London Colney recover from cup loss to extend SSML Premier Division lead
London Colney extend their SSML Premier Division lead. Picture: MARK LONG - Credit: Mark Long
London Colney bounced back from their midweek cup defeat to stretch their lead further in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division with a 3-1 win away to Leighton Town.
Jack Woods set them on their way and Dave Parkinson restord their advantage just before half-time after Martin Griggs had levelled for the hosts.
Spencer Clarke-Mardel completed the job just past the midway point of the second half.
The win means they are now 12 points clear ahead of next Saturday’s opponents Wembley, the side who beat them 3-0 in the Dudley Latham Memorial Cup last Wednesday.
A bumpy pitch meant supporters didn’t see the usual passing football of the Blueboys but they replaced that with a lot of grit and dtermination.
They started on fire with Parkinson shooting wide when clear through and then Clarke-Mardel having a goal ruled out for offside.
But it didn’t take too long and after a good run by Parkinson, Woods slammed his square ball into the roof of the net.
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New signing from AFC Dunstable Roy Bryon set-up Clarke-Mardel but he was denied by Jack Sillitoe as Colney continued to press.
But against the run of play Leighton equalised as Tom Gowans missed a James Towell cross allowing Griggs to nod home.
Just before the break the Blueboys retook the lead. Following a neat move, Bryon slipped the ball to Parkinson who scored from 16 yards.
James Towell and Marcus Campbell both went close as the hosts looked for a quick response in the second half but slowly Colney wrestled control and it was they who got the next goal.
Clarke-Mardel won possession from Town skipper Mark Smith and from a narrow angle, he fired across goal and into the bottom corner of the net.
Both sides had chances late on.
Lolu Onabolu had a teriffic header tipped around the far post by Tom Gowans while Parkinson forced Sillitoe into a good stop at the near post from a free-kick.
But Colney hung on for the win, their 13th success in 15 league games.
Before their trip to Wembley, the Blueboys are in Herts Senior Challenge Cup action away at St Albans City.
Kick-off at Clarence Park is at 7.45pm and full coverage can be found at @hertsadsport on Twitter.
