WEEKEND PREVIEW - END OF SEASON VISIT BY THE DOCKERS FOR THE TOWN

Ryman Division One (North) Final Day Fixtures 

Brentwood Town   v Wingate & Finchley 
Enfield Town     v Tilbury 
Grays Athletic   v AFC Sudbury 
Heybridge Swifts v Ilford 
Needham Market   v Harlow Town 
Potters Bar Town v Cheshunt 
Redbridge        v Waltham Abbey 
Romford          v Thamesmead Town 
Waltham Forest   v Maldon & Tiptree 
Ware             v East Thurrock United

Current Ryman Divison One (North) Current play-off positions 
                      P  W  D L  GF GA  GD PTS 
2 Needham Market      39 26 8 5  94 48 +46 86 
3 Harlow Town         39 21 7 11 60 50 +10 70 
4 Brentwood Town      39 20 9 10 73 52 +21 69 
5 Wingate & Finchley  39 20 9 10 69 52 +17 69 

With the title race over and the play-off places secured it's only the 3rd placed to 5th placed positions left to sort out tomorrow. Ironically the four teams in the end of season play-offs all play each other with Brentwood Town entertaining Wingate and Finchley and Harlow Town making the trip to already confirmed runners-up Needham Market.

Enfield Town sign off their season and playing at Goldsdown Road by welcoming Tilbury to North London. The Dockers haven't scored in their last three games losing 0-1 at Harlow Town, 0-2 at home to Ware and 0-1 away at Potters Bar Town. On the road The Dockers have won four of their nineteen games, drawing two and losing thirteen. They don't score many on their travels with only Thamesmead Town lower scorers (15) to their current total of 16 goals. Defensively their aren't too bad letting in thirty goals which only eight other teams can beat away from home.

It's a case of if only for the Town....if only Wingate and Finchley hadn't scored that last minute equaliser in the 2-2 draw earlier in the season it would of put Town on 67 points and Wingate and Finchley on 68 points making tomorrow's more dramatic!!!

Current Ryman Division One (South) Current table - Top eight and bottom four only   
                      P  W  D  L  GF GA  GD PTS 
1 Bognor Regis Town   41 29 8  4 102 42 +60 95 
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2 Metropolitan Police 41 29 6  6 101 41 +60 93 
3 Leatherhead         41 27 7  7  99 39 +60 88 
4 Whitehawk           41 25 10 6 107 43 +64 85 
5 Dulwich Hamlet      41 18 8  15 77 59 +18 62 
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6 Walton & Hersham    41 18 8  15 69 56 +13 62 
7 Burgess Hill Town   41 16 13 12 68 59 + 9 61 
8 Ramsgate            41 16 11 14 64 62 + 2 59 

19 Whyteleafe         41 13 3 25 63 94  -31 42 
20 Corinthian-Casuals 41 11 8 22 53 80  -27 41 
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21 Chatham Town       41 10 9 22 51 79  -28 39 
R Horsham YMCA        41 5  8 28 41 117 -76 23 

FINAL DAY FIXTURES 

Burgess Hill Town   v Ramsgate  
Chatham Town        v Bognor Regis Town  
Chipstead           v Walton Casuals  
Fleet Town          v Eastbourne Town  
Metropolitan Police v Merstham  
Sittingbourne       v Godalming Town  
Walton & Hersham    v Dulwich Hamlet  
Whitehawk           v Leatherhead  
Whitstable Town     v Corinthian-Casuals  
Whyteleafe          v Horsham YMCA  
Worthing            v Faversham Town 

Down South it's a much more exciting final day with the title still up for grabs and one of the play off places still to be decided. Bognor Regis Town and Metropolitan Police can still win the league with Dulwich Hamlet, Walton and Hersham and Burgess Hill Town still fighting for a play-off place.

Bognor Regis Town travel to Chatham Town who need to win to stay out of the bottom two and possible relegation with seventeenth placed Mertsham travelling to Imber Court.

In another ironic twist in the race for the play-offs Dulwich Hamlet travel to Walton and Hersham and Burgess Hill Town welcome Ramsgate (5th v 6th and 7th v 8th). Burgess Hill will hope that the match at Stompond Lane finishes all square and they can beat the Rams to sneak into fifth place. Third placed Whitehawk also play fourth placed Leatherhead where the result will decide where the two teams will play their play-off match.....Fetcham Grove or The Enclosed Ground??

Current Ryman Premier Division Table - Positions two to seven only 
                   P  W  D  L  GF GA  GD PTS     LAST GAME 
2 Tonbridge Angels 41 21 10 10 69 45 +24 73      Horsham (a)
3 Bury Town        41 21 10 10 66 49 +17 73      WEALDSTONE (H)
4 Lowestoft Town   41 19 15 7  64 29 +35 72      Folkestone Invicta (a)
5 Harrow Borough   41 22 6  13 76 50 +26 72      CRAY WANDERERS (H)
-------------------------------------------
6 Kingstonian      41 21 8  12 63 47 +16 71      Margate (a)
7 Canvey Island    41 20 10 11 67 50 +17 70      Tooting and Mitcham (a)

In the Premier Division it's also very tight with Kingstonian and Canvey Island ready to move into the play off zone should the teams above them slip up. If the positions stay the same their will be a Suffolk Derby between Bury Town and Lowestoft Town that would attract a massive crowd at Ram Meadow.
They'll be a few twists on the final day of the season with many fans finding out results at other grounds to find out if their team have been lucky or not???

HITCHIN TOWN THROUGH TO PLAY-OFF FINAL

Hitchin Town fans behind the goal in the first half

The Rebel's travelling support in the first half

The Zamaretto League Central Division play-off Semi-Final was played on Thursday night at Top Field between second placed Hitchin Town and fifth placed Slough Town. Hitchin Town won the game 4-1 to gain some revenge on The Rebels who beat them at the same stage this time last season.

The Canaries would of gone in at half-time 0-1 down but had a penalty awarded right on 45 minutes which when you look at the replay below I'll let you make you own mind up if it was or wasn't the right decision. Most of the Hitchin Town fans thought they were lucky to be awarded the spot-kick.

Hitchin Town deserved their victory for their second half performance where they ran in a further three goals.
The highlights below contain Slough Town's goal from a long throw in that caught me out filming and that penalty decision along with Hitchin's first, third and fourth goals.

