SoReg Review (25/26) - Edition 1 - Here We Go Again

The new Southern Region season kicks off on the final day of August this year. As last year, BotP will be previewing each game, reviewing every result and attempting to collate reports and photos, in a weekly newsletter style review. The big difference this season is that, instead of being published on a page within the BotP web site, there is now a dedicated Southern Region Network site.
We start the new season with many new faces, who I am sure will be welcomed with open arms. We also have to say farewell to Selsey, Woking, and Caversham United,  Wycombe Wanderers u23 and, of course, Ascot United, who have moved up to the National League structure.

SoReg Review will, once again, be a weekly publication with the aim of bringing together all as much of the week's output, match reports, photos, videos and anything else that comes our way.  If you have any input to SoReg Review, or even if you just have comments, please send mail to [email protected] or DM @basepyramid.
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​We start the season with a short edition, previewing the opening games, but work on the FA Cup Qualifying Round games edition has already started. Watch this space.

All 2pm KO unless stated

AFC Portchester v Winchester City Flyers
Familiar foes from last season, these two met three times, twice in the league and an FA Cup tie at The Charters Community Stadium that BotP had the pleasure of witnessing (Flying The Flag). Portchester certainly had the better of the encounters, winning both that FA Cup game and the away league meeting. The game at the OnSite Group Stadium was a 2-2 draw.
The OnSite Group Stadium, Portchester, PO16 9DP

Beaconsfield Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Last season's runners-up, Wycombe Wanderers, face an interesting local-derby to open the campaign. They make the short trip down the M40 to face newly-promoted Beaconsfield Town. The Rams faced Premier League opposition twice last season, faring very differently on each occasion. Both encounters were League Cup games. Town won 5-1 at Selsey in February before going out 5-0 at Winchester City Flyers in the following round.
Holloways Park, Windsor Road, Beaconsfield HP9 2SE

Fleet Town v Southampton Women
Two newcomers to the division going head to  head on the first day. Fleet were promoted as champions of Division One South last season whilst Southampton were relegated back to the Southern Region League after seven season's in the National League structure. Last season Fleet went had a 100% league record until mid-March. Can they start their Premier League adventure in the same manner? Southampton were opposite, not picking up a league win until February. However, they did win their last game of the season.
Crookham Road, Fleet GU51 5FA

Oxford City v Sholing
Two more old foes who have shared a division now for the past four seasons. Last season City finished in fourth, fourteen points above seventh placed Sholing. The Hoops won this encounter 4-2 in and collected a point in Hampshire with a 1-1 draw on the opening day. Sholing have made some summer signings, including Sophie Lee who bagged 16 goals for Havant & Waterlooville last season. City, meanwhile, have added 11 goal Grace Craven from Kidlington.
Marsh Lane, Marston, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 0NQ

Reading FC Community Trust v Badshot Lea
For so long last season these two were locked together at the bottom of the league, along with Selsey. However, the 1-0 win for Reading at Badshot Lea in early March (And Then There Were Two), saw The Royals move well clear of the drop zone. They then solidified this position with a 6-2 home defeat of The Baggies in the penultimate game of the season thanks largely to four goals from captain Lucy Bolitho.
Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AY

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All 2pm KO​ unless stated

Ascot United Reserves v Slough Town
United kept up the pressure on Beaconsfield for much of last season, eventually finished in third spot. Slough's season was up and down, but they were never in danger which was a good start to life in Division One North. Ascot did the league double over Slough winning 3-0 at Arbour Park and 1-0 back at The Racecourse towards the end of the season.
Racecourse Ground, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ

Chesham United Development v Penn & Tylers
A tough season for Chesham last year, but they won their crunch relegation battle with Caversham when it counted. The early season 9-1 defeat at French School Meadow was the second in a string of six straight defats that started the season on a low. The fact that United only lost the return fixture by a single goal points to a marked improvement. Penn, for their part, were always playing catch up to Beaconsfield and, after losing the big title decider at home, had to settle for the runners-up spot.
Chiltern Hills Academy,  Chesham HP5 2RG

