Let’s as always start @ the top and National League with Barnet who took on AFC Fylde @ the Hive in what was the first ever meeting these 2 & both had to settle for a point following a 1-1 draw. The Bees showed 2 changes from last week’s defeat to now new leaders Leyton Orient with Shaq Coulthirst (back from injury) & Zak Jules who was making his debut following his loan move from Shrewsbury both replacing the injured Elliott Johnson & Josh Walker who dropped to the bench & it was the returning Coulthrist who gave the Bees the lead on 20 minutes when he buried a low shot from 20 yards past the visitors goalkeeper Jay Lynch for his 3^rd goal of the season however the 67 fans who made the long journey via the M6 were celebrating just 5 minutes later when Danny Philliskirk headed home following a great cross in the box, which caught the Bees defence napping.

For the rest of the game, the visitors were more likely to score & almost did late on when Danny Rowe hit the outside of the post & bounced to safety.

A draw was probably the most the Bees could expect & will hoping for a much improved performance when Havant & Waterloville visit on Tuesday, followed by much sterner test to Wrexham next Saturday. The draw sees the Bees in 12^th place four points off the play offs.

 

As for Boreham Wood following their midweek 4-0 thrashing of Sutton United, they suffered their first league defeat in 6 games when they beaten 3-1 by newly promoted play-off contenders Salford City now unbeaten in 9.

The home side were in front after just 3 minutes when Tom Walker scored via a slight deflection, it was to get even worst for the Wood on 21 minutes when they fell further behind, Mark Shelton with a 25 yarder.

Just after half time, it was game over, Rory Gaffney sweeping home. Wood did pull a back before the hour through Josh Umerah, his second goal this week. That was the end of the scoring & for Wood & the loss has seen them drop a place to 10^th, but well within sight of the play offs, however there is still a long way to go.

Wood are back in league action on Tuesday when they make the journey to Eastleigh, followed by the first ever meeting with surprise package Harrogate Town @ home next Saturday.

 

Now onto the FA Cup & it was the 2^nd qualifying round stage & only 1 of our sides that started early in the competition were scheduled to play, however it wasn’t to be as Hendon’s home match against Phoenix Sports was postponed late on Friday night as the Kent side were being investigated by the FA for playing an ineligible player in the last round against Lancing. More news on that in due course.

The Greens are next in action next Saturday when they make the trip to 15^th placed Dorchester Town hoping to maintain their place in the rather congested top 6.

 

Our other 2 local sides from the Bostik Premier had the weekend off, Potters Bar & Wingate & Finchley.

There next matches are next Saturday, when both play @ home, The Scholars face unbeaten Bognor Regis whilst Win/Fin face Lewes.

 

And finally onto the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division & it was a bad day @ the office for our 2 teams as both picked up nil points from their latest games.

Hadley were beaten 3-1 @ home to the leaders Tring Athletic, whilst Edgware made to journey up A1 & were beaten 2-0 by Baldock Town @ the home of Arlesey Town.

In the Hadley game, Stephen O’Hara gave the Arkley based side the lead after 12 minutes, however goals from Ashton Campbell on 18, Luke Dunstan on 50 & Jack Reed in the final few minutes secured the 3 points for the visitors. Hadley though did play the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Shaz Anwar was sent off.

The goals that secured Baldock’s win over the Wares were both scored by Kieran Barnes on 54 & 59 minutes.

Both sides have midweek fixtures coming up, both on Tuesday as Hadley travel to Division 1 leaders FC Broxbourne Borough in the Challenge trophy, whilst 10^th placed Edgware host 13^th placed London Colney.

Nick