GOOD LUCK ENFIELD TOWN FC

TOWN UNDERDOGS WITH BWIN.COM...COULD BARNET GO DOWN??

As expected bwin.com make Concord Rangers the favourites for tomorrow's play off showdown. A home win is rated odds on at 3/4 with a draw after 90 minutes play @ 5/2 and a Town victory at 53/20.

The cold end is of the opinion that in a one-off game of such importance league form doesn't count for much and it's all to play for. COME ON TOWN!!!

In the other two Ryman play-offs their odds compiler seems to think they will be closer games with Boreham Wood (13/10) slight favourites over Kingstonian (29/20) in the Premier Division. Folkestone Invicta are rated as evens with an away victory for Godalming Town at 19/10 in Division One (South)

RELEGATION SHOWDOWN IN CLEETHORPES

Barnet, who this week parted company with manager Ian Hendon and brought in Paul Fairclough for the last two league games face a massive game at Grimsby Town.

Fans of the old Enfield FC will remember our intense local rivalry with The Bees who have their destiny in their own hands needing only a win (or a point tomorrow) from their last two games but they do face the prospect of possible relegation from League Two into the Blue Square Premier should they lose tomorrow and lose or draw against Rochdale at home in their final game with The Mariners having to win tomorrow and in their final game at Burton Albion to go ahead of the Hertfordshire side should Barnet only get a point or less versus already promoted Rochdale. Simple isn't it!!!

The odds are stacked against Neil Wood's side, skybet.com make them odds on at 1/7 for relegation with The Bees at 4/1 for the dreaded drop.

In tomorrow's big showdown Grimsby Town (won five out of last eleven games) are favourites at 10/11 with Barnet (two wins in eleven) outsiders at 3/1. A draw which will give Barnet the point they crave is rated at 5/2.

Should The Mariners get a victory at Blundell Park it's bound to be an extremely nervy day next weekend at Underhill and The Pirelli Stadium.

AN ALL IMPORTANT DAY TRIP TO CANVEY ISLAND!!

Saturday sees the biggest game in Town's history since the club was formed in 2001. The Town Army will be travelling in vast numbers along the A13 and by train to visit Canvey Island to face our rivals in Concord Rangers for a winner takes all play off final. The excitement is already building at cold end HQ after Tuesday night's victory at Wingate and Finchley. It was a very special evening with lots of old faces from the old Enfield FC Southbury Road days present with the noise generated by the away fans making it feel more like a home game.

The cold end recommends you make the trip to the Essex seaside island to support Steve and Del's team on to a famous victory and promotion glory.

The other Ryman League play off fixtures sees Boreham Wood (finished 4th) take on Kingstonian (finished 5th) for a place in the Blue Square South in the Ryman Premier Division play-off final.

The Division One (South) play-off final takes place on the Kent coast where Folkestone Invicta (2nd) play Godalming Town (4th).

PENALTY KICKS ANYONE???

Since the re-organisation of the Ryman League, each Division One (North) play off final has gone down to a nerve jangling penalty shoot out.

In 2007 Harlow Town won 5-3 on PENS against AFC Sudbury (who had beaten Enfield Town in the semi-final) after a 2-2 draw AET in front of 948 people at Barrows Farm.

In 2008 Canvey Island won 5-4 on PENS at Redbridge after a 1-1 draw AET with 905 people in attendance.

Last season Waltham Abbey won 5-4 on PENS against Concord Rangers after a 1-1 draw AET at Capershots. 459 people saw this game.

So the omens are penalty kicks and a sequence of winning teams of HOME....AWAY....HOME.....???????

COME ON TOWN!!!!

BRING ON SATURDAY!!

What a performance from the whole team last night. I'm too tired and excited to write a full match report but to go 3-0 up in the first 30 minutes last night was one the probably the best Enfield Town have played all season. Wingate are a great side and came back at the Town in the second half making for the most tense 45 minutes of football I think I've ever seen. Well done Enfield Town - Bring on Saturday!!

Despite their disappointment the Wingate players, supporters and officials were very gracious in defeat which was very commendable. Well done Wingate!

The match highlights are below and they tell the story well I think:

ALL EYES ON THE HARRY ABRAHAM'S STADIUM

It's just a few hours now until the big play off Semi-Final at Wingate and Finchley. The game kicks off at 7.45pm so if you can make it along to cheer on Steve and Del's Town Army I recommend you do so.


UP THE TOWN!!!!

