LONDON Colney defeated Caddington 4-3 on Tuesday at Cotlandswick to continue their winning build up to the new season. The Blueboys had earlier opened up their pre-season with a 2-1 win at home to Stansted on Saturday, thanks to a goal from Dave Corran

LONDON Colney defeated Caddington 4-3 on Tuesday at Cotlandswick to continue their winning build up to the new season.

The Blueboys had earlier opened up their pre-season with a 2-1 win at home to Stansted on Saturday, thanks to a goal from Dave Corran and an own goal.

Manager Julian Robinson made sweeping changes to his side for the match on Tuesday against Caddington from the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Division Two, a league below Colney. Russell Gallagher opened the scoring for Colney with a neat side-foot finish, after a pass from striker Ashley Aimakhu split the visiting defence.

Young attacker Tinashe Jaravaza cracked home a thunderbolt finish from outside the box for the second and Aimakhu added the third when he picked up a pass from Jaravaza and forced his way through to net.

Daniel Edwards replied with a goal for Caddington when he capitalised after Colney goalkeeper Rob Munn collided with the woodwork and had to go off injured.

The half-time score was 3-1 but, after Robinson made a number of substitutes, Caddington forced their way back into the contest to level at 3-3 with strikes from Bernie Christie Vuniour and Grant Carney.

The match looked to be heading for a draw until Paul Danslow popped up with the winner for Colney, making the final score 4-3.

Goalkeeper Anthony Ladyman, aged 19, had a fine second half for the Blueboys, making several superb stops.

Colney boss Robinson, who took over earlier in the summer, was delighted with the winning start to his tenure in the job. He said: "I am very pleased. We played a completely different side on Tuesday to the team on Saturday. Caddington were a little bit robust and were really up for it. We were 3-1 up at half time with our first XI and made a lot of changes at half time. They got back to 3-3 but I think it would have been unjust if we had got beaten or drawn as we could have been 5-1 up at half time. It was pleasing to get the win."

Defender Mark Paradise has left the Blueboys to join Leverstock Green but full back Danny McCafferty has returned to the Cotlandswick outfit. Robinson said: "I think we know the squad we want to start the season and are about where we want to be. A couple of new players came on Tuesday and I hope we will be signing them.

"Ashley Aimakhu did well for Colney Heath last season and Paul Danslow has come from Oxhey Jets. They look pretty formidable as a pairing. We also have Jermaine Davey and Danny Fitzgerald so we have good competition. I think we need a defender and maybe a central midfielder. We have a good young side and are starting to pull in a bit of experience now."

The injury to goalkeeper Munn who featured for Sandridge Rovers last season was a blow but it handed a chance to Ladyman who took it with both hands. Robinson said: "It was the first chance we have had a look at Rob but unfortunately he banged his head on the post. Anthony came from Northwood and he looks an absolute find. He is only 19 but has done everything we wanted."

The Blueboys take on former boss Lee Ward on Saturday when he brings his Epping side to Cotlandswick. Colney then host Park Street Village on Tuesday and go away to Harefield on Thursday as they continue their build up to the new season which kicks off at home to Colney Heath in the Herts Charity Shield on Tuesday, August 5.