| HARPENDEN:
3
WAPPING: 3
21.01.06
After some recent lacklustre displays Harpenden
knew that a return to form against the divisions top side would
be required on Saturday. However with Aussie midfield maestro
Lance Boyd-Clark still unavailable after shoulder surgery and
regular keeper David Jones on a trampolining course (what can
I say – he likes Spandex!) they knew it would come down
to hardwork and determination.
Immediately from the pushback the game was played
at a high tempo with Harpenden looking to take advantage of their
pace and movement while Wapping constantly looked to play the
long ball to their dangerous centre forward. Early exchanges were
evenly competed and the first chance fell to the Wapping centre
forward who saw a great reverse stick strike saved by debutant
goalkeeper Jon Allen. This was one of two great reaction saves
made by the regular third team stopper.
For the remainder of the first half Harpenden
controlled possession and from their second short corner the ball
struck a defender’s foot on the line and a penalty stroke
was correctly awarded. First team captain Mike Emes duly stepped
up and sent the keeper the wrong way. Harpenden were later left
aggrieved when after another short corner, the ball was slipped
right to Danny Burgess who saw his deflection stopped by another
Wapping foot on its way to goal. With the keeper beaten the blues
were disappointed not to gain another stroke or to claim justice
by converting the penalty corner awarded.
At 1-0 up and playing the more constructive hockey
Harpenden were pushing for a second and control of the game. From
yet another short an Emes flick was saved only for the visitors
keeper to pull of an excellent reflex save from Baines as he followed
up.
With Harpenden controlling the play and pushing
forward they were hit by a sucker punch when a rare Wapping attack
down the right wing lead to a defensive mix up and Wapping’s
centre forward being left unmarked at the top of the D. The chance
was clinicly finished with a powerful flick and brought Wapping
back in to the game after being outplayed for much of the half.
At 1-1 the home side continued to push forward
and were rewarded with a second goal when sweeper David Jeffery
followed up another short corner to put Harpenden 2-1 ahead.
During his half time talk skipper Emes asked his
players for more of the same, unfortunately the second half turned
in to a scrappy affair with neither side able to exert any real
control. A number of clumsy challenges from both sides could have
lead to a plethora of yellow cards however only one was brandished
when Baines petulantly hit the ball away after being adjudged
to have fouled.
Midway through the second half Wapping equalised
from a slipped short corner and a confident dragflicked finish
and then took the lead with a scrappy goal which was bundled across
the line when a Wapping attacker reacted first to a half save
from keeper Allen.
Going behind lead to Harpenden attacking the game
with the same gusto as they finished the first and it did not
take long before good work from Baines in the D left Ali ‘Jabba’
Hutson the simple task of sweeping home from close range.
At 3-3 both teams continued to push for a winner
and it was Harpenden who came closest with Nigel Timms hitting
the side netting and older brother Russell Timms unable to convert
at the far post from a pinpoint cross from right back Paul Davison.
A special mention however should go to the visitors
Dutch centre-back after he made a great effort to get on ‘Soccer
Am’. His slow-motion swan dive, clutching his head after
his ankles were clipped should be shown this Saturday morning…..cue
the platoon music!!
Overall Harpenden were satisfied with a much improved
performance however they were disappointed not to have finished
the game with all three points after their high short corner count
and first half dominance.
This Saturday sees Harpenden travel to Spalding
whom they beat 2-1 earlier in the season.
Match Report – Paul Davison
|
