On Saturday, Welwyn Garden City arrive for the first meeting of the two sides this season. Welwyn currently occupy eleventh place with 25 points from their 15 games (eight wins and six defeats). They have had a good run in the FA Trophy, only bowing out to Step 3 side Needham Market 3-1 in the second round proper.

And recent league form hasn’t been bad either, most notably racking up wins against Ware and North Leigh in the last month or so.

We have met three times over the last two seasons, in 2019/20 we lost away 2-1 on the opening day of the season (Jack Buchanan scoring for us), and then 5-1 at home in January (with a goal from Trevor Mutero). Last season we again met on the opening day with Wantage recording a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Jack Alexander and the now departed Ryan Knight.

The game is at Alfredian Park with a 3pm kick-off. Admission prices are £10 Adults, £5 Seniors, £1 unaccompanied under 18's, with 18's accompanied by an adult free.

Then on Tuesday it’s a local derby as we visit Swindon Supermarine for a Southern League Cup Cup second round tie after it fell foul of a waterlogged pitch last week. ‘Marine play in the Southern League Premier South Division and currently sit in fifteenth spot with 25 points from 21 games.

Our last competitive meeting was in the FA Cup in September 2019 when ‘Marine recorded a 3-0 win at Alfredian Park with goals from Mat Liddiard, Jamie Edge, and Stuart Fleetwood. And our last league meetings in our three seasons in the Southern League Division One South-West also all ended in defeat.

You have to go back to 1998-99 to find our last win over them, a 1-0 success in the Hellenic League at Alfredian Park!

Entry is: Adults: £8; Concessions: £5 (Over 60’s & Students); U12s: Free (must be accompanied by an adult).

MEN'S DEVELOPMENT TEAM

11/12/21 Away v Clanfield ‘85 Development

The Development team travel to Clanfield in the Hellenic League, Division 2 South on Saturday looking to keep pace with the top two.

Clanfield are in eighth spot with 15 points from 12 games and lost 7-1 at Wantage back in September thanks to goals from Calum Pryce (3), Jack Badger, Luke Ballard, Jack Daley and Jordi Davies.

Of course Badger has now departed to Shrivenham, and Daley is out with a fractured cheekbone, but there could well be a debut for new signing James Wright who has joined from near-neighbours Letcombe.

The game is a 3pm kick-off at Radcot Road. Clanfield, OX18 2ST.

LADIES TEAM

12/12/21 Home v Headington Ladies

The Ladies side return to league action on Sunday after three consecutive cup ties and face a strong Headington side (not to be confused with Headington Amateurs).

Headington are currently top of the division with eight wins and a draw from their ten games, and only lost 2-1 to Division 1 side Long Crendon in the League Cup last weekend.

They are also the only side Wantage have lost to in the league this season, chalking up a 3-2 win in September. Liv Day netted twice for Wantage, and Headington’s goals came from Holly Bridge, Sarah Collins and Jemma Whitton.

Last season Wantage did the double, recording two 3-1 wins, and September’s game was close enough to give Wantage hope of gaining revenge for that defeat.

The game is a 2pm kick-off at Alfredian Park, OX12 8DW.