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DIARY OF A GROUND HOPPER: Benfleet 1 Halstead Town

Welcome back to a new season. I say ‘new season’ but this is the 14th game of mine.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
9 August 2026

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 BENFLEET 1 HALSTEAD TOWN 0
Welcome back to a new season. I say ‘new season’ but this is the 14th game of mine. Serious Groundhoppers will not have a break during the traditional close season. Even boycotting the FIFA World Cup circus doesn’t mean one can’t enjoy some summer football.
My football fix came in the form of Khalsa Football Federation Tournaments (four tournaments with five matches in a day possible at each), the Euro Under-19s in North Wales and four games in the Scottish Cup. And, lo and behold, it’s August!
Some Leagues are starting today, even though pitche...

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