London Colney triumph over neighbours St Albans City Reserves

SSML Division One

London Colney 1 St Albans City Reserves 0

JIMMY Warner’s first half strike was all that separated London Colney and local rivals St Albans City Reserves at Cotlandswick on Saturday.

The victory extended the Blueboys’ lead at the top of the Division One table to five points over second placed Ampthill Town and third placed City Reserves.

The home side started well with John Butler firing wide and Trevor Stevens testing City ‘keeper David Bailey with a low drive.

City Reserves went close when Marvin Alebiosu curled a free kick just over the bar and Adam Fry fired wide of Mark Whittamore’s post.

Bailey produced a top save to deny Dean Thompson after the Colney youngster let fly from all of 35 yards while at the other end Nick Chrysanthou was thwarted by Whittamore.

The goal came six minutes before the break when Matt Newman set Warner clear and he kept his composure to nick the ball past Bailey before rolling it into the unguarded net.

After the break City went in search of an equaliser but Alebiosu had an effort beaten away by Whittamore and Ben Luck shot wide of the target. The visitors threw on Alexis Nicolas, Dom Petrucci and Quattromini in a bid to find that elusive goal but it was Colney’s Newman who had a chance to put the result beyond doubt when he latched onto a Thompson pass but the Blueboys’ top scorer shot over the bar.

St Albans City Reserves coach Hector Varelah told the club’s website: “We really needed to win that game to maintain pressure on the top teams and we are disappointed with the performance. We have no midweek game so have a chance to re-group ready for Saturday’s Cup game.”

Saints Reserves travel to Royston Reserves on Saturday in Herts Intermediate Cup while Colney entertain Welwyn GC in Division One on Saturday.

London Colney: Whittamore; Clarke, Golder, Saul, Thompson, Stevens, Butler, Shaw, Newman, Warner (Thomas), Fitgerald (Hudson). Subs not used: Davison, Woods.

City Reserves: Bailey; Pattison, Sonugo, Lyon (Nicolas 70), Panayiotou; Humbert, Chrysanthou, Fry (Quattromini 65), Alebisou (Petrucci 72), Luck, Magwood. Subs not used: Karagozlu, Sidoli.