2021/22 National League Matchday 28 Round-Up: London & South East

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We have perhaps come accustomed to seeing games postponed for COVID-19 reasons, but Matchday 28 saw games called off for good old-fashioned British weather.

With that being said, there were still three massive games involving teams from London & South East.

Aldershot Town 1-3 Barnet

Barnet ended their seven-game winless run with a dominant 3-1 win at the EBB Stadium thanks to goals from Robert Hall, Sam Beard and Adam Marriott. 

It was Hall who struck first as he drilled the ball across goal from the right, evading Mitch Walker in the Aldershot net. 

The forward then subsequently played an important part in the build-up to the second as he found Reiss Greenidge who delivered a delightful ball to Beard. The 23-year-old kept his run going and drilled the Bees into a two-goal lead. 

Less than 10 minutes after half-time, Dean Brennan’s side killed the game off as Wesley Fonguck found Marriott with a through ball and the forward slotted home his sixth goal of the National League campaign. 

There was one slight blemish on the Bees’ performance as they failed to keep a clean sheet thanks to a delightful strike from Tommy Willard, but all in all, this was an outstanding afternoon’s work from Barnet and the perfect way to bring a bad run of form to an end. 

There will not be much time for the Bees to revel in this win as they face the tough trip to Meadow Lane to face Notts County on Tuesday night. 

Altrincham 2-2 Woking

Woking let a two-goal lead slip at Moss Lane, making a late play-off push look ever more unlikely. 

On a miserable day in Greater Manchester, the Cardinals got off to the ideal start as Inih Effiong grabbed his eighth goal of the season after only 20 seconds. Moments later, Altrincham had the chance to equalise as they were awarded a penalty following Chris Conn-Clarke being bundled to the turf. However, Elliot Osborne’s spot-kick was well saved by Mark Smith and Alan Dowson’s side kept their noses ahead. 

The travelling Woking fans were then sent into further raptures after full-back Kyran Lofthouse went on a mazy run that was topped off with a sensational strike that rippled the back of the net. At this point, Woking appeared to be cruising to completion of a league double over Altrincham. 

However, in Ryan Colclough, the hosts have a player with over 150 games of Football League experience. Previously of Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic, MK Dons and Scunthorpe United, the 27-year-old arrived in the National League with some pedigree but has somewhat failed to live up to the hype he received when he joined the club.

As such, Altrincham’s number 11 may have had somewhat of a point to prove off the back of a recent dry spell and glanced his side back into the game from a Dan Mooney cross. 

Subsequently, in the 84th minute, Colclough was back on target to rescue a point with a stunning drive from the edge of the box. 

Of course, Woking will be furious that they let a seemingly comfortable lead slip, particularly against a team that have been in freefall and without a win since November. 

As such, significant improvement will be required prior to the Cardinals’ return to the Laithwaite Community Stadium to face in-form Southend United. 

Chesterfield 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

The Daggers put in a valiant performance at high-flying Chesterfield, but ultimately came unstuck thanks to two Kabongo Tshimanga penalties. 

Despite Chesterfield’s imposing form, Dagenham started the game as the better side and eventually took the lead after Paul McCallum played through Josh Walker to slot home his ninth goal of the season.

However, discipline would soon let Daryl McMahon’s side down as Myles Weston late tackle gave the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Tshimanga stepped up and cooly directed the ball home to level the scores just before the break. 

Chesterfield came out on top in the second half but failed to break down the Daggers from open play. As such, McMahon will be furious that his side not only gifted their opponents a route back into the game but also handed them the lead. This time, a trailing leg from Callum Reynolds was enough to bring down another Chesterfield player, and when Tshimanga stepped up, the outcome was exactly the same. 

Following this, the Spireites displayed impeccable game management and coasted to the three points. 

Understandably, Daggers fans will be furious at the manner in which they lost, even more so as it was two experienced players who gifted the hosts the penalties, and ultimately the win. Dagenham will be back in action at the Chigwell Construction Stadium next Saturday as they welcome National League North Spennymoor Town in the Buildbase FA Trophy Fifth Round Proper. 

FC Halifax Town P-P Bromley

The Ravens were denied the opportunity to face off with Halifax in a huge top-of-the-table clash thanks to a waterlogged pitch. After multiple checks, the referee pulled the plug and called the game off at 2:15pm. 

Bromley will now turn their attentions to a midweek trip to Roots Hall to take on a Southend United side with the wind in their sails. 

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