| BLUEHARTS
II: 1
HARPENDEN 1: 1
12.03.05
Harpenden started on Saturday as favourites
to come away with the three points but found their way blocked
by a resilient Blueharts side. After a superb run of results for
Harps with six wins in the last seven games, there was a level
of expectancy for their performance.
The
Blues set the tone in the opening exchanges with some good passing
sequences. Harpenden often found space down the width of the pitch.
Both wide men, Mark Wakeling and Pete Kneale often found themselves
with space to work an opening and caused the opposition defence
many headaches. It was a move down the right started by Mark Wakeling
and good link up play with Ali Hutson that gave the away side
their first opportunity. Wakeling found Hutson who won a penalty
corner with some good play in the circle. Mike Emes drag flicked
low and hard to the bottom corner. The ball seemed to be destined
for the backboard until it struck the foot of a Blueharts defender
and deflected wide. The Harp’s attack felt short-changed
after they thought they should have had a penalty stroke for the
infringement preventing a goal.
It
wasn’t long before Harps were pushing again. The attack
started from deep in their own half. An exchange of passes between
Sam Martyn and Pete Kneale found centre midfield workhorse Lance
Boyd-Clark in space. He fed the ball to Russ Timms, after his
incisive run, only then to be fouled in the circle. Another penalty
corner ensued. This time, Emes was able to stroke the ball hard
and high into the Blueharts net to take the lead. The Blues went
into half time with the one goal advantage.
The
play in the second half began in much more open fashion than the
first. It was Harps again with the early pressure, pushing to
increase their lead. But the Blueharts defence was resilient and
the Harps players all too often cheaply handing over possession
to their opposition. Some excellent work down the right side from
full back Paul Davison nearly forced a second after his powerful
pass was deflected by Ali Hutson only to see the keeper pull off
a great save to deny the goal.
It
was their keeper again that keep Blueharts in contention. Another
drag flicked penalty corner looked as if was to creep inside the
post, but, a fantastic diving save deflected the ball behind.
The
balance of the game started to turn as the second half went on.
Harpenden began to look tired in defence and often their eagerness
to seek a decisive second goal was met with good counter attacking
play by their Hitchin opposition. Their resilience paid off with
10 minutes remaining on the clock. Play broke down deep in the
Hitchin half and was returned with a swift move into the Harpenden
half. Some good quick play saw a Blueharts striker in a one-on-one
with Harpenden keeper Clark. He managed to make a great sliding
save at the top of the circle, but was unable to parry the follow
up strike, which was skilfully lifted over him.
Harpenden
continued to search for the winner but were unable to find an
opening. The game finished with honours even with one goal apiece.
This weekend sees Harpenden in action for the last time this season.
They face cellar dwellers Cheshunt at home, where a win should
secure promotion to Division 1. Hopefully the Blues will be able
to finish the season off in style.
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