COCKFOSTERS F. C.

SATURDAY 28 JANUARY 2012

MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION 1

COCKFOSTERS               2          BUCKINGHAM ATHLETIC                       0

ANTON LEWIS               44

ANTON ROBINSON        90

MAN OF MATCH             TOM JANSONS

Cockfosters welcomed second bottom side Buckingham Athletic to Chalk Lane hoping to continue their recent push for a top six finish and thanks to goals from Anton Lewis and Anton Robinson the reds came out victorious.

With the pitch sticky after the recent rain it was necessary to try and spread the play out wide to Doug Kisuule and Lorenzo Ferrari who both had the beating of the visiting back line but it took Cockfosters a while to get into their stride, when the first chance came it was worth the wait as from a throw in by the club house the ball fell to Doug Kisuule who after beating a defender fired a shot towards the far corner only to see visiting keeper Paul Warnecki dive full length and push the ball away from the incoming Dave Pigden.  Soon after Anton Lewis released Pigden but he also failed to hit the target.

Eight minutes before the break a free kick conceded by the Kevin Duncan-Williams allowed the visitors an effort on goal, the free kick swerved through a crowd a players and seemed destined for the back of the net but debutant David Moran produced an excellent one handed full length diving save.  Just as it appeared that the half would end scoreless neat interplay between Jack Cook and Doug Kisuule ended with the ball being played to ANTON LEWIS who slammed a shot against the underside of the bar, the ball landed a good yard over the line and excellent work from the officials saw the goal given.

The second half was an altogether different matter as the visitors produced some good football to cause the home defence problems and it was thanks to a clearance of the line from Kevin Duncan-Williams after the ball had slipped from the grasp of Moran to keep the -hosts ahead.  It was Duncan-Williams again who maintained the hosts advantage producing an excellent block after a swerving free kick had rebounded off the post to the Buckingham striker who seemed certain to score until Duncan-Williams got in the way.

With time almost up Cockfosters substitute ANTON ROBINSON embarked on a run that took him past two defenders and after cutting in from the bye-line Robinson drilled home number two for the hosts.

Another three points picked up and the race for the top six is very tight with nine teams separated by five points.  An enthralling end to the season is in store.

COCKFOSTERS: David Moran; Mark Golding(Selcuk Ulug); Raul Saraiva; Max Moore; Kevin Duncan-Williams; Tom Janson; Jack Cook(Mustafa Mirzai); Doug Kisuule; Anton Lewis; Dave Pigden(Captain); Lorenzo Ferrari (Anton Robinson). Subs not used: Liron Mannie; Tom Kennedy.

TUESDAY 17 JANUARY 2012

MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS FLOODLIGHT CUP (SENIOR SECTION) SEMI FINAL

COCKFOSTERS                                   3              BROXBOURNE BOROUGH V& E                  2

DAVE PIGDEN                            11,36             DAN BROOM                                                     12

LORENZO FERRARI                        25              DEAN WILLIAMS                                               14

ABANDONED AT HALF TIME DUE TO FROZEN PITCH

Although this game only lasted 45 minutes it was full of action with five goals, some good saves and a melee just before the interval before the abandonment at half time with the pitch freezing.

Cockfosters played at a very high tempo from the start taking the game to their Premier Division opponents who had in their ranks Ed Thompson who played in the Football League for Dagenham & Redbridge,  within minutes of the kick off Thompson showed his quality as Dave Pigden charged into the area and rifle a shot towards the top corner which Thompson got a strong hand to push the ball behind for a corner.  Minutes later and Cockfosters again broke through the hesitant visiting defence only for Thompson to again save the day.   On 11 minutes the hosts took the lead with a superb strike from DAVE PIGDEN, receiving the ball 30 yards out Pigden struck a first time volley that left Thompson grasping at the air, a special strike that was needed to beat the keeper.

Having taken the lead Cockfosters soon found themselves trailing as DAN BROOM drilled an effort beyond Cassells and then DEAN WILLIAMS showed his quality firing Broxbourne into the lead from just inside the area.

Cockfosters would not be denied and after Pigden had his shot turned behind for a corner which was swung into the six yard box for LORENZO FERRARI to get between four defenders and the keeper to level the game.

With seven minutes of the half remaining Ferrari released PIGDEN who took a touch before hitting a right foot low curling effort into the bottom corner leaving the visiting keeper standing and admiring the effort.

With the interval looming a melee broke out in the Broxbourne area and Kevin Duncan-Williams was shown a straight red card .

However, with the frost setting in the match was abandoned at the break and so the sides will have to meet again to find a winner and progress to the Cup Final.

