Derby delight for Blueboys as Magpies suffer red card woe
Kit Brown and Kambo Smith link up for London Colney. Picture: KEVIN LINES - Credit: Archant
The delight was obvious for Ken Charlery after London Colney stormed to a 4-1 derby success at Colney Heath – although he is still trying to keep a realistic outlook for the season ahead.
The champions have started the defence of their Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division crown in fine style with Tuesday’s victory following a 2-1 win over Leverstock Green on Saturday.
But while he was set to enjoy the moment, the Blueboys’ manager was refusing to get carried away.
“All derbies are important,” he said. “You want to outshine the other part of town and we came here and did what we had to.
“We’ve put some points on the board to make sure we don’t go down but likewise we’ve put points on the board to see where it takes us in the other direction.
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“We’ve got two wins from two, it’s tremendous.
“But there’s more to come. We’ll enjoy this and then crack on.”
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The clash at The Recreation Ground was an even affair in the first half but ill-discipline cost the hosts in the second.
Heath took the lead when Dave Parkinson fired a free-kick low into the corner on 28 minutes.
But within five minutes the game had turned around.
Another free-kick, this time from the right wing, wasn’t dealt with and Bobby Armstrong rolled the ball into the empty net.
Kembo Smith then fired home from 20 yards two minutes later.
Yellow cards were commonplace throughout but it was two at the start of the second half that proved crucial.
Both went to Dan Power, the second after an innocuous coming together with Kit Brown.
It certainly incensed manager Ryan Thompson who was also sent off by the referee.
Brown had already made it 3-1 by that point and sealed the game with his second, a tap-in after Smith had hit the post.
Jimmy Hill completed a miserable night for the Magpies when he was dismissed in stoppage time.
Charlery was full of praise for the character displayed by his new-look side and also had a word for his two young strikers.
“I’ve known them both for a while, Kit especially,” he said.
“I’ve said he’s got a bit of me in him, and it showed with a six-yard poacher.
“He will score goals; he’s just got to believe more.
“I keep joking with Kembo saying he should get four a game but he should. He’s certainly good and quick enough.”
