London Colney keep promotion hopes alive with Hadley romp

London Colney got their promotion charge back on track – after almost a month without a game.

Saturday’s 4-0 success over Hadley at Cotlandswick was their first game since the end of January.

Their enforced winter break had come courtesy of waterlogged pitches but there were no such worries this time.

The win leaves Colney in third in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, seven points behind leaders Hoddesdon Town and two behind AFC Dunstable.

However they do have games in hand on the top two.

Jack Smith made a welcome return to the Blueboys colours in goal while Lee Armitt was back after a lengthy lay off due to injury.

A couple of free-kicks in dangerous positions had Hadley on the front foot early on but they were soon forced back as Colney came more into it.

Russell Gallagher had a low drive saved by Charlie Mann before Danny Fitzgerald, Gallagher and Tom Smith all had efforts blocked.

And the home faithful had to wait until the stroke of half-time for the opening goal.

Despite being off balance Armitt put in a teasing cross which Fitzgerald struck low into the bottom corner.

It became 2-0 just two minutes after the restart, Armitt this time turned goalscorer, latching onto a Gallagher pass.

Mann denied Fitzgerald the third with a fine fingertip save but he breathed a sigh of relief when a Tom Smith header drifted inches wide.

Hadley had their chances.

Former Spurs trainee Laste Dombaxe fired a long range effort from 30 yards wide of Jack Smith’s left hand post before Smith pulled off a good save from a cracking Tanasheh Abrahams strike.

But the Blueboys settled any nerves late on with two further goals.

Stef Geraldes pounce on a loose ball for 3-0 before Charlie Smith ran clear for the fourth.