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as5680 · 02-22-2022, 05:08 PM

MONTHLY ROUND-UP: AUGUST 1875

LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST

A close finish seems certain in this year’s Metropolitan League as we enter September with three teams tied at the top and a fourth just a fraction behind. The co-leaders are Angel, Peckham and champions Clapham, with Angel having the marginally better winning percentage by virtue of having played two games fewer. They won three of four in August, losing only to the Old Westminsters, while Peckham took four out of five. Clapham’s hopes of retaining the title were damaged by successive defeats against Greenwich and the Royal Artillery Barracks, but they finished the month with a big win at the Commercial Dock Workers to stay tied for first. The Old Westminsters had won their first three this month, but a 1-0 loss in ten innings at Kensington to end August made the difference between being a fraction ahead in first place and slightly behind in fourth. Putney are still just about in the race two games further back, but it is difficult to imagine them overhauling all four teams above them.

Newcomers Brentford still have a marginal lead in the Middlesex County League as postponements meant that they played only twice in August, with the second of those ending their eleven-game winning run as they fell 5-4 at Enfield. Edmonton remain just behind, having won two of three during the month. Strawberry Hill are two games off the pace after two wins from four, while Tottenham’s good season is falling apart as they lost three of four and seem to be falling out of the running. In the Kent County League, Gravesend have taken the initiative with three wins from four games to move clear at the top. Champions Rochester lost twice in August while Bexley Heath were beaten three times in four games to lose ground. Erith join those two in a tie for second, despite losing to both Rochester and Gravesend during the month.

Kingston have moved a game ahead in the Surrey County League after winning their last three games, including a 4-0 success against long-time leaders Croydon. That was part of a three-game losing run for Croydon which saw them fall behind, while champions Norwood are a game further back as their good month ended in a narrow 8-7 loss against Kingston. Just like Norwood, Wimbledon won three games out of four but crucially the one loss was at Kingston. The Essex County League is too close to call in its inaugural season, with Forest Gate still leading the way despite having their last two games postponed. They are a fraction ahead of Pig Alley, who have been the form team of late but also suffered two postponements after winning twice to start the month. West Ham lost all three games that they played in August to drop to an even record but are not yet out of the running.

NORTH-WEST

Miles Platting seem set to retain the Manchester and District League crown after they moved clear of long-time leaders Salford during August. They won four of their five games, while Salford lost their first three before ending that run with victory over Bury. It may be too late now however, as games are running out and Miles Platting are in fine form. Bury sit four games back in third place, but the best they can realistically hope for is to catch Salford for second. Liverpool St Patrick’s are on the brink of earning a fifth championship in as many years in the Liverpool and District League. Sankey Brook, who had briefly overhauled them in July, saw their challenge crumble in August as they lost all three of their games, while Liverpool were winning all four of theirs. Sankey have even fallen out of second place, as Great Float edged past them. Liverpool will be champions on the first weekend in September if they defeat Great Float and Sankey are beaten at Toxteth.

In the Lancashire County League, Blackburn lead the way by two games but the crucial factor seems set to be the rescheduled games which Over Darwen have to play. The championship is between those two teams as everybody else has a losing record, but Blackburn have only five games to play while Darwen have nine. The two shared two games on the final weekend of August, with each team’s defeat being their only one of the month, but Darwen had seen their previous two games postponed. Barring further cancellations, the two will meet in Blackburn’s final game but Darwen will still have two more to play.

YORKSHIRE

Leeds Central have a slight advantage in the Leeds and Bradford League race, having ended the month with a pair of victories over Hunslet. Their meeting with title rivals Dewsbury the previous week had been postponed, and has now been rescheduled for a Wednesday in late October, but may yet be rearranged for a Saturday to allow more people to attend. Four wins from five have moved Woodhouse Lane into third place, while Huddersfield have a winning record again after an undefeated month, but both seem to be too far behind the leading two. Champions Bradford had moved into third after a strong undefeated run, but their loss at Woodhouse to end August drops them back to an even record. Barnsley moved onto the shoulder of Sheffield and District League leaders Doncaster after defeating them 8-7 in the opening game of August, but Doncaster responded by winning three of their next four to stay just in front. Their advantage grew in the final game of the month when Barnsley crashed 6-1 at Sheffield Philadelphia. Hallamshire are out of the running having lost all four of their games in August.

In other news from Yorkshire, there may well be another league in the county next year after clubs in the cities of York and Kingston-upon-Hull sought additional members for a six-team competition across the less densely populated areas of the county, inspired by the Lancashire County League. Additionally, the Sheffield and District League has become the fourth competition to seek applications for two new teams to join next year. A vote is expected to come in the autumn.

MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST

Despite defeat against Edgbaston at the end of the month, Dudley are closing in on the championship of the Birmingham and District League as they hold a three game lead over Birmingham Main Line. Sharing two with Main Line to begin August was good enough for Dudley, as Main Line really needed two wins, while another defeat against the lowly Old Wulfrunians further damaged Main Line’s chances. Three wins from four in August have moved Edgbaston into third place. The Bristol and District League is still tough to call in its first season, but Weston super Mare have taken over at the top having won all three of their games in August. Arno’s Castle are a fraction behind having played only two games in the month due to postponements, winning one and losing one. Avon Gorge are a further game behind in third having lost a vital game against Weston in mid-August.

Wins over both Derby and Old Basford have moved Ilkeston one game clear at the top of the Derby and Nottingham League, with champions Basford in second after a mixed month. Derby had moved well into contention by defeating Sherwood twice to open the month, but their defeat at Ilkeston left them two games behind and that is where they remain heading into September and a pivotal game at Basford. The picture is unchanged in the Leicester and Northampton League race, where Leicester South Fields and Wellingborough had identical records in August. Their scheduled meeting on the opening weekend of the month was postponed, with both clubs then losing, winning and losing again on the next three Saturdays. Leicester therefore still lead by a fraction, with Northampton in third place after they won all four games in August. They are three games behind with eight to play however, probably too far back to make it a three-horse race.

SCOTLAND

Having won three of four in August, Burgh of Partick seem sure to take the Glasgow and District League championship for the third year in succession. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank had a similarly strong month but it was not enough to make inroads into Partick’s lead and games are now rapidly running out. Dundashill had seemed the most likely challengers heading into August, but were beaten 1-0 at Partick on the first weekend of the month and went on to lose both of their remaining games as well to fall back into the middle of the pack. In the East of Scotland League, Dunfermline saw their lead cut to a single game when they fell 2-1 to Arthur’s Seat to open August and lost again the following week against Leith, but Arthur’s Seat failed to move level at the top when they fell to Haymarket in extra innings. On the final weekend in August, Arthur’s Seat went down 4-2 against Kirkcaldy, allowing Dunfermline to move two clear again by defeating The Grange, leaving the picture back as it was a month ago but with four fewer games remaining.

