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HRB Sport gears up for League and FA Cup bonanza

After an impressive start for our teams that kicked off their league campaign last weekend, we have a full complement of matches across the local spectrum to anticipate as the rest of our sides join the fray this weekend. Added to that the greatest club Cup competition kicks off with the Extra Preliminary Round featuring 2 of our teams.

Barnet, Hadley and Edgware all began with victories on the opening day with Hendon, Wingate & Finchley and Potters Bar hoping to match their achievements.

Barnet have 4 points from 2 games yet it could have been even better. Simeon Akinola followed up his winner against Yeovil by opening the scoring at Sutton on Tuesday evening. He converted the 37th minute spot kick awarded for a foul on David Tutonda. Dan Sparkes hit the post as the visitors had chances to increase their lead before Harry Beautyman equalised on the hour.

Boreham Wood secured their first point the hard way, coming from 2 goals down at home to fancied Wrexham. Mark Harris and Bobby Grant scored in each half to give the Dragons sight of a second victory but with 7 minutes remaining Kieran Murtagh reduced the deficit and then volleyed in the equaliser as injury time approached.

Hadley were brought down to earth after their stunning opening day win when Cockfosters inflicted a 2-1 defeat, Edward Clarke the goalscorer.

Edgware made it 2 wins in 2, scoring 4 goals to see off North Greenford United. The Wares were 2-0 down with only a quarter of the game left but a 3 goal burst inside 5 minutes turned the game on its head. Sub Michael Koscien, Adam Page and a Martyn Flannery penalty struck between the 72nd and 77th minutes with Mark Burgess sealing victory in the final minute.

Potters Bar and Wingate & Finchley had nail biting relegation battles last season and will hope to challenge at the other end of the newly sponsored BetVictor Isthmian Division. The Scholars start against Carshalton who finished second last season but missed out on promotion via the playoffs. The Blues, without a win pre-season, travel to newly promoted Bowers & Pitsea, champions of the North Division.

Hendon begin their second season in the Southern Premier South with a familiar westerly trip to Weston-Super-Mare and some unfamiliar faces in the squad. Manager Jimmy Gray has made wholesale changes after a disappointing run last time out threatened relegation, with former Bromley pair Max Hunter and Tahjae Anderson the latest to join. A similarly disappointing warm up ended with the Greens first victory against Berkhamsted on Tuesday.

A big thanks to Martin for overseeing a successful opening day, and with Mel checking the credentials of the deadline day recruits and supervising the marching band routine at the New Lane, Nick takes the controls for an action packed Saturday afternoon. The show will be live during the 3pm starts, followed by a full Sunday round-up from 5pm.

Then on Tuesday reports and score updates on Barnet’s home game against Dover.

Saturday August 10th
2.30-5.00
Presenter: Nick

National League
Notts County v Barnet (5.20)

Boreham Wood v Chesterfield

Isthmian Premier Division

Potters Bar Town v Carshalton

Alan

Bowers & Pitsea v Wingate & Finchley

Paul

Southern Premier South

Weston-Super-Mare v Hendon

David

FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Hadley v Redbridge FC

Bob

Slimbridge v Edgware Town

Betfred Super League

Castleford Tigers v London Broncos (7.30)

Sunday August 11th

5.00-7.00

Presenters: Andrew, Nick and Ben

Betfred League 1

Doncaster RLFC v London Skolars

Tuesday August 13th

During evening shows

National League

Barnet v Dover Athletic

Garry and Pete

 

European Champions round off league campaign in HRB Sport rugby fest

Today sees the final round of matches in the league program for Saracens who are already guaranteed a home semi final in the play offs.
The European Cup champions travel to Worcester with faint hopes of top spot should leaders Exeter slip up.
Mark Mccall is likely to rest key players and give opportunities to those yet to taste a Premiership encounter.
Englan fly half Manu Vunipola starts while Billy Walker, Andy Christie and Tom Griffiths hope to make an impact off the bench.
At the other end of the scale Marcelo Bosch may appear for the final time in a Sarries jersey after 6 years at the club.
The match at Worcester Warriors kicks off at 4pm
In rugby league, both our local teams are at home in their respective leagues, London Broncos host Wakefield Trinity with Matt Gee replacing Daniel Hindmarsh from the team beaten at Wigan a fortnight ago. With Hull KR losing on Friday a 27 point will lift the Broncos off the bottom. London Skolars who sit second in the league on points difference entertain Doncaster knowing a win will take them top for 24 hours at least.
News of all the action and the wider sporting headlines in Saturday Sport starting at 2.30

