Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division

A SLIGHT blip against Biggleswade Town was consigned to the past in no uncertain terms as London Colney brushed aside Brook House in a 4-1 victory on Saturday, December 8.

Gary Sippetts netted goals 31 and 32 of the season, while Neil Doctor and Dave Ross completed the scoring.

"I wouldn't say we played particularly well," said London Colney manager Mickey Wright, but with another three points helping his side reclaim the top spot from Letchworth, who have played a game more, he is not complaining.

Neither was he concerned that Sippetts who is responsible for the bulk of the 71 goals the Blue Boys have scored in their 20 league matches was again the subject of interest from clubs further up the pyramid.

Representatives from Barnet and Hemel Hempstead Town were among Saturday's crowd but, having rejected offers from the likes of Exeter and St Albans City in his recent past, Sippetts is unlikely to be lured.

"I think we can go all the way through and I think he wants to progress with us," Wright said.

Alongside him, Lee Talbot was again in sparkling form, creating three of the four goals, while Graham Milner, standing in for keeper Phil Franklin, was also solid.

However, a red card received in a Sunday League game rules Milner out for the next couple of weeks, which should have cleared a neat path for the immediate introduction of Gary Phillips, who signed for the Blue Boys on Saturday.

Phillips, though, has since injured his knee and is uncertain when he might return. It means the Blue Boys will be struggling to find a keeper for this Saturday's (December 15) Challenge Trophy match against Tring Athletic, a game which will also see them take the field without the services of Dave Ross and Paul Young.

"We've got a big enough squad," Wright said. "We should have enough with who we put out there."

Dean Shuttleworth, Nicky Sweetman and Jason Campbell are expected to start, although who will line up in goal remains a problem.

For the rest of the weekend's action, see the St Albans Observer of Thursday, December 13.

December 13, 2001 14:30