London Colney 0 Brimsdown Rovers 0 LONDON Colney secured their first draw of the season with a fine battling display at home to title chasers Brimsdown Rovers at Cotlandswick. The Blueboys had been crushed 8-1 in the reverse fixture between the sides but

London Colney 0 Brimsdown Rovers 0

LONDON Colney secured their first draw of the season with a fine battling display at home to title chasers Brimsdown Rovers at Cotlandswick.

The Blueboys had been crushed 8-1 in the reverse fixture between the sides but

defender Paul Swendell made a welcome return to action in a strong looking defence and Colney defied the odds to keep a clean sheet.

Former Sandridge defender Dave Corran lined up on the left of midfield and came close to reaching a cross from Mark Paradise early on. Cain Davey then struck a rasping drive which narrowly missed the target.

Swendell rescued the Blueboys with a vital clearance as Rovers attempted to assert some pressure. Colney goalkeeper Stuart McHale, called up from the reserves, enjoyed an exceptional game and held the flag kick confidently.

Chris Wickens, Mark Paradise and Chad Morrisey all threatened to break the deadlock for Colney while at the other end McHale made a fine stop to deny Mervyn Graham. Brimsdown then wasted a good chance before half time when Ashley Taylor-Forbes lashed a shot over the cross bar from a good position.

In the second half, McHale continued his commanding display to deny the visitors the chance to force Colney back.

Both sides continued to attack and Wickens struck a shot wide after good work from Corran while Tansel Tezel hit the post for Rovers.

McHale made a fine save to push a shot from Andrew Julius wide of the post and in the final minute Reece Prestedge capitalised on a defensive mistake to go clear but fired wide as McHale raced off his line.

Swendell played a key role for the rejuvenated Blueboys and along with the outstanding McHale, veteran midfielder Dave Townsend also caught the eye with an industrious and compact display.

London Colney: McHale, McCafferty, Paradise, Muthasamy, Swendell, Townsend, Rickard, Corran, Wickens (T. Morrisey), Davey (Murphy), C. Morrisey. Unused sub: Till.

Manager Vince Rickard is refusing to get carried away despite the Blueboys denying rampant Brimsdown Rovers top spot in the Premier Division. He said: "It is nothing to get over excited about. We are not out of trouble by any means. I am pleased the way everybody played and their attitude and we have to do that every week.

"We had a couple of chances to win it but all the players can give is their best and the ball didn't really run for us that way. I was very happy with the commitment and the way the boys fought."

Defender Paul Swindell made his first start since rejoining the club recently and lined up in a strong looking defence alongside Ant Muthasamy at centre back with Mark Paradise at right back and Danny McCafferty at left back. Dave Townsend played as a midfielder enforcer and former Sandridge man Dave Corran lined up on the left of midfield with Chris Wickens and the returning Chad Morrissey up top. Rickard said: "I brought in Paul Swindell and Stuart McHale had an excellent game in goal. Chad Morrissey came back and had an excellent game up-front but the 15 in the squad all deserve credit. Corran played on the left and there was more balance to the side. The effort from all of them was very commendable. We have maybe stopped the rot but nothing is sorted.