Results not an indication of the performance as London Colney warm up for derby
Laurence Vaughan scored for London Colney at Hadley. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
London Colney warmed up for Saturday’s derby with Colney Heath with a draw and a defeat – although they will be disappointed not to have come away with more.
The loss came on Tuesday at home to Berkhamsted, with the visitors’ 1-0 success taking them back to the top of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.
It certainly wasn’t the walkover predicted beforehand and the winning goal had a hint of fortune about it.
With neither side really looking like breaking the deadlock, goalkeeper Sam Szymczyk miscued his clearance from a back pass and Ollie Cox made him pay by thumping it back over his head and in.
That was on 65 minutes and was harsh on the young keeper who had enjoyed a good game up to that point.
The Blueboys had enjoyed a bright start to the game, attacking down both wings, and Joe Price was just off target with their first two chances.
Loren Maxwell was denied by the Comrades keeper Carl Tasker while at the other end Szymczyk did well to push a Matt Bateman shot around the post.
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Jack Pattison had a couple of long-range efforts, one of which smacked against the crossbar, but Colney also went close when a cross by Laurence Vaughan was fumbled by Tasker and fortunately cleared before a Blueboy could get to it.
Vaughan had better luck on Saturday as he scored the only goal in the Cotlandswick club’s 1-1 draw at Hadley.
It came in the first half with a sweet shot from the edge of the box after being set up by Tobi Omotosho, and came not long after Ibrahim Camara had given Hadley the lead.
Left-back Dan Westmore fired a shot just past the upright and he then set up Maxwell but again the shot was wide of the Hadley goal.
And after Szymczyk had made a great stop with his legs, London Colney pushed forward in search of a winner.
Maxwell had a shot saved and then another effort blocked while Manny Hammond also had a firm drive saved.
With time ticking away the Blueboys nearly snatched the points when a curling effort from Maxwell was clawed away from the top corner by keeper Myles Bowman.
The derby is at Cotlandswick with a 3pm kick-off.
