"Bucks looking to knock down Bricks in Trophy tussle"

Match Date : November 16th, 2024 3:00 pm
Competition : FA Trophy
Ground : Brickfield Lane
Kick Off : 15:00

The Bucks are in FA Trophy action this weekend, with a tricky trip to Hadley in the Second Round.

The north London club are currently riding high in the league below the Bucks, the Southern League Division One Central. The Bricks have won 15 out of 22 games in all competitions this season, earning 31 points from their 14 league games to sit 2nd in the league – four points behind leaders Real Bedford.

Manager Anthony Clark has been in charge at Brickfield Lane since October 2017. And since Clark took charge, Hadley have experienced the most successful period in their history. The 2021-22 season was a particular high point, when the Bricks won promotion from the Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division. Hadley finished 3rd that year and, with only the top two teams being awarded promotion, seemed to have narrowly missed out on going up. But 2nd-placed Risborough Rovers’ failed ground grading meant that the Bricks ultimately won promotion to Step 4 for the first time ever. Hadley have finished 9th and 8th in the two seasons since, and look well set to improve again this campaign.

This season is also the Bricks’ best ever showing in the FA Trophy. Hadley have beaten Grays Athletic (2-1), Ipswich Wanderers (4-1), Carshalton Athletic (3-1), and Hastings United (4-3) to progress to this stage.

The Bricks’ main man is Isaac Stones, who has bagged an impressive 21 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions this season, including a hattrick in the last round against Hastings. Midfielder Billy Hayles is the only other ever-present for Hadley this season, while attackers Finley Aldridge and Caoilan McGettigan are other men to watch.

The Bucks needed penalties to overcome Cleethorpes Town in Third Round Qualifying, but Kevin Wilkin’s men then put in a very solid display to win 2-1 at Mickleover in the First Round. Saturday will be the first ever meeting between the two sides, and the Bucks will be hoping to ensure that their name is in the hat for Monday’s Third Round draw.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Website: www.hadleyfc.co.uk

Ground Address: Brickfield Lane, Arkley, Barnet, EN5 3LD