Cockfosters: Dominic Cassells; Mark Golding; Raul Saraiva; Max Moore; Kevin Duncan-Williams; Romain De Caro; Tom Jansons; Doug Kisuule; Dave Pigden; Anton Lewis; Lorenzo Ferrari. Subs: Eugene Asante; Selcuk Ulug; Anton Robinson

SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 2012

 MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

COCKFOSTERS                    5          SUN POSTAL SPORTS                     1

DAVE PIGDEN                      62        KARL PENNEY                                 56

DOUG KISUULE                    65

ANTON LEWIS                     73,80  

LORENZO FERRARI 83

MAN OF MATCH -  MARK GOLDING

Cockfosters played host to bottom of the table Sun Postal Sports and found a pitch that was in a very good state after the first serious frost of the winter.

Against a team who conceded on average five goals a game Cockfosters began well but tried to walk the ball into the net rather than testing the keeper, once the reds did start to test visiting defence that was ably marshalled by the experienced Stacy Dunn chances did come the reds way as Dave Pigden was released but fell foul of the offside trap.  Later in the first half Pigden beat the offside trap and slid the ball goalwards only to be denied by an outstretched leg, then Doug Kisuule got free and fired his effort over the bar.  In the last few minutes of the first half Max Moore stung the keepers hand with a drive that was turned behind for a corner which was cleverly worked again to Moore who was denied by a combination of two defenders and the keeper.

Ten minutes into the second half the reds fell behind as a Sun Postal break down the Cockfosters Road side of the ground ended with a cross that evaded the excellent Liam Watson in the home goal allowing KARL PENNEY to strike the ball into the empty net.  Going behind galvanised Cockfosters into action and within six minutes the Reds were level, good play on the edge of the Sun Sports area ended with DAVE PIGDEN showing his predatory skills to direct the ball into the bottom, for his 10^th goal of he campaign, the assist coming from Doug Kisuule.   Three minutes after drawing level DOUG KISUULE scored his 12^th goal of the season taking advantage of an Anton Lewis dummy to drill home.   The gates to goal were open and Cockfosters were not going to let the opportunity to improve their goal difference go and on 73 minutes top scorer ANTON LEWIS ran on to a ball over the top of the defence and drilled home for his 16^th of the season, LEWIS soon scored number 17 for the season when with 10 minutes remaining he struck a fierce effort beyond the keeper to ensure the points were going to stay at Chalk Lane.  Into the last seven minutes and LORENZO FERRARI showed the defence a clean pair of heels as he burst clear and left the Sun Postal keeper grasping at the air as number five went into the net.

An excellent second half performance from Cockfosters who will look to continue their good form with a visit to Kings Langley next Saturday, preceded by a visit from First Division side Broxbourne Borough in the Floodlit Cup on Tuesday night.

Cockfosters: Liam Watson; Mark Golding; Raul Saraiva; Max Moore; Kevin Duncan-Williams (George Uttute 80); Romain De Caro; Tom Jansons (Anton Robinson 78); Doug Kisuule (Eugene Asante 75); Anton Lewis; Dave Pigden (Captain); Lorenzo Ferrari.  Subs not Used: Selcuk Ulug; Mohammed Yusuf.

SATURDAY 7 JANUARY 2012

 MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DVISION ONE

COCKFOSTERS    5          STONY STRATFORD TOWN    2

ROMAIN DE CARO              36,90   THOMAS BLAKE                              67

ANTON LEWIS                     70        BABOUGARR GIBBA                       90

LIRON MANNIE                     73

LORENZO FERRARI               75

 MAN OF MATCH      ROMAIN DE CARO

 The New Year started brightly at Chalk Lane as Cockfosters welcomed Stony Stratford with the hosts hoping to get back to winning ways after three straight defeats.

Cockfosters were at the races from the kick off taking the game to the visitors and creating openings down both flanks, Doug Kisuule restored to the starting line up cut inside and split the visiting centre halves allowing Dave Pigden to bear down on goal but he squandered the chance.  Minutes later Romain De Caro did have the ball in the net but his celebrations were cut short by an assistant referees flag.  It took 36 minutes for Cockfosters to open the scoring and end a run of 308 minutes without a goal, ROMAIN DE CARO cut inside before lifting the ball over the visiting keeper with Anton Lewis on hand in case there was any doubt about the ball crossing the line, this was Cockfosters 50^th League goal of the season 

Cockfosters continued to look for a second before half time but it was not to be and so the hosts went in to the break a slender goal to the good.

