Local football was particularly impressive in the 2016/2017 season, with Thame United winning the Hellenic Premier Division, Long Crendon very unfortunate to finish second on goal difference in the Aylesbury & District Premier Division and Tetsworth FC winning the ADL Division 2 title.
With all those teams competing at a higher level or up a division this season, we take a look at how Thame, Chinnor, Long Crendon, Tetsworth, Haddenham and Great Milton have started their 2017/2018 season.
Thame have returned to the Southern League (East), where they have had a mixed start to their season, although 4 wins in November has been a major highlight, with Dan West scoring some crucial goals along the way. They currently sit in a respectable 14th place.
Long Crendon have left the ADL, and moved to the Hellenic East, alongside Chinnor Reserves and Thame Rangers Development, all three sides have had mixed starts, although Crendon have had some very credible results along the way. Crendon currently sit in 7th out of 12 sides, with Chinnor Reserves second from bottom after only winning 2 of their 10 games to date. Rangers Development side have started strongly however, sitting in second place (joint top).
Chinnor first team have are sitting in 10th place of Division 1 East, just one place ahead of Thame Rangers, but have played three games more than their rivals. Rangers are a completely different side to the one which one SML Division 2 last year, and sitting 22 points adrift of top place Bicester Town leaves them with a lot of work to do this season!
Moving on to the ADL, starting with Haddenham United who had a very disappointing season last year. They remained in the Premier Division despite their finishing position and have started well under the Management of Chris Davies, with a good bunch of players joining him it looks as though they will be strong competition for reigning champions Aylesbury Dynamos. The two sides met last weekend in the League Cup and Haddenham were unfortunate to lose 3-2.
Tetsworth were crowned champions of Division 2 last season, and they've again started brightly this campaign, winning 9 in a row, topping the Division 1 table and progressing in 3 cups. They too have bolstered their squad, with 4 new signings who have all added real quality to what was already a good team. Their best result so far being a 6-1 home thrashing of title challengers Rivets FC.
Great Milton have really strengthened over the past few weeks in particular, and are battling it out with Tetsworth Reserves in the ADL’s bottom Division. Tetsworth won 5-1 in the first fixture between the two, but Milton came out on top in a 3-1 victory when the return fixture took place. Tetsworth have a couple of draws to their name which may hamper catching Milton at the top.
Overall, our local teams are competing well at their various levels and Thame Hub will give you regular updates with further scores and league standings when we hit the Christmas break.