The central division play-off final now takes place on Bank Holiday Monday at Top Field between Hitchin Town and Daventry Town (who beat Biggleswade Town 2-0 in the other semi-final)

 

COLNEY HEATH ARE PREMIER DIVISION CUP WINNERS

The Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Cup Final was played last night at the home of London Colney between Levertstock Green (currently 4th in the table) and Colney Heath (currently 5th in the table).

The first half was a scrappy affair as Colney Heath seemed happy to sit back and defend the Cotslandwick slope against Leverstock Green who had the best chance of the half which was well saved by Tom Blackman. Every time the ball went near to Levvy's pacey forward Louis Austin, who appears to be their danger man (with over 30 goals in league and cup games this season) the Colney defence closed him down and didn't allow his any space whatsoever.

Colney Heath's tactics proved spot on as in the second half they were much the better side scoring two goals (via Ian Cooper and substitute Josh Humbert) and having two other good chances to score both of which were well saved by Gareth Tinsley. The Levvy keeper also made a great save from a penalty that was awarded after he had made some contact with Ian Cooper in the box

Ian Cooper worked extremely hard up front for The Magpies (as Heath are nicknamed) as did all their players including defender Amadou Gerber and midfielder Jack Coombs.

Levvy will be disappointed and dejected to lose the game after beating Colney in a league game (4-1) just a few weeks ago. Credit goes to Colney Heath for a well deserved victory.

Green do get the chance to lift some silverware in the St Mary's Cup Final next Monday and the Hertfrodshire Charity Shield on the 10th May.

Both clubs have had excellent seasons in the League with Leverstock also having a fantastic run in the FA Vase. If Steve Heath (Green's manager) can hang onto to his squad of players, which includes several talented youngsters, the future looks bright at Pancake Lane. Defender's Bill Morgan (18 years old) and Steve Hatch (17 years old) along with midfielder Charlie Gorman (18 years old) and forward Louis Austin (21 year old) all started last night. Likewise the Colney Heath management duo of Scott Lacey and Wes Awad will look to build upon this success next season.

The trophy was lifted by Colney Heath in near darkness as two of the floodlights went off just prior to the presentation.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW (INC BOTH GOALS AND THE PENALTY DECISION - WAS THERE CONTACT MADE??? TAKE A LOOK AT 1min 50secs + AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK??)

THE COLD END RECOMMENDS....MODUS HOPPER RANDOM

The cold end likes to recommend other websites/blogs from time to time which if your reading this site you might well be interested in taking a look at.

Today I recommend Modus Hopper Random - Graham Yapp's excellent blog on ground hopping around England is well worth a read. For the past few weeks he has been been watching various games in the Faroe Islands and has taken some great photographs of the games along with some stunning scenery.

Well worth a look at.

THE ONLY WAY IS ENFIELD..LOCAL BRAGGING RIGHTS BELONG TO TOWN!!

The pitch at Theobalds Lane was in a very good condition..Congratulations must go to their grounds-people

In glorious sunshine Enfield Town recorded a fantastic 0-3 victory over their local rivals at Theobalds Lane yesterday. Cheshunt put up a spirited display on a very good pitch and did have a few chances to score especially in the second half but found the Town back line and goalkeeper Rob Blackburne not in a giving mood as Adam Wallace with a brace and Walid Matata did the damage scoring the all important goals. Special mention has to go to Jey Siva on the left wing who put in a brilliant Man of the Match performance playing a part in the build up in all three goals and putting over numerous crosses into the danger area with his sweet left foot. Walid Matata also ran his socks off up front which in the blistering heat must of taken a big effort.

Adam Wallace celebrates the second of his two goals

Elsewhere, What everyone expected happened as Wingate and Finchley's hammering of basement dweller's Waltham Forest put an end to Town's outside chance of qualifying for a play-off place but all is not lost as Steve Newing now has a squad of players well capable of making a challenge next season. With a little bit of luck this year and a few less injuries to some key players it could of been a different story this season - For now Enfield Town fans can claim local bragging rights after a few Cheshunt supporters did when they won 1-2 at Goldsdown Road earlier in the season. Lots is written about THE ONLY WAY IS ESSEX or T.O.W.I.E in it's shortened form.The cold end says T.O.W.I.E can only mean one thing - THE ONLY WAY IS ENFIELD!!!

The second goal Enfield Town scored got supporters talking as Adam Wallace's shot was well saved by the Cheshunt keeper only for the ball to, unluckily for him, drop down into the goalmouth right on the line. Some fan's said the ball had crossed the line before Walid Matata knocked it into the net meaning Adam could claim a hat-trick. However, as these cold end exclusive pictures (stills taken from the video) show Walid was right to celebrate and claim the goal was his as he got the all important touch on the ball to score the goal.

The ball dropping down right on the line

The ball still on the line very close to the Cheshunt defender's boot desperately trying to clear it  



Walid Matata gets the all important touch to make it 2-0 to Enfield Town

If you weren't there or want to revisit the action the match highlights are below. Well worth a watch especially for Jey Siva's cross for the third goal and Adam Wallace's finish with the outside of his boot. High quality football in the Ryman League Division One (North)!!!

AARON CATO'S LATEST FREESTYLE VIDEO

Enfield Town's very own Aaron Cato has produced another fanstastic video (below) showing off his impressive freestyle soccer skills. His website can be found here which is worth a look at.

CHESHUNT V ENFIELD TOWN - MATCH PREVIEW

Local bragging rights are on the line tomorrow at Theobalds Lane as Town make the short trip up the Great Cambridge Road to play part two of the "A10 El Classico" which The Ambers won part one of at Goldsdown Road on the 15th February.

Cheshunt have won one, drawn one and lost four of their last six league games as well as losing out on penalty kicks to Blue Square South side Bishops Stortford in the Hertfordshire Charity Cup Final. One of those league defeats was the 9-0 defeat at Grays Athletic after which their defence has improved with the defeat (1-3) at home to Redbridge and yesterday's impressive 1-1 draw away at play-off contender's Brentwood Town.

As always in these matches Cheshunt will be well up for gaining a victory and will raise their game against the Town. Likewise I'm sure Steve and the his squad will be up for gaining revenge after the defeat earlier in season.

