COLNEY HEATH kicked off their campaign like a team in a hurry on Saturday, August 17.

After failing on two counts to progress to the Premier Division last season, the Magpies began as though they intended to make up for it inside the first few minutes of their opener at Ampthill Town.

With Chris Ingham and Ryan Townsend providing good width, Colney Heath exploded out the blocks with a succession of dangerous whipped crosses. Wing-back Sam Margarrisson added further drive down the flank as the home side were forced on to the back foot.

In the middle, Scott Lacey was the man most likely, but four opportunities had been snubbed by the time manager Geoff O'Vell, perhaps burdened by a goal-shy end of pre-season, began fearing a barren day after just three minutes.

He was not concerned for long. A Margarrisson corner dropped for Lacey to score from close range, and although Ampthill did find an equaliser, Colney Heath were by then up and running.

Said O'Vell: "It was as if the last season hadn't finished, the way we played again. Everybody gave the performances that have been lacking during some of our pre-season games.

"But I'm not going to get too excited. With due respect to Ampthill, there are better sides in the league."

O'Vell introduced 19-year-old Kieran Baker from Cockfosters as a striker partner for Lacey, and the move certainly benefited the latter, who struck a post before the interval, and then went one better by winning and converting a penalty after 48 minutes.

His hat-trick arrived on the hour, when Townsend's near-post ball was touched home to complete the scoring.

Continuing from last season, the Magpies have lost just one of the last 17 league games, a run dating back beyond their last defeat, in mid-February.

"It's a statistic I like," O'Vell said.

August 23, 2002 11:00