The first two League games of the New Year presented us with difficult challenges as we faced the top two teams in the Premier Division. First up were 2nd placed Cockfosters who have lost only 3 League games this season and put an Indian sign on us over our last 7 meetings with us claiming just one win during that run.

Fosters are a very good team and they came into the game with the best defensive record in the Premier Division having conceded just 15 goals in 19 games. We have already lost to them twice this season so we knew that we would be in for a tough afternoon.

After a hectic and sometimes tetchy start the first scoring chance of the game fell to us in the 27th minute when Harrison Cornick headed on a long throw from Dylan Fitzpatrick to Benji Kakembo who turned quickly and shot over from close range.

Any disappointment from missing this great scoring opportunity was soon allayed when from the resulting goal kick Fosters gave away possession to Harry Shepherd who kept his composure to stride into the area and confidently slot the ball past the keeper. It was a fine finish from a player in a rich vein of form who tops our list of scorers with 15 goals. Score 1-0.

An extremely competitive first half came to a close with us holding a slim 1 goal lead. HT Score 1-0.

The second period continued in the same vein as the first half with both sides battling for supremacy. Just before the hour mark we put together a lovely move down the right with Harry Shepherd cleverly beating his marker to get to the bye line and then pick out Max Hercules whose shot was blocked by a defender with Mason Clarke firing the loose ball at the keeper.

We were still keeping Fosters at bay and restricting them to few genuine scoring opportunities but there was always the danger that one slip or error could see them get back into the game so we needed the safety of another goal and boy did we get one with Benji Kakembo coming up trumps with a cracker.

Picking the ball up just inside the opposition’s half in the 64th minute Benji tore through the centre of the Foster’s defence passing 5 defenders before smashing his shot high into the net. It was a goal of the utmost quality and had our young supporters joyfully chanting his name. Score 2-0.

Fosters kept going in search of a goal to try and get back in the game but we were solid at the back and every player worked their socks off to keep Josh in goal well protected. Noah Butler had a chance to add a third goal at the end of normal time forcing the keeper into a fine save but there were no more goals and we ran out deserved winners. FT Score 2-0.

This was a terrific win against a very good Cockfosters team, who may miss out on the title but will almost certainly be in the play offs, and every player deserves credit because this was very much a team effort. The win puts us just outside the play off positions but we can’t rest on our laurels because we entertain another strong team in our next game when League leaders MK Irish are the visitors to the Michael Anthony Stadium on Tuesday so lets hope we get plenty of support to cheer the lads on.

Finally its worth pointing out that we ended the game with 4 of our youth team players on the pitch including 17 year old Mal Bowyer who has been picked to represent England School Boys to play against Australia in Birmingham on Friday 24 January. We wish Mal all the best.

Team:
TA: Josh Ameganvi, Mason Clarke, Dylan Fitzpatrick (James Sales 88), George Carbery (Capt), Harrison Cornick, Frankie Hercules (Harry Jones HT), Harry Shepherd (Noah Butler 78), Harry Beaumont (Greg Deer 69), Jack Harvey, Max Hercules (Mal Bowyer 81), Benji Kakembo.

Scorers:

TA: Harry Shepherd (28), Benji Kakembo (64

C: -

Crowd: 99