WE EXIT PREMIER DIVISION CUP

We have had some memorable cup moments over the years but unfortunately this was not one of them as we bowed out of the Premier Division Cup (a trophy we won in 2008/09 and 2021/22) to Colney Heath. Our guests came into the game on a run of 5 consecutive defeats but were worthy winners and they will now face either Haringey Boro or Winslow United in the quarter final and we wish them all the best for that game.

We started the game well with Blake Argent involved with 2 good early opportunities. Firstly Blake’s fine cross in the 5th minute picked out Max Hercules whose header was destined for the bottom corner but goal keeper Renell McKenzie-Lyle did brilliantly well to pull off a fingertip save. Eight minutes later Blake smashed a close range shot that unfortunately went straight at the keeper after being set up Dylan Whitelock after he robbed a defender.

We were playing well but had a couple of warnings when Will Andiyan went on a good run in the 12th minute and shot just wide of the goal and then 7 minutes later Jack McShane shot over when well placed. The game started to even out and on the half hour mark Max found himself nearly through on goal only to be denied by a superb tackle from the defender. In the 33rd minute Freddie Burroughs produced a fine save to tip away a shot from Sachon Edwards and two minutes later we thought we were going to be treated to a Dylan Fitzpatrick special when he cut in from the left wing but his shot flashed past the far post.

In the 36th minute the Magpies opened the scoring when they broke through our square defence with the impressive Andiyan slotting the ball past Freddie. So after our good start our opponents came back strongly to take a slim lead into the break. HT Score 0-1.

Our opponents came out strongly at the start of the second half and in the 56th minute we were indebted to firstly Freddie who made a great save from Aaron Benn and then secondly to Tommy Smith who cleared off the line a follow up shot from the same player. We were not playing well but we did draw level in the 63rd minute when from Max Hercules long throw Dylan Whitelock headed it on and Skipper Jack Harvey applied the finishing touch from close range. Score 1-1.

Any hopes that we would now go on and win the game was shattered within 7 minutes when we were again caught out by a quick break and Andiyan went through to score his second goal and to claim the lead again for his team. Score 1-2.

It has to be said that we were not playing anywhere near our best and Colney’s sub Nashe Mliswa went through in the 81st minute and smashed his shot into the roof of the net to book Colney Heath into the next round of the cup. FT Score 1-3.

A disappointing result and performance because we were well below our best. The only positive we can take from the game was the sight of Dave O’Connor coming on as a sub in the 78th minute to make his first appearance of the season after a lengthy period out injured. Hopefully DOC will see the rest of the season out injury free.

We have little time to ponder on this defeat as we have another away League game at 3rd placed Arlesey Town on Saturday so that will be another tough encounter.

TEAM,
TA: Freddie Burroughs, Harry Jones (Bailey Osborne 65), Tommy Smith, James Kimber (David O’Conner 78), Dylan Fitzpatrick (Pablo Kalamaras 60), Blake Argent, Jack Harvey (Capt) (Mason Clarke 65), Harry Beaumont (Greg Deer 60), Dylan Fitzpatrick, Dylan Whitelock, Max Hercules.

Scorer

TA: Jack Harvey (63)

CH: William Andiyapan (36, 70), Nashe Mliswa (81)

Crowd: 87