Football round-up: Harpenden end home games for the season

Rothamsted Park is set to undergo a transformation with the grass pitch being replaced by an artificial surface that it is hoped will help both the club and others in the town.

To that end, their fixture list was front loaded to ensure all home games were played early and the 1-1 draw with Tring Athletic on Tuesday night was the final one of the year.

What follows now is 10 games on the road, starting with a trip to Arlesey Town on Saturday.

Ryan Plowright got the goal final grassy goal for Harps, equalising in the second half after Tring had scored from the penalty spot on 29 minutes, Jake Collins sent off in the process for handball on the line.

Harps had also played on Saturday at Rothamsted but lost 1-0 to Biggleswade United.

They are now 10th in the table.

Vlad Sighiartau of Colney Heath against Leighton Town. Picture: TERRY EDWARDS (Image: Terry Edwards)

Colney Heath are seven places below them and still under a severe threat of relegation but there was at least some pride taken from a battling 2-1 home defeat to title favourites Leighton Town.

And the old adage of luck deserting you when you are struggling seemed to ring true for the hosts.

They had the ball in the back of the net in the first half, Stephen Dodd connecting with a Hadley Gleeson cross, but that was ruled out for offside.

Jamaal Radway also had an effort deflected past the post in the opening 45 minutes while Dodd was denied by former Hemel and Berkhamsted keeper, Xavier Leon.

Leighton did have chances of their own, Ben Spaul denied by a Liam Studley save, while Kyle Connolly struck the top of the crossbar.

Both keepers made saves in the opening 20 minutes of the second period, Studley the slightly busier, but it was the visitors who finally got the breakthrough when former London Colney and Harpenden Town striker, Archie McClelland crossed for James Towell to sweep home.

The league's top scorer, Leon Lobjoit, then edged closer to 40 goals with a calm finish but Heath were not done and they were rewarded when a fantastic cross from Bradley Dixon-Smith found Radway.

He showed some great control before finishing from 10 yards.

Dodd headed just over as they pressed for a late equaliser, not helped by the sin-binning of Gleeson, and their final chance from a Jesse Armoo delivery was fired just over the bar by Theo Costa.

The Magpies have two away games in the next week, travelling to Dunstable Town on Saturday before heading to Cockfosters in the week.

London Colney though are just counting down the day until their relegation is confirmed.

The Blueboys are adrift at the bottom of the table, 13 points from safety with 10 games to play.

Two home games brought two defeats, 3-0 to Dunstable on Saturday before a 2-0 reverse against Risborough Rangers three days later.

They go to Leighton on Saturday.