PICTURES OF THE NEW HOME FOR HATFIELD TOWN AND CODICOTE

Spartan South Midlands Premier Division side Hatfield Town who currently ground share with Welwyn Garden City will be on the move this summer, playing from next season in The Gosling Sports Park, Welwyn Garden City together with close neighbours Hertfordshire Senior County Premier Division side Codicote.

As you can see from the pictures below the stadium is primarily used for athletics meetings having a running track like Enfield Town's new home at the QE. As well as the running track the stadium also has a cycling track around the outside with one large main seated stand which will boast balcony views across the pitch from the top of the stand.

The cold end wishes both Codicote and Hatfield Town the best of luck in their new home for next season and beyond.





If used, the balcony at the top of the stand will have brilliant views of the matches played.

KEN DODDS DADS DOG'S DEAD - CONFIDENCE

The world's greatest ever band have returned for the World Cup 2010 and their brilliant song "Confidence"

KDDDD used to play the pub's around Edmonton, Tottenham, Ponders End and Camden amongst other places in the early to mid 1990's, they are a top bunch of lads and a great band to watch live. They played a few gigs last year notably at The Standard in Walthamstow which was a fantastic night.

This is by far the best World Cup song you'll here all summer... Check it out below!!

COME ON ENGLAND!!!

STALEMATE - WINGATE AND FINCHLEY AGAIN ON TUESDAY NIGHT

Most supporters thought yesterday's game was going to be a cagey one and it turned out that way with very few incidents of goalmouth action. Enfield had the best chances with Wingate's veteran keeper Gavin King the busier compared to Enfield Town's Rob Blackburne.

Looking at Town's top scorer Staurt Blackburne warming the bench along with Wingate's Leon Smith, a gambler may have had some money on the game ending without any goals.

The first half had three talking points. Firstly the actions of W&F's Jordan Fowler after coming together with Town's Paul Marks he appeared to elbow his opponent and was subsequently red carded by referee John Scott. When the card was shown his reaction to push Marksy in the chest should not go down well in the official's report.

The game threatened to boil over then when two of Wingate's players tangled with the busy Marks, the player's challenge was a poor one and his late kick out against Marksy caused the Town fan's to ask for another red card to be shown. You can see from the footage gained if a card was shown there wouldn't have been any complaints upon looking at it for a second time.

The third incident of the half was Gavin King's save from a shot on target from the edge of the six yard box after some good work from Adam Wallace.

Wingate's ten men held firm in the second half and the game petered out into a 0-0 stalemate. The best chance of the half was from Stuart Blackburne whose late looping effort was tipped over the bar by King after helping on Hammond's cross.

So it's onto The Harry Abrahams Stadium on Tuesday night for the play-off semi-final. The dry and bobbly pitch at Goldsdown Road didn't help yesterday with the renowned surface at Summers Lane bound to make for a better game on Tuesday night so it's all to play for.

Enfield Town
Rob Blackburne, Jordan Lockie (Fabio Valenti), Darryl Ellams, Craig McKay, Mark Kirby, Paul Marks, Ben Hammond, Rudi Hall (Andy Jones), Liam Hope, Adam Wallace (Stuart Blackburne), Dan Forward.
Subs Not Used : Denis Maharjan and Darren Bonfield.

Wingate and Finchley
Gavin King, Marc Weatherstone, Paul Wright, Jordan Fowler, Daniel Neilson, Craig Ellis, Angus McLachlan,Ahmet Rifat, Paul Hakim(Leon Smith), David Laird (Mark Henry), Gary Barrell (James Edgerley)
Subs not used : Ajet Shehu and Chris Chase.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS -

HAPPY ST GEORGE'S DAY

The cold end sends best wishes to everyone on this St George's Day. There is only 48 days to go until the Word Cup South Africa 2010 kicks off. Come on England!!!

VIDEO OF THE WEEK - HOW CLOSE TO A GOAL??

The cold end has been playing about with technology and found a slow-motion button which helps with the following fantastic clip of Stuart Blackburne's effort against Brentwood Town on Thursday 11th March 2010. You have to admire the last ditch defending on the line. Brilliant!!

HERTS SENIOR COUNTY LEAGUE

THE RACE FOR TITLE

London Lions 0-2 victory at Wormley Rovers last Saturday did put them fully in the driver's seat to gain promotion to the Spartan South Midlands League Division One. All three team's vying for the Premier Division Championship have applied for promotion to the SSMFL and it's impossible to say who will win the title and in turn promotion to a higher level of football for the 2010/11 season.

