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COCKFOSTERS F. C.
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Thursday, 16 December 2010 Spartan South Midlands League - Division One
MARK ADAMS made a winning start to his reign in
charge of Cockfosters as the Reds secured a much-needed 2-1 win
at St Albans City Reserves in Spartan Division One on Saturday.
SATURDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2010 This was one of only three games in the league which survived the freezing conditions and even then the rock hard pitch made it difficult for either side to play good football. The Reds had a somewhat make-shift side, following recent defections, suspensions and injuries and were more than a little fortunate to come in at half time on level terms, as the visitors had had the majority of play during this first 45 minutes. Dunstable’s failure to convert their possession into goals was due in no little way to the Cockfosters rearguard, who despite being under constant pressure during this period restricted the visitors to very few actual goal-scoring chances. The second half was much more even but Dunstable took the lead on the hour when Mario Cenolli, making his debut in the Cockfosters goal, could only parry a fierce strike from BJ Christie and Richard Harker was on hand to tap home the rebound from close range. In the final minutes Cockfosters went close to getting an equaliser but the visitors defence just managed to block a couple of good efforts. Just before the final whistle, with the Reds pressing forward in an attempt to get something from the game they were caught short at the back when the visitors broke away and sealed the three points when BJ Christie rifled home. So another defeat but a very creditable performance against an extremely well organised Dunstable side that are closing in on the division pace-setters.
TUESDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2010 Cockfosters gained an important three
points on Tuesday night at the expense of Amersham Town, however the final score
line was slightly flattering to the Reds who again struggled to find a decent
shape. For the first twenty minutes the game was fairly even, with the visitors
possibly having the balance of play. However on 22 minutes a free kick from the
right eluded the Amersham defence with keeper Craig Garrratt unable do more than
deflect the ball onto the head of the lurking Nick Rogers who nodded it into the
roof of the net. On seventy nine minutes Cockfosters
restored their lead when the visitor’s keeper could only deflect a fierce drive
and saw the shot from the rebound hit his bar before Rob Carroll slotted the
ball into the net. Wednesday 3rd November 2010. London Senior Cup – Second Round HARINGEY BOROUGH 2 COCKFOSTERS 1 SOME FAMILIAR FACES AND UNFORTUNATELY A FAMILIAR STORY... Cockfosters exited the London Senior Cup at the second round stage following a closely fought encounter with near neighbours Haringey Borough, in an evenly balanced match which never looked like a contest between a team near the top of the Premier Division and one near the foot of Division One. Although there were some changes from the hosts team which had demolished Hatfield Town a few days earlier, it would be incorrect to describe it as weakened team which included both regulars Theo Charalambos and David Boal returning from suspension and injury respectively. Also included on their team sheet were ‘ex reds’ Rakim Richards, Nick Nicou, Jamie Brandon and Charlie Morgan, whilst Cockfosters included ex Haringey player Gary Silvera. It was the reds who started the brighter and on 5 minutes were denied what looked a sure fire penalty when the home keeper Jamaine Edwards raced from goal and collided with Dave Pigden just inside the box without making any contact with the ball. Just a few minutes later there was another loud penalty appeal, this time for handball but again the referee was unmoved. Shortly afterwards the home side took the lead when Vasilis Xrisikos sent over a well flighted corner from the left which dropped invitingly for the unmarked Constantinos Georgiou, lurking unmarked on the edge of the penalty area on the far side, and he arrowed an accurate half volley back across goal low into the far corner. Haringey were now in the ascendancy and it was no surprise when on 39th minutes they increased their lead. This time it was former red Jamie Brandon who was in space to finish against us with a low cross shot into the same corner as the first goal and from a similar position. Early in the second half the home sides celebrations for a third goal were short lived when the off-side flag was raised. With a fairly strong wind now in the reds favour they took the game to their hosts but a combination of poor shooting together with wrong options prevented reducing the deficit although they did get some consolation in the 88th minute when Ben Andreos was allowed too much space and time to collect and control a short free kick from Aaron Ewing and his powerful swerving shot from some 25 yards out gave the unsighted home keeper no chance. So another odd goal defeat for Cockfosters who must now turn their attention to picking up some much needed league points in order to move away from the dreaded relegation zone and hopefully this will start this coming Saturday when the reds travel to New Bradwell St. Peter. Team: Danny Curbelo, Ben Andreos, Bradley Osborne, Ken Akintola, Robbie Carroll, Gary Silvera (Legula Alima), Liam Russell (Jack Lyons), Aaron Ewing, Nicky Rogers, Dave Pigden and Paul Wood (unused Subs: Chris Varnavides and Carlos Lerma)Saturday 2nd October 2010. FA Carlsberg VASE – First Round