Ryman Division One (North) Table - Top nine only + Cheshunt 
                       P  W  D  L  GF GA  GD PTS  PP  POSS
C East Thurrock United 38 29 5  4  86 35 +51 92   98  1st CHAMPIONS
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2 Needham Market       38 26 7  5  92 46 +46 85   91  2nd CONFIRMED
3 Brentwood Town       39 20 9  10 73 52 +21 69   72  3rd
4 Harlow Town          38 21 6  11 59 49 +10 69   75  3rd 
5 Wingate & Finchley   38 19 9  10 64 52 +12 66   72  3rd
-------------------------------------------------------------------
6 AFC Sudbury          38 18 10 10 79 61 +18 64   70  3rd
7 Maldon & Tiptree     38 18 9  11 68 59 + 9 63   69  4th
8 Enfield Town         38 19 5  14 71 44 +27 62   68  5th 
9 Grays Athletic       38 17 9  12 68 46 +22 60   66  5th

16 Cheshunt            38 10 8  20 49 77 -28 38   44  14th

PP denotes possible points 
POSS denotes possible position

Elsewhere in the league tomorrow Wingate and Finchley can knock both Town and Grays Athletic's massive outside chances of play off place with a victory at home over bottom of the table Waltham Forest. AFC Sudbury entertain Needham Market in a game they must win to keep their chances of finishing in the top five alive. A W&F and Needham victory would see them only able to get a points total of 67 with W&F on 69 points. It's likewise for Maldon and Tiptree who face a local derby with Heybridge Swifts where anything but a win will see there hopes dashed.

They are many variables and permutations but really and truly it's looking like a Needham Market v Wingate & Finchley and Brentwood Town v Harlow Town (or the other way round pending results) end of season line up. Harlow Town have Ware at home and then travel to Needham Market on the final day of the campaign in what could be a play-off final the week after. Ironically Brentwood Town host Wingate and Finchley on Saturday in another game which could be the play off final. What a turn around it has been for fans of The Hawks who were singing "we're all going on a Senior League tour" this time last year after finishing bottom of the table.

Ryman Division One (North) remaining fixtures
BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY

AFC Sudbury v Needham Market
Cheshunt v Enfield Town
East Thurrock United v Grays Athletic
Harlow Town v Ware
Ilford v Romford
Maldon & Tiptree v Heybridge Swifts
Thamesmead Town v Great Wakering Rovers
Waltham Abbey v Potters Bar Town
Wingate & Finchley v Waltham Forest

SATURDAY

Brentwood Town v Wingate & Finchley
Enfield Town v Tilbury
Grays Athletic v AFC Sudbury
Heybridge Swifts v Ilford
Needham Market v Harlow Town
Potters Bar Town v Cheshunt
Redbridge v Waltham Abbey
Romford v Thamesmead Town
Waltham Forest v Maldon & Tiptree
Ware v East Thurrock United

HITCHIN TOWN AND ARLESEY TOWN GO FOR THE TITLE ON 'MASSIVE MONDAY'

Further North in Hertfordshire their is a massive game between local rivals Hitchin Town and Arlesey Town at Top Field in the Zamaretto Central Division. Arlesey Town "won" the league title last Tuesday night with their victory at AFC Hayes but have since been deducted nine points for playing an ineligible player earlier in the season. More details can be found at twohundredpercent.net. Now the long and short of it is a win or a draw for Hitchin will see them crowned Champions and a win for Arlesey will see them finish top. Third placed Daventry Town could of also been involved in the title race on the final day of the season had it not been for their five point deduction. Expect a four-figure crowd at Top Field in a real winner takes all local derby crunch match.

Zamaretto League Central Division (Top Three only) 
                  
               P  W  D L GF  GA GD PTS  
Hitchin Town   41 26 9 6 107 43 64 87 
Arlesey Town#  41 29 7 5 107 34 73 85 
Daventry Town* 41 26 8 7 95  47 48 80

# denotes nine points deducted 
* denotes five points deducted 

The Middlesex Senior Cup Final also takes place tomorrow night at Harrow Borough's Earlsmead stadium between Blue Square South Staines Town and Blue Square Premier Hayes and Yeading. Kick off at 7.30pm.

COME ON YOU TOWN!!!

EAST THURROCK UNITED ARE RYMAN DIVISION ONE (NORTH) CHAMPIONS

There were scenes of celebration at Oakside today as East Thurrock United's 0-3 win sealed John Coventry's side the title and promotion back up to Premier Division status they lost three seasons ago. The cold end sends congratulations to all at Rookery Hill as they are worthy champions after such a great season losing only four games so far. After being pipped to the title by Aveley and then losing to Concord Rangers in the play offs in 2008/09 and last season losing to Concord again in the play-off semi-final it's great to see a club who have stuck by their manager gain success. Excellent footage of The Rock's victory can be found here. Well worth a watch. Let's hope Steve and the Town team maybe celebrating this time next year!!!!

Enfield Town won 1-0 at home to Ilford thanks to an Adam Wallace second half goal. The cold end wasn't present to film the game. Following Waltham Forest's defeat to Harlow Town it would now take a big turn around for The Foxes to finish bottom. Brentwood Town, Harlow Town and Needham Market now look good for the play-offs with Wingate and Finchley favourites to join them in fifth place. Congratulations to Brentwood Town who drew a crowd of 763 for their charity help the heroes day.

Today's Ryman North Results - 

Brentwood Town        1 1 Cheshunt             763 
Enfield Town          1 0 Ilford               188 
Great Wakering Rovers 1 2 Maldon & Tiptree     103 
Heybridge Swifts      2 2 Wingate & Finchley    85 
Needham Market        4 2 Waltham Abbey        192 
Potters Bar Town      1 0 Tilbury               55 
Redbridge             0 3 East Thurrock United 182 
Romford               1 3 AFC Sudbury          136 
Waltham Forest        1 2 Harlow Town           72 
Ware                  4 1 Thamesmead Town       76 

For Enfield Town the focus now shifts to Theobalds Lane and the local bank holiday derby game on Monday afternoon against Cheshunt. A chance for the Town to gain some revenge from the 1-2 defeat at Goldsdown Road earlier in the season.

Elsewhere in local football the Essex Senior League title was clinched by Enfield FC 1893 with their 2-6 victory over Clapton at the Spotted Dog Ground. They could now be promoted to the Ryman Division One (North) for next season meaning two very local derby games could take place.

