ALL SQUARE BETWEEN HOLMER GREEN & COCKFOSTERS

Holmer Green made the long trip from Buckinghamshire to North London on Tuesday evening to face Cockfosters in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. The visitors had made National headlines over the weekend when their home game with Edgware Town had been abandoned by the referee on 13 minutes due to a supporter moaning about some of the decisions he made. 'Fosters had drawn 1-1 at Stotfold. 

Holmer were the better team over the first 20 minutes or so forcing 'Foster's keeper Austin Byfield to make a couple of very good saves and they deservedly took the lead via a Curtis Stone free-kick. Gradually the home side came back into the game with Ioannis Varouxakis looking holding the ball up and showing some good skill up front. The striker has recently returned to Chalk Lane following a short spell with Vanarama South side Bishops Stortford. Despite having a good amount of possession the home side didn't really create any clear cut goal-scoring chances during the first half and the score on 45 minutes was 0-1. 

The Second Half began with a real talking point when a very high studs up challenge from a Holmer played caused some pushing and shoving to occur with the referee furiously blowing his whistle for a long time. The result was a yellow card for the Holmer player - it could of easily been a red card offence - I don't think it was intentional more of a clumsy mistimed tackle that was dangerous - luckily the 'Foster's player was treated and played on from the challenge. 

Varousakis scored a deserved equaliser on 70 minutes and it was game on for the three points. 'Foster's pushed for the winner and the Holmer keeper made a great save to keep the scores level. 

It was Holmer Green who may feel aggrieved at not taking all three points as they had the ball in the net twice which were both ruled out by the referee and his assistant. Byfield also made a fantastic save to push the ball over the bar right on full time from a shot from outside of the box. 

All in all it was a scrappy sort of game which neither side deserved to lose or win so I think a draw was the fair result. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

INTERVIEW WITH 'FOSTER'S BOSS DEAN BARKER AFTER THE GAME 

courtesy of Chris Stead 

Dean Barker's exciting young side (currently fourth in the SSMFL Premier Division) have a busy week ahead with three very important home games coming up. On Saturday they entertain Biggleswade United in a league game followed by an eagerly anticipated local derby against Division Two table topper's and in-form Enfield Borough. Then a week on Saturday they entertain fellow SSMFL Premier side Wembley on the Road to Wembley in The Buildbase FA Vase. The league game against Wembley at Vale Farm on Tuesday 30th August ended 4-5! 

With Enfield Town not in action next midweek I'm sure some supporters will be in attendance at the local derby between Cockfosters and Enfield Borough. 'Fosters top home attendance so far has been 75 against Welwyn Garden City - it would be brilliant to see over 100 in any of the games over the next week. Why not get down to Chalk Lane over the next week?    

A VERY BUSY TIME AND EXCITING TIMES AT CHALK LANE THIS WEEK