Stotfold 2-0 Arlesey Town: Local derby win to end action-packed week for Stotfold

More than 300 fans were in attendance as high-flying Stotfold FC picked up a derby win against Arlesey Town on Saturday, writes Freddie Cardy.

Brett Donnelly's side had faced a gruelling week of fixtures that would have scared the life out of most Premier League managers with four games within the space of a week.

A win away to tomorrow night's opponents Hoddesdon Town last Saturday was followed by defeat to Buckinghamshire outfit Risborough Rangers at the New Roker Park on Tuesday, a first league defeat since November. Two days later Stotfold defeated title rivals Leighton Town 5-4 on penalties to progress to the Gladwich Challenge Trophy semi finals after a 1-1 draw.

Stotfold Development captain Harry Buckley scored the winning penalty against Leighton as Donnelly called members of the Development squad into the first team for the cup tie as changes were made in a hectic schedule.

Attention then turned to facing local rivals Arlesey Town in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division. Archie Sayer gave Stotfold the lead with two minutes left in the first half before Codi-Lee Spavins to net his fourteenth goal of the season as Stotfold returned to winning ways in the league.

Manager Donnelly tweeted his reaction to the 2-0 win, writing "Comfortable home win against a side who defended and wasted time from the first minute. Professional job and I was happy with the performance. Always nice beating your local rivals especially when they've tried to put one over us off field more than once this season. #upthefold".

The crowd of 322 at New Roker Park was the eleventh largest across the whole of Step Five on the weekend, with Stotfold fans going home happy after their side stayed five points clear of Leighton Town at the top of the table. Leighton have five games in hand on the Ambers, who were only promoted from Division One last season.