London Lions (who are currently playing at St Albans City's Clarence Park) followed up their important victory against their title rivals with only a 3-3 draw at home to 11th placed Cuffley on Tuesday with ex Towner Dean Nyman getting on the score-sheet for the Lions. Baldock kept up their challenge with a 3-2 home victory versus Met Police Bushey.

Here is the current league Premier Division table (top three only):

                               P  W  D L GF GA GD PTS MAX
1. Baldock Town Letchworth     26 19 6 1 87 24 63 63  75
2. Wormley Rovers              24 20 0 4 66 28 38 60  78
3. London Lions                23 18 4 1 57 20 37 58  79

Games left:
             BALDOCK               WORMLEY               LONDON         
22/04/10     -                     HERTFORD HEATH (A)    -
24/04/10     MILL END SPORTS (H)   CHIPPERFIELD (A)      CROXLEY GUILD (H)
27/04/10     -                     MET POLICE BUSHEY (H) BOVINGDON (H)
01/05/10     CUFFLEY (A)           PARK STREET VILL (A)  LEMSFORD (H)
04/05/10     WORMLEY ROVERS (A)    BALDOCK (H)           SANDRRIDGE ROVERS (A)
08/05/10     LEMSFORD (H)          LONDON LIONS (A)      WORMLEY (H)
12/05/10     -                     -                     CODICOTE (A)
15/05/10     -                     -                     BOVINGDON (A)

Wormley continue their challenge tonight against Hertford Heath and then it will leave Baldock with four games left, Wormley with five games left and London Lions with seven games left in under a month.

The key games look to be Baldock travelling to Wormley Rovers on the 4th of May and London Lions entertaining Wormley Rovers on the 8th May.

The race for the title in Divison One is also an exciting one with Hinton who are based in Holtwhites Hill in Enfield currently top but any team from 4th placed Letchworth Garden City Eagles can win the division.

Hinton have one game left away against 2nd bottom AFC Hatfield Town next Wednesday so should finish on 64 points. The title looks to be in the hands of 4th placed Eagles who have a few games in hand, they have also qualified for this season's Aubery Cup (The Herts County League Cup) by beating local rivals Baldock Town Letchworth in the quarter final and Wormley Rovers in the semi-final. The Eagle's Pixmore home is next door (through the hedge) to the County Ground where their Premier Division neighbours play their games in the Hertfordshire town.

The Eagles face St Peters (A), Buntingford Town (H), 2nd placed Harpenden Rovers (H), Allenburys Sports (H) and Whitwell (A) in their quest to win the league and showed they are a very good team full of goals and confidence by winnning 10-2 at Kimpton Rovers yesterday evening.

CLASSIC PROGRAMMES - FINCHLEY V ENFIELD 1955

On Saturday 3rd September 1955 Enfield FC made the short journey over to Summers Lane to face Finchley FC in the Athenian League. The programme issued cost Three Pence and was eight pages in total. On the front page their are adverts for two local public houses. The Torrington (now closed) states "Post mortems on the game should be held over a drink in the friendly atmosphere" and The Swan and Pyramids (happily still a licenced premises, now called 'The Safari Bar Indian Restaurant') welcomes customers to their restaurant available for all functions.

The club notes welcome "our old friends from Enfield" and remembers the opening home game against the E's in the previous season when an away 3-2 win was recorded. The notes go on to state Enfield had a 'creditable performance' is finishing in the third place in the league in the previous season after many years at the foot of the table. The game looks like it was won by Finchley 1-0 as whoever brought the programme recorded this fact in pen on the team-sheet.

The E's team is listed as

1. R.Mitchell, 2. A.Brian, 3. A.Cowie, 4. P.Jackson, 5. A.Fowler, 6. D.Barrett, 7. D.Potter, 8. P.Costen, 9. R.Phipps, 10. G.Gilbert, 11. S.Cummings.

Finchley's record for that season was P- 28 W- 8 D- 12 L- 8 GF 52 GA 62 PTS 28 finishing eighth, The E's record read was much better P- 28 W- 16 D- 5 L- 7 GF - 60 GA- 39 PTS 37 finishing in third place.

Click on the pictures to enlarge image which should allow you to read this 50 year old + programme. A real piece of history.

THE PLAY OFF CONTENDERS SINCE THE TURN OF THE YEAR

Enfield Town welcome Wingate and Finchley to Goldsdown Road on Saturday in what will be a game which decides whom and where we play in the play off semi-final. A win will see Town welcoming Wingate and Finchley back to Goldsdown Road, A draw would see us travelling to the Harry Abrahams stadium and a loss would probably see us facing a trip to Thames Road to face Concord Rangers as anything other than a comfortable victory for East Thurrock United at home versus Waltham Forest would be a major surprise.

