If Colney Heath asked for an end to their troubled season at Christmas then it looks like Santa delivered.

The Magpies recorded back-to-back victories for the first time in the league since the aborted 2020-2021 season.

Two days after Christmas they beat neighbours London Colney 2-1 at the Recreation Ground courtesy of Kamel El-Maghur and Clarence Emeh goals.

And on the second day of 2023 a wonderful solo effort from Alex Cathline brought a 1-0 success away to Leverstock Green.

The successes mean they have moved out of the ill-fated bottom two in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

They had started brightly at Pancake Lane with Hadley Gleeson's looping header held under his own by Austin Byfield before the home goalkeeper stop a Jayden Silcott-Brown effort after Cathline's initial shot was blocked.

Myles John proved an immovable barrier at the back for the Magpies, preventing any of the host's pressure from making a difference, while they kept creating at the other end.

Silcott-Brown was twice denied by Byfield while Bradley Dixon-Smith shot wide at the far post despite being well placed.

The breakthrough came seven minutes after the interval, Cathline picking the ball up midway inside the Green half before travelling to the edge of the area and thumping a shot high into the net.

El-Maghur should have made it 2-0 when he latched onto a headed ball from Gleeson but he blazed wide.

The home side did have chances, Bobby Armstrong going close with a header before Liam Studley tipped a shot over the top.

They also had an effort cleared off the line but the frustrations at not getting an equaliser peaked when Luke Beckwith was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Studley made one more fine save to push a terrific free kick from Chris Blunden over the bar and even with George Taban in the sin-bin for the last moments, Heath stood firm.

London Colney continued to look doomed after their 3-1 loss at home to Tring Athletic, a sixth-straight defeat, left them nine points behind second bottom Arlesey Town and 10 adrift of their near neighbours.

They only have five points this season with their only win coming on the first day of the campaign.

Harpenden Town's season isn't going to plan either and they find themselves 15th after a 1-0 loss at home to St Panteleimon.

There were positives to take from the game though as Harps more than played their part in some fine holiday entertainment in front of another bumper three-figure crowd.

Jake Anthony went closest for the home side with a free-kick that bounced out off the woodwork.

Their final game of 2022 had been another good-to-watch contest and ended in a 2-2 draw with Hoddesdon Town.

Both Harpenden and Colney Heath are at home on Saturday, Harps facing Shefford Town & Campton while the Magpies host Ardley United.

London Colney meanwhile go to Risborough Rangers before welcoming them to Cotlandswick for the return match on Tuesday.

Heath are also in action that night too, back at home against St Panteleimon.

Elsewhere Stotfold are top of the table after a 3-0 win over Biggleswade United. Alex Coppin, Temi Akinbusoye and Charlie Moss getting the goals.

Leighton Town are second, one point and one game in arrears. They beat Risborough Rangers 3-2 on Monday with a double from the league's top scorer, Leon Lobjoit.