The second half continued in the same vain with Fosters pulling the Stony Stratford defence apart seemingly at will but struggling to find a means of getting the ball over the line, then mid way through the half a long ball caught the hosts napping and THOMAS BLAKE levelled matters up.  Cockfosters heads dropped for a couple of minutes, however, ANTON LEWIS soon got things back on kilter as he charged forward and finished well to restore the lead.  Three minutes after restoring their advantage the game was effectively sealed when Lorenzo Ferrari showed excellent control to beat three defenders and lay the ball back to substitute LIRON MANNIE who from 20 plus yards out struck a rasping first time effort that was still rising as it struck the net, this was Mannie’s first senior goal for Cockfosters.

Confidence was now sky high amongst the Cockfosters team and after Mannie had been denied by the visiting keeper Dave Pigden rolled the ball across the six yard area where LORENZO FERRARI was able to tap home number four.

With the game entering added time the hosts were caught at the back as BABOUGARR GIBBA was given too much time, allowing him to bring the ball down and drill his shot in at the near post.  From the kick off Cockfosters charged forward and were determined to score number five,it was left to Man of the Match ROMAIN DE CARO to complete the scoring.  Incredibly this was the eighth time this season that Cockfosters have scored four or more goals in a game.
This victory sees Cockfosters move up to 10^th place only six points off third place.

Cockfosters:  Dominic Cassells;Mark Golding, Raul Saraiva (Selcuk Ulug);

Max Moore; Kevin Duncan-Williams; Jack Cook; Romain De Caro; Doug Kisuule (Liron Mannie); Anton Lewis; Dave Pigden (Captain);

Lorenzo Ferrari (George Uttute).

 FORTHCOMING FIXTURES:

Wednesday 11 January -  Reserves Home to Oxhey Hets Reserves – South Midlands Floodlight Reserve Cup – Kick Off 7.45pm

Thursday 12 January – Under 18’s away to Tokyngton Manor ASDC – Southern Counties Floodlit Youth League Nemean Division – Kick Off 7.45pm

Saturday 14 January – First Team Home to Sun Postal Sports – Molten Spartan South Midlands League Division 1 – Kick Off 3.00pm

Saturday 14 January – Reserves away to Hatfield Town Reserves -  Molten Spartan South Midlands Reserve League Division 1 – Kick Off 2.00pm.

Adam Rynhold

Press Officer – Cockfosters FC

MONDAY 2nd JANUARY 2012

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

COCKFOSTERS TEN BATTLE  - BUT GOAL BLIGHT CONTINUES....                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

HODDESDON TOWN 2   -   COCKFOSTERS 0

Ben Andreos (42 min)

Ben Hart (51 min)

Cockfosters M.O.M. – Jack Cook

Cockfosters lost only their second away fixture of the season on Bank Holiday Monday against local rivals Hoddesdon Town.

This was always going to be a difficult fixture coming on the back of the two recent home defeats against St. Albans City Reserves and Welwyn Garden City and things became even more difficult when after only four minutes they were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of influential central midfielder Dean Adams who retaliated to an over the top challenge from ex Cockfosters player Ben Andreos.

Despite this numerical disadvantage there was very little to choose between the sides for the majority of the first half, with in fact probably the best chance falling to Dave Pigden who just failed to beat the advancing keeper. Just prior to half time the hosts took the lead when a speculative cross come shot from Ben Andreos way out near the left touchline, sailed over everybody, including Dominic Cassells in the Cockfosters goal and nestled in the far corner.

The second half started with Liron Mannie coming on for the injured Tom Kennedy and Raul Saraiva reverting to a full back roll. Similar to the first 45 minutes there was very little to choose between the sides and it was almost against the run of play when Hoddesdon doubled their lead when Ben Hart met a long cross field ball and his first time volley gave Cassells no chance.

With 20 minutes remaining Falah Mulazadeh, making his debut for Cockfosters, replaced the injured Lorenzo Ferrari, allowing Raul Saraiva to push further forward, and with Kevin Duncan-Williams also moving into midfield Cockfosters still gave the home defence plenty to think about but unfortunately for the third game running they failed to find the net.

With their next two fixtures, both at home, against teams in the lower reaches of the division, Cockfosters will hope to return to winning form and get back into a top six position.

Cockfosters: Dominic Cassells, Mark Golding, Tom Kennedy (Liron Mannie) Jack Cook, Kevin Duncan-Williams, Raul Saraiva, Mohammed Yusuf, Anton Lewis, Dean Adams, Dave Pigden, Lorenzo Ferrari (Falah Mulazadeh), Unused Sub Mark Anderson,  

TUESDAY  27 DECEMBER 2011

MOLTEN SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION 1

COCKFOSTERS FIRE BLANKS AS 2011 CURTAIN FALLS

COCKFOSTERS                 0        WELWYN GARDEN CITY             2

                                                Daryl SMITH                           73

                                                JoeE BRUNT                           82

 MAN OF MATCH     JACK COOK

Cockfosters looked to bring the curtain down on 2011 home games by recording a victory over near neighbours Welwyn Garden City at Chalk Lane and produced some very attacking football without finding the back of the net whilst at times looking uncomfortable at the back.

