Flackwell Heath and Marlow set for early showdowns with Beaconsfield Town

Photo: Charlie Carter

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The fixture list for the Southern League Central Division was released last week and has thrown up a couple of local derbies in the opening weeks of the season.

Marlow, Flackwell Heath and Beaconsfield Town all discovered who they’ll be playing throughout the season - subject to any fixture changes - on Friday, with the Blues opening with a tricky away fixture at Barton Rovers on Saturday, August 9.

Chris Ayres’ Heathens begin at home to league newcomers London Lions on the same day, while Beaconsfield kick off their league campaign away to Stotfold.

The Rams then host Flackwell at Holloways Park on Wednesday, August 13, while they have another local derby away to Marlow at Oak Tree Road on the Bank Holiday Monday (August 25).

In between those matches they’re also at home to Welwyn Garden City on August 23.

They finish their campaign at home to Ware on Saturday, August 25.

Beaconsfield made big strides in the division last season and were complimented on their style of play even though they failed to contest the play-off spots.

Be with us for every fixture, every game, home and away.

Follow the Rams!#COYRams pic.twitter.com/9knSZ6V9js

— Beaconsfield Town FC (@BeaconsfieldFC) July 21, 2025

Following their relegation from the Southern League Premier Division last season, Mark Bartley’s Blues will be aiming to be among the frontrunners for promotion this season.

They’ve retained a healthy number of key players from last season’s squad and have added plenty of quality and depth to that nucleus as they look to hit the ground running on their return to step 4. Bartley said last week he hopes players’ ‘muscle memory’ kicks in as they seek to re-establish themselves as a top team at that level.

Marlow’s opening league fixtures are all relatively local. After starting away at Barton, they host Aylesbury United on Tuesday, August 12 before finishing their first month with that home game against Beaconsfield on August 25.

They’ll meet Flackwell Heath for the first time on Saturday, January 3 at Oak Tree Road with the return match taking place on April 6 at Wilks Park.

The Blues finish what they hope will be a successful campaign at Biggleswade Town on Saturday, April 25.

25/26 @bartonroversfc to kick us off @BeaconsfieldFC in a early local derby @Biggleswade1874 to finish the campaign … pic.twitter.com/1ohBUYmIBL

— Marlow Football Club (@MarlowFC) July 18, 2025

The Heathens finished third last season and only missed out on promotion after defeat to Berkhamsted in the play-off final.

While several key players have moved on this summer, manager Ayres will still be hopeful his side can maintain their presence at the top end of the table.

After attempting to tame the London Lions on opening day, the Heathens visit Beaconsfield on August 13 before visit Aylesbury United on Tuesday, August 26.

They then kick off September with home matches against Enfield on September 13 and Leighton Town on September 20. They finish their season at home to Biggleswade FC on August 25.