London Colney go top of the league after victory over Berkhamsted

London Colney went top of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division table after a hard-fought win over third-placed Berkhamsted.

Jon Clements got the only goal of the game as the Blueboys leapfrog AFC Dunstable, who themselves lost to Berkhamsted on Saturday.

Clements’ struck on 26 minutes, latching on to a Danny Fitzgerald pass before shooting beyond Carl Tasker in the visitors’ goal.

Prior to that Tasker had kept Colney out as he denied two Charlie Smith efforts and another from Greg Shaw.

And the pressure continued after the goal as the Berkhamsted stopper tipped a shot from Russell Gallagher around the post before doing the same to a Smith free-kick.

The visitors did muster some attacks, Charlie May, the Colney keeper, punching clear a dangerous ball into the box by Alex Campana.

The second half saw Berkhamsted try and utilise the wind but in the main they were well dealt with by the Blueboys defence.

Campana saw his well-struck shot saved by Charlie May who also did brilliantly to tip a free-kick from James Baldrey over the bar.

But it was Tasker who remained the busier of the two stoppers as Colney pushed for a second.

He blocked a Clements effort before pushing aside a James Ewington strike.

Stef Geraldes shot wide of Tasker’s right-hand post and Spencer Clarke-Mardel saw his low drive well saved as Colney were forced to settle for just the one.

The Blueboys will look to strengthen their lead away to St Margaretsbury on Saturday before cup action, including the FA Vase, takes centre stage.