Denham United v Oxford City Development
Two of the new sides in the division go head-to-head on day one. Denham moved laterally from Division One North of the London & South East League after a fifth place finish last season. City's Dev team had an excellent season in the Thames Valley League, gaining promotion for their runners-up position, and winning the League Cup. All being well, BotP wil be covering this game.
The Den, Oxford Road, Denham, UB9 4DW

Farnborough v Milton United
An interesting opening away game for Milton as they make the trip south to face last season's Hampshire League Champions, Farnborough. Despite not being in any danger of relegation, Milton ended the season with a run of five straight defeats. They'll be looking to get the new season off to a better start. Farnborough's title win was built on the strength of their defence, only conceding 10 goals in 18 league games. They also travelled well, ending the season with a 100% record on the road.
The Easy As HGV Stadium, Farnborough, GU14 8UD

Larkspur Rovers v Kidlington Youth
Rovers won the Thames Valley League last season, completing a rapid rise through the divisions and securing a place in the Southern Region structure. Interestingly their first game will see them pitched against Kidlington who, three seasons back, made an even quicker leap up the league, gaining promotion to the Southern League directly from Division Two of the Thames Valley League. They are still here to tell the tale. Larkspur will be looking to do the same.
Lord Halsbury Playing Field, Priors Farm Lane, Northolt, UB5 5FE

Tilehurst Panthers v Abingdon United Development
These two finished a place apart in the league last season with Abingdon holding sway by five points. The Yellows also completed a league double over Panthers. A Charlotte Bigmore hat-trick at Scours Lane helped United to a 4-2 win and a Molly Lygo-Jackson hat-trick went a long way to a 6-3 win at The Northcourt on the last day.
Scours Lane, Tilehurst, RG30 6AY

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All 2pm KO ​unless stated

​AFC Stoneham v Bournemouth Sports Reserves
The only initial opening day Division One South fixture featuring two sides who faced each other last season. Bournemouth, after starting the season with three wins and draw in five, then went on a winless run which included two defeats to Stoneham, 1-0 at home and 4-0 on the road. The Purps ended the season in third after spending much of the campaign in contention for the title.
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA

AFC Varsity v Shaftesbury
Varsity ended the season with two wins and two draws from their final five outings, giving them a comfortable mid-table finish. They open the new campaign against Dorset League champions Shaftesbury, who went through last season unbeaten in the league and rattling in 86 goals in 18 games.
Hatches Farm Sports Ground, Romsey SO51 6EA

Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Bursledon
Harlequins have only been inexistence for two seasons. They finished second in the Wiltshire Premier in their first season. Then did the league and league cup double last season, earning a place in the Southern Region setup. Bursledon competed their first Division One South season, last term, with a solid fifth place finish, the highest of the four newly promoted sides.
Western Way, Salisbury, SP2 9DR

Guernsey v Wimborne Town
The Magpies get the honour of being the first Division One South side to make the trip to the Channel Islands. Guernsey's team was only formed in the summer of 2023, playing competitive fixtures in the Isthmian League Cup. They are looking to follow the island's men's team, who currently play at Step 5 in the Southern Combination. Wimborne will be looking to build on their seventh place finish in their first Division One South campaign, last season.
Victoria Avenue, Guernsey GY2 4BB

Havant & Waterlooville v Farnham Town
Last season's runners-up take on newly promoted Farnham who won the South East Counties Surrey Premier League last season, losing just once in 16 games. A defeat that came after they had already claimed the title. The sides also met in the FA Cup last season. Farnham came out on top that day, winning 5-3.
Westleigh Park, Havant PO9 5TH

Nursling & Shirley v Andover New Street
Playing their first game under their new name of Nursling & Shirley, the team formerly known as QK Southampton, take on newly promoted Andover New Street, who finished as runners-up to Farnborough in the Hampshire League last season. They also made it the Hampshire Women's Trophy final, losing out on penalties, also to Farnborough. Nursling & Shirley only won once last season, but continued to battle in every game. They'll be looking to improve on last year's last place finish.
The Hive, Redbridge Lane, Southampton SO16 0XN

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