HARPENDEN: 5
NORWICH UNION: 1
04.03.06

Harpenden continued their resurgence in the league with a hard-fought, and, at times fluent display against the visiting Norwich side, with both sides vying for promotion.

Harpenden, sponsored by Kingston Smith, started the game at a frantic pace and had the better of the early exchanges when Mike Emes converted a short corner with a well executed drag flick. This was just the spur that Harpenden needed and there followed a series of fluent moves down the right hand side and a trade-mark Danny Burgess run and adroit cross to the far-post was neatly turned in by Paul Wise.

Harpenden’s structure and pace were set at the right pitch, thanks to the management of Lance Boyd Clark, but there followed a momentary lapse as Norwich began to break them down. Norwich converted a solid period of possession and capitalised upon defensive errors to make it 2-1. The pressure was now on for the Blues and they could have easily lost their shape. However, neatly marshalled at the back by David Jeffrey and Tom Bunbury, they remade a solid platform from which fluent, attacking moves resulted. From a hit outside the D, a cunning Emes hit into the circle was deftly deflected passed the ‘keeper by Burgess.

Harpenden continued at a relentless pace and scored the goal of the game. Mark Wakeling made a superb break and then released Burgess down the right with a nicely weighted pass which the elusive Harpenden winger directed into the D for the Harpenden forward Ali Hutson to beat the Norwich ‘keeper with a great finish.

Harpenden reached the break 4-1 up and resolved to press on into the second half, although there was some inevitability that the game would become stifled. The only notable events of it being a Penalty flick converted by Emes following sustained pressure on the Norwich D, and a yellow card for the Norwich keeper. Still, an excellent performance from the Blues, which, after results went their way, leaves them in a seemingly strong position in second place. Their league campaign continues next weekend away to Cambridge City with the knowledge that only a repeat performance of last weekend’s will do.

Report by David Waters

Ali Hutson: Goal of the game