Proper COCKFOSTERS 0 WITHAM TOWN 3 VASE JOURNEY ENDED BY SLICK WITHAM... Wembley dreams are over for another year following our defeat against a very strong and organised Witham Town on Saturday, in a game played in continuous rain making conditions difficult for all the players. That said it was pleasing to see the Reds competing throughout the ninety minutes and with somewhat better finishing they might well have given their visitors a more difficult time. Danny Curbelo was called into action within the first couple of minutes with a fine save from the visitor’s centre forward but he could do nothing on 10 minutes when Craig Emery pumped the ball into the area and Steve Joyce scored with a diving header. Whilst Danny continued to be the busier of the two keepers, making another excellent save at point blank range, the visitor’s custodian was also forced in to two fine saves to maintain their lead. Witham increased their lead after 26
minutes when an unmarked Rob Whitnell headed in from a corner. Just prior to
half time both Ben Andreos and Nicky Steward went close, with one effort
bouncing on the bar. Chris Varnavides making his home debut in the centre of defence had an excellent game, replacing Mickey Nathan, who’s injury the previous Saturday proved more serious than originally thought, with a broken ankle, which will probably sideline him for a couple of months. In addition Mark Golding came through another 90 minutes following his return from injury. Ian Reddington who has been out for the past two weeks, played the final 20 minutes without any problems as a replacement for Paul Griffiths. Team: Danny Curbelo, Wesley Ewing, Mark Golding, Chris Varnavides, Matt Keogh, Paul Griffiths (Ian Reddington), Joe Smith, Aaron Ewing, Ben Andreos, Dave Pigden, Nicky Steward. Unused Subs: Hayden Edwards, Sam Robles, Simeon Awoliyi & Lee Purdy.
Saturday 18th September 2010. FA Carlsberg VASE – 2nd Qualifying Round COCKFOSTERS 4 HALSTEAD TOWN 1 STEWARD SERVES UP TREBLE TONIC... Cockfosters eventually had a comfortable win in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase and will now host Essex Senior League side Witham Town in the first round proper on 2nd October. During the early stages both sides had opportunities to open their account but poor finishing kept the score sheet blank. The Reds had a couple of early chances, firstly when a somewhat speculative cross was parried onto the cross-bar by the visitors keeper and then scrambled away and shortly afterwards only a goal line clearance kept the Halstead goal in tact.. On the half hour Halstead themselves almost took the lead but were foiled by a fine save from Danny Curbelo. The Reds pressed forward towards the interval and created several good opportunities but further poor finishing saw a 0 – 0 score line at the interval. This pattern continued in the second half with the Reds creating more chances and on 50 minutes they went ahead when Halstead failed to clear their lines and striker Nicky Stewart slotted home. Ten minutes later it was all square again when following a quick raid down their right and a brilliant finish by Josh Palmer, who danced around two defenders and Danny Curbelo to equalise. The Reds continues to press forward and it was no surprise when they regained the lead on 75 minutes when following a rebounded clearance the ball fell to Nicky Stewart who fired home from close range. Shortly afterwards Joe Smith found space on the right and crossed to an unmarked Ben Andreos who drove the ball home to make it 3-1. The visitors rallied briefly and only a great last ditch tackle by Mick Nathan denied them a second goal and panic were caused in the home team’s penalty area when they struggled to clear a long throw-in. As the game moved into the last minutes, the Reds had another let-off when Halstead hit the post. Deep into stoppage time the game was wrapped up when Nicky Steward again found himself in space with time to complete his personal hat trick with Cockfosters fourth.
TUESDAY 14th
SEPTEMBER 2010 COCKFOSTERS 0 ST. MARGARETSBURY 4 TWO REDS FOR TWO REDS Cockfosters went a goal down as early as the 5th minute, when Tom Boxer, forced into making his first start of the season, due to the Reds abnormal injury list, failed to clear a speculative clearance and presented Joe Rudkin with the opportunity to lob the ball over the stranded Danny Curbelo. This early set-back seemed to stir the Reds into upping their game and they were unlucky not to get back on level terms on several occasions. However on the half hour the game was effectively finished when an off the ball fracas between ‘team mates’ Jon Curtis and Nicky Steward saw the Reds reduced to nine men. Strictly speaking the referee’s decision was correct albeit with two team mates having a ‘handbags’ fight, common sense might well have been a better option, certainly for both players and paying spectators, who then had to endure a somewhat one sided contest for the remaining hour. The Reds did hold out until the interval and quite possibly might have levelled early in the second half, when Joe Smith went close on a couple of occasions. But the visitors increased their lead on 53 minutes when Scot McGuiness fired home and on the hour Dave Edmee made it three and soon after Joe Rudkin completed his brace. The nine men in red battled right to the end but effectively they were just playing for pride, having been let down by two of their team mates. To date this season the Reds have played a dozen games in which they have had six players sent-off. With the subsequent suspensions that follow any possibilities of success this season would appear to be becoming a distant dream.
