The Thames Valley Premier League have had an extended period of time without football over Christmas. The last games in the division took place on the 11th December, four weeks before the re-start of fixtures on Saturday 8th January.
Steve Gabb takes a look at some of the title challengers ahead of the big restart. All the TVPL Premier fixtures are here.
Burghfield FC
Currently sitting on top of the TVPL at the halfway stage Burghfield are attempting to go one better than the 20/21 season where they finished in third place behind FInchampstead and Berks County. The majority of Burghfield’s points have come at their home ground at Burghfield Recreation Ground where they have won all seven of the matches. However, in order to win the title, their away form will have to improve as they’ve won four and lost three away from their west Berkshire home.
Related: Burghfield FC start 2022 with a fresh new look
Finchampstead FC
As reigning champions, Finchampstead are seen by many as the team to be beat. They are currently in second place, but have a game in hand over Burghfield. Like Burghfield Finch’s home record is excellent. They have won all six of their home games so far this season.
The title race could hinge on Finchampstead’s home match against Burghfield at the Memorial Ground which is yet to be scheduled. When the two teams met before Christmas it was Burghfield who emerged with all three points with a narrow 1-0 victory.
Joel Day is currently top scorer in the TVPL having scored eleven league goals in ten games.
Westwood Wanderers
Before Wanderers’ loss to Burghfield on 11th December, the Theale based club had gone eight games without a loss. They’ve quietly moved to within hitting distance of the top of the league. Westwood Wanderers are yet to play Finchampstead at home, but having beaten Burghfield 3-0 they’ll be confident of proving their credentials once more.
Maidenhead Town
Maidenhead Town are probably a little too far back to provide a title push – but they are more than welcome to prove us wrong! They will host Burghfield before the end of the season at Bisham Abbey so could still have a big say in where the title goes.
Yateley United
Yateley are currently undergoing a transformation as a club off the field with their Sean Deveroux Park home being improved with the possibility of Step 6 football. In order to take that leap from Step 7 to Step 6 they’ll have to prove their competencies on the pitch. Clubs who wish to take promotion must finish in the top five places of their division in order to be eligible for promotion.
Read next: The three clubs that have grounds for promotion from the Thames Valley Premier League in 2022
