VAUXHALL: 0
HARPENDEN I: 3
30.10.04

Harpenden put in their best performance of the season to comfortably defeat local rivals Vauxhall.

Harpenden started brightly and won a short corner in the first five minutes. Russell Timms’ deflection from a David Jeffrey’s switch went just past the wrong side of the post. This bright start turned out to be a sign of things to come. Minutes later Mike Emes threaded a searching ball to the far post where Russell Timms this time managed to slot the ball home to put the blues 1-0 up.

Vauxhall worked to try and level the scores but were unable to create many chances in open play. In Vauxhall’s best chance the Striker found himself one on one with blues keeper Alan Clarke, but Clarke was quick to pounce and in the end made his saving tackle look comfortable. They did however win several short corners but never looked like converting as the Harps defence stood firm.

At the other end of the pitch the pace from the Harpenden attacking line was proving too much for the Vauxhall defence. The artiste formerly know as Jabba, Ali Hutson, picked up the ball when a defender failed to control a misdirected Harpenden pass, and it was he who finished the move after a passing interchange with Russell Timms. 2-0 up at half time Harpenden knew they were playing well but also knew that Vauxhall posed a big threat and that there was a lot of work still to be done.

Straight after half time Harpenden started in impressive fashion with Todd Baines almost finishing off a passing move that would have surely been goal of the season. Todd soon made amends though when he capped his man of the match performance by scoring the third Harpenden goal. Harpenden’s build up play split open the Vauxhall defence and when Baines was left with just the keeper to beat he made no mistake and classily found the bottom right hand corner.

Vauxhall continued to chase the game but failed to make any significant chances with any shots on goal being comfortably dealt with by Alan Clarke. Harpenden’s job of defending the lead was made considerably easier on the two occasions when Vauxhall lost men to the sin bin and Harpenden were able to push forward to look for a fourth. Russell Timms came closest when just missing out on deflecting in another ball to the far post.

Harpenden now move to 12 points - just two points off their total points tally from last season -and to third in the league and keep themselves within touching distance of early season league leaders Wapping, who they face next week.

Report by Matt Horn

Todd Baines: Man-of-the-match