Sunday 6 January 2019

JOE REYNOLDS SUPERB FREE-KICK PREVENTS COCKFOSTERS FIGHT BACK AND WINS THE ALL IMPORTANT THREE POINTS FOR LONDON COLNEY

Looking at the bottom section of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division Saturday's game between London Colney and Cockfosters could just about of been classed a relegation six-pointer. Both have been struggling to find any sort of form during the 2018/19 season so far with the home side on five wins from twenty games played and 'Fosters on three wins from nineteen prior to kick off. 

'Fosters are under the management of Ryan Wade who was appointed last May. Wade has played for numerous local clubs including St Margaretsbury, Hertford Town, Broxbourne Borough and Redbridge and has continued to play for his side this season making appearing fifteen times so far - He still has eye for goal too as he's scored thirteen goals in those games.


LONDON COLNEY MANAGER KEN CHARLERY PICTURED WITH HIS ASSISTANT STEVE CRAWFORD 

Ken Charlery is the current manager at London Colney. He was part of a consortium which save the club in the summer of 2017 when they came extremley close to folding after winning the SSMFL Premier Division in the 16/17 campaign - several committee members had resigned following the decision not to accept promotion to Step Four after their table topping season. 

Charlery had a successful football league career playing for Maidstone United, Peterborough United, Watford, Birmingham City, Southend United and Barnet. He is still known as 'King Kenny' from his time with The Posh where he had three spells and scored twice in the 1992 Third Division play-off final against Stockport County - They had beaten Huddersfield Town over two legs in the semi-final. He had begun his career in non-league football with Basildon United, Billericay Town and Fisher Athletic. 

Since retiring from playing he has been assistant-manager at Harrow Borough and St Albans City alongside former Enfield FC and Barnet player Dave Howell and was also coach at The Posh during the 05/06 season. He was boss with Ware between November 2015 to January 2017.

Last season saw Colney finish in a comfortable mid-table thirteenth position. 'Fosters finished third from bottom only by goal difference to Stotfold who should of been relegated but received a reprieve. 

On a very cold afternoon a small crowd of twenty-five people were at Cotslandwick to see the game which the home side dominated in the first half and went in a the break a deserved 2-0 up and it could of been more. Both goals were close range efforts (one a cheeky back heel) from Kambo Smith. He played a few games in the Isthmian Premier Division for Hendon back in the 2012/13 season. He has also played for Hoddesdon Town and Ware whom he played under his current manager when he was in charge at Wodson Park. 

'Foster's didn't have any chances on goal of note in the first 45 minutes which I'm sure Wade had something to say about during the break as they came out fired up and it was a much improved performance for them. 

They got a goal back from Ceykan Karagozlu and were really on the front foot and an equaliser did look on the cards. Reece Mosanya was very impressive and his near touch in plucking the ball out of the air on the edge of the box created a great chance for him but the home keeper made a great save. Mosanya started the season with Essex Senior League side Ilford and played in the academy system of Scunthorpe United. 

Karagozlu has played one game for Welwyn Garden City in the Evo Stik Southern League Division One (Central) this season and has also played for Codicote, Kings Langley, Harpenden Town and Kings Langley. Whilst with Kings Langley he had a trial playing for Portsmouth u23s in 2017. 

It was then the game swung the way of the home side when a free-kick on the edge of the box was given by referee Dean Carney who I thought was excellent throughout the game. Despite the protests of the away players it looks from the replay it was the correct decision given. The experienced Joe Reynolds placed the ball around the wall into the right hand corner of the net to make it 3-1. He is another to have followed Charlery from Ware but the 29 year old has played for a number of other local clubs during his career.  

From then on the three points looked safe for the home side. Mosanya had a great chance late on and was extremely unlucky not to score when he rattled the cross bar from a wonderful volley on the edge of the box. 


NO WIN TODAY FOR RYAN WADE AND COCKFOSTERS BUT LOTS OF POSITIVES FROM THEIR SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE 

A glance at the league table after the game shows what an important win it was for Charlery's team. Stotfold got their first league win of the season winning 2-1 at home to Harpenden Town. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 



Ryan Wade's team travels to AFC Hayes in midweek for a Middlesex Charity Cup Second Round game before two important home league games against Wembley next Saturday and Edgware Town on Tuesday 15th January. 

London Colney's next game is on Saturday 12th January when they entertain in-form Crawley Green who have five wins form their last six league fixtures. 


SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION TABLE 
BOTTOM SIX ONLY
POS TEAMP GD PTS FORM
 15 LONDON COLNEY  21  -10  22  LLDDLW 
 16 NORTH GREENFORD UNITED  20  -16  19  LLWDLL
 17 HARPENDEN TOWN   20  -12  17  DWLLWL 
 18 LONDON TIGERS  20  -29  17  WLLLLW 
 19 COCKFOSTERS   20  -25  13 LWLLLL
 20 STOTFOLD   22  -39  LLLDDW 

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