted (now Wednesday 20 December)

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round
Crawley Green v Shefford Town & Campton (Tuesday 19 December)
Milton Keynes Irish v London Lions (Tuesday 19 December)

The three pre-Christmas Premier Division Cup ties scheduled for this week all took place, see match programmes where found. St Panteleimon now entertain Potton United in the Second Round on Wednesday 17 January:

Tuesday 19 December

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round
Crawley Green 1 Shefford Town & Campton 5
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/files.pitchero.com/clubs/73930/fvtRob2QnqAskWUa6u2j_Match Day Programme v Shefford Town & Campton FC - 19 December 23.pdf
Milton Keynes Irish 1 London Lions 4 
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/bc812c769a.html?fbclid=IwAR1gTUrGm3yBa99oibgt3q5c7OV3zXAqo7m7-NzgtZ1HvZguqYga4lpHirs

Wednesday 20 December

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
St Panteleimon 2 Stansted 1

Edited December 22, 2023 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

1 hour ago, Rhodes said:

Tuesday 19 December

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round
Crawley Green 1 Shefford Town & Campton 5
https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/files.pitchero.com/clubs/73930/fvtRob2QnqAskWUa6u2j_Match Day Programme v Shefford Town & Campton FC - 19 December 23.pdf

A groundhopper from another Forum was at The Brache:

SSML Premier Division Cup - Round 2
Crawley Green v Shefford Town and Campton 1-5 (ht 0-4)
Venue: The Brache, Park Street, Luton (ko 1945hrs)
Entry: £8/5, free online programme, Attendance: circa 40
This was an embarrassingly easy win for Shefford in a clash between 16th and 18th in the table. It started out as an even contest but by half time the visitors were four up and virtually into the next round. The first goal was a throughball that set Robinson free to run on and beat the keeper. The second came from a cross which saw the home keeper foul the onrushing forward and concede a penalty, which Metcalfe converted. The home defence was having a torrid time and when one of their midfielders attempted a back pass to his keeper, Metcalfe nipped in to intercept the ball and roll it into the empty net. Metcalfe completed his hattrick when a cross eluded everyone and he was free to score at the far post.
Crawley Green certainly tried hard to put things right in the second half with plenty of attacking intent but with few shots on target. They did force an excellent double save from the Shefford keeper but eventually, and rather inevitably, the visitors went up the other end and showed them how it's done. They created a couple of good chances before a freekick was not properly cleared by the wall and Drakulic pounced on the loose ball to score. Crawley Green did eventually get on the scoresheet when Trif stabbed home the ball from a corner, but it could hardly be described as a consolation goal on an horrendous night for the home club.
No physical changes to the ground since my last visit when we were restricted to one side of the ground and refreshments were from the groundsman's shed behind the stand. Now, the Club has obviously been given permission by Luton Town to open up all sides of the ground and can use the modern building opposite the stand to provide halftime sustenance. The players and Officials, however, still have to use the portakabin changing rooms behind the stand and it's still on-street parking only.

[Rhodes]

An update new and revised dates highlighted:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Leverstock Green 0 London Lions 3
https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/231031f/
Shefford Town & Campton 2 FC Romania 1
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (Saturday 6 January)
St Panteleimon 2 Stansted 1

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round

Arlesey Town v Colney Heath (Tuesday 23 January)
Cockfosters v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 2 January)
Crawley Green 1 Shefford Town & Campton 5 
Dunstable Town v Real Bedford (Tuesday 16 January)
Milton Keynes Irish 1 London Lions 4  
St Panteleimon v Potton United (Wednesday 17 January)
Tring Athletic v Biggleswade United (now Tuesday 16 January)
(Baldock Town await the winners of the Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town First Round tie)

[Rhodes]

On 22/12/2023 at 18:02, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round
Cockfosters v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 2 January)

Unfortunately this evening's Second Round tie has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch:

Tuesday 2 January 

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round
Cockfosters P Harpenden Town

[Rhodes]

The Cockfosters v Harpenden Town Second Round tie, postponed last night, is re-arranged for Tuesday 30 January:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Leverstock Green 0 London Lions 3
https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/231031f/
Shefford Town & Campton 2 FC Romania 1
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (Saturday 6 January)
St Panteleimon 2 Stansted 1

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round

Arlesey Town v Colney Heath (Tuesday 23 January)
Cockfosters v Harpenden Town (Tuesday 30 January)
Crawley Green 1 Shefford Town & Campton 5 
Dunstable Town v Real Bedford (Tuesday 16 January)
Milton Keynes Irish 1 London Lions 4  
St Panteleimon v Potton United (Wednesday 17 January)
Tring Athletic v Biggleswade United (now Tuesday 16 January)
(Baldock Town await the winners of the Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town First Round tie)

[Rhodes]

Just now, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup Second Round
Crawley Green 1 Shefford Town & Campton 5 

Groundhopper and Blogger Oliver Sims attended this Second Round tie at The Brache on Tuesday 19 December:

[Rhodes]

On 03/01/2024 at 13:20, Rhodes said:

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round
Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (Saturday 6 January)

The delayed First Round tie between Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Sawbridgeworth Town will take place at Crofters End on Saturday with Baldock Town awaiting the winners:

Saturday 6 January

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos v Sawbridgeworth Town (at Sawbridgeworth Town FC)

[Rhodes]

The Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and Sawbridgeworth Town First Round tie was finally completed on Saturday with Aylesbury Vale Dynamos now travelling to Baldock Town in the Second Round of the competition on Saturday 3 February:

Saturday 6 January

SSML Premier Division Cup First Round

Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 2 Sawbridgeworth Town 2 (at Sawbridgeworth Town FC, Aylesbury Vale Dynamos win 4-2 on pens)