EASY FOR PROBUILD AGAINST CITY HEARTS

The North and Mid Herts Football League Greg Cup Final was played on Thursday at Hitchin Town's Top Field stadium between current league leader's Probuild and third placed City Hearts. For the cold end it was cup final number four in a week and despite the one sided scoreline this was a really entertaining game.

The League was formed following an amalgamation of of the North Herts Football Association and the Mid Herts League in 2006 after both leagues had experienced a decline in numbers and facing the possibility of folding. The Mid Herts League had it's roots in local football from 1892 and the North Herts FA in 1910 so it was thought that the combined league should retain their own individuality and heritage. This was carried out by having two separate cup competitions for the Mid and North clubs with the retention of the Bingham Cox cup for the Mid clubs and the Greg Cup for the North clubs. For 2006/07, 07/08, 08/09 and 09/10 two divisions were run but due to ever dwindling numbers the league has only run one division this season. John Burlison the Chairman of the NH&MHFA writes in the programme "New blood is desperately needed to keep the league from folding completely as two of the present member clubs have decided to move on to a higher league." The cold end hopes some more teams come forward and that the league remains active.

City Hearts originally called Carousel became members of the NHFA in the late 1970's and are the longest continuously serving club from the former league. Thurday's match was their first appearance in the Greg Cup Final. Special mention must go to manager Geoff Pettengell who has managed the club since the early 80's along with his wife Sue who copes admirably with washing the kit in all weathers.

Probuild were formed in 2007 on the back of their succesful Sunday League side and have dominated the NH&MH football league over the past few seasons.

The Greg Cup of North Herts Junior Cup as it was originally known was instigated by Mr Greg (whom the competition is now named after) in 1910/11. One of the unique rules he stipulated as that any player having received a winner's memento in the competition would not be allowed to play in future competitions. Hence the fact, prior to Thursday, only one club has ever won the cup in two successive seasons (Fishers in 2002 and 2003). Four years ago this rule was relaxed and now there is no longer such a stipulation.

The strong and rich heritage of the competition is demonstated in the list of winners which include Stevenage Town in 1920, Letchworth Town in 1922, Knebworth in 1923, Buntingford Town in 1931, Biggleswade United in 1967 alongside lesser known clubs such as Hitchin Union Jack in 1911, Kayser Bondor in 1960, Seta Sports in 1982 and Benington in 1995.

Probuild had made the final by beating Wodson Park Seniors 3-0 in the Semi-Final and City Hearts had beat St Ippolyts 7-2 in the Quarter Final and then FC Letchworth in the last four.

North and Mid Herts Football League Current Premier Division Table 
                      P  W  D L  GF GA  GD PTS 
Probuild              20 18 2 0  78 22 +56 56 
Potters Bar Crusaders 20 16 2 2  87 20 +67 50 
City Hearts           21 13 3 5  69 52 +17 44 
Global                21 13 2 6  37 29 + 8 41 
Wodson Park Seniors   22 11 5 6  45 31 +14 38 
Inn on the Green      23 11 3 9  49 58 - 9 36 
Asia                  20 8  3 9  44 49 - 5 27 
St Ippolyts           22 6  5 11 39 62 -23 23 
FC Letchworth         19 4  4 11 32 44 -12 19 
Warriors X1           21 6  4 11 32 57 -25 18 
St Albans Wanderers   23 4  5 14 35 48 -13 17 
London Colney 'A'     20 4  4 12 25 82 -57 16 
Shephall Centre       24 2  2 20 22 40 -18 8 

As you can see form the league table Probuild are unbeaten at present and prior to last night they had already lifted the Benevolent Shield on the 14th April by beating Asia 2-1 at London Colney. The only defeat they have suffered was in the Herts FA Junior Cup Round 3 when they played and lost 5-1 against Hertford and District League side Bengeo Trinity on January 15th. The league meeting between the two sides on the 30th October finished in a 12-2 victory for Probuild. When they scored in the first minute on Thursday, were 3-0 up in twelve minutes and 5-0 up at half time it was looking like double figures again but massive credit must go to City Hearts who plugged away despite the scoreline, they struck the cross bar in the first half alongside a few chances before scoring their own goal right on 90 minutes to loud applause from the crowd gathered at Top Field. The loudest cheer came when certain to score after going round the keeper, a probuild player's shot was blocked on the line by a hard working City Hearts player who celebrated with his keeper afterwards.

Many who had assembled at the ground were WIGWAMS (Woman including Girlfriends, Wifes and Mothers) who supported their nearest and dearest throughout the game which is always good to see. Many thanks to VETRAN on the nonleague messageboard for the updated term on WAGS!!!

Probuild play City Hearts in their final league game on FA Cup final day 14th May. Will it be another high scoring game???

Their scorers on Thursday were Terry Pateman (3), K Rabland, Steve Teale and Carl Thompson (2).

The last of the league's three cup finals is the Bingham Cox Cup which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday the 2nd May at St Albans City FC where Potters Bar Crusaders play Inn on the Green with an 11am kick off.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS BELOW (INC ALL THE GOALS AND ACTION. WELL WORTH A WATCH)

AFC DUNSTABLE RESERVES LIFT THE BEDFORDSHIRE INTERMEDIATE CUP

The reserve side of AFC Dunstable who ply their trade in the Spartan South Midlands Reserve Division One took on Bedfordshire County Division One side Bedford Hatters on Wednesday 20th April at The Carlsberg stadium, the home of Biggleswade Town in the Bedfordshire FA Intermediate Cup Final.

The competition dates back to the 1938/39 season when Wymington FC lifted the trophy and since then teams such as an Army XI from Ampthill (1942), Tithe Farm (1973) and Eaton Socon (1995) have won it amongst other teams.

The Hatters are having a great season and currently top of their league with the AFC side fifth in their league table. To quote the Hatter's website they are "a team of lads in their mid 20's who are all friends and have played together in different teams over the years. I decided to form this team to bring back the good old days, which involved having a laugh, winning games and eventually picking up some silverware! The name basically reflects our hometown and the managers support for Luton Town hence 'Hatters'. Lets get stuck in this year boys and make the most of it whilst our knees can still take the knocks!!!!!!"

The Carlsberg Stadium complex now boasts a second pitch (including dug-outs) outside of the main stadium and from looking across there is room for a possible third in the future. Bedford FC have recently played a few games on this pitch following a fire at their McMullen Park Stadium. 

