On paper it will say the 5-1 home reverse to Biggleswade United is London Colney’s worst defeat of the season – yet they will be left wondering how it happened.

Herts Advertiser: Emmanuel Hammond in action for London Colney. Picture: KARYN HADDONEmmanuel Hammond in action for London Colney. Picture: KARYN HADDON (Image: Archant)

Emmanuel Hammond got his first goal for the Blueboys on 23 minutes to put them ahead and had created chances before that.

But Biggleswade had turned the match around by half-time and went on to kill things off with two goals in as many minutes just past the hour mark.

Colney had ended a small run of defeats in the league with victory over Wembley last Saturday and they had followed that up by beating the north London side in a midweek cup match too.

And they were clearly buoyed by those results as Bobby Armstrong went close with a header at the back post following a Jason Coughlan free-kick early on.

Herts Advertiser: James Cooper for Biggleswade shields the ball from Lawrence Vaughan for London Colney. Picture: KARYN HADDONJames Cooper for Biggleswade shields the ball from Lawrence Vaughan for London Colney. Picture: KARYN HADDON (Image: Archant)

Hammond had a chance shortly after when he got on the end of a Paolo Montella layoff but his low shot was parried clear by Biggleswade keeper Robbie Ponting and Matt Cooper completed the tidying up.

Laurence Vaughan also had a effort well saved by Ponting as Colney pressed.

And they deservedly took the lead when Jason Coughlan’s free-kick into the box was steered home by Hammond, although with the aid of a deflection.

However, the lead only lasted six minutes when a slip in the Blueboys defence let Charlie Black in for the equaliser.

Herts Advertiser: Joe Price for London Colney battles with Jaiden Irish for Biggleswade United. Picture: KARYN HADDONJoe Price for London Colney battles with Jaiden Irish for Biggleswade United. Picture: KARYN HADDON (Image: Archant)

And United turned the game around when Black’s shot was saved by Jack Metcalfe, only to fall into the path of Nick Elliott who drove the ball low and hard into the net.

The Blueboys had suffered a setback when forward Ronnie Smurthwaite went off injured but they kept battling with Ponting denying Montella.

But then came the decisive moments of the game.

Firstly Elliott fired high beyond Metcalfe on 62 minutes and a minute later it was 4-1 as Dave Iwediuno scored from a well-worked corner routine.

Vaughan and Montella both threatened for Colney but to no avail and there was still time for Elliott to complete his hat-trick and seal the victory.

The Blueboys are now eighth in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division and will hope for better fortune when they travel to Hoddesdon Town on Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.