Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier Division Brimsdown Rovers 0 Colney Heath 1 DAN Cornock notched the only goal as Colney Heath recorded a stunning win at Brimsdown Rovers on Wednesday in the Premier Division. Greg Deacon returned to the Colney Heath

Molten Spartan South Midlands Premier Division

Brimsdown Rovers 0 Colney Heath 1

DAN Cornock notched the only goal as Colney Heath recorded a stunning win at Brimsdown Rovers on Wednesday in the Premier Division.

Greg Deacon returned to the Colney Heath midfield to replace the suspended Neil Jordan on the left and in attack John Rathbone, aged 17, made his second first team start, in for the unavailable Ashley Aimakhu, alongside Cornock.

On the way to the ground a car driven by young player Charlie Betts was involved in a collision at traffic lights with manager Craig Johnstone who was driving in front and another vehicle. Johnstone said: "Charlie was following the manager. His car had steam coming out of it and he managed to limp to Brimsdown and had to leave it there. We had a little bit of whiplash and we thought that omens were against us but everyone seems to pull together."

The drama did not stop, with Johnstone shrugging off the blow and preparing his side for the clash played on a good pitch against tough opposition. The manager said: "We wanted to keep it tight and asked the players not to concede in the first five minutes like we had done recently. Brimsdown are a good side but we frustrated them by having two banks of four."

Deacon and Dean Parratt worked hard on the flanks as Colney Heath kept their shape and the visitors could have been ahead at the break. The lively Rathbone picked up a fine ball from Deacon but was denied by an excellent save.

In the second half the Magpies continued to work hard and Johnstone was confident the master plan would work. He said: "We felt that if we continued what we were doing there would be spaces. They would not have the discipline we had and we nullified every attack they had."

The opening goal arrived just after the hour with a sublime move from the Magpies. Parratt broke forward and delivered a disguised reverse pass which released Cornock who fired his shot into the bottom left hand corner for 1-0. It was a third goal in two first team games for Cornock since his call up from the reserves.

Matt Cole came off the bench in the final 15 minutes to help secure the right flank and Heath goalkeeper Tom Blackman was untroubled.

The 1-0 win further eases Colney Heath away from the relegation scrap and Johnstone said: "It was the best all round performance from Colney Heath. It is massive for the club. Our goal is to beat our points tally from last season."

The Magpies travel to Hanwell Town on Saturday and Johnstone will be hoping for more joy. The manager praised the impact of teenager Rathbone and striker Cornock. He said: "Dan has come in and provided what we have been crying out for. He should be coming into his pride at the age of 26/27 and he is doing it with three goals in two games. His work rate and attitude is spot on. John Rathbone has everything about him to go on and do well at this level if not higher."

Colney Heath: T. Blackman, D. Shuttleworth, M. Lawford, G. Simmons, L. Gorrell, A. Muthusamy, D. Parratt, L. Rickard, D. Cornock, J. Rathbone, G. Deacon. Subs: M. Cole, C. Betts, T. Dickie, M. Blackburne.