Cockfosters Still on the Boil as Biggleswade trounced...

Match Report – 28th February 2023 - Courtesy of Mark Bridges

Spartan South Midlands League – Premier Division Fixture

Cockfosters (1) 4 (Michael 30 mins, E. Rookard 84 & 90+6, Read 90), Biggleswade Utd (0) 0.

Cockfosters made it 13 points out of a possible 15 with a resounding 4-0 victory over Biggleswade Utd, whilst extending their current unbeaten league run to five games. When you consider the opposition, from whom the points were gained over this period, this is a very good phase for the Reds.

Whilst the game itself was a largely scrappy affair, three points, a four-goal boost to the goal difference and a clean sheet, was certainly more than an acceptable outcome.

One thing that Gavin Kelsey’s side has developed over the course of the season is a steely determination. Given that Biggleswade were in the game all the way up to the 84th minute, this was put to the test – and the team through again with flying colours.

Similar to the game at Tring on Saturday, the game started at a frenetic pace, with both sides looking to gain an early advantage and, similar to the game on Saturday, Cockfosters were to have the early chances.

George Sippetts’ glanced effort, in the 16th minute, came off the inside off the post, and Kenny Nobrega’s deflected shot, when the right back joined a raid down the right side, were the home side’s best attempts before the deadlock was finally broken in the 30th minute.

A lapse in concentration just inside the Biggleswade half saw Cockfosters win possession and allowed Chris Griffin to play a delightful ball beyond the back four to Antonio Michael who, in two touches, simply controlled the ball and lashed a fierce shot beyond the visitor’s keeper into the bottom corner. It was a classy finish.

Michael nearly created a second goal before the break, when his glorious ball across the Biggleswade penalty area found Cory Ugbomah, but the visitors did well to clear the danger.

1-0 to Cockfosters at the interval.

The visitors started the second period strongly but struggled to create anything that would threaten Charlie Mann’s goal. Biggleswade mainly relied on a long ball forward but got very little out of a resolute Cockfosters back four, with both Aiden Read and Jay Lovell in commanding form at the heart of it.

Ollie Finch and Chris Griffin also had fine games in midfield and both full-backs, Kenny Nobrega and Prince Madu, worked very hard to stifle any attempts the visitors had to try and get in behind them.

As a result, Charlie Mann remained without a save to make – not for the first time this season.

Biggleswade were duly limited to long range efforts, none of which were anywhere near being on target but, with the score at 1-0, the visitors were still very much in the game.

However, that was to change in the 84th minute.

Having only been on the pitch for five minutes, Ethan Rookard’s rocket from just outside the box, made it 2-0 for the hosts, after he quickly latched onto a partially cleared Aiden Read free kick.

With the visitors now deflated, Read added a third in the 90th minute. Ugbomah was needlessly bundled over near the corner flag and, with Reece Barrett having been substituted, Ugbomah took the free-kick himself and delivered an excellent ball across the box for Read to powerfully head past the now exposed Ollie Leslie in the Biggleswade goal.

Three became four soon after. With Biggleswade searching for a consolation, Ugbomah was put clear just inside the visitor’s half and the speedy forward set off towards goal.

Whilst riding a somewhat late last-ditch challenge, Ugbomah unselfishly squared to the supporting Rookard who appreciatively slammed the ball home to round off a fine win.

Cockfosters: Mann, Nobrega, Madu, Finch, Read, Lovell, Michael, Griffin, Sippetts, Barrett, Ugbomah.
Subs: E. Rookard (for Barrett), Holland (for Sippetts) 88 mins, Thomson (for Finch) 90+2 mins
Not Used: McMenemy, Koprivica

Yellow Cards: Phil Lovell – 49 mins (dissent), Barrett – 77 min (late challenge).