WE AGAIN COME AWAY FROM CHALK LANE WITHOUT ANYTHING TO SHOW FOR IT

For the second Saturday running we found ourselves on the road to face inform Cockfosters this time for a League game and again we suffered a narrow defeat. Despite the loss of three points we still remain 10th in the table six points off the Play Off places having played one or in some cases 2 more games than our competitors. Meanwhile our hosts moved up from 6th to 3rd and will be strong contenders for a Play Off place.

The loss of 3 more points was very disappointing and although we still have 23 League games left we must get back to winning ways to keep in touch with the teams above us. One important factor to note is that there is no outstanding Club dominating the title race this year unlike the previous 2 seasons when MK Irish and previously Real Bedford (both only lost 1 League game all season) were always going to lift the title. This year the race for the title and promotion will be intense and clubs will take points off each other which could help us.

The fixture list has been brutal for us this season with tough away games in the FA Cup and Vase and out of our last 10 games 8 have been away and we have 2 more challenging games coming up with a midweek cup game at New Bradwell St Peter (who were Division 2 Champions last season) and then on Saturday we take a long trek down to 5th placed Haringey Borough. We could certainly do with a bit of good fortune and a home game or two!!

We got off to a shaky start to this game and conceded a goal after only 9 minutes when an unmarked George Lutaaya converted a cross to the far post. We were clearly rattled and had to dig in to prevent any further damage but as the game progressed we got back into it and managed to reach half time without any further damage. HT Score 1-0.

We improved greatly after the break and on the hour mark went close to an equaliser when Max Hercules struck a great free kick forcing a terrific save from keeper Connor Sansom who tipped the ball round the post. We were enjoying a lot of possession as our hosts were happy to sit back and try and catch us on the break. In the 75th minute we were indebted to Josh Ameganvi who tipped a shot from Lucca Gordon onto the post.

For the second week running we had a case for a penalty when Greg Deer appeared to have been clipped by the defender but again it was turned down although a home supporter near me thought it should have been given. As the game reached the latter stages we put a lot of pressure on the home defence and in the 4th minute of added time we were denied an equaliser by the woodwork when Dylan Fitzpatrick’s superbly struck free kick from outside the area smacked against the bar with the keeper completely stranded. Unfortunately we ran out of time and suffered another disappointing defeat. FT Score 1-0.

Hopefully the League will deem to give us a home fixtures soon but until then we must travel on Tuesday to play New Bradwell St Peter in the Gladwish Challenge Trophy (2nd Round) and then on Saturday to White Hart Lane for a Premier Division game against Haringey Borough.

TEAM,
TA: Josh Ameganvi, Liam Mann, Tommy Smith, Greg Deer, Mason Clarke (Bailey Osborne HT), Pablo Kalamaras (Dylan Whitelock 75), Harry Beaumont, Jack Harvey (Capt), Dylan Fitzpatrick, Finn Rolfe (Jonas Kalonda (HT), Max Hercules (Lincoin Gilmartin 88). Sub Not Used: James Kimber

Scorer

C: George Lutaaya (9)

TA: -

Crowd: 110