WE BOOK OUR SEMI-FINAL PLACE AFTER WE FINALLY SCORE AN ALLOWED GOAL

What a bizarre and eventful game this was for us with 3 goals disallowed and 2 cleared off the line. In addition our opponents had 2 players sent off which was out of character with the game in which there was a lot of good football played and not too much aggro. We had to rely on a late goal from Finn Rolfe to win the game and even that was subject to the officials having a conflab before, much to our relief, finally awarding the goal. There were enough talking points in this game to keep the Match of the Day pundits going for hours!! It is also worth noting that Finn has scored in our last 2 games with a header and right foot shot which doesn’t happen too often!!

For this cup tie Ryan Sturges and his coaching team decided to make 10 changes from the eleven that started in the last game at Winslow United with only Dylan Fitzpatrick staying in this starting lineup with Frankie Hercules donning the Captain's armband. In addition Ryan included new signings Liam Mann in defence and Dylan Whitelock at centre forward and both did very well against a tough Colney Heath side that started the season off badly losing 4 of their first 5 games but who came into this game in great form with 3 wins and a draw from their next 4 matches.

There was a lively start to the game with both teams comfortable in possession although goal mouth action was in short supply until we thought we had scored in the 21st minute. Dylan Fitzpatrick whipped into the opposition’s area a fine left foot cross which hit James Kimber and fell to his central defensive partner Liam Mann who slotted home the loose ball from close range. But celebrations were cut short by the Referee’s whistle we think for handball. Little did we know that we would experience this disappointment on a further two occasions.

We were playing some lovely football and just past the half hour mark we put together a terrific move from defence to Colney’s area where Ed Daffern slipped a fine pass to Dylan Whitelock who fired his shot just over the bar. Two minutes later after some deft footwork from Blake Argent the ball was played out to Harry Jones who lofted a high ball into the area where Dylan Whitelock beat the keeper to it but unfortunately our new centre forward was unable to celebrate as a defender got back to clear the danger.

As half time approached Dylan Fitzpatrick fired in a fierce shot which the Colney keeper Liam Gauthier palmed away to safety. Colney Heath showed why their recent form had improved with some nice football and solid defending. Their best moment came in the 40th minute when full back Alex Stazza got away down our right flank and whipped over a dangerous cross which was superbly intercepted by Jame Kimber at the near post.

Three minutes before break the break Colney suffered a blow when Charlie Bolding was given a red card for a foul on Frankie Hecules and although the break arrived with a 0-0 scoreline the visitors faced the second half a player down. HT Score 0-0.

Five minutes into the second half a corner from Ed Daffern was powerfully headed in from close range by Dylan Whitelock only to see it wiped out for the 2nd time evidently for a foul. Soon afterwards Dylan went close again turning quickly in the box and forcing a great save from the keeper. There was a glimmer of hope for Colney when their Skipper Jamie Willing was sent away down the right after James Kimber slipped over but young Laim Mann did well to force the powerful forward wide and the resulting cross was easily collected by Freddie Burroughs.

We went close again on the hour when Ed Daffern’s short corner picked out Dylan Fitzpatrick whose shot was spilled by the keeper. James Kimber’s follow up header was cleared off the line by a defender,

When a 3rd goal was disallowed in the 67th minute after Dylan Whitelock scored following a Harry Beaumont cross it was starting to feel that the gods were against us. We were still vulnerable to a smash and grab raid by Colney and that was highlighted 16 minutes later when Alex Strazza hit the top of the bar with a fine shot after a rare attack.

It was all one way action as we pushed forward looking for a break through with our opponents sitting back and soaking up our attacks. We finally scored in the 85th minute when a cross from Max Hercules was punched clear by the keeper to Finn Rolfe who scored with a right foot shot. Colney felt the keeper had been fouled and the Referee consulted the Assistant Referee but for once the decision went our way and who could argue that we didn’t deserve it.

Colney pushed forward and there was a searching run by former Athletic favourite Jonah Howgego whose cross found Jamie Willing but his attempted flick was easily saved by Freddy Burroughs who had hardly been tested all game. Unfortunately the game was tarnished in time added on when there was a fracas involving players from both sides after Finlay Eames-Illingworth launched a flying reckless tackle on Max Hercules for which he was rightly handed a red card. FT Score 1-0.

A fully deserved win which should have been more comfortable but full credit to Colney Heath who defended well and kept the score line close. We have a proud record in the Herts Charity Shield having lifted the trophy five times including the last 2 and will hope to make It a hat-trick of wins this season. In the semi-final we will meet Letchworth Garden City Eagles at The Michael Anthony Stadium.

Harry Beaumont was given the Man of the Match award by new Gold Card holders Chris Curry and Josh Camm. This was fully deserved so well done Harry.

We are at home again on Saturday with Baldock Town the visitors so lets hope we get a big crowd to cheer on the players.

TEAM
TA: Freddie Boroughs, James Kimber, Liam Mann (Greg Deer 60), Dylan Fitzpatrick (Mal Bowyer 67), Harry Jones (Jack Harvey 67), Harry Beaumont, Frankie Hecules (Capt), Blake Argent (Finn Rolfe 6), Edwin Daffern, Josh Chamberlain (Max Hecules 67), Dylan Whitelock.

Scorers:

TA: Finn Rolfe (85)

Crowd: 135

Man of Match: Harry Beaumont (chosen by new Gold Card Members Chris Curry & Josh Camm)