IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR THE EAGLES AT THE NEW ROKER PARK

SOME VIEWS OF STOTFOLD'S IMPRESSIVE NEW ROKER PARK STADIUM.

With the top four due to be promoted to Step Five of the non-league ladder at the end of the season today's game at The New Roker Park between seventh placed Stotfold and sixth placed MK Robins was a very important one for both clubs. 

Stotfold went into the game on a good run of eight wins and one draw in nine league games with MK Robins on four defeats, two draws and three wins in nine games - The Eagles had been in good scoring form also with 34 goals scored in those nine games. It's clear to see their player/manager Luke Gregson has built an impressive squad which combined with the move to their new stadium has sent a real positive feel through the club. MK Robins had lost 2-1 at struggling Park View FC in midweek. 

HAPPY TIMES FOR STOTFOLD PLAYER-MANAGER LUKE GREGSON WHO PLAYED FOR NEAR ENOUGH THE FULL 90 MINUTES - HE WAS SUBSTITUTED WITH ONLY A FEW MOMENTS LEFT IN THE GAME. 

They included Josh Coley in their line-up who started the season as a Norwich City player on loan at Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic - The 21 year old player played for Hitchin Town before joining Baldock Town in 2017 when they were managed by Gregson where his performances earnt a move to Norwich City. He played seven times in Scotland before going back to Norfolk in January where his contract was cancelled by mutual consent - Today's game was his second game for Stotfold. To have a player of his quality playing at Step Six of the non-league ladder is amazing - I expect him to be playing much higher up the pyramid in the near future. 

On a blustery day in front of a decent crowd of 205 people at The New Roker Park it was the home side who were much the better side - They had had 644 for their ground opening against local rival's Shefford Town and Campton on Saturday 8th February and then 168 against London Lions on Tuesday 11th February. 

Owen Robertson on the left wing was a real attacking threat for the home side especially in the first half - He created a number of chances and also hit the post from close range when it looked easier to score before Kieran Barnes curled home the opening goal on 27 minutes. It was 2-0 early in the second half when Coley finished from close range. 

The Robins then came back into the game but never really looked like scoring on a day to forget for them - Coley's pass into Kim Forsythe late in the game allowed him to make it 3-0 and take the all important three points. 

The Eagles will look to carry on their good form at home to Buckingham Athletic on Tuesday evening before a local derby away day to Shefford Town & Campton next weekend. 

For The Robins and their management team of Terry Shrieves, Lee Coulter and Glynn Creaser it's Challenge Cup Semi-Final at Premier Division Potton United on Tuesday evening followed by a home game against Hillingdon Borough on Saturday. I wish them the best of luck in these games - they are a fantastically welcoming club and could do with a few more local fans supporting them. If you are based in Milton Keynes please pay them a visit. 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - MINI 


MATCH HIGHLIGHTS - FULL 


SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE 
DIVISION ONE - CURRENT TABLE - TOP SEVEN ONLY

POS	TEAM	P	GD	PTS	FORM
1	ST PANTELEIMON	25	+56	62	WWWWDW
2	NEW SALAMIS	26	+64	56	WWWDWW
3	WINSLOW UNITED	23	+25	49	WWWDWL
4	RAYNERS LANE	26	+18	49	DWLWWW
5	STOTFOLD	24	+37	48	WWWWDW
6	SHEFFORD TOWN & CAMPTON	29	+4	46	WWLLLL
7	MK ROBINS	26	+1	46	LLWDLL

In the race for the title today both St Panteleimon and New Salamis had big wins - St Panteleimon won 0-8 at Shefford Town & Campton with Ayub Albadri netting four times. New Salamis put six past Park View FC with no reply. Winslow weren't in action - there next game is in midweek when Park View visit them. Rayners Lane won 0-3 at Ampthill Town in the other game involving the current top seven.