OLD DE FERRIANS: 3
HARPENDEN: 3
12.11.05


Harpenden entered Saturday’s game sitting top of Division 1 and with a 100% home record stretching back to early 2005.

The blues indeed started like a team full of confidence moving the ball about and stretching the visitors defence. From one of their first attacks, a short corner was awarded and captain Mike Emes converted with a drag flick which was helped by a large deflection off a defenders stick. At 1-0 up Harpenden continued to push forward and when another short corner broke down, great alertness from Australian midfielder Lance Boyd-Clark saw him rob a defender on the goal line and turn the ball in to the goal.

At 2-0 up and only twenty minutes gone Harpenden seemed to be cruising and were perhaps found guilty of taking their foot off the gas and allowing Old de Ferrians back in to the game. As the half came to an end the visitors came back into the game and pinched a scrappy goal.

The second half saw Old de Ferrians making more of the game and enjoying long periods of possession and from a short corner a great strike hit the back board to tie up the game at 2-2. Harpenden continued to push forward and won a succession of short corners all of which failed to produce the crucial goal. With the blues pushing forward and trying to play an expansive game there was always a threat that the direct game of the visitors may expose them at the back. Infact Harpenden’s man of the match turned out to be goalkeeper David Jones who pulled off two outstanding reflex saves to keep Harpenden in the game. With under two minutes left on the clock Harpenden won another short corner which was coolly dispatched by skipper Emes.

At 3-2 up and only a minute remaining Harpenden looked to be heading for a fifth consecutive league win, unfortunately however from a side line hit Old de Ferrians worked the ball to their centre forward who managed to enter the D where a harsh short corner was awarded for what appeared to be a good reverse stick tackle. The resulting short corner was duly dispatched to give Old de Ferrians a deserved point although the manner of the last-gasp equaliser left Harpenden’s players hugely disappointed.

Old de Ferrians and Harpenden have this week been drawn together in a HA trophy game on the 4th December which both sides will now be greatly looking forward to.

Next week Harpenden travel to Norwich looking to continue their strong start to the season.

Match report: Paul Davison

Lance Boyd-Clark: Bagged for the blues