Here is the league table for the play-off contender's record since the 1st January 2010 (key - ns = matches not scored in, cs = clean sheets) It makes interesting reading as it shows our opponents are top of the mini-table and have got 14 more points than East Thurrock United and played one less game. Dave Norman's team have had a tremendous 2nd half of the season but he will know form counts for nothing going into the play-off games.

                      P  W  D L GF GA PTS    NS CS
WINGATE AND FINCHLEY  21 16 4 1 51 26 52(63) 1  5
CONCORD RANGERS       23 15 5 3 57 21 50(69) 0  10
ENFIELD TOWN          20 12 5 3 38 17 41(60) 2  10
EAST THURROCK UNITED  22 11 5 6 53 37 38(66) 3  1

The cold end is of the opinion that it doesn't matter who or where we play as either way Town will have two (hopefully) tough games to get through to gain promotion glory. Steve and Del have assembled a squad capable of winning so it's all to play for starting on Saturday in the final proper game of the season.

Other Saturday games involving play-off teams:

Concord Rangers V Redbridge
East Thurrock United V Waltham Forest

THE CITIZENS AND THE BOROUGH SHARE THE SPOILS AT HERNS WAY

> A view of the Eileen Hazell Stand and the basic cover on the opposite side of Herns Way

Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division

Welwyn Garden City 1 Haringey Borough 1

A point each in a 1-1 draw tonight for bottom of the table WGC and 15th placed Haringey Borough. The first half was a very scrappy affair played on a very dry, dusty and bobbly pitch at Herns Way. A free kick from the away side which was easily and comfortably saved by WGC goalkeeper Paul Browne was the only real shot on target for both sides. David Boal playing on the left wing for ex Enfield FC manager Tom Loizou's side showed some good touches as did central midfielder Arian Maleknia. Loizou was missing top scorer Llloyd Opara who is out for the rest of the season with an injury and started with ex Harrow Borough player Dewayne Clarke and Mario Georgiou up front. WGC who despite being bottom have had one or two good results of late were unable to make Brian Sealey in the Borough goal make any save of note in the first period. Louis Lancaster in the centre of midfield for WGC looked very composed on the ball and showed he has a very good touch using his left foot on most occasions. Centre forward Sam Gomez showed he is a handful and has a good turn of pace but just couldn't get a decent chance in during the first 45 mniutes.
> All seated stadium

Haringey just about shaded a very poor first half but it was WGC who came out and played the better football in the first period of the second half. Luke Reid had a shot well wide of goal and Gomez an effort on target which was blocked by an away defender.

Josh Dance had come on for Dean Hutchinson in the centre of defence for the home side at half time and showed he possesses a mammoth throw to rival that of Rory Delap. The game was still a scrappy affair and there were no really decent chances until right at the end when it was Dance who unleashed one of his huge throws into the near-post from the right hand touchline. Brian Sealey in the away goal went for the ball but missed and through a crowd of opposing players the ball went in the net somehow, the official word is it was given as an Own Goal. Many of the 23 spectators who had gathered at Herns Way must have thought the game was going to frizzle out into a goal-less draw but it was 1-0 right on the 90 minute mark followed by another goal in added on time after the 90.

The Borough equalised after the impressive Boal was tripped in the box by a WGC defender. A clear penalty which could only be given by the referee. Mario Georgiou stepped up and scored the resulting spot kick to make it all square.

> Another view of The Eileen Hazell Stand just prior to kick-off

There were apparently six minutes of injury time played much to the annoyance of the WGC bench during which time Boro substitute Tolu Popoola put the ball in the net after an obvious handball which he protested his innocence about. Looking at the replay on the cold end's match highlights I think the ball did strike his arm.

Both team's didn't deserve to loose or win so a point each is probably a fair result.

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

Paul Browne, Falah Mulazadeh, Darren Wells, Shane Branch, Vince Rispoli, Dean Hutchinson (sub @ half-time - Josh Dance), Louis Lancaster, Shane Manogue, Sam Gomez, Luke Reid, Jhynno Kakalu.

Other subs two of whom came on were Jason Williams, Johnny Kakalu, Richard Texiera.

HARINGEY BOROUGH

Brian Sealey, Charles Douse, Andreas Loizou, Andrew Julius, Bosun Adebaki, Gabriel Nana-Owusu, Theo Charalambos, Arian Maleknia, Dewayne Clarke, Mario Georgiou, David Boal.