With the warm sun still shining and just preparing the set as the game kicked off this was a perfect setting for the beautiful game and a very entertaining match took place. Both sides had good chances in the opening exchanges but it was AFC Dunstable who took the lead with a free kick which appeared to take a slight deflection off the wall. The Hatters equalised with a penalty after a player was brought down inside the box. AFC then had their keeper to thank for the scoreline being equal when he pulled off a classy double save just prior to half time.

AFC took a two goal lead in the second half and looked comfortable having chances to make it 4-1 but it was The Hatters to their credit who came back into the game late on to make 2-3 with only a few minutes left. Late on a shot from outside of the box just went over the AFC bar for them to victorious and lift the cup after 90 minutes of good football. Congratulations to them from the cold end.

As well as the Division One title that is within their grasp The Hatters do have a chance  to win some silverware this season when they take on Bedford SA in the Beds County League Centenary Cup on the 6th May at Biggleswade United's Second Meadow ground.

All the match highlights are below including all the goals -

LANGFORD STILL ROCK BOTTOM AFTER HERTFORD TOWN VICTORY

Langford 0 Hertford Town 2
Match played on Tuesday 19th April 2011

Hertford Town team bonding before the kick-off

With the season coming to an end in the Spartan South Midlands League there was nothing riding on this game but pride with Langford rock bottom of the table after a nightmare season and Hertford Town comfortably in tenth place.

Langford have apparently registered over 100+ players in their team since the start of the season and had only won six out of their forty-one league games going into this match played at Forde Park.

They went into this game on the back of a 8-0 drubbing at the hands of Holmer Green on the previous Tuesday and a 4-2 defeat at local rival's Stotfold on Saturday.

Just in the past week their team has changed dramatically with only Captain Paul Donnelly starting all three games.

In truth, the game was never one to write home about with the first half only highlighted but a shot from outside of the box which went wide of the mark for Hertford.

Pablo Ardiles who scored his first goal of the season for Hertford Town

The second half was much the same with Town taking the three points thanks to two well taken goals. The first was from Pablo Ardiles with a sweet left footed shot just inside the box after a neat piece of control on the ball. For those reading this not familiar with the non-league game in Hertfordshire Pablo is the son of Spurs Legend Ossie and has played for various teams (Hoddesdon Town and Hertford Town in particular) in the local area for many years. Pablo is also the Assistant Manger of the club. Substitute Josh Lillis rounded things off when lobbing the ball into the net from outside the box after the Langford keeper had punched clear.

RED AND WHITE - The odd boots of Giovanni Gauxdax

The Langford players and management will be pleased when the season ends so they can re-group and plan for their next year's campaign in Division One. They did show some signs of improvement I think with pacey Michael Stewart getting some skillful touches up front without ever really troubling the goalkeeper and Giovannl Gauxdax in the centre of defence wearing odd boots standing out. Captain Paul Donnelly aka "Meathead" who regular reader's will remember from Langford's game with Leverstock Green as always gave 100%.

Below are both goals from the game. No other highlights as to be honest their weren't that many.

PJ HITCHIN SHADE IT AGAINST RED STAR TO LIFT THE CUP

The Hitchin Sunday League Premier Division Cup Final was played last night at Arlesey Town between current table topper's PJ Hitchin and third placed Red Star.

PJ Hitchin are currently unbeaten in the league at present and are through to the Challenge Cup final on the 8th May at Hitchin Town's Top Field stadium. The only game that PJ Hitchin have lost this season is in the Hertfordshire Sunday Senior Cup Quarter Final against Queen's Head Sandridge (4-0) who are top of the Hertfordshire Advertiser Sunday League Premier Division.

Red Star are also having a brilliant season and are PJ Hitchin's opponents in the Challenge Cup Final. The four defeats they have suffered in the league (one against PJ Hithin 1-0) has seen them unable to challenge for the Premier Division title that is now between PJ Hitchin and second placed Ocean's Eleven.

Both team's were well organised and played out a very good game which PJ Hitchin took a 1-0 lead in at half time with a well worked goal only for Red Star to come back and pile on some pressure for an equaliser. With the minutes ticking down PJ broke up field from a goal kick and scored the second decisive goal enabling them to lift the trophy.

The cold end was impressed by both sides in particular Darren Urquhart in the centre of defence for Red Star who was strong in the air and comfortable when on the ball. Red Star deserved something for their efforts but unfortunately came away runner's up to a strong PJ Hitchin for whom Ryan Foster and Craig Skelton stood out. Red Star's goalkeeper also pulled off a number of quality saves during the ninety minutes.

Hitchin Sunday League Premier Division (Current Top Three)
                P  W  D L GF GA  GD PTS
PJ Hitchin      15 14 1 0 88 15 +73 43 
Oceans Eleven   16 14 1 1 57 16 +41 43 
Red Star        16 11 1 4 88 31 +57 34 

Red Star get the chance for revenge not only in the forthcoming Challenge Cup Final but also in the league fixture scheduled to be played on Tuesday 26th April. PJ Hitchin could complete a treble but they are being run close in the league by Ocean's Eleven whom they are scheduled to face this Thursday 21st August in potential title decider.

The cold end saw Red Star (HIGHLIGHTS AND REPORT HERE from the cold end archives) lift the George John Memorial Trophy last season in their 2-1 victory over Cannon Reserves on the 9th May 2010. Oceans Eleven take on HTS Bar Absolute in the 2011 final on the 1st May at Top Field.

All the match highlights from yesterday are below in what was an excellent advert for Sunday League football and a credit to both teams.

