WE SUFFER CLOSE DEFEAT AT HOME

It was another Saturday and another testing encounter as we faced Cockfosters at the Grass Roots Stadium. Our previous 5 games (excluding the midweek St Marys Cup match) have been epic battles against the top two teams in the League (Stotfold away and Leighton Town home) and three games in the Vase against Walsall Wood twice (if you include the abandoned match) and Bury AFC. All these games were tough and highly competitive right to the end and in four of the games settled by a late goal.

On paper the home match against Cockfosters might have been construed as potentially less demanding as they were 10th in the table just 4 places and 2 points above us having played 2 games more. But a closer examination of their form would quickly disabuse you of that view because their last 3 league games has seen them win at Risboro Rangers (0-1) and Leighton Town (0-2) as well as drawing 1-1 at home to Levy Green. So this was never going to be anything other than another testing match.

We started well and played some lovely football but our guests soon started to press forward. We had a lucky escape when Cory Ugbomah fired a great chance over the bar after only 9 minutes. Eight minutes later Oscar Frost made a great save from Reece Barrett after he wriggled his way into our area. But Barrett made amends in the 21st minute by producing a superb half volley from outside the box to put his side into the lead. Score 0-1.

We had a great chance to equalise 8 minutes later when Josh Chamberlain whipped a terrific ball across the goal mouth that somehow evaded Giuseppe Delgaudio. Our opponents were looking dangerous but as the half wore on we came back into the game and in the 36th minute Harrison Cornick’s header from a corner forced Charlie Mann get down quickly and make a super save.

Charlie Mann was called into action again 3 minutes later when a viciously struck long range free kick from Frankie Hercules dipped and swerved and our former keeper did well to keep the ball out. With a few minutes left to half time we appeared to have equalised when Josh Chamberlain got on the end of a cross from Harrison Cornick but the linesman’s flag stopped our celebrations . HT Score 0-1.

Soon after the restart Frankie Hercules produced one of his fine free kicks which just dipped over the bar. Not to be out done Oscar Frost tipped a well struck shot over the top. Three minutes before the hour mark we conceded a second goal when George Sippetts made a good run down the left and then smashed a shot just inside the near post. Score 0-2.

With their tails up Cockfosters went for the kill and we were forced to dig in and defend. There were some anxious moments but we stuck to the task and managed to keep in the game. We needed a goal and it arrived in the 84th minute when the ball pinged around the visitor’s area and Giuseppe Delgaudio was able to prod the ball home from close range. Score 1-2.

A minute later we went mighty close to levelling the score when Harrison Mead produced some magic by bending a shot from some way out that hit the woodwork. It bounced down and hit Charlie Mann who inadvertently diverted the ball just past the post. We piled on the pressure and as there was a lot of time wasting the Referee rightly added on quite a few minutes but Cockfosters held on the claim the 3 points. FT Score 1-2.

So we had to endure another close defeat but we can take some solace from the fact that we are competing against some top teams and we are taking them to the wire. The defeat saw us drop one place to 15th but a couple of wins could see zip up the table so there is plenty to play for. Unfortunately, the games do not get any easier as we entertain 2nd in the table St Panteleimon on Tuesday night then travel to Shefford Town & Campton, who are one place above us on goal difference, on Saturday. So Onward and Upward.

Finally, it was disappointing to see Eli Hearn going off injured in the 31st minute followed by Harry Shepherd in the 55th minute. Fingers crossed that their injuries are not serious and that they will be playing again soon.

Team:

TA: Oscar Frost, Eli Hearn (Frankie Hercules 31), Harrison Cornick, Greg Deer (Adam Sawyer 90+7), Lenny Armstrong (Davide Pobbe 82), Jack Harvey, Josh Chamberlain, George Carbery (Capt), Harry Shepherd (Harrison Mead 55), Guiseppe Delgaudio, Godlove Oppong.

Scorers:

TA: Giuseppe Delgaudio (84)

C: Reece Barrett (21), George Sippetts (57)

Crowd: 143