Subs some of whom came on were Tolu Popoolu, Sammy Locker-Townsend, James Fuschillo, Asa Saunders, Darren Coon.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

TOWN THROUGH TO CHARITY CUP FINAL

Town are through to the Final of the 2010 Middlesex Charity Cup thanks to a 2-1 home victory versus Combined Counties League Bedfont. Paul Marks scored the winner is extra-time after Rudi Hall scored a 90th minute penalty equaliser.

We now face a tough looking game versus North Greenford United in the final. United are top of the Combined Counties League and fighting for promotion with Chertsey Town. They have qualified for the final by beating Harefield United and Harrow Borough.

Date - To be announced

STEVENAGE BOROUGH MAKE IT FIVE EX RYMAN LEAGUE CLUB'S IN THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Stevenage Borough clinching the Blue Square championship on Saturday will see them promoted to League Two for next season and in turn increase the number of ex Ryman/Isthmian League teams playing in the league to five. The other teams are as follows:

Wycombe Wanderer's - Last played in the Isthmian League 1986/87 when they were Champions

Dagenham & Redbridge - 1999/2000 when they were Champions

Aldershot Town - 2002/2003 when they were Champions

Yeovil Town - 1996/97 when they were Champions

Since 2000 the following teams have won the Premier Division/League title and now play in the following leagues:

2000 - Dagenham & Redbridge         - League Two
2001 - Farnborough Town             - Reformed Farnborough FC now play in Zamaretto Premier
2002 - Gravesend and Northfleet     - Blue Square Premier as Ebbsfleet United
2003 - Aldershot Town               - League Town
2004 - Canvey Island                - Ryman Premier
2005 - Yeading                      - Blue Square Premier, Merged with Hayes.
2006 - Braintree Town               - Blue Square South
2007 - Hampton and Richmond Borough - Blue Square South
2008 - Chelmsford City              - Blue Square South
2009 - Dover Athletic               - Blue Square South
2010 - Dartford                     - Will play in Blue Square South

Both Aldershot Town and Dagenham & Redbridge are in the play-off section of League Two making for a very exciting end to their seasons.

CLASSIC AWAY DAYS PART 4 - MERTHYR TYDFIL 1995

PURPLE KIT, ORANGE BALLS AND A HUGE BLIZZARD!

Paul Hobson's 80th minute own goal in the the FA Trophy 3rd round match on the 4th March 1995 caused a mini pitch invasion by the Merthyr Tydfil supporters at the Town End and made this classic away day to happen a few days later on the 7th March. It was Enfield's second trip to Wales that season as we had played and beaten Colwyn Bay in the previous round.

Enfield FC were riding high in the then Diadora League Premier Division in 2nd place heading for the Championship title. The Welsh side were one league higher but struggling in the Conference in 20th place (out of 22) but had previous to the 1-1 draw at Southbury Road gained a respectable 2-2 draw at 5th placed Halifax Town.

It was a early meet for the midweek trip over the Severn Bridge and into the picturesque Valley's of Wales. The coach left the Stadium and made it's way along the M4 and then a right along the A465 to arrive in Merthyr Tydfil at about 5pm if I remember rightly. We had two hours to waste in the Town centre and we were hungry and thirsty so we headed for the nearest takeaway which was the brilliant "Burger Master" and then onto a watering hole for a few pre-match beers. 20p for a game of pool was a bargain!! How much is it now in London to play one game??

All through the day it was quite nice weather-wise, We didn't have one clue as to what was going to occur later in the evening.

Penydarren Park is a fantastic ground and at the time was probably one of the best in the non-league game with stands on three sides. Playing in our changed purple kit The E's attacked the uncovered end for the first half, Paul Hobson had been dropped to the bench in favour of Johnny Richardson, maybe for scoring the own goal which caused this mammoth midweek trip. Most of the travelling Enfield fans positioned ourselves high on the big terrace to watch George Borg's blue and white army hopefully cause a upset against a Conference side.

The legend and then Enfield FC manager called us "Snowmen" and "magnificent" stating if we cut ourselves we'd bleed blue and white in his next programme notes which was a great touch.

It's fair to say the pitch was not conducive to free flowing one touch soccer with not much grass visible in the centre area making for a scrappy game but after 9 minutes this was all forgotten when Gary Abbott scored right in front of us and the shock was on.

The notoriously passionate and vociferous supporters at Penydarren Park made for a somewhat hostile atmosphere by voicing their disapproval when one of their players was carried off injured after a innocuous looking challenge with Super Gary Blackford. The 3rd of their players to be injured as Andy Beattie and Mark Williams had been taken off at Southbury Road.