RYMAN NORTH WEEKEND RESULTS AND TABLE

RESULTS 

AFC Sudbury          4 0 Great Wakering Rovers 231 
Cheshunt             1 3 Redbridge             125 
East Thurrock United 2 2 Brentwood Town        217 
Harlow Town          2 1 Heybridge Swifts      221 
Ilford               0 2 Grays Athletic        128 
Maldon & Tiptree     2 0 Romford                86 
Thamesmead Town      0 3 Enfield Town           79
Tilbury              0 2 Ware                  112 
Waltham Abbey        5 4 Waltham Forest         69 

Current Table (Top 10 and bottom 2 only)
                       P  W  D  L  GF GA  GD PTS  PP  HIGHEST POSS
1 East Thurrock United 37 28 5  4  83 35 +48 89   98  1ST
----------------------------------------------------
2 Needham Market       37 25 7  5  88 44 +44 82   91  1ST
3 Brentwood Town       38 20 8  10 72 51 +21 68   74  3rd
4 Harlow Town          37 20 6  11 57 48 + 9 66   75  3rd
5 Wingate & Finchley   37 19 8  10 62 50 +12 65   74  3rd
----------------------------------------------------
6 AFC Sudbury          37 17 10 10 76 60 +16 61   70  3rd
7 Grays Athletic       38 17 9  12 68 46 +22 60   66  4th GD
8 Maldon & Tiptree     37 17 9  11 66 58 + 8 60   69  3rd
9 Enfield Town         37 18 5  14 70 44 +26 59   68  3rd GD
10 Waltham Abbey       37 16 8  13 69 55 +14 56   65  5th GD

20 Ilford              37 7  8  22 37 71 -34 29   38
----------------------------------------------------
21 Waltham Forest      37 5  8  24 38 83 -45 23   32 

The Champagne is on Ice at East Thurrock United after yesterday's 2-2 draw with Brentwood Town. A victory at Redbridge next Saturday will secure John Coventry's side the title and Ryman Premier Division football next season. In the race for the play-offs it's looking like it will be the current top five who will qualify with Wingate and Finchley making the trip to Needham Market and Brentwood Town playing Harlow Town in the semi-finals. Where the second game will be played at (Barrows Farm or The Arena???) will be decided over the next few games for The Blues and The Hawks.

Romford's defeat at Maldon and Tiptree and Heybridge Swift's loss at Harlow put an end to their slim chances of a play off place as they can now only get a points total of 64 and 63 respectively.

Tenth placed Waltham Abbey can still mathematically qualify but it would take the wheels to fall off in a spectaular fashion at Brentwood Town, Harlow Town and Wingate and Finchley for that to happen. AFC Sudbury are probably the best placed side outside of the top five for a shot at the play-offs but with a four point cushion between themselves and fifth placed W&F this is now looking an outside chance as well. You never know though as a famous pundit (who played for Brentwood Town) once said "it's a funny old game" and maybe the league will throw up one dramatic twist over the final few weeks.

At the bottom of the table Waltham Forest look doomed following their amazing 5-4 loss at Waltham Abbey yesterday. One more defeat for The Stags will see them only able to get 29 points with an inferior goal difference to Ilford by -11 who are currently on that total at present. A draw for The Foxes in one of their final games will rubber stamp their Ryman North status for another season.

A RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AT BAYLISS AVENUE

Two views of the new main stand taking shape which will form part of the multi-million pound development of Bayliss Avenue and the Sporting Club Thamesmead

After last weekend's defeat at Ware it was a pleasing to see a good performance today from Enfield Town in a 0-3 victory at Bayliss Avenue against a Thamesmead Town side who continue on their recent poor run of form. The South London side have only one win in their last twenty games and in eleven of those they have not scored. They have only scored twice in the run of twenty games on one occasion against Ilford at home on the 5th March and it's now been four games in a row without a goal.




The winners of the cold end biggest dugouts of the season are Thamesmead Town



Steve Newing's side were in control of the game for start to finish in front of just 79 people which is the lowest league crowd Enfield Town have played in front of on a Saturday since formation in 2001.

Liam Hope opened the scoring in the opening moments of the match followed by a great finish from outside of the box by Richard Morton to make the score 0-2 at half time. In the second half a fantastic cross from the left hand side by Walid Matata allowed Adam Wallace to head home to make the scoreline 0-3.

It was good to see Aaron Cato and Izci Erin coming on as substitutes late on with both of them linking up to win a penalty kick for the Town right on 90 minutes. Erin passed the ball to Cato whose cross, after skillfully beating his man, was handled by a Thamesmead defender inside the box. Rudi Hall's resulting spot-kick was well saved by Thamesmead goalkeeper Sam Mott who despite letting in three goals had a good game and kept his side in it in the first half with some good saves.

The new stand at Bayliss Avenue is gradually taking shape as you can see from the pictures. I believe it will be open sometime next season.




The seated stand behind one of the goals





Rory Delap would struggle with his long throws if he played at Bayliss Avenue




Town fans behind the goal in the second half




The Town bench including Marathon Man Mark Kirby taking a well earned rest for the big race tomorrow

 Apart from the 69 people who turned up for the Waltham Abbey v Waltham Forest game which sounds like it was an amazing game finishing 5-4, the figure at Bayliss Avenue this afternoon was the league's second lowest crowd figure of the day.




Even the Goodyear blimp hovered over the game during the second half

 To qualify for the play offs, as stated after last weekend's defeat,  is now an uphill battle against the odds but those fans that travelled (and those that didn't) to Thamesmead today will know the future is bright for Town with a good manager, a good side and a new stadium to call home from next season.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW INCLUDING ALL THREE GOALS 

GREENBURY UNITED WIN THE CENTENARY TROPHY

The KB Tyres & Mercury Hertford and District League Centenary Trophy final was played yesterday evening at the Hertfordshire FA County Ground in Letchworth.

The Trophy which is in it's first season is competed for by all the member clubs across the four divisions of the league. Both Cheshunt based Greenbury United and their opponents last night, Hertford County, are members of the Premier Division.

County had qualified for the final by beating Ware Lions Re-United of Division Two (1-2), Broxbourne Badgers of the Premier Division (2-0), Hertford Celtic of Division Two couldn't field a side in the quarter final so County went through and Elizabeth Allen Old Boys of Division One in the semi-final (1-0).

Greenbury United had got through thanks to victories over County Hall Rangers of Division Two (1-3), Baldock Cannon (3-4) who are their nearest challengers in second place of the Premier Division, Oracle Components of Division One (4-0) and Premier Division Waltham Abbey 'A' (2-4 AET).

The result went with the form side as Greenbury United are top of the Premier Division table with Hertford County currently in 6th placed out of 10 teams. It was what the cold end would describe as a real game of football with some strong challenges and tackles flying in at times as you'll see from the video highlights.

