Non-League and Academy football writer

FA Vase finalists Cockfosters hosted AFC Welwyn on Thursday evening, in a Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division fixture, at Chalk Lane. Gavin Kelsey’s Cockfosters side started this league fixture just outside of the play-off positions, in sixth place after 32 league matches played. The visitors on Thursday, AFC Welwyn, started this game in 13th place in the league table, after 34 league matches played. This step 5 fixture would end in a 1-1 draw.

Cockfosters would start this game well, and during the first half they were undoubtedly the more creative team. After the creative Tyreece Robertson had done well to play the ball across from the byline, to Junior Moses down the left-hand side of the AFC Welwyn box, the Cockfosters defender’s powerful low effort on goal was well blocked on the goal-line by AFC Welwyn’s captain, Sam Denham. AFC Welwyn would defend really well against the dominant home team, with the ball just not falling for them inside of the AFC Welwyn penalty area.

Just before half-time and against the run of play, AFC Welwyn would take the lead in this game. As the impressive Adi Gbolahan had flicked the ball (from the edge of the home side’s box) onto Guiseppe Delgaudio, who from the left-hand side of the Cockfosters penalty area, would find the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, beyond the Cockfosters goalkeeper, 0-1.

During the opening stages of the second half Cockfosters would manage to draw level. As a move down the left flank which had been started by Junior Moses, would result in the same Cockfosters player getting to the ball again, close to the byline. He would then deliver a good whipped cross towards Tyreece Robertson, at the back post, from where he would clinically volley the ball home, under pressure, 1-1.

Cockfosters were now looking to take the lead, having managed to draw level so early on in the second half. After Kendall Gyamfi had headed a powerful effort narrowly wide of the AFC Welwyn goal, after meeting Junior Moses’ corner-kick delivery into the penalty area, soon afterwards Kendall Gyamfi would do well to win the ball on the edge of the away team’s penalty area. The Cockfosters forward would then play the ball the short distance to Joseph Shenouda, down the left-hand side of the AFC Welwyn box. However, the Cockfosters substitute’s powerful effort was well parried by Trent Carter-Rogers, at his near post.

AFC Welwyn would continue to stand strong defensively, as Cockfosters tried to find a winner as the second half progressed. A good and skilful run into the AFC Welwyn penalty area from Lee Dykes would result in the Cockfosters midfielder laying the ball off for Tyreece Robertson, whose powerful low effort was gathered by Trent Carter-Rogers. And then shortly before we had entered second half additional time, AFC Welwyn were awarded a free-kick in a promising position, on the edge of the Cockfosters penalty area. Courtney Massey’s powerful low effort on goal was really well pushed behind by the Cockfosters goalkeeper, Muhammed Otuyo. The final score from Chalk Lane – Cockfosters 1-1 AFC Welwyn.

AFC Welwyn had to dig deep as a team, and they did that really well to get a point from this game, against a Cockfosters side who created quite a lot of good openings and goalscoring chances. My AFC Welwyn player of the match was their captain, Sam Denham. With my overall player of the match award going to Cockfosters player and goalscorer, Tyreece Robertson, who was very creative and positive with the ball down the right-hand side of the pitch. I hope to get to some additional Cockfosters matches during the remainder of this season, and I do of course hope that they can win the FA Vase at Wembley, next month.