|
|
London Legal League Affiliated to the Amateur Football Alliance |
|
| |||||
|
| AFA Record - November 2002 The report below was originally published in the November 2002 issue of the AFA Record. With its typically early start to the season, long Christmas break (are you watching Sven?) and rarely falling victim to the weather, the London Legal League has almost reached its halfway point already. In
Division One a changing of the guard seems to be under way. Recent domination by
Denton Wilde Sapte, successors to Gray’s Inn seems to be on the wane. Gray’s
Inn remain in contention, but Slaughter and May are the early runners pursuing
their first league title since 1993. Newly
promoted Watson Farley Williams have settled into the pursuing pack and
Eversheds, last year’s runners up and early challengers must overcome a recent
blip to remain in contention. Linklaters, champions just two years ago look
doomed to relegation already. The
Division Two might be a foregone conclusion with Baker McKenzie have won their
first seven games. With Challenge Cup wins over Watson Farley Williams and
Denton Wilde Sapte “A” their first division credentials seem impeccable.
Chasing Baker McKenzie are four sides for whom promotion seems to be only target
for the season, whilst the lower half of the division may well see a dogfight to
avoid relegation. Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, reprieved last season seem a good
bet to slide down to Division Three but the remaining spot could be filled by
any one of four sides. Division
Three could well produce the best title race for the season – new boys Ashurst
Morris and Crisp, perennial strugglers Denton Wilde Sapte B and MacFarlanes and
the Financial Services Authority all must fancy their chances, and it’s a race
with many twists and turns over the next few months. In
the Challenge Cup last year’s winners – Denton Wilde Sapte A are already
out, losing to Baker McKenzie, but runners-up KPMG are safely in the quarter
finals. Eversheds, Slaughter & May and Grays Inn seem the likely
challengers, whilst Richards Butler and Nicholson Graham Jones from the second
division are the remaining minnows who can only dream of Brisbane Road in the
spring. On
the representative front the picture is simple: one game due so far, one game
postponed due a waterlogged pitch.
|
|
