Tuesday 13th February 2024
UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE – PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH
COGENHOE UNITED v AYLESTONE PARK
Compton Park,
Brafield Rd,
Cogenhoe.
NN7 1ND
KO 7-45 pm
After another frustrating weekend with standing water on much of Eynesbury’s pitch, the Cooks hope to return to action as Aylestone Park make the trip down from Leicester on Tuesday for the first meeting between our two teams at senior level, although they have been here for an F.A Youth Cup tie. On that occasion the Cooks won 1-0 with a last-minute goal, a result that was exceptionally hard on Aylestone who had dominated the game but couldn’t find a way past Zak Cunningham on the day. Josh and Jake Wormleighton were in the visitor’s line-up that day and injuries aside, will probably be making the trip down the M1 to face us again tomorrow evening.
Former Hinckley LR striker Matt Langham and Marshal Keenan top the scoring charts at the Linwood Playing Fields with fifteen apiece so far this season and Park currently sit in the final play-off place, but Saturday’s 0-3 reverse at home to leaders Wellingborough has left them with a tough task of gaining the straight promotion place at the first attempt, but points are still of the essence if they are to keep up the pressure on their play-off rivals and secure a home tie come April. Saturday’s loss ended an impressive unbeaten run of thirteen games which had begun last October with their previous defeat coming against the same opposition, albeit by a much closer 0-1 scoreline at the Dog & Duck. Park have been beaten four times on their travels in the league so far, with the first three coming relatively early in the season as they went down 3-4 at Godmanchester, 3-1 in March and 3-1 at Daventry Town.
The Cooks home form has been impressive of late, but they did lose last time out when St Neots edged home 1-0 thanks to a Rhys Thorpe penalty, but we will be without powerful centre-back Brad Ilunga who sits out his one match ban for his alleged professional foul in that game. Sam Preston will not be involved for the same reason, although for him this will be game two of a three match suspension. Injuries rule out Ben Gough and Josh Jones, but Scott Carlin does have the Cobblers pair of Matty Ireland and Josh Rayfield to call on as well as latest signing Jamari Hart in a strong 18-man squad.
Brad Ilunga misses out tomorrow through suspension.
