Five Berkshire clubs have elected to take part in the Uhlsport Hellenic League’s forthcoming Challenge Cup competition, the proposal that gives member clubs the opportunity for competitive football before the conclusion of the 2020/21 season.
Wokingham & Emmbrook, Windsor, Holyport, Chalvey Sports and Langley will all compete along with nearby Virginia Water and Wallingford Town.
32 Premier Division and Division One clubs have entered overall and been split across eight groups of four. A further four unnamed clubs could take part if paying spectators are allowed based on Government restrictions but are currently not included.
Wokingham, Holyport and Windsor are all in Group Four along with Virginia Water – who ground share with the Royalists, while Langley and Chalvey (both at Arbour Park in Slough) are in Group Five with Holmer Green and Penn & Tylers Green.
Each team will play home and away in a Champions League style group stage with matches scheduled on Saturday’s and midweek from 12th April until 1st May.
The knockout rounds will then be played through May with a final scheduled for 31st May.
The top two sides will continue in the Challenge Cup while the bottom two sides will move in to a Supplementary Cup – the Final of which will be played on the 28th May.
Key rules for the competition
- Five named subs are able to replace another player
- Any postponed Group Match due to individual club cause, not weather, will be a 2-0 win for non-defaulting club
- Players may be registered to play in accordance with standard competition rules. Deadline is 31st March at 5pm
The full group draw
ONE
Bishops Cleeve
Longlevens AFC
Lydney Town
Tuffley Rovers
TWO
Brimscombe & Thrupp
Stonehouse Town
Thornbury Town
Malmesbury Victoria
THREE
Hereford Pegasus
Malvern Town
Newent Town
Wellington
FOUR
Virginia Water
Windsor
Wokingham & Emmbrook
Holyport
FIVE
Holmer Green
Penn & Tylers Green
Chalvey Sports
Langley
SIX
Bourton Rovers
Cirencester Town Dev’
Clanfield
Moreton Rangers
SEVEN
Abingdon Town
Abingdon United
Ardley United
Milton United
EIGHT
Risborough Rangers
Long Crendon
Wallingford Town
Kidlington