Saracens go for European glory in heavyweight Cup final

Saracens take centre stage today in a mouthwatering final between European rugby’s elite. The Men in Black are trying to lift their third title in four seasons, having won all their matches in this year’s competition. Mark McCall has made two changes from the team that defeated Munster in the semi- final, Will Skelton lining up alongside George Kruis in the second row, and Maro Itoje replacing Will Rhodes at blindside flanker. Sean Maitland returns from injury.
The Irishmen and current Cup holders were buoyed by seeing hooker Sean Cronin passed fit as they seek a record fifth trophy. 5 nominees for European Player of the Year will look to enhance their credentials including Sarries back Alex Goode and prop Mako Vunipola.
Leinster have controlled the 3 previous encounters between the sides with Saracens yet to register a victory. The game at St James Park kicks off at 5pm
In rugby league London Skolars take on North Wales Crusaders at the New River Stadium. After an encouraging start to the season with 4 wins in their first 7 games, The Betfred League One table sees the team in 3rd place. A win today will take them level on points with leaders Whitehaven.
HRB Sport will be on air from 2.30 with coverage of these games and the days action elsewhere including the 2nd ODI between England and Pakistan, before Sunday’s final round of games in the Premiership.

HRB Summer Season of Sport underway with clash of the titans

Another memorable final day of drama last Saturday saw both Wingate & Finchley and Hendon survive with hard fought victories. It capped another rip-roaring football season on HRB Sport.
HRB Sport now moves into its summer season covering a crucial month for Saracens in their bid to secure the Premiership crown and European Cup and following the fortunes of both London Broncos and London Skolars as their rugby league continues.
News too of all the developments at our football clubs as conclusions are drawn on this season and planning begins for the next.
We will continue to present shows on Saturday at 2.30 and where possible Sundays at 5.
Today we will feature the top two clash at Allianz Park as Saracens meet top of the table Exeter Chiefs.
Finally, we are glad to hear that David has been released from UCH and is beginning home based recuperation. We wish David a successful recovery and look forward to seeing and hearing from him in due course.

Saturday Smiles All Round

National League

Havant & Waterlooville 0 BARNET 2

Goals from Che Alexander and Jack Barham sent the travelling Bees fans home happy as Darren Curries team snapped their recent winless streak.

Bees: Cousins, Alexander, Reynolds, Tutonda, Johnson. H.Taylor, Boucard (Mason-Clark), Robson, Barham (Vasiliou), J.Taylor, Coulthirst (Akinola)

Attendance: 1003

Final League Position: 13th

Bostik League Premier

POTTERS BAR TOWN 2 Tonbridge Angels 1

The Scholars signed off with their first home win since November 3rd thanks to goals from Marvin Morgan and Nana Kyei.

Attendance: 315

Final League Position: 16th

WINGATE & FINCHLEY 4 Burgess Hill Town 2

The Blues secured their Premier Division future in a roller coaster encounter at the Morris Rabat Stadium. First half goals from Anthony Mendey took David Norman’s team into a two goal lead at half time. A determined second half fight back saw the visitors draw level thanks to goals from Dan Beck and Joseph Felix pushing Wingate & Finchley back into the bottom three. Two goals in the last 10 minutes from substitute Charlie Ruff and Luke Ifil finally saw the Blues over the line.

Attendance: 177

Final League Position: 19th

Evo Stik League Premier South

HENDON 1 Swindon Supermarine 0

Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick was the Greens hero scoring the only goal of the game after 6 minutes. The visitors rarely threatened but results elsewhere meant a nail biting end to the season as Hendon secured their future at step three in the pyramid.

Attendance: 302

Final League Position: 16th

Spartan South Midlands League Premier

HADLEY 3 Stotfold 1

The Bricks finished their most successful season in style thanks to goals by Ibrahim Camara, Aaron Scott and Tobi Omotosho.

Final League Position: 3rd

Harpenden 1 EDGWARE TOWN 0

Final League Position: 13th

HRB Sport All Set For Dramatic Final Round

After nearly 9 months of another action packed season of local football, we reach the final round with not one but two of our teams involved in final day drama. Having seen Barnet, Boreham Wood and Potters Bar achieve safety, both Hendon and Wingate & Finchley can follow suit today. They control their destiny knowing a win will suffice, but equally aware that a slip up could prove extremely costly. Both have the advantage of playing their final match at home but it promises to be a nerve-ridden 90 plus minutes for both sets of supporters.
Wingate & Finchley’s opponents, Burgess Hill are virtually certain to be relegated even with a win as their vastly inferior goal difference would require a huge victory to avoid the drop. Fans at the Maurice Rebak Stadium will have one eye on Whitehawk’s game against Corinthian Casuals where anything but a home win will hand the Blues their survival.
Hendon have a more complicated scenario should they fail to beat mid table Swindon Supermarine. If the Greens match Walton Casuals result at Merthyr Town they too will look forward to a second season in the Premier South.
We trust such an outcome will be the fillip required for David to complete his extended recovery at UCH.
HRB will have all the drama, the twists and turns, the joy and sorrow, and hopefully a double celebration as Saturday Sport gears up for its final fling
To match the occasion, our Dream Team are on duty this afternoon. Pete makes a rare foray into the studio to set the ball rollingand describe the opening exchanges accompanied later on by Mel having supervised the polishing of his gold plated divan at the new Spurs stadium.
Then on Sunday Nick will undertake a forensic review of the weekend’s action.
Coming up on HRB Sport………..

Saturday April 27th
2.30 – 6.30

Presenters: Pete and Mel

National League

Havant & Waterlooville v Barnet (12.30)
Nick
Boreham Wood v Eastleigh
Bostik Premier Division
Wingate & Finchley v Burgess Hill Town
Alan

Potters Bar Town v Tonbridge Angels
Paul

Evo-Stik Southern Premier South
Hendon v Swindon Supermarine

Spartan South Midlands Premier
Hadley v Stotfold


Harpenden Town v Edgware Town

Gallagher Premiership
Wasps v Saracens (16.30)

Betfred Super League
London Broncos v Salford Red Devils

Sunday April 28th
5.00 – 7.00

Presenter: Nick
Betfred League One
Hunslet v London Skolars

Saturday Roundup

Bostik League Premier

POTTERS BAR TOWN 2 Corinthian Casuals 2

The Scholars can look forward to another season in the Premier Division despite taking their winless home run to 11 games. The day opened in positive mood with Chairman Peter Waller unveiling the two new stands that were needed to give the club the ‘C’ grading which ensured they reached the standard to stay in the top flight. Within nine minutes though Potters Bar were 2-0 down as the visitors struck through Reynolds Dillon and Jack Strange. The visitors were comfortably in control up until the break but two goals in the opening five minutes of the second half saw the Scholars level. Dernell Wynter fired home from 30 yards before Bradley Sach‘s 14th goal of the season ensured a share of the points.

Attendance: 221

League Position: 15th

WINGATE & FINCHLEY 0 Margate 1

The Blues relegation battle will go right to the wire after David Norman’s team slumped to their fourth straight defeat. Noel Leighton scored the only goal of the game for the visitors on the hour.

Attendance: 158

League Position: 20th

Evo Stik League Premier South

HENDON 2 Taunton Town 3

Promotion chasing Taunton took the points at Silver Jubilee Park leaving Hendon still looking nervously over their shoulders with two games remaining. Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick and Ogo Obi were on target for the Greens.

Attendance: 263

League Position: 18th

Spartan South Midlands League Premier

Leverstock Green 1 HADLEY 6

The Bricks completed their away programme with an emphatic victory at Leverstock Green. Ned Clark and Luke Alfano scored a brace a piece with the other goals coming from Bradley Marriott and Peter Roseman.

League Position: 3rd

London Tigers 1 EDGWARE TOWN 2

League Position: 12th

HRB Sport has crucial Easter Weekend Covered

We reach the penultimate weekend of the football season with plenty of issues still to be resolved, and a good chance that by Easter Monday evening the fate of our teams will be decided or considerably clearer.
HRB Sport will have full coverage across this crucial weekend with our regular Saturday Sport show featuring commentary from the Pakex Stadium then full match coverage of Barnet’s final home game of the season 48 hours later. Regular score updates from all our teams encounters throughout both shows.
The Bees have already started the packed sporting weekend with a hard fought but unsuccessful visit to fifth placed Fylde. The result sees the Lancashire club secure a play off place, but Barnet played a full part in the 1-0 loss after being hampered by the sending off of Dan Sweeney in the first half. The National League leading scorer Danny Rowe had put the hosts ahead on 21 minutes with a 25 yard volley, but Barnet stuck to their task and showed the defensive strength that has characterised the final stages of their campaign.
Boreham Wood also lost out narrowly to a promotion contender in an entertaining match at Meadow Park. Two headed goals had given Salford a comfortable advantage after the first quarter, but Ralston Gabriel pulled one back from the penalty spot and Kieran Murtagh completed the comeback with 20 minutes left.  Wood looked the likelier to secure a winner but against the run of play sub Matt Green broke local hearts 2 minutes from the end to keep many people’s pre season favourites in the automatic promotion mix.
Potters Bar know a win will secure top flight football for a second season, although they will achieve this anyway if other results go their way. Visitors Corinthian-Casuals are in the same position which should make for another memorable afternoon and a fitting tribute to the club in the week that Ground Grading C was confirmed.
Wingate & Finchley have a tougher task to avoid the drop after returning to the bottom 3 on goal difference last weekend. The visit of mid table Margate offers hope in what is a must win game ahead of a tricky visit to Haringey on Monday.
Hendon have a 5 point advantage over the relegation group, but with Gosport Borough facing relegated Staines, the visit of Taunton means the Greens have the trickiest task of the threatened clubs. The West Country team can still achieve automatic promotion to add further spice to the occasion.
A tough week for Hadley in what has been a brilliant season saw defeat in the Herts Charity Shield to Colney Heath, Peter Rosemin scoring before Andrew Sears-Black won the game two minutes from time. Biggleswade FC’s win at Harpenden a day later means that barring a remarkable set of results in the final 2 games, the team’s league title challenge is over.
And defeat for London Broncos with Catalan Dragons winning their Super League encounter at Ealing 39-6.

Saracens can reach another Champions Cup Final should they repeat their semi final victory 2 years ago against Munster. Mako Vunipula’s first appearance since January after suffering angle ligament damage in the Six Nations means the Men in Black are at full strength. Captain Brad Barritt has recovered from an ankle injury while Welsh international Liam Williams returns on the wing.

We wish our good friend David Ballheimer a speedy and successful recovery. The medical challenges no doubt paled against the frustration of missing London Skolars visit to Coventry. In his absence, the team won a thrilling match 30-28 with Jordan Williams scoring two of the five tries, and Neil Thorman’s penalty kick the difference.

Coming up on HRB Sport………..

Saturday April 20th
2.30 – 6.30

Presenter: Mel

Bostik Premier Division
Potters Bar Town v Corinthian-Casuals
Pete

Wingate & Finchley v Margate
Paul

Evo-Stik Southern Premier South
Hendon v Taunton Town

Spartan South Midlands Premier
Leverstock Green v Hadley

London Tigers v Edgware Town

European Champions Cup Semi Final
Saracens v Munster (Ricoh Arena)

Easter Sunday April 21st
No show

Easter Monday April 22nd
2.30 -5.00
Live coverage from The Hive
National League
Barnet v Bromley
Garry and Pete
Chesterfield v Boreham WoodBostik Premier Division

Enfield Town v Potters Bar
Alan
Haringey Borough v Wingate & Finchley
Paul
Evo-Stik Southern Premier South
Chesham United v Hendon

Saturday Roundup

National League

BARNET 1 Wrexham 2

The Bees suffered their second defeat in four games thanks to Jermaine McGlashan’s goal four minutes from time. A lack lustre first half produce one good chance for either side Shaq Coulthirst missed Barnet’s when he scuffed his shot into Rob Lainton’s arms after good approach play by Elliott Johnson and Ephron Mason-Clark. Within seconds the visitors broke to the other end Bobby Grant curling a shot wide of Mark Cousins onto the post. Wrexham took the lead a minute after the restart, Akil Wright looping a header into the net when the Bees marking went missing. Ricardo Santos set up the equaliser hoisting a high cross into the box which Shaq Coulthirst headed home for his 19th goal of the season. With the game looking to end level second half substitute Mcglashan made the most of a mistake by Mark Cousins to loop the ball over the stranded keeper for the winner.

Bees: Cousins, H.Taylor, Johnson, Reynolds, Santos, Sweeney (J.Taylor), Robson, Boucard, Elito ( Tarpey), Coulthirst, Mason-Clark (Fonguck)

Attendance: 1594

League Position: 14th

Bostik League Premier

Corinthian Casuals 3 WINGATE & FINCHLEY 1

The Blues slipped into the bottom three after a disappointing afternoon at King George’s Field. Majed Osman and Warren Mfula put the home side into a two goal advantage at the break. Despite Anthony Mendey giving David Norman’s team some hope with a 72nd minute effort Osman’s second goal of the game secured the points for the Casuals.

Attendance: 240

League Position: 20th

Margate 0 POTTERS BAR TOWN 2

Goals from Dernell Wynter and Josh Hutchinson left the Scholars needing just two points from their final three matches to ensure safety. A miserable afternoon for the home side was completed by a red card to Midfielder James Rogers.

Attendance: 480

League Position: 15th

Evo Stik League Premier

Farnborough 3 HENDON 0

The Greens failed to score for the third game in their last four as goals from Connor Cullen, Rob Bartley, and Kurtis Cumberbatch gave the home side a comfortable win.

Attendance: 314

League Position: 17th

Spartan South Midlands League Premier

EDGWARE TOWN 2 Tring Athletic 4

Goals from Richard Alexander-Greenway and Paul Marks couldn’t prevent Tring going to the top of the table.

League Position: 12th

Leighton Town 1 HADLEY 1

The Bricks left frustrated after a bad tempered encounter that saw both teams end with 10 men. Manny Hammond was on target in for Hadley in a first half that saw the visitors hit the woodwork twice. Dave Murphy’s second half effort grabbing a point for the home side.

Attendance: 162

League Position: 3rd