SUPER PERFORMANCE TAKES US UP TO NEW HEADY HEIGHTS

The after match message on X (formerly Twitter) quoting a Hermans Hermits song (“I’m into Something Good”) summed up nicely how the Management, Players and our Supporters must be feeling the morning after the afternoon before.

Casting our minds back to just before Xmas we lost 4-1 at home to Harpenden Town which was a set back and put us 5 places and 13 points behind 2nd placed Cockfosters although we did have 2 games in hand. Since that defeat we have been on a brilliant unbeaten run winning 9 and drawing 2 of our next 11 games which has seen us rise to 2nd in the table two points above Cockfosters. So we definitely “woke up in the morning feeling fine” and for that we can thank Ryan, Lee, Ian and Mick and of course the players themselves.

After last week’s goal feast we faced another huge challenge this time against 4th placed London Lions who held the second best defensive record in the Premier Division and an unbeaten record in all competitions at the superb Maccabi London Sports Stadium. This was clearly going to be a different proposition to our visit to Wormley Rovers and the players produced a gritty and determined performance to clinch a narrow 1-0 win.

The goal came from a penalty in the 56th minute after Dave O’Connor was chopped down in the area. Skipper George Carbery kept his cool to send the keeper the wrong way and score what turned out to be a crucial winner.

Having arrived late thanks to the car park known as the M25 Colin and myself missed the first 20 minute or so but evidently Josh Ameganvi tipped over a shot then the ball was cleared off the line as our hosts went close to opening the score. Kieran Turner then shot just wide and both sides had their moments in an entertaining and fairly even first half which ended scoreless. HT Score 0-0.

Lions started the second half strongly with their talented leading scorer Max Davis showing great dribbling skills before forcing Josh to tip away his shot. Soon afterwards the same player shot just wide of the goal. Later home sub Benji Weinberger forced Josh into another good save.

We looked dangerous on the break with Harry Shepherd going close to extending our lead following a lovely move with a shot that bounced off the keeper in the 68th minute. A few minutes later Shep shot over from a good position after great play by Dylan and Max. Doc scored with a header from a free kick in the 74th minute but our celebrations were cut short by the Referee’s whistle for a foul.

As the game entered the latter stages Lions went all out for an equaliser and Josh was called into action in the 81st minute tipping a header away. We had a chance to put the game to bed just before the end of normal time when Shep went on a superb run to set up Max who fired his shot over.

Three minutes into added time Lions had an opportunity to grab a late dramatic equaliser when they were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position just outside our box. Fortunately home centre back Jamie Cohen struck his well taken set piece just wide of the far post and we were able to breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate a superb St David’s Day (sorry had to squeeze that in!) win and our 9th clean sheet of the season. FT Score 0-1.

After recently being involved in some free scoring games this was always going to be a different proposition against a very good and talented side on their own turf (which was in great condition) where they have not tasted defeat this season. We responded well to the challenge and the players must take a lot of credit for that. Everyone played their part but Carbs was superb winning tackles and organising his defence and of course he found time to score the winning goal. Also we must mention Josh who pulled off some great saves to deny a strong opposition team.

With 9 games to go in the League we are in a good position to finish in 2nd place (something we achieved twice before in 2010/11 and 2018/19) but Cockfosters are breathing down our necks just 2 points behind us so we need to maintain our form and keep our winning run going.

Our next game will be at The Michael Anthony Stadium on Saturday against FC Romania so please come along and give the players your loud support.

TA: Josh Ameganvi, Harry Jones (Mason Clarke 71), Dylan Fitzpatrick, Dave O’Connor, George Carbery (Capt), Jack Harvey, Harry Beaumont (Finn Rolfe 77), Harry Shepherd, Frankie Hercules (Greg Deer 67), Max Hercules, Kieran Turner (Bailey Osborne 67). Sub not used: Harrison Cornick.

Scorers:

LL: -

TA: G Carbery Pen (56)

Crowd: 49