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PICTURE: Britwell won the East Berkshire League Premeir Division last season before their move to the Hellenic League and Britwell United, currently top in this campaign, are bidding to keep the silverware at The Chicken Ranch.
The East Berkshire Football League returns this Saturday and the battle for silverware promises to be a fierce one in the New Year.
Britwell United are the third new leaders of the Premier Division this season but there is only two points separating the top four in an open-looking title race. Britwell are bidding to keep the trophy at The Chicken Ranch for another year and will remain top with a win at Pundit. The hosts are in need of a good start to 2024 too, currently outside of the relegation zone on goals difference. The two sides met in the reverse fixture in late November and a single goal from Conor Remsbury-Kelly ensured all three points for Britwell.
Frontline and Hype Train battled it out in a 12 goals thriller in the Autumn, and Frontline will have to gain a small manner of revenge for a defeat then if they are to return to the top of the table this weekend . Hype Train will be looking for points to move clear of the bottom three but have only won away from home in the League once so far this season.
The feature match in the Premier Division on Saturday sees Virginia Water Reserves host Old Windsor, as fifth take on third in the table at The Timbers. Russell Taylor and his Management Team departed The Waters over the Winter Break with both Matt Holliday and Paul Abbott picking up the reigns going forward. Their team are unbeaten in three League matches since suffering a single-goal defeat to Old Windsor in the reverse fixture - a Shane Qoloni strike was the difference then. Old Windsor are making a return to League football since 27 October and could regain top spot if they can leave with all three points.
There is an all-George Pitcher Memorial Ground derby match as Chalvey Sports Reserves take on Singh Sabha with both teams in desperate need of points. Despite a convincing win in their final match before Christmas, Chalvey have dropped into the relegation zone on goals difference. Singh Sabha are unbeaten in their last seven league games, scoring an impressive 32 goals in that time, and could move to the top of the table with a victory.
The final match in the division is a clash between the two bottom sides as Sandhurst Reds, currently propping up the table, welcome Stoke Poges to The Memorial Park. Sandhurst are at risk of being cut adrift six points from safety whilst The Poges could climb out of the bottom three with a win. The two sides met in late November with Stoke Poges taking a narrow success on that occasion.
PICTURE: FC Baylis United are currently top in Division One but, will need to keep on winning to fend off the chasing pack that have all played fewer matches so far this season.
The pick of the action in Division One on Saturday is a meeting of two of the top three as third-placed Cressex host second-in-the-table South Reading at Holmers Farm Recreation Ground. Cressex missed the chance to go top when losing to FC Baylis United in the final match before Christmas but were on a seven-game winning streak prior to that. South Reading have failed to win in the League only twice so far this season and both of those occasions came on their travels.
FC Baylis United will bid to maintain their five point lead at the top with a win at pointless FC Riverside. The pace setters thrashed the bottom side 12-1 in the reverse fixture back in September.
Sandhurst Town Royals can move back into the three promotion places with a home win against Stoke Poges Reserves, while Old Windsor Reserves can climb as high as second position should they get the better of Reading Tigers at the Recreation Ground.
AFC Reading still have a chance of promotion this season but will need to win at Berks Elite to improve their prospects. Berks Elite are making a welcome return to League action since mid-October but will have to avenge a defeat earlier in the campaign to edge closer to mid-table.
The final match sees Real Saracens host Eton Wick at George Pitcher Memorial Ground with both teams needing a change in fortune having lost all five of their previous games in all competitions.
Premier Division
Chalvey Sports Reserves v Singh Sabha
Virginia Water Reserves v Old Windsor
Sandhurst Reds v Stoke Poges
Pundit v Britwell United
Frontline v Hype Train
Division One
Sandhurst Town Royals v Stoke Poges Reserves
FC Riverside v FC Baylis United
Cressex v South Reading
Real Saracens v Eton Wick
Old Windsor Reserves v Reading Tigers
Berks Elite v AFC Reading
To enter the East Berkshire Football League ahead of the 2024/25 season, or for further information about the league, or an entry form for the upcoming season, please email the team at contactebfl@gmail.com
