Next up – Rayners Lane
Saturday, 14th March at Tithe Farm Sports And Social Club, Rayners Lane, Harrow, Middx. HA2 0XH
Pitching in Southern League, Divison One (Central); kick off 3pm.
Admission
I can find no information on admission charges.
Our opponents
Founded in 1933, Rayners Lane joined the Harrow and Wembley District League and held membership up to the end of the second world war. During their spell in the league they won its championship on three occasions with three wins also in its league cup. They moved up to the Middlessex League (later the Parthenon League) before joining the Spartan League in 1957. They had two spells with the Spartans before moving on to the Hellenic. They then spent several years between the Hellenic, Chiltonian, Spartan South Midlands and Combined Counties leagues before gaining promotion from the latter through the play-offs. Their first season at Step 4 was in the Isthmian League in which they finished 11th. They were transferred to our division for the start of this season.
Form guide
The Lane are second from bottom of the table and six points adrift of third from bottom Northwood who have two games in hand on them. They hadn’t won in the twenty games since beating Biggleswade away in November but Tuesday saw them win at Hadley. Scoring for them in that game was former Hertford player Ade Ghobolahan who played against us for Beaconsfield earlier this season before transferring to Hitchin. He made six appearances in Hitchin line-ups, the last being as an unused sub against Rayners Lane. He joined them shortly after. Lane’s best result has been the 4-2 win at Northwood back on August Bank Holiday Monday. Their only home win has been against AFC Dunstable by 1-0
We are currently expecting Josh Okotcha to be available after being rested against AFC Dunstable. It’s not clear if Jack Grosvenor will continue to be rested this weekend with the following week’s match at home to Biggleswade Town in mind. Theo Ofori is back from Ghana. His fitness for Saturday’s game will have been assessed at Thursday training.
Previous Meetings
Our first meeting was on 28th April 1962 when we travelled to meet them in an end of season friendly. We drew 1-1 with our goal coming from Don Suckling. Entrance to the ground was then at the end of Lucas Avenue which gave its name to the venue. The entrance now is via the much more approriate Rayners Lane. Directions are given if you click on the ground address at the top of this article although the ground is walkable from Rayners Lane tube station.
We have, of course, already met at Wodson Park earlier this season. We won 3-0 with goals from Herbie Townsend, Reece Beckles-Richards and Sam Mayuma.
Commentary
Pete and Symon will be on air from 2.55pm at https://90minuteslivefootball.mixlr.com/events/4900632
Match Officials
The referee for this match to be notified later.