The half-time break came and totally out of the blue it started snowing!!!! It continued and after 5 minutes all we could do was sing 'Orange, Orange, Orange ball...Orange ball...Orange Ball" over and over again at the novelty of playing with a different coloured ball which had been thrown on as the snow was settling worryingly rather quickly. It wasn't letting up at all and it was rapidly descending into blizzard conditions.

It was then a few snowballs were exchanged in an impromptu international snowball fight between the Welsh and English fans and vice-versa. The cold end stocked up reserves by filling a large traffic cone up with fresh snow and random snowball's were thrown to and from throughout the 2nd half.

The E's struggled in the snowy conditions and not against the run of play Merthyr equalised. Another Martyr's player was stretchered off following a 50/50 challenge from Martin St Hilaire that in no way was over the top in any circumstances. The home fan's didn't appear to think so and proceeded to boo The Saint who was never a dirty player whenever he touched the ball.

The snow continued and it was no surprise when after 81 minutes the game was called off much the annoyance of George Borg.
After the game the supporter's coach struggled in the conditions and the road's around Merthyr, getting stuck on a very tight corner trying to get away from the ground. A load of us had to push the coach out of the now thick snow trying to avoid being hit by snowballs from some of the locals. Eventually we got going and the snow cleared as we drove towards England. The cold end got home at about 3am and was up for work at 7am the next morning. Great days!!

I wasn't one of the hardcore who returned to Wales the next Monday and saw England's number one Andy Pape put on a super show in the E's shock 0-1 win.

Looking back on the 94/95 season it is by far the best season I had following the E's from starting supporting back in 1987. I've already written about the classic trips to Torquay United and Bromsgrove Rovers with so many more in that Championship season.

The crowd's at Southbury Road that season were fantastic too... 772 versus Aylesbury United, 1,132 versus Slough Town, 1,185 versus St Albans City, 864 versus Hitchin Town and 1,458 versus Bishop's Stortford to name a few. Where have all these supporters gone?? They are not currently supporting the two new clubs Enfield Town (formed in 2001) and Enfield FC 1893 (formed in 2007).... Lets hope some see the potential of a glory and return for the playoff game(hopefully games) next week.

MERTHYR TYDFIL NOW SET TO RE-FORM IN THE SUMMER

Merthyr Tydfil have been suffering widely reported and big financial problems this season. They have been deducted 10 points for going into administration and are battling to stay out of the drop zone in the Zamaretto Premier.

The club have decided to reform in the Summer and play in the Western League Premier Division if they finish out of the relegation zone and Division One if they finish in the dreaded drop section. They are currently one point below Bedford Town and two points below Tiverton Town who sit outside the relegation zone. Their last two games at home to Brackley Town on Tuesday and away to Swindon Supermarine will determine if they are to face trips to Welton Rovers, Bitton, Bristol Manor Farm amongst others in the Premier Division or Cadbury Heath, Gillingham Town and Odd Down in Division One. I'm sure whichever division they play in next season the club's of the Western League will welcome the large number of Martyr's fans to their grounds and club bars.

The "new" club is thought to be named simply Merthyr Tydfil AFC 2010.

WODSON PARK 6 BLETCHLEY TOWN 1

The cold end visited Wodson Park this afternoon for their home game versus Bletchley Town in the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Division Two. Wodson are having a marvellous season going into this game in 4th position in the league with the visitors from Bletchley down in 12th position and without a win since the 6th of February when they beat Bucks Student Union 3-1 at home.

The game went the way of the league positions with Wodson Park in control forcing most of the attacking play taking a deserved lead after about 23 minutes. Bletchley equalised when a shot from outside of the box was held onto by the Wodson keeper who had to stretch to catch the ball and in turn struggled to keep himself in front of the goal line taking a step back holding the ball right above the line, The referee who was close by adjudged him to have carried the ball behind the line and into the goal. (This was the only goal I didn't get on camera!!)

To their credit the Wodson player's didn't moan and got on with the game taking a 2-1 lead into half time with a well taken (good team work with a number of short passes) 2nd goal.





Bletchley had a few chances in the 2nd half but it was Wodson who ran away with the game. When a quick 3rd and 4th goal went in the away side's heads appeared to drop and they knew they were beaten.

Wodson's fith goal was a fine finish after a nice turn into in the box, A goal which would grace any level of football. Check it out on the highlights video below.



The sixth goal was a penalty after the Bletchley keeper brought down a Wodson player in the box.