Greenbury United lifted the Trophy thanks to a 3-0 win through a brace (one a penalty) from Danny Ward and a good finish from Peter Ulatowski, a name all Enfield Town fans will recognise after his time with the club during the Essex Senior League days. County could of got back into the game at 1-0 when they were awarded a spot-kick of their own which was well saved by the Greenbury keeper.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW (INC ALL THREE GOALS)

CRUNCH WEEKEND IN THE ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE

It's crunch weekend in the Essex Senior League as current second placed and reigning Champions Stansted travel to Goldsdown Road to play top of the table Enfield 1893 FC.

Current Essex Senior League Table (Top Two)
             HOME               AWAY              TOTAL                
             P  W  D L GF GA    P  W  D L GF GA   P  W  D L GF GA  GD PTS 
Enfield 1893 15 10 3 2 34 12    15 12 0 3 42 12   30 22 3 5 76 24 +52 69 
Stansted     15 11 3 1 31 11    14 9  5 0 43 11   29 20 8 1 74 22 +52 68 

The crowd figure for what is likely to be a real title decider should top 1893's highest of the season so far of 115 (home v Barking on the 29th January) and the league's highest figure so far this season of 133 at Barkingside v Barking on 21st March.

Both sides have wobbled of late with Stansted losing their first game of the season in a unexpected 1-2 defeat at home to Hullbridge Sports last Saturday. 1893 themselves have lost to London APSA (1-2) and drawn against Southend Manor (1-1) in their last two games both of which have been at Goldsdown Road.

Elsewhere in the league, Barkingside have lost their last fourteen games on the trot and they face a trip to Stansted on the final game of the season with 1893 travelling to Clapton who are bottom of the table with only three wins all season. In between the visit of Barkingside the Airportmen make the short journey for a local derby match with Takeley on the 19th April.

1893 know that a victory on Saturday and at the Spotted Dog a week later will seal the title and along with it possible promotion to the Ryman Division One (North). On the other hand Stansted will know a win on Saturday and a win from one of their final two games will secure them the title for the second season in a row.

GOOD LUCK TO MARATHON MEN KIRBS,TRENKS, STEPHEN & MARTIN

The shirt kirbs will wear on Sunday.

Enfield Town will be missing defender Mark Kirby at Saturday's game in Thamesmead as he deservedly rests his legs in preparation for running the London Marathon on Sunday. Kirbs has a just giving page here where you can donate to his chosen charity The Stroke Association.

Two other Enfield Town fans are also running the big race. Stephen Morgan is running for the Make-a-Wish foundation (just giving page here) and Martin Morgan for Help the Hospices (just giving page here).

Another face familiar to Enfield Town fans in Great Wakering Rover's Dan Trenkel is also running as well as playing at AFC Sudbury on Saturday. He told the cold end he may regret playing when half way round the big race on Sunday!!!

The cold end sends the very best of luck to Kirbs, Trenks, Stephen and Martin.

WEEKEND PREVIEW - A RARE TRIP SOUTH OF THE RIVER

From North to South - Looking across the Thames at the Woolwich Ferry

Enfield Town make a rare trip South of the River this weekend when they journey to Bayliss Avenue to play Thamesmead Town. It's the only occasion Enfield Town supporters will get to go on a ferry this season as travelling in luxury aboard the Woolwich Ferry in one of the many ways you can travel to Thamesmead. Granted it's a long walk (if your on foot??) from Woolwich but you can always get on a bus...the best bet if your without the car is to go to nearby Abbey Wood station (served well from London Bridge) and hop on a bus number 244 where if you get off at Crossway the walk to Bayliss Avenue is about 5 to 10 minutes. If your in the car lets hope the Blackwall Tunnel is clear and free of traffic!!

Some facts about the area and Thamesmead Town -

1) Southmere Lake in South Thamesmead was used in the filming of cult classic movie A Clockwork Orange.

2) Stella English, winner of The Apprentice in 2010, was born and raised on a council estate in the Town.

3) As the crow flies the distance between Bayliss Avenue and Goldsdown Road is 12.5 miles which is just about the same distance at it from Town's current home to Wodson Park where Town played last week. So is that two local derby games in a row???

4) Thamesmead Town FC came into being in 1985 when Thamesmead FC changed names and relocated from the Meridian Sports Ground in nearby Charlton to Bayliss Avenue. The club were formed in 1969 as Thamesmead Youth FC and merged with local side Southlake FC to become Thamesmead FC.

5) Bayliss Avenue was officially opened in 1988 against the Wimbledon who were holders of the FA Cup at the time in front of a crowd of over 400.

6) The club was granted Senior Status in 1987 after playing in the London Spartan Intermediate Divisions. They joined the Kent League in 1991. After winning the Kent League in 2008 they joined the Ryman League Division One (North).

7) Crowds at Bayliss Avenue have been low this season with only Waltham Forest's league average of 54 below The Mead's current figure of 56. Their top league crowd this season came when AFC Sudbury visited on the 6th November and 92 people watched. Last season they averaged 61 with a top crowd of 108 on the Boxing Day derby game versus VCD Athletic.

8) Work has begun on the £4m redevelopment of their ground which will see the completed Sporting Club Thamesmead main arena boast a 500 seat stand with balcony overlooking the pitch from the pavilion. The main arena pitch will be surrounded by covered terracing with the rest of the ground comprising of a second sports pitch, indoor sports hall, gym and multi use outdoor sports facilities available seven days a week to the local community. This should be ready for the 2010/11 season.

In their last six games The Mead have only hit the back of the net twice being beaten five times and drawing once. Form since the turn of the year has seen only one victory come against bottom side Waltham Forest (1-0, 12/2/2011) in nineteen games. A victory for the home side will see them do the double over the Town following their 1-0 victory at Goldsdown Road on the 7th September.

The midweek fixtures saw Romford win 1-3 at Redbridge (see footballcraft.blogspot.com for a report on this one), Wingate and Finchley beat Needham Market 2-1 and Grays Athletic thrash Cheshunt 9 (NINE!!)-0 on Wednesday night.

Full Ryman North Fixture list for Saturday 16th April 

AFC Sudbury          v Great Wakering Rovers 
Cheshunt             v Redbridge 
East Thurrock United v Brentwood Town 
Harlow Town          v Heybridge Swifts 
Ilford               v Grays Athletic 
Maldon & Tiptree     v Romford 
Thamesmead Town      v Enfield Town 
Tilbury              v Ware 
Waltham Abbey        v Waltham Forest 
  

Following Needham's defeat they can get to a points total of 91 should they win all of their remaining three games meaning East Thurrock United could all but seal the title with a victory against Brentwood Town putting them on 91 points themselves.

BALDOCK BASH BOVINGDON

Baldock Town Letchworth played host to visitors Bovingdon in a Hertfordshire Senior County League Premier Division game last night, it was one of the last matches Baldock will be play at the County Ground in the town. They were reformed as Baldock FC in 2003 after the original club folded in 2001 following the loss of their Norton Road ground.

The new club initially played at The Shed, Clothall Road and the Knights Templar Sports Centre in Baldock but for the last three seasons have played at the Hertfordshire FA's headquarters at Baldock Road, Letchworth under the name of 'Baldock Town Letchworth FC'

This three year agreement runs out at the end of the season and as this article from the local press states it will not be renewed (The Comet 10/09/2010). So, they will be off to pastures new. It seems a shame the well appointed ground which is well up to Ryman standard will not be used by a club from next season onwards. The old club's Norton Road ground is still used as the the arena/north herts football facility and has a full size 3G pitch used all year round.

Another article on the current situation regarding Town's ground situation can be read at the excellent twohundredpercent.net

In the game it was Baldock's night as they went goal crazy. Already 5-0 up at half time they could of scored at least another five in the second half against a Bovingdon side that have only won twice since the turn of the year. The visitors had a night to forget at the back but credit to them they never gave up playing and backed by a very vocal and encouraging bench had a few chances to score themselves.

Bovingdon warm up prior to kick off

The referee and his assistants make sure the match starts on time

Baldock Town enter the field of play closely followed by the visitors

Arriving at the ground at 7.15pm for the 7.30pm kick off I saw the home side warming up with only a few Bovingdon players getting set for the game. Their squad was out on the pitch fully preparing at about 7.20 when the referee spoke to them asking them to be ready at the tunnel by 7.25 which was met with the reply of 'that's never gonna happen mate' which indicated that some of their players were running late. More credit goes to the Bovingdon players as they were ready for the kick off time entering the field of play a few minutes behind Baldock.

The result pushes Baldock Town up into third place as in thirteen league games since the 1st January they have only lost three times, their good run of form looks like it's come to late to challenge for the title. Tellingly two of those defeats have come against Hinton and their neighbour's Letchworth Garden City Eagles who are above them in the league table.

Herts Senior County League Current Top Five 
                              P  W  D L GF GA  GD PTS 
Letchworth Garden City Eagles 22 14 5 3 59 30 +29 47 
Hinton                        21 14 2 5 51 23 +28 44 
Baldock Town Letchworth       24 13 4 7 55 29 +26 43 
Wormley Rovers                25 12 6 7 51 41 +10 42 
Metropolitan Police Bushey    22 11 8 3 59 31 +28 41 

The current table toppers and second placed Hinton still have to play each other in the league making for a very exciting end to the title race. Hinton travel to Pixmore Lane on Bank Holiday Monday the 25th April before the Eagles make the trip to the Holtwhites Sports and Social club in Enfield on the 30th April.

The 7-0 victory wasn't Town's biggest victory this season in the league as they went one better and won 8-0 away at bottom of the table Lemsford on the 12th February. It was Bovingdon's biggest league defeat since the 13th September 2008 when London Lions beat them 10-0.

There are quite a few midweek fixtures in the Herts County League over the next few weeks which an be found on the league website here.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE HERE (INCLUDING ALL OF BALDOCK'S SUPER SEVEN GOALS) -



The cold end also covered the Letchworth derby game between Town and the Eagles on the 1st September 2010. Highlights can be found here.

Baldock's scorers last night were -

Ryan Aldrin
Kane Dougherty (3)
Ross Haskins
J Peters
and an Own Goal.

BOROUGH & TIGERS SHARE THE POINTS AT COLES PARK

 

From behind the stand

Seating in the stand



The stand with the sun just going down to the left hand side



Looking across the Coles Park pitch from the stand side

The stand from the car park end

The team's line up in front of the huge crowd at the 'real White Hart Lane'

Haringey Huddle prior to  kick off.

Match in progress under the floodlights



The dug-outs from the main stand with the bright lights and top of Canary Wharf visible in the distance.

Tonight at White Hart Lane the Premier League giants of Tottenham Hotspur entertain the Galaticos of Real Madrid in front of a sell out crowd of 35,000+, not to mention the millions of people watching the Champions League on TV around the UK and the world.

In stark contrast last night, just a stone's throw from Spur's White Hart Lane stadium, Haringey Borough entertained Kingsbury London Tigers at Coles Park (which itself is actually the only football stadium on White Hart Lane, N17) in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division. The cold end has always referred to Coles Park as the real White Hart Lane - after being around for over eighty years the future is uncertain with the local council approving plans to demolish the stadium and sell off the area for redevelopment.

The good news for Borough is that if these plans do go ahead they would hopefully move a short distance to a redeveloped White Hart Lane Community Sports Centre (aka New River Stadium) which is currently home to Rugby League side London Skolars, Haringey and Enfield Athletics club and the Haringey Rhinos Rubgy Union club (who play on an outside pitch) amongst other local sports clubs and teams. This article from the Tottenham and Wood Green Journal explains more about the future of Coles Park.

Last night standing on the far side of the ground prior to kick off it seemed very peaceful and tranquil - it was hard to imagine you were just a short distance from the noisy and very busy A10 and A406.

In front of just 30 people the two clubs shared four goals with the second half being a better spectacle than the first. Amongst the scorers for Haringey was Daniel Ailey who is top scorer for the club this season and also represents the Great Britain Deaf Football Team who Borough play in a prestige friendly match on Wednesday 27th April at Coles Park. Entrance is £5 including a programme - it's bound to be a very interesting evening's entertainment. A draw was a fair result, Borough could of nicked all three right at the end when with only the keeper to beat from close range the player (5mins 10 secs on the video) put the ball wide of the target.

Haringey Borough football secretary John Bacon deserves a mention as he has been associated with the club since 1953. This article for the Tottenham and Wood Green Journal (30/3/2011) reveals all about a true non-league gentleman.

How long Haringey Borough continue to play at Coles Park for is not known at present but the cold end will keep you updated.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ARE BELOW (INCLUDED ALL FOUR GOALS)