Has Fat Rophy brought success?
The 12 clubs I saw on my 2021-22 route From Hashtag United to Wembley have become part of the Fat Rophy family, as it were. And there are several good things to report two years after meeting these clubs. Wrexham and Stockport County are riding high in League Two, and 21-22 FA Trophy winners
Bromley are sitting in second place in the National League. But what about the smaller clubs?
Where it all started
Hashtag United were struggling in Division One of the Isthmian League when I started my Wembley trail in 2021, losing to Chipstead in the 1st Round Qualifying. However, they recovered that season, got promoted in 21-22 and are now more than holding their own in the Isthmian Premier. After two seasons in mid-table, Needham Market are top of the Southern League Premier Central and could be in the National League North or South next year. Whitehawk returned to the Isthmian Premier last season and are in mid-table, while Bishop’s Stortford are struggling in the National League North, undoubtedly suffering from being in the Northern section after last season’s promotion. As for my friends from Cheshunt, Chipstead and Aylesbury United, let’s hope they can find some form in the coming weeks.
Wynter warmer
3150 packed into Halesowen Town’s Grove ground for the local derby against Stourbridge on Saturday. As a Halesowen Town fan tweeted, “****ing rammed”. A drive of just over ten minutes separates the two clubs, but on the day, the home side, known as The Yeltz, defeated their neighbours from down the road. Ryan Winter scored the game’s only goal, with fans wildly celebrating at the end.
Local derby
While mentioning local derbies, the ultimate local derby takes place this Friday in the Bedfordshire County Club. The combatants are Wootton Blue Cross and Wootton Blue Cross Reserves. We will be tracking down the result of this game next week, just in case there is an upset. I remember joining a Sunday League team in my youth and making my debut playing for the stiffs against the prima donnas in a pre-season friendly. It was the dirtiest game I played 
all season because the reserves led 2-0 until the superstars came back to win 4-2 with three late goals.
Sharpshooter
The Met Police yet again get a mention this week. You could be forgiven for thinking their game this weekend involved the Met’s firearms team. Met Police took the lead through Jamal Sharp, a sharpshooter, indeed. Their opponents looked to have failed their firearms training – at least a team called Badshot Lea gives that impression, but Kareem Akinnibi fired home an equaliser in the 77th minute after the visitors had fired blanks earlier in the game.
The mask slips
Marske United have resigned from the Northern Premier League Premier Division as debts spiralled to as much as a Manchester United player earns in two days. The club, known as the Seasiders, were founded in 1956, hailing from North Yorkshire. As it stands, Marske United will be playing next season as a reformed club in a lower league. Curiously, their reserves will continue to fulfil their fixtures.
University Challenge
One tie in this week’s FA Vase that caught my eye was Hartpury University’s away game at Falmouth Town. The college from Gloucester specialises in football with professional standard facilities and is currently top of Division One of the Hellenic League with 18 wins from 21 games. The club was formed in 2020 and aims to reach the last 16 of the FA Vase. For those interested, enrolment for the 23-24 intake closes mid-February. Maybe I should get my application in sooner rather than later.
Freelancing
Staying on the University Challenge theme, Ramsgate are top of the Isthmian South East Division with an impressive 46 points out of a possible 54.
However, they dropped three points this weekend when they visited Lancing. Paxman asked early questions of Lancing by scoring after two minutes, and Taylor restored Ramsgate’s lead after 36 minutes, following Franzen-Jones’ equaliser. In the second half, Lancing took command and ran out 4-2 winners. With only one automatic promotion spot to the Isthmian Premier, the Rams will be concerned that Cray Valley Paper Mills remained undefeated and are on their tails with 37 points from 15 games.
They won’t lie down
Anstey Nomads are having a decent season in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division. They currently sit in 3rd place behind Spalding United and Harborough Town. Having taken the lead at Lye Town, it became clear that Lye Town would not lie down as they equalised late in the game through Cain Smith, which keeps the Flyers flying and certainly not lying down, as they sit in sixth place. And where do Lye Town come from? Well, about halfway between Halesowen Town and Stourbridge. As for the Nomads, pinning down where they come from is, of course, harder. I wonder if they have a Community Complex, which is strangely the name of their ground.
Lille savage
The French Cup is open to teams from some French overseas territories. Consequently, Golden Lion from Martinique headed to Lille in an 8,000-mile round trip to face the Ligue One side. Well, the li’l old Lions had a tough time and lost 12-0 to Lille with hat-tricks for Jonathan David and Edon Zhegrova. Still, Golden Lion can only improve, even if they seem to be a little raw. Goodbye.
