COLNEY DERBY CLASH WON BY HEATH

LONDON COLNEY 0 COLNEY HEATH 2
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER LEAGUE @COTLANDSWICK
16 FEBRUARY 2019 --- 3PM

COLNEY HEATH CELEBRATE THEIR SECOND GOAL THROUGH DANIEL FITZGERALD [8]

Goals either side of the half time interval from Sam Doolan and Daniel Fitzgerald were enough to seal derby day victory for Colney Heath who along with a local charity who kindly received the gate receipts donated by the home side also proved to be winners on the day.
For the third week in four it was time to head off to The South Midlands League for a new ground and in determination to seek out a further insight to some of the clubs within it.  Todays journey would rely, as ever, on some sharp connections and after departing base station at 1040 changes at Leicester and Luton Airport Parkway found arrival at St Albans City just shy of 1pm.  Sadly there was no time to look around the streets and the Metroline service 84 was on route to London Colney straight away.  Within around ten minutes we crossed the North Orbital Road something that just a short goal kick away would take you to todays visitors Colney Heath.  Passing the ground to alight at the old part of the village and just short of the bustling M25 and of course the training facilities of Arsenal and Watford of the Premier League.

THE UNIQUE TELFORDS BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER COLNE

Crossing over the road bridge that spans the River Colne and departing the middle doors of the Transport for London service brought a unique feeling to this journey.  Sitting astride the water is the accommodating Bull and Green Dragon establishments sadly no time to make acquaintances for the reason for departure was to photograph the unique seven arch spanned bridge which apparently gives it a strength belied by a lack of thorough foundation.  Crossing over the footbridge to the north side of the river the coat of arms is proudly on display on the village green and a sign warning about blocking the 'ford' which is still open to cross the river should you wish, this was the old route before the bridge which now bears the name of Telford was built.

LONDON COAL TAX MARKER

Climbing back up to the road side a unique small white marker post with City of London coat of arms upon it has sadly seen better days but is part of over 200 that encircle London.  London Colney was one of the crossing points into London that from the 1860s saw a London Coal Tax payable to the London Corporation and the marker was a reminder to all transporters. 
At this point it became like a Radio 4 programme 'Ramblings with Claire Balding', something I often enjoy very early on a Saturday morning, where said presenter travels around the country and gets into conversations about interesting and obscure facts about her chosen destination.  Cometh the time cometh Ken who cautiously approached "can I ask what you are taking a photo of"?  Well of course you can, I equally cautiously, having researched my visit told him what I believed I had just snapped and Ken was happy to confirm being a local historian, village protector and promoter of all things London Colney.  It was a pleasure to discuss many things including the bridge, the posts and learn about some of the history of the area I might get Claire to give him a call he would make a good programme on the village.

GOOD SIZED STAND AT COTLANDSWICK

Sadly after fifteen minutes it was time to move as the clock was pressing towards 2pm, back along the main street and calling in at Simmons 'baking since 1838', I guess they need a day off now come on, to sample a cheese, potato and onion pasty along with a rocky road all of which was highly recommended from a smart looking establishment.
London Colney Fc had made a philanthropic gesture of donating all gate receipts and any additional raffle monies to two local charities from todays game and when the other, a local school, generously gave up their half to the other it was Breast Cancer Now Charity who gained £900 from this wonderful offer.

KEN CHARLERY [R] FORMER PETERBOROUGH BIRMINGHAM AND BARNET PLAYER NOW LONDON COLNEY MANAGER

The ground can be entered by the North Orbital Road or on foot by the leisure centre and the set up has a feel of a ground within a park that is separate and now enclosed a bit like Harpenden only more spacious. 
Having paid £7 for entry there was no programme and the offer of an online one sadly seems to be increasingly the order of the day which is a real shame its always good to take something away from a visit, it would appear an online version did not materialise for todays encounter.
A quick descriptor entering via the Leisure centre to the immediate right are the changing rooms and clubhouse facilities the latter which had a well worn feel to it.  Down the left hand touchline an impressive joined up Atcost stand with just short of 200 seats and by the top side of it a very small shelter for covered standing which was beaten by a slightly larger affair behind the far goals, although hats off there was enough foresight to place it to one side of the nets not directly behind like so many clubs.  The far touchline has behind it the entrance road and a selection of rugby union pitches the dug outs straddle the half way line and back towards the top goal a vantage point is offered by a grass banking.
Having obtained the teams early with thanks to Kim there was also time to catch up with Mathew from Radio Veralum, shortened version of Verulamium former Roman city close by to St Albans, the local community radio station who were covering the game today.

CHRIS BLUNDEN HITS THE BAR FOR COLNEY HEATH FROM THE PENALTY SPOT

To the proceedings then and the first half was a poor affair probably not aided by a bobbly pitch and indeed over the last few weeks there had been a spoiling in the quality stakes with 4g pitches to the fore. 
The first half was full of mistakes while the effort was there and this was probably backed upon 25 minutes when Dan Westmore was fouled in the box Chris Blunden struck the spot kick against the bar.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

The fear off a 0-0 was on the cards but thankfully on the stroke of half time the deadlock was broken when Doolan guided in a well placed header past Jack Metcalf in the London goal.
In fairness the second half livened up with some added feistiness to keep all observers alert.  Within a minute of the restart Spencer Clarke-Mardel saw his effort cleared off the line by the home sides Mickey Shuttlewood.  Just two minutes later though the lead was doubled and the result effectively settled when Fitzgerald saw his first shot blocked he made no mistake with the sweetest of finishes from the edge of the box with his second effort.

LONDON COLNEY HEADER SCRAPES THE BAR

It was all Colney Heath now with Blunden having his shot turned around by the home keeper before Gregg Shaw was denied by Shuttlewood with another goal line clearance.  The home side didn't seem able to muster much of a response and a few frustrations boiled over but were kept in hand by referee Nick Fuller.  In the closing minute a hat trick of goal line clearances was completed by Shuttlewood as the visitors were denied a third goal, but over the ninety minutes the Colney Heath ran out the worthy winners.
An immediate departure onto a just arriving 84 saw tight connections at St Albans, Luton Airport Parkway followed by thirty minutes of time lapse at Leicester and remarkably base station was achieved at 7.40pm.
As ever an interesting day out on the hop supported by meeting the engaging Ken in the village prior to the match come on Claire Balding ramblings around London Colney I can hear it now!