Bob’s View

…………..how does he get round all those matches !!

30th December, 2007

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HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HERE ARE THE
PREDICTIONS

As usual with these things, I have to put a “qualifier” in before anybody moans to Phil Cheverton, OBDSFL League Secretary, and say that I base my predictions on the League rules that state 3 teams are promoted and 3 teams are relegated from each division, except at the top of the Premier where 2 teams are promoted and bottom of the Senior where 2 teams are relegated. The bottom 3 teams in the Fifth Division have to apply for re-election to the League. Of course these rules can be adjusted as the League Management seek fit to ensure you chaps have a meaningful division next season. So thus please do not go to the Committee at the end of the season and say “well Bob said so……”. I hope this will make sure there are no misunderstandings. AND, of course, this is just a bit of fun in our “close season” – please take it as such and don’t take any offence or my comments too seriously !

Senior Division

I think the run in this season could be very interesting. The top three teams seem to have put a few points between them and the following pack. A surprise contender is Eltham Town after their years in the doldrums and fighting relegation. But what’s this – Goldsmiths United lurking again by virtue of their Kent Cup commitments. I am sure they may be there or thereabouts at the end but my 1, 2 will be Defiance followed by Eltham Town with Lessa Albion, Vista and Goldsmiths United fighting it out for third place. Sadly, I think once again at the bottom the promoted teams will be flirting with relegation. To go down will certainly be FOBG and I think it will be a scrap between Midfield, Catford CC and Centaurs for that remaining place.

Premier Division

A bit like the Senior the top 3 teams seem to have opened a gap on the rest of the table. Both Valley Valiants and EPR would love another crack at the Senior Division from whence they were both dumped a season after winning relegation. To spice things up, Keyworth who missed out narrowly last season, have also only lost one game and that was to another of the promotion contenders EPR. They are desperate to have a go at the top flight, a division they think they are better off in but it’s that final hurdle that defeated them so closely last season. Newcomers to the League, FC Bickley, seem to be winning quite well also and are in second place. I don’t think EPR have been consistent enough to warrant an immediate return so it looks to me that FC Bickley and Valley Valiants will nick it in a very, very close contest. Sadly, I think Keyworth will be bridesmaid once more and could drop some more crucial points when it matters and thus lose out very closely, possibly it could even be goal difference that counts in the end. At the bottom it seems that promoted Leabridge, Midway, Prince of Wales, Griffin Sports and AFC Albatross will slug it out for the bottom 3 spots. AFC Albatross seem to have claimed the wooden spoon and the other two, Griffin Sports and “Golden Ronnie’s” Prince of Wales seem destined for the same fate. Interesting point is that AFC Albatross’s goal difference is the worst in the League – sorry Clive !!

First Division

At first glance Coney Hall, Hatcham and Eltham Progress seem quite comfortable at around the half way mark. However, bubbling under with a vital 2 games in hand are Lessa Albion Reserves. They could ruin the comfortable party at the top perhaps !! Not to be underestimated they have fought their way up the League and one season were written off by me as relegation candidates and then won promotion and got to a cup final ! At the bottom, two good teams in KPR and Masters have zilch, zero, nil, nowt as regards points – indeed are they going to go the whole season without a sniff of a point ?? Who will join them going down is another question ! You could say Cudham or Otford Colts – yet they are 2 good teams as well for this division. A really rotten one to have to call this for that final space – sorry lads I think it may be Otford Colt’s turn this year.

Second Division

Turning now to the 2nd Div. and VN’s away form seems quite stunning, winning 5 out of 5. The home form could be a problem though, won 1 drawn 1 and lost 1 !!! In second place is undefeated Lombard Phoenix who have games in hand due to a good County Cup run and they look good for the title BUT in third place is Valley Valiants Res and in 5th place don’t write off The Wood just yet. So you see this could be quite a race here – this is always good fun trying to pick the winners. 1 and 2 will be Lombard Phoenix and VN and then number 3 I am going to punt for Valley Valiant Res. At the bottom, 3 out of the bottom 4 seems obvious but it could be a real battle. S E Twente seem adrift now and The Buff could lose out to. Who may join them, well it seems Fairfield and Bromley Common will make it a close call. I reckon Bromley Common may claim that spot.

Third Division

EPR Res, Ex Blues and The Blues have all forged at least a 5 point gap but watch out for Copers Cope with 2 games in hand. Even Lessa Albion ‘A’ could be a threat, but they are a younger side getting better each season but I think next year may be their turn. London City may threaten too but seem a bit off the race here. Barring a mishap the top 3 have probably done enough and although it’s still a long way to go I think it will end up being Ex Blues, EPR Res and The Blues. At the bottom I am going to say that The Flames will be bottom with VS Bexley and Eltham Town Res taking the other 2 spots, although Swanley Cardinals will probably have to fight to avoid being dragged into the relegation mire.

Fourth Division

So the Fourth Division get’s tighter with any 3 from the top 7 technically in with a shout as the fixtures have been affected. At first look you think that the top 3 have it sewn up but then you look again at the games in hand of the following 4 and it looks as if goal difference could play a big part in this. This Division could be the one that means I have to donate to this seasons charity if I don’t get 80% or more of my predictions correct ! So let’s be brave and call it – Orchard, Dartford and Beckenham Imps to claim the top 3 spots. As for the bottom, well Wickham Park and Midway Res seem to have taken 2 of the 3 spots and I reckon Freelands unfortunately will claim the third, but, as they say, we will see.

Fifth Division

And so too the Fifth where the top team EPR ‘A’, with Howard in good striking form and thanks to fine away results, have half of their League season under their belts already. Followed by Rohan with 2 games in hand and 2 points behind EPR must be concerned that they will be pipped at the post. But these 2 still have to play each other. Shortlands Athletic have 4 games in hand and could challenge for a promotion spot too which will upset Eltham Progress Res hopes. These 2 teams have still to play each other twice interestingly. So a 1, 2, 3 could be Rohan, EPR ‘A’ and Eltham Progress Res but it is going to be a close call. At the bottom things seem a lot easier with Fairfield Res, Crayside Colts and Starks Park Rovers my bet for the bottom 3 places – sorry Nigel but it seems like it is back to the bad old days for SPR.

Up for the Cup

This is more difficult than the divisions as I am assuming all the clubs mentioned in the latest rounds on the website are the only ones left in the competitions so here we go:

Charity Cup:

Winners: Defiance
Runners Up: Keyworth

Smales’ Trophy:

Winners: Ex Blues
Runners Up: Copers Cope

Paul Pickard Cup:

Winners: Keyworth
Runners Up: Goldsmiths United

Jack Standen Cup:

Winners: Hatcham
Runners Up: Eltham Progress

…………ha ha ha the cups will definitely be my downfall this year !!!!!!! That was a load of guesses.

And one result from 23rd December Swanley Cardinals lost out to Ex Blues 1-3 in pre Xmas Div 3 match

Cheers,

Bob.