BISHOP STORTFORD: 4
HARPENDEN: 2
17.03.2007

Harpenden sponsored by Kingston Smith, travelled to runaway division leaders on Saturday with the added confidence of being promoted to Premier A next season, regardless of the result from the game. Despite demolishing Stortford 6-2 prior to Christmas, the away team were expecting a tight, technical game, and were not to be disappointed.

Stortford started as the stronger side, displaying some fluent technical hockey in the opening exchanges, showing Harpenden what it has taken for them to win the league. The home side created some good chances in the first 20 minutes, but the Harpenden defence of Clark, Jeffrey and Bunbury held firm, keeping an even keel. The Harpenden offence started to make more probing sorties on the Stortford circle, and the away side were unfortunate not to take early chances. Veteran striker Ali ‘Jabba’ Hutson was unable to turn a cross from Paul Wise goal bound, and captain Emes came close from a penalty corner with the ball whistling inches past the post.

Late in the second half, Lance Boyd-Clark was put through in the circle by some incisive work by Todd Baines. Not realising how much room he had, Boyd-Clark chose to lay the ball off to Hutson when taking on the Stortford keeper may have been the better option. Hutson’s angle was acute, and he was only able to put the ball wide. Stortford broke quickly, and from the subsequent counter, they won a penalty corner. The home side duly converted this with minutes on the clock and closed out the half to finish 1 zip.

After a much needed half time after the unusual springtime heat, Harpenden felt a little hard done by given the level of chances they had. Some tactical changes were made, with Harpenden looking to regain control of the centre of the park, placing more pressure on Stortford’s midfield playmaker. The change seemed to pay off, with attacks being stifled early on but unfortunately Harpenden appeared to lose some edge up front as a result with the inside forwards playing deeper.

The larger Stortford squad started to pay dividends. Numerous changes brought on fresh legs and this placed pressure on a tiring Harpenden side. The home side converted two penalty corners in quick succession after 15 minutes of the 2nd half, and they added a forth with some good interchange play from midfield to take the score to 4-0. But to Harpenden’s credit they didn’t cave under the pressure. Danny Burgess hauled a goal back after the Stortford keeper made a double save from David Jeffrey, but Burgess was on hand to snatch the rebound. In the dying minutes, Emes then converted another penalty corner with a low drag flick bringing the score to 4-2.

Despite continued fight from Harpenden, this is how the game