Nick Sandamas with his latest local football round-up

A group of footballers competing for a football which is in the air — Hadley in action at Hitchin Town earlier this season – (Credit – Chris Forster)

Three of our local sides were in action on Good Friday.

In the EFL, League Two Barnet hosted leaders Bromley and in an absolute thriller ensued with sides sharing the spoils.

Former Bee Nicke Kabamba shot the Ravens in front but Phillip Chinedu levelled soon after and a penalty from Kabongo Tshimanga with quarter of an hour to go seemed set to give the Bees a crucial three points in their play-off bid. However, with virtually the last kick of the game – George Evans struck to salvage a point for the Ravens.

Meanwhile, in Southern League Division One Central, both Hadley and London Lions had an off day.

Goals by Connor Inskip and Lawrence Marsh gave Biggleswade FC victory against Hadley, whilst London Lions were well beaten at second placed Hitchin Town 3-0 in front of a crowd of nearly 900 at Top Field.

Onto Saturday’s action and the big game of the day involved Cockfosters who made the journey to Gravesend to take on Punjab United in the FA Vase Semi Final 2nd leg, with the tie locked at 1-1 after the 1st leg.

With Wembley beckoning for the winners, a crowd of over 1200 saw Cockfosters, with goals in each half by George Lutaaya and Janir Da Cruz to seal a 2-0 win (3-1 on agg) and a place under the Wembley arch for the first time in the club’s 105 year history on Sunday 17th May where they will face AFC Stoneham.

Onto the Isthmian League Division One Central and Hendon were beaten by a first half goal from Alex Body in their home encounter against South Park (Reigate).

And finally, Edgware & Kingsbury’s relegation was confirmed in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North following a 4-1 loss away against leaders Ashford Town (Middlesex).

The action continued on Easter Monday with Barnet making the long journey to Fleetwood and coming away with a fine 5-2 victory.

Callum Stead and Anthony Hartigan put the Bees two goals ahead, however they were pegged back but Daniel Jaiyesimi and a brace from Kabongo Tshimanga in the final 15 minutes gave the Bees victory to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Hendon’s bad easter was completed with another loss, 3-0 away against local rivals Harrow Borough meaning that they still have work to do to seal another season of step four football with only three matches remaining.

Better news for Wingate & Finchley who are one win away from being guaranteed a sixteenth season of Isthmian League Premier Division football for next season following a 2-0 win over St Albans City thanks to goals from Ruben Bartlett and Camilo Restiepo.

And, in the Southern league Division One Central, a first half hat-trick by Tim Ikechuk set mid-table Hadley on the way to a 5-1 victory against already relegated Rayners Lane whilst at Rowley Lane London Lions and Enfield FC played out a 1-1 draw. Joe Leslie shot the Lions ahead on the quarter hour mark but the E’s scored on the hour through George Sykes to take home a point.

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