It's August Bank Holiday weekend and so that now seems to traditionally the day that the Mead enter the Greatest Cup Competition in the World and start our “March to the Arch” – its FA Cup weekend!

On Saturday, we make another historic trip. Its not quite as far as Guernsey; this time it’s a trip around the M25 to the Wimbledon area to face the unbeaten leaders of the Combined Counties Premier Division BALHAM FC who are playing in the FA Cup for very first time at home after beating East Preston 2-0 away in the Extra Preliminary Round two weeks ago.

Balham FC was formed in 2011 in order to provide player progression into open age football for the hugely talented, high achieving age group teams of Balham Blazers FC, which was founded by Greg Cruttwell in 2001. In 2017/18 Balham will be playing at Step 5 in the CCL Premier Division. Having begun on Wimbledon Extension, before moving to Cobham, Balham are currently ground sharing with Colliers Wood United at their Wibbandune Stadium.

The Mead head round the M25 looking for not only our first win of the season but also a return to the Chairman and winning the increased prize money at this stage from the previous season.

For travellers, the ground full address is Wibbandune Stadium, Opposite 199-213 Robin Hood Way (A3 South Bound), West Wimbledon, London, SW20 0AA

The second part of the Mead’s weekend sees ’s us make the short trip to face our friends at PHOENIX SPORTS for a Bank Holiday Monday league game. Last season, the two sides met each other three times with the Mead winning all three with the focus on goals, goals and more goals with us winning 3-2 away and 5-2 at home in the League as well as winning 4-3 in the League Cup.

Phoenix have made a great start to the League season and will certainly be looking to put last season’s results behind them, and with Paul Byron beginning his first full season in charge after replacing club legend Steve O’Boyle during last season, Sports will go into Bank Holiday Monday looking to continue their impressive start to the new season after themselves travelling in the FA Cup on Saturday – ironically to face Three Bridges who they beat in the League last time out.

For travellers, the grounds full address is The Mayplace Ground, Maylace Road East, Bexleyheath, Greater London, DA7 6JT