It was 18th v 2nd in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division yesterday as London Tigers entertained Hadley as Northwood FC'S Chestnut Avenue ground where they currently ground share. Going into the game Hadley were heavy favourites as they had won four and drawn two of their last six games compared to The Tigers who had lost five and drawn one. The home side are in real danger of being relegated and losing the Premier Division status they have held since 2006 when the present day club was formed as a merger between then Isthmian League Kingsbury Town and London Tigers then of the Middlesex County League.
Credit to the home side as if you were watching the game without knowledge of the league positions you wouldn't of thought they were struggling down the bottom of the table. They enjoyed good spells of possession and played some nice passing football. However, it was Hadley who had the cutting edge up front The Tigers look like they desperately need at present.
Hadley took an early lead through Manny Hammond with a close range diving header and then made it 0-2 when Ned Clarke turned and shot on the edge of the six yard box after some good work by Ibrahim Camara.
It could of been worse for the home side when Hadley were awarded a penalty. The scoreline of 0-3 would of been harsh on The Tigers so it was good for them when their keeper saved well to his left hand side.
Early in the second half it was 0-3 when former Cockfoster's player Bradley Marriott smashed home a shot into the roof of the net from just inside the penalty box. The keeper didn't stand a chance - It was in from the moment it left his boot.
London Tigers didn't give up and still continued to play well with manager Enda Hennessy (formerly boss of Rayners Lane when they were in the Hellenic League) giving them good encouragement and instructions from the touchline.
They got a goal back and could of made it 2-3 only for a magnificent close range save from the Hadley keeper Luke Ward.
FINAL SCORE - 1-3
This defeat combined with Cockfoster's 2-1 home win against Leighton Town sees The Tigers drop into the relegation zone and without a win in eight they need to start picking up points starting next weekend in their massive game at bottom of the table Stotfold.
Hadley are in great form - they have won nine and drawn two of their last eleven league games and in with a real chance of winning the title. Table topper's Tring Athletic comfortably beat Arlesey Town 5-0 yesterday with Biggleswade FC losing 1-2 at home to in-form Colney Heath. Biggleswade United won 2-0 at home to London Colney.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
TOP FOUR
| POS | TEAM | P | GD | PTS | FORM |
| 1 | TRING ATHLETIC | 32 | +47 | 73 | WWWWWW |
| 2 | HADLEY | 32 | +30 | 70 | DDWWWW |
| 3 | BIGGLESWADE UNITED | 32 | +32 | 65 | LLWWWW |
| 4 | BIGGLESWADE FC | 29 | +54 | 64 | LWDDWL |
BOTTOM FOUR
| POS | TEAM | P | GD | PTS | FORM |
| 17 | LEVERSTOCK GREEN | 32 | -24 | 29 | LDLLLL |
| 18 | COCKFOSTERS | 33 | -40 | 24 | LDDLWW |
| 19 | LONDON TIGERS | 30 | -42 | 22 | LLLDLL |
| 20 | STOTFOLD | 31 | -46 | 19 | DWLWLL |
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