02-22-2022, 05:08 PM	#180
as5680 All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Didcot, England Posts: 1,426	MONTHLY ROUND-UP: AUGUST 1875 LONDON AND SOUTH-EAST A close finish seems certain in this year’s Metropolitan League as we enter September with three teams tied at the top and a fourth just a fraction behind. The co-leaders are Angel, Peckham and champions Clapham, with Angel having the marginally better winning percentage by virtue of having played two games fewer. They won three of four in August, losing only to the Old Westminsters, while Peckham took four out of five. Clapham’s hopes of retaining the title were damaged by successive defeats against Greenwich and the Royal Artillery Barracks, but they finished the month with a big win at the Commercial Dock Workers to stay tied for first. The Old Westminsters had won their first three this month, but a 1-0 loss in ten innings at Kensington to end August made the difference between being a fraction ahead in first place and slightly behind in fourth. Putney are still just about in the race two games further back, but it is difficult to imagine them overhauling all four teams above them. Newcomers Brentford still have a marginal lead in the Middlesex County League as postponements meant that they played only twice in August, with the second of those ending their eleven-game winning run as they fell 5-4 at Enfield. Edmonton remain just behind, having won two of three during the month. Strawberry Hill are two games off the pace after two wins from four, while Tottenham’s good season is falling apart as they lost three of four and seem to be falling out of the running. In the Kent County League, Gravesend have taken the initiative with three wins from four games to move clear at the top. Champions Rochester lost twice in August while Bexley Heath were beaten three times in four games to lose ground. Erith join those two in a tie for second, despite losing to both Rochester and Gravesend during the month. Kingston have moved a game ahead in the Surrey County League after winning their last three games, including a 4-0 success against long-time leaders Croydon. That was part of a three-game losing run for Croydon which saw them fall behind, while champions Norwood are a game further back as their good month ended in a narrow 8-7 loss against Kingston. Just like Norwood, Wimbledon won three games out of four but crucially the one loss was at Kingston. The Essex County League is too close to call in its inaugural season, with Forest Gate still leading the way despite having their last two games postponed. They are a fraction ahead of Pig Alley, who have been the form team of late but also suffered two postponements after winning twice to start the month. West Ham lost all three games that they played in August to drop to an even record but are not yet out of the running. NORTH-WEST Miles Platting seem set to retain the Manchester and District League crown after they moved clear of long-time leaders Salford during August. They won four of their five games, while Salford lost their first three before ending that run with victory over Bury. It may be too late now however, as games are running out and Miles Platting are in fine form. Bury sit four games back in third place, but the best they can realistically hope for is to catch Salford for second. Liverpool St Patrick’s are on the brink of earning a fifth championship in as many years in the Liverpool and District League. Sankey Brook, who had briefly overhauled them in July, saw their challenge crumble in August as they lost all three of their games, while Liverpool were winning all four of theirs. Sankey have even fallen out of second place, as Great Float edged past them. Liverpool will be champions on the first weekend in September if they defeat Great Float and Sankey are beaten at Toxteth. In the Lancashire County League, Blackburn lead the way by two games but the crucial factor seems set to be the rescheduled games which Over Darwen have to play. The championship is between those two teams as everybody else has a losing record, but Blackburn have only five games to play while Darwen have nine. The two shared two games on the final weekend of August, with each team’s defeat being their only one of the month, but Darwen had seen their previous two games postponed. Barring further cancellations, the two will meet in Blackburn’s final game but Darwen will still have two more to play. YORKSHIRE Leeds Central have a slight advantage in the Leeds and Bradford League race, having ended the month with a pair of victories over Hunslet. Their meeting with title rivals Dewsbury the previous week had been postponed, and has now been rescheduled for a Wednesday in late October, but may yet be rearranged for a Saturday to allow more people to attend. Four wins from five have moved Woodhouse Lane into third place, while Huddersfield have a winning record again after an undefeated month, but both seem to be too far behind the leading two. Champions Bradford had moved into third after a strong undefeated run, but their loss at Woodhouse to end August drops them back to an even record. Barnsley moved onto the shoulder of Sheffield and District League leaders Doncaster after defeating them 8-7 in the opening game of August, but Doncaster responded by winning three of their next four to stay just in front. Their advantage grew in the final game of the month when Barnsley crashed 6-1 at Sheffield Philadelphia. Hallamshire are out of the running having lost all four of their games in August. In other news from Yorkshire, there may well be another league in the county next year after clubs in the cities of York and Kingston-upon-Hull sought additional members for a six-team competition across the less densely populated areas of the county, inspired by the Lancashire County League. Additionally, the Sheffield and District League has become the fourth competition to seek applications for two new teams to join next year. A vote is expected to come in the autumn. MIDLANDS AND SOUTH-WEST Despite defeat against Edgbaston at the end of the month, Dudley are closing in on the championship of the Birmingham and District League as they hold a three game lead over Birmingham Main Line. Sharing two with Main Line to begin August was good enough for Dudley, as Main Line really needed two wins, while another defeat against the lowly Old Wulfrunians further damaged Main Line’s chances. Three wins from four in August have moved Edgbaston into third place. The Bristol and District League is still tough to call in its first season, but Weston super Mare have taken over at the top having won all three of their games in August. Arno’s Castle are a fraction behind having played only two games in the month due to postponements, winning one and losing one. Avon Gorge are a further game behind in third having lost a vital game against Weston in mid-August. Wins over both Derby and Old Basford have moved Ilkeston one game clear at the top of the Derby and Nottingham League, with champions Basford in second after a mixed month. Derby had moved well into contention by defeating Sherwood twice to open the month, but their defeat at Ilkeston left them two games behind and that is where they remain heading into September and a pivotal game at Basford. The picture is unchanged in the Leicester and Northampton League race, where Leicester South Fields and Wellingborough had identical records in August. Their scheduled meeting on the opening weekend of the month was postponed, with both clubs then losing, winning and losing again on the next three Saturdays. Leicester therefore still lead by a fraction, with Northampton in third place after they won all four games in August. They are three games behind with eight to play however, probably too far back to make it a three-horse race. SCOTLAND Having won three of four in August, Burgh of Partick seem sure to take the Glasgow and District League championship for the third year in succession. Newcomers Tail o’ the Bank had a similarly strong month but it was not enough to make inroads into Partick’s lead and games are now rapidly running out. Dundashill had seemed the most likely challengers heading into August, but were beaten 1-0 at Partick on the first weekend of the month and went on to lose both of their remaining games as well to fall back into the middle of the pack. In the East of Scotland League, Dunfermline saw their lead cut to a single game when they fell 2-1 to Arthur’s Seat to open August and lost again the following week against Leith, but Arthur’s Seat failed to move level at the top when they fell to Haymarket in extra innings. On the final weekend in August, Arthur’s Seat went down 4-2 against Kirkcaldy, allowing Dunfermline to move two clear again by defeating The Grange, leaving the picture back as it was a month ago but with four fewer games remaining.