Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hatfield Town                 1-2                    Cockfosters

D.0’Conner 72                                         E.Protain 67

Att. 27                                                     J.Rolfe 83

Hatfield went in to the first of three home games in a row having lost the previous three games, conceding a total of 15 goals and only scoring one.

However, the team had a lot of changes for the visit of Cockfosters and were hoping for a change in fortunes.

 

Both teams started well, creating chances at both ends, but when a mistake in the Hatfield defence allowed a Cockfosters striker through for a one-on-one with Hatfield goalkeeper Eman, it seemed like they would open the scoring. However, Eman narrowed the angle and the curling shot went around him and just over the bar.

Micky Nathan, Hatfield manager, was playing at centre back, and as Cockfosters tried to break through the defence, he worked hard to keep up with a pacy defender to slide in and win the ball back.

The game slowly swung in Hatfield's favour as they managed to exert sustained pressure on Cockfosters. Dan O'Connor was having a good game, but so too was the Cockfosters goalkeeper who managed to block all the shots that came his way; many with his legs.

Hatfield showed they lacked a reliable goalscorer as chances were squandered through a mixture of poor finishing or a lack of confidence in front of goal.

At half-time, Cockfosters were probably happier with the scoreline, but Hatfield were happier with the performance.

The second half started much the same with Hatfield creating the chances only to waste them. However, it was Cockfosters on the break who netted first. Hatfield were caught two-on-two at the back, and a lovely cross on to Protain's head allowed him to nod it past Eman to score against the run of play.

Hatfield, unlike many games this season, kept their heads up, and it was only five minutes later when a ball was put in to the box and Dan O'Connor was able to get something on it to push it past the keeper and level the game.

Hatfield were now back on top again and seemed likely to score again.

But, as chances went begging, and the clock ticked away, Cockfosters won a corner. It was curled in to the area. Eman was unable to get anything on it, and incredibly the ball flew in to the top corner of the net over the head of a Town defender on the post.

However, Hatfield kept their heads, and a gilt edged chance came at the end when they broke through the Cockfosters defence only to shoot wide.

Overall, it was a much more encouraging performance from the Blue Boys, but until they start putting points on the board relegation looks like a serious concern.