Don't you just hate these international breaks?
But they do at least give you a chance to check out local non league football. This weekend, with Charlton not playing, there are a few options to fulfil your need for a Saturday football fix:
Keeping it super local Bridon Ropes (chaired by CAST member Mick Puszyk) take on Tooting Bec in the Southern Counties East Football League Division One at The Meridian Sports Ground on Charlton Park Road. The two teams have almost identical records so it should be a close game and The Ropes will be looking to bounce back after a 1-3 home defeat to Rochester on Saturday.
Down the road in Eltham Cray Valley Paper Mills play Hashtag United in The Isthmian Premier League. The Millers have made a stuttering start with two wins and three defeats and, for the first time in two seasons, are not in the promotion places. They are still in the FA Cup hat after winning 2-1 at Ramsgate at the weekend and should be strong enough to see off their visitors on Saturday. Meanwhile, Cray Wanderers are away at Lewes.
Welling United have made a poor start to life in the Isthmian Premier League, winning one and losing four of their first five league games and are currently in the relegation zone. They visit second place Dulwich Hamlet this Saturday. Hamlet managed to surrender a 2-0 lead and have two players sent off in their 2-3 home FA Cup defeat to Whitstable Town last weekend.
Erith & Belvedere (playing at the level above Bridon Ropes in The South Eastern Counties Premier) take on Faversham Strike Force at the ground they share with Welling at Park View Road. This will be a tough task for E&B as FSF are in third place with a game in hand on leaders Sutton Athletic.
A bit further afield Dartford have made a disappointing start to life in the Isthmian Premier with only one win in their first five games. However, they have a good chance to make up some ground on Saturday as their visitors are Canvey who have lost all five so far.
After winning their first three games in the National League (South) without conceding a goal Ebbsfleet United have lost two and drawn two and face a severe test when they host table-topping Hornchurch on Saturday. The visitors have scored sixteen goals in their six wins and one draw so far.
If you want to see young Charlton players out on loan then round the M25 to Farnborough might be for you. Toby Bower should feature for Farnborough on Saturday in their National League (South) fixture against Dover Athletic. Ryan Huke is also at Farnborough and scored two goals in their unexpected 2-5 away win at Chelmsford on Monday evening.