The young Cockfosters team began very brightly with Liron Mannie playing his first game for six weeks causing problems every time he got the ball and when he released another youungster in Michael Rice, Rice blasted over.  The reds nervousness at the back was soon evident as a well driven cross saw Max Moore produce an excellent diving header to clear the danger.

Ade Osubu got free in the Cockfosters penalty area and was about to have a shot when Dominic Cassells dived bravely at the strikers feet to grasp the ball.  At the cricket ground end  Tom Kennedy produced a fine mazy run that was only ended when he was upended inches outside the area, from the resulting free kick Dean Adams had a shot blocked and when the ball fell to Dave Pigden he directed his shot agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

Early in the second half and Liron Mannie coolly rounded Conar Lambert but could not direct his effort into the net as a visiting defender drilling the ball onto the Cockfosters Road which was the fore runner to an amazing few minutes with three balls disappearing either onto the Cockfosters Road or into the Bowls Club.

Seventeen minutes from time DARLY SMITH latched onto a ball through the middle and lobbed Cassells to break the deadlock.  Cockfosters continued to move forward and Doug Kisuule who replaced Mannie posed a threat but the hosts were punished for their failure to score when on 83 minutes JOE BRUNT rounded Cassells to double the lead.

Cockfosters travel to Hoddesdon on Monday looking to get back to winning ways.

Cockfosters: Dominic Cassells, Tom Jansons; Tom Kennedy, Max Moore, Jack Cook, Stuart McDonald, Liron Mannie( Doug Kisuule), Dave Pigden, Dean Adams (Captain), Michael Rice (Mark Golding), Lorenzo Ferrari (Eugene Asante).  Subs not Used: Kevin Duncan-Williams, Mohammed Yusif.

SATURDAY 17 DECEMBER 2011

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

POINTS GIFT WRAPPED FOR THE SAINTS

COCKFOSTERS            0      ST ALBANS CITY RESERVES   4

                                        DOMINIC CASSELLS     16(OG)

                                                            BEN LUCK                  25,57

                                                             ROB QUATTROMINI     38 

MAN OF MATCH – RAUL SARAIVA

Cockfosters welcomed St Albans City Reserves to Chalk Lane looking to build on their two previous victories away at Chesham United Reserves and away to Ampthil Town in their last fixture before Christmas.

The hosts began brightly taking the game to the visitors and when Dave Pigden charged onto a through ball and lobbed the keeper, his effort landed wide of the post, it would not have counted as the assistant referee was flagging.  With 16 gone CASSELLS in the home goal pulled of a conceding a corner and then as inexplicably shovelling the ball into his own net, an early Christmas present for the visitors.
Two minutes after the goal Lorenzo Ferrari turned Sam Lyon and fired an effort and David Bailey who easily held the effort. Nine minutes after Ferrari’s effort had been saved another present came the visitors way as a clearance from Kevin Duncan-Williams fell to BEN LUCK who from 40 yards returned the ball into the net
With 36 minutes elapsed Jack Cook got into the six yard box and was seemingly taken out by a visiting defender but despite vociferous appeals no penalty resulted.  Almost immediately an error at the back allowed ROB QUATTROMINI scored the visitors third.  Cockfosters continued to press forward as there were chances falling to the reds with Michael Rice being denied by Bailey and from the corner Dave Pigden saw his shot cleared off the line.
Almost from the start of the second half Lorenzo Ferrari burst forward and drilled a low cross into the area only for Bailey to bravely smother the ball at the feet of Rice. However, St Albans scored their fourth three minutes before the hour when  BEN LUCK collected the ball on the edge of his own area and ran the length of the pitch gathering pace all the way and drove a shot with such power that it cannoned of the stantion of the goal and landed on the edge of the six yard area, referee Taylor checked with his assistant and correctly awarded the goal.   From this point on Cockfosters created a few chances but it was the visitors who looked capable of scoring at will but were unable to add to their four.

Cockfosters welcome Welwyn Garden City to Chalk Lane on Bank Holiday Tuesday and will be looking to getting back to winning ways as they continue their push up the table.

Cockfosters:- Dominic Cassells; Mark Golding(Max  Moore); Raul Saraiva; Kevin Duncan-Williams; Jack Cook; Stuart McDonald; Michael Rice; Dave Pigden(Doug Kisuule); Dean Adams(Captain); Anton Lewis; Lorenzo Ferrari.  Sub not Used: Josh Bimacombe-Wiard.

Saturday 13^th December 2011

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