The match was played in glorious sunshine and was competed for in a very sporting fashion. There were no bookings as far as I remember and no nasty fouls or complaining to the officials about decisions not going their way. Both team's just got on with playing football which was great to see. A fantastic advert for the FA's respect campaign. Well done to both clubs!!!


If Wodson keep their side together for next season the cold end believes they may challenge for the League title.

FINAL SCORE - WODSON PARK 6 BLETCHLEY TOWN 1


HIGHLIGHTS ON "THE COLD END MATCH" -

TOWN MOVE UP TO 4TH PLACE WITH 4-0 WIN VERSUS THE STAGS

The cold end missed another Town game today as the team had a second half flurry of goals in a 4-0 win at Waltham Forest......I had to stay closer to cold end HQ unfortunately but details of the match I went to will follow.

Town won thanks to a goal each from Paul Marks and Mark Kirby and a brace from Richard Morton. It puts us into 4th position in the league one point below W&F who won 4-2 today versus Lowestoft Town.

A win next Saturday at home to W&F will give us a home game in the play-off semi-final against W&F. A point would see use travelling to Summers Lane to play W&F. A defeat next Saturday and a likely victory for East Thurrock United (lost today at Cheshunt) who play Waltham Forest at home would put us in 5th position facing a trip to Thames Road to face Concord Rangers.

Town's next game is on Monday night when we face Combined Counties League side Bedfont in the Semi-Final of the Middlesex Charity Cup. The Orchardmen are managed by ex Chelsea, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Wimbledon (amongst others) player Neil Shipperley. They are currently 13th in the Premier Division of the CCL.

STANSTED TRIUMPHANT IN AIRPORT DERBY

* The Sun sets behind the main stand

Whilst most footballing eyes were focused on the North London area last night, the Town's of Takeley and Stansted which are only divided by the famous Airport were fighting out their own local derby in the Essex Senior League.


* A nice picture showing the tree lined ground at Station Road

Table Topper's Stansted are looking at winning the league title for the first time in just under 40 years membership of the league and travelled to nearby Station Road to face their rivals who are sixth in the league having only lost two games at home so far this campaign.

Takeley have recently risen from the Essex Olympian League and are in their second season in the ESL. As such the ground at Station Road is quite basic having a small pavilion in one corner which house's the changing rooms, toilets and catering area along with a portacabin which doubles as a boardroom. There are no bar facilities as yet. There is a main seated stand and two covered area's on the opposite side. Large trees surround parts of the ground making it a very picturesque setting for the beautiful game to be played.

* Covered area on oppostie side to main stand

Being a local derby the game was fiercely contested by both teams with some hard but fair tackles flying in. Stansted took the lead from the first real chance of the game when a poor back pass to the Takeley keeper put him under real pressure and his resultant kick was picked up by a Stansted man who passed to Dwight Gayle to blast the ball into the net from an acute angle to the right hand side of the goal at the keeper's near post.

There were a few other half chances during the first period but nothing of note until right on 45 minutes when a free kick was lifted into the box and a coming together of a Stansted and a Takeley player (see video) resulted in the Stansted player falling to the ground and the referee blowing up and pointing towards the penalty spot to mass protests from the Takeley management and supporters present. The first team manager at Station Road is Don Waters who is a familiar face to Enfield Town fans as he was in charge at Sawbridgeworth Town when we played in the ESL in the early 00's. The cold end has watched the video several times and just can't decide if it was a penalty or not.... The referee only got one look at it and can only give what he see's so fair play and respect to him.

* The main stand

Stansted's John Bricknell scored the resulting penalty kick to make it 0-2 at the break.

The second half was much the same as the first, Takeley never really created any clear cut chances with the Airportmen having probably the best effort when a good shot from just inside the box was well saved by the home keeper. Stansted held on to gain a very valuable three points towards their Championship challenge.

* A view of the two covered areas and dug-outs

Final Score - Takeley 0 Stansted 2

Att - 87.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS*



* MINUS THE FIRST GOAL WHICH I UNFORTUNATELY MISSED ON CAMERA

STORTFORD STROLL TO VICTORY IN HERTFORDSHIRE SENIOR CUP FINAL

SCOTT SHULTON HAT-TRICK SEES OFF AMBERS

On a deceptively chilly evening Blue Square South Bishop's Stortford easily beat Ryman Division One (North) Cheshunt to lift the Hertfordshire Senior Cup for the 11th time in their history. Played at the Hertfordshire FA's well appointed County Ground in Letchworth Mark Simpson's side always looked in control from start to finish in their comfortable 4-0 victory.

The County Ground has cover on three sides and an impressive seated main stand. Baldock Town Letchworth who play at the stadium are currently top of the Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division and although maybe pipped to the title by Wormley Rovers or London Lions they surely will be in the Spartan South Midlands League soon.

Several ex Towner's were present, Mitch Hahn in the Blue's line up with Boniek Forbes and Matt Thomson starting for Bob Dearie's side.

Stortford started in a 4-4-3 formation with Hahn leading the line supported by Jon Docker and Charlie Simpson out wide. Number 9 Reece Prestidge played in centre midfield floating forward when attacking and sitting in front of the back four when his team were not with the ball. Cheshunt were a more traditional 4-4-2 formation with Jordan Lumsden sitting in front of the back four, Bradley Harrison and Chris Meikle were together up front. Matt Thomson started on the right wing.
The side opposite to the main stand at The County Ground

Stortford had the first real chance on goal when Docker got a good shot on target from the edge of the box which was well saved by Amber's keeper Aaron Omand.

After 16 minutes Stortford got their first goal when from a corner Omand punched the ball out to Ritchie Jones on the edge of the box who fired the ball back into the net to make it 1-0.

The Ambers were roared on by a large vocal following including the famous Mr Fruitbat, they got back into the game but never really troubled Morgn in the Blues's goal with a Bradley Harrison shot wide of the mark from the edge of the box the only effort they could muster.

Cheshunt on the attack

It was 2-0 a short while after when Omand cleared the ball under pressure from an on running Hahn which then came to Simpson who squared for Shulton to shoot past Omand in the bottom left hand corner from the right hand side of the box.

Another view of the Main Stand

SCOTT SHULTON SCORES HIS FIRST GOAL

Sheldon Sellear nearly made it 3-0 when he had a good header on target which was tipped over by Omand. The Stortford fans didn't have to wait long as right on half time it was 3-0 when Shulton ran with the ball into the box and was tripped by Amber's midfielder Iain Salt leaving Referee Mr Degnarain no choice but to award a penalty which Shulton duly scored to Omand's left hand side. Degnarain then blew up for half-time also immediately after the ball hit the back of the net.


Scott Shulton's 2nd goal from the penalty spot.

Cheshunt re-shuffled their pack at half time with Jordan Lumsden being replaced by Ola Akinnawo who took up position on the right wing with Thomson dropping back to centre midfield in front of the back four. Stortford also made a change bringing off Docker and replacing him with David Chick.

Hahn was unlucky when a delicate shot, after some fantastic work by Sellear, was very well saved by Omand. The Amber's keeper expertly tipping the ball around his right hand post from Hahn's close range effort.

The Amber's tavelling army

Shulton got his hat-trick with the goal of the night after some neat interplay he found himself one on one with Omand and lifted the ball over him for it to land in the top left corner. A great goal of tremendous quality. Shulton was taken off a short while after to a large round of applause from the Stortford faithful.

There was no other real goal-mouth incidents and the game ended 4-0 to Stortford. Aaron Omand was much the busier keeper with his opposite number Nicky Morgan not making a save of note throughout the 90 minutes. Cheshunt played some good passing football but couldn't get a sniff at goal with Stortford's central defender Lynval Duncan having a very assured and impressive game. Stortford's captain Matt Jones also had a good game at right-back but the man of the match has to go to hat-trick hero Scott Shulton.

The game was played in good spirit by both teams and even the most ardent of Amber's supporters will have to say Stortford desvered their triumph.

The cold end was impressed by referee Mr Ashvin Degnarain and his two assistant's Mr Lawson and Mr Starr. The game flowed brilliantly and every decision made was a correct one.

Bishop's Stortford

Nicky Morgan, Matt Jones, Ted Llewellyn, Jon Docker (Half time sub - David Chick), Lynval Duncan, Ritchie Jones, Mitch Hahn, Scott Shulton (Alli Abdullahi), Reece Prestidge, Sheldon Sellear (Manny Sackey), Charlie Simpson.

Subs not used - Jake Hall, Bert Greenwood.

Cheshunt

Aaron Omand, Gary Schillaci, Glen Parry, Nick Mountford (Tom Tresadern), Oliner Cleaver, Jordan Lumsden (Ola Akinnawo), Matt Thomson, Iain Salt, Bradley Harrison, Chris Meikle, Boniek Forbes (Graeme Dearie).

Subs not used - Ricky Light, Bradley Stamp.

VICTORIOUS - BISHOP'S STORTFORD FC