SATURDAY 28th AUGUST 2010 half goals were enough to see the Reds return home from Herns Lane with all three points. During the first 15 minutes Cockfosters enjoyed the majority of attacking play and probably should have opened their account during this period. Mark Golding came closest when his fierce drive hit the crossbar with the home team keeper well beaten. The hosts gradually got themselves into the game and Danny Curbelo had to be on his toes to keep his goal intact. On 25 minutes following a slick move down the right flank, Nicky Steward was on hand at the far post to head the Reds into the lead. On 39 minutes Joe Smith scored what could well be a contender for ‘goal of the season’ when from a position well outside the right edge of the penalty area, he fired home an unstoppable shot into the far top corner. Cockfosters first half display saw them starting to play their best football of the season and quite possibly their two goal advantage at half time could and probably should have been even greater. Although the second half did not quite live up to the promise shown in the first 45 minutes, the Reds continued to get themselves into very good goal-scoring opportunities but a combination of poor finishing or decision making together with some good goal keeping prevented further goals. The majority of pressure from Welwyn was self induced by the Reds either by giving away unnecessary free kicks or losing possession in their own half. Micky Nathan again controlled our defensive very efficiently being well supported in the centre by Ian Reddington and full backs Wesley Ewing and Mark Golding. As usual up front both Ben Andreos and Dave Pigden worked hard, continually putting pressure on the Welwyn defenders, whilst Nicky Steward on the left of midfield caused problems to our hosts almost every time he had the ball. All in all this was a fairly comfortable win however we must try to take more of our goal scoring opportunities as we will certainly not have the benefit of Joe’s ‘wonder strike’ every game, or for that matter a ‘headed’ goal by Nicky.
TUESDAY 17th AUGUST 2010
On an excellent playing surface the Reds failed to match the
speed and determination of their opponents, who are playing their first season
in our division, having topped the premier division of the Hertfordshire Senior
County League last season. Whilst we did have players missing, this cannot be
used as an excuse for what can only be described as an embarrassingly poor
performance from which no Cockfosters player came out with any credit or
presumably enjoyment.
On the hour things got even worse when the Reds were reduced
to ten men (for the second game running) when Nicky Steward received a second
yellow, again for dissent. As Nicky trudged off, he was quickly followed by Tony
Holdcroft, Liam Russell and Kieran Wilson who were replaced by Mark Golding, Ian
Reddington and Joe Smith.These substitutions did at least show some improvement
in effort and
SATURDAY 14th AUGUST 2010 The visitors now upped their tempo and the Reds defence came under considerable pressure and it was only the alert Curbelo in the home goal who kept their two goal lead in tact.With half-time approaching Hullbridge were gifted a lifeline by the referee who firstly awarded a penalty when the visitors right winger went to ground. The more generous of the spectators felt he may just have lost his footing, although most saw it as a blatant dive, certainly only one person in the ground saw it as a penalty. But worse was to come, following a minor fracas involving players from both sides that followed the penalty decision, Cockfosters two goal hero Ben Andreos was shown a straight red card. Bearing in mind that following this fracas the referee and his two Assistants were in conversation for fully three minutes, it did seem rather strange that only one player was singled out for disciplinary action. With a man light for the entire second half this was now going to be an uphill battle, and so it proved with the majority of possession and attacking being done by the visitors. That said the Reds did have a couple of good chances to extend their lead, non more so when Steward and Pigden combined well but their effort was scrambled away. With legs tiring Cockfosters substituted Wesley Ewing, Liam Russell and Dave Pigden with Joe Smith, Aaron Ewing and Kieran Wilson respectively but this did little to stem the constant attacks of the visitors but they were unable to find a way past Danny Curbelo who had an outstanding game. Having played what seemed an eternity of injury/added time the final whistle blew and Cockfosters were through to the next round when they will visit local rivals Cheshunt FC on Saturday 28th August. Possibly a little fortunate to have gone through at the first attempt, that said without the penalty and sending-off incident the Reds would no doubt have enjoyed a somewhat more positive second 45 minutes. What could not be denied was the tremendous non-stop work rate put in by all the lads and possibly for that alone the victory was deserved.
Saturday 7th August 2010 Spartan South Midlands League - Division One
Buckingham Athletic 0 - Cockfosters 2
Whilst due to traffic accidents on the M1 the team only arrived
at Buckingham's ground at 2.45 pm , causing the scheduled kick-off time to
The early stages of the second half saw both sides struggling
to put more than two consecutive passes together but as the half went on
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