THE EAGLES WIN - "ONE OF THESE NIGHTS" FOR FOSTERS

Cockfosters made the journey up to Bedfordshire on Tuesday evening for a Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division game against Stotfold with a new face in their back four in the shape of Liam Kenna. The ex Wewlyn Garden City Captain has recently been successfully playing up-front for Knebworth Reserves in the Hertfordshire Senior County League. He had even written on social media "Supported Cockfosters as a young lad. A dream come true. Buzzing to pocket a centre forward tomorrow" last week with his tongue firmly in cheek!

This game pitted 16th v 12th in the table with Fosters winning nine of their twenty-eight games and Stotfold seven of their twenty-five games played. Both Managers of the two sides (Rob Bates and Dean Barker) are building good squads with some very impressive young players coming through.

Stotfold had striker Ben L'Honore in their team who had scored 18 goals in 31 games prior to kick off and he showed how good he in front of goal when putting The Eagles 1-0 up from close range when getting a little bit of luck after a superb last ditch tackle from Foster's right back Tom Massey looked to have saved the day. Dean Barker's side had only just hit the post via Frazer John and Adam Harpur had made a great save to keep the score 0-0. L'Honore made it 2-0 when Kenna's centre-back partner passed the ball back to keeper (when he should of really put his foot through it) allowing the forward to take the ball around and pass easily into the net.

Credit must go to the visitors who played some good football in the second half with Captain Ben Spaul (number 4) in midfield running his socks off from box to box throughout the whole match showing much desire and commitment for his team. Another midfielder Drew Cardines (number 7 for Stotfold) impressed as well - He can pick a pass and looks comfortable on the ball. Emmanuel Melford-Rowe (see below - number 11 for Cockfosters) also looks a good skillful player who has a good turn of pace too. 

They should of scored when Okem Odeh played in Emmanuel Melford-Rower whose first time shot from just inside the box went agonisingly close near enough shaving the cross bar - Melford-Rowe did make it 2-1 when he showed some neat skill in the box before calmly finishing past Harpur in the home goal. Unfortunately for them Stotfold made it 3-1 close to the end of the game when substitute Kier Boyd's run and cross into the box was diverted into his own net by Foster's defender Evans Omondi.

Both sides can take many positives from this game to take them forward into the final few months of the season - I think they'll finish higher than their current positions. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 
 
 


STOTFOLD
Adam Harpur (GK), Gary Nichols, Michael Simpson, Ibrahim Kwegyir, Michael Payne (C), Tommy Carrol, Drew Cardines, Reece Louden, James Lamptey, Ben L'Honore, Mark Ellis,
SUBS - James Smith, Kier Boyd, Harry Orr, Harry Pilsworth

COCKFOSTERS
Austin Byfield (GK), Tom Massey, Evans Omondi, Ben Spaul (C), Liam Kenna, Tom Boxer, Ben Hart, Kieran Asumadu-Sakyi, Ikem Odeh, Frazer John, Emmanuel Melford-Rowe.
SUBS - Gary Simmonds, Liam Gauthier (GK), Sivi Bao, Jordan Brunel, Tyson Talawaya,
- Enfield Town fans reading this will recognise the name Kieran Asumadu-Sakyi who made some appearances in pre-season and has played for the under 21s this season. 

Cockfosters entertain twentieth placed Colney Heath on Saturday whilst Stotfold entertain bottom of the the table Oxhey Jets - Next Tuesday the return game takes place at Chalk Lane which should be another great game of football. 

If you are local to either side I fully recommend a visit.  

* there is no prize on offer but if anyone can guess the link/meaning in the headline you can tweet @thecoldend to see if you are right.