PREMIER DIVISION Harefield United 5 Cockfosters 0
A SUPERB second half display simultaneously took Harefield United to a thumping win at home to Cockfosters and moved them eight points clear at the top of the table.
Only four games survived the frost and at half-time manager Glenn Bellis must have been wondering if it would have been better had this clash, against the league's second bottom side, also fallen foul of the weather.
However, his talk did the job as Adam Willis netted just four minutes after the restart and four more goals without reply saw Harefield roar home in style.
Results elsewhere went Harefield's way too as Biggleswade Town lost and second placed Langford drew with third-placed Oxhey Jets.
The first half developed into 45 minutes of frustration and missed chances and the Hares were beginning to think it would not be their day because from as early as the third minute a shot from Craig Totton was well saved by Paul Daley in the Cockfosters goal.
The visitors used their wide players well, looking to catch the Hares on the break, but good defending meant home keeper Charlie Miller had little to do.
At the other end Danny Buckle worked a great opening only to scuff his shot straight to the keeper and on 19 minutes Adam Willis broke through but saw his effort well blocked and Joe Kelly suffered the same fate as the keeper proved up to the challenge.
The Cockfosters defenders were always stretched and they rode their luck but they gained confidence as the half went on, although they were yet to really trouble the Hares defence.
Midfielders Warren Gladdy and Jamie Houliston joined in the shooting practice but they fired straight at the keeper and the last chance of the half fell to Gladdy, who was first to a loose ball after Daley made another save, but he blasted against the post from close range.
Bellis surely urged his players to remain patient but they did not have to wait long because soon after the restart Adam Willis latched on to a Kelly cross and his shot, though parried by Daley, dropped into the top corner.
Harefield finally had their goal and two minutes later they had a second when an Adam Wills cross found Totton at the near post to make it 2-0 and the game was over on 58 minutes when a great run down the right and cross by Kelly was headed home by Totton, this time at the far post.
The Hares relaxed, allowing Cockfosters to get back into the game and as Jamie Brandon and Michael Casey started to get behind the home defence Miller was suddenly called upon to save from John Moniatis.
Harefield finally had a challenge but they were certainly up to it and further goals from Luke Willis, in the final minute of normal time, and Buckle, two minutes into stoppage time with Cockfosters demoralised and in disarray, completed the rout.
