Oliver Deed on Hadley FC’s bid to reach the play-offs (or better)

Hadley FC take on Biggleswade — Caption: Hadley take on Biggleswade in the final game last season – Credit – Hadley FC/Chris Forster

When I wrote for the Barnet Post this time last year, Hadley FC were in the process of rebuilding their season, after a very difficult start to proceedings. Fast forward a year and the Bricks sit fourth in the Southern League Division One Central, eight points clear of the play-off chasing pack, contemplating an exciting finish come May.

The season started in inauspicious fashion with an opening day defeat to Basildon United ending the club’s participation in the FA Cup. However, that precipitated a twelve-game unbeaten streak, including a brilliant 4-1 home win against title contenders Berkhamsted, meaning Hadley sat pretty at the top of the table at the end of September. Striker Isaac Stones also sat atop the scoring charts, and whilst he has been supplanted since, a 21-goal return to date is not too shabby at all.

The record breaking run in the FA Trophy has to be the highlight of the first half of the season. Having started in the first qualifying round, the Bricks won five matches en route to the third round, beating clubs from higher divisions in the form of AFC Telford, Hastings United and Carshalton Athletic. An away game at Oxford City was the reward for all the hard work and the Bricks fought valiantly against the National League North side, losing 2-1 in horrendous conditions. That was a record-breaking performance in the competition for the club, and yet another feather in the cap for manager Anthony Clark, who is now into his eight season in charge at Brickfield Lane.

Beyond the aforementioned Stones, there have been notable contributions from several players in the side, including tricky winger Caoilan McGettigan, midfield stalwarts Luke Alfano, Cameron Ferguson, and Billy Hayes, as well as a mean set of defenders who have set the foundations for victory. Following a period of injuries, which coincided with a slight downturn in form just before Christmas, the squad is nearly back to full strength. Stones is back after a spell out and will be looking to recapture his early season form.

At the time of writing, there are 16 league games left to play, and, realistically, seven clubs are fighting for the automatic promotion spot, and four play-off places. Whilst Hadley are comfortable in their play-off berth currently, plenty of big challenges lie ahead. They are yet to host crypto currency financed league leaders Real Bedford, and they still need to travel to second-placed Berkhamsted and third-placed Flackwell Heath, the latter of whom secured a rare away win at Brickfield Lane back in November. There is also an FA Charity Cup semi final against Cheshunt coming up in February, meaning a new addition to the trophy cabinet is not an impossibility.

So the position this season is much better than last, and there is excitement around the club as the team has a genuine chance of challenging for promotion. Only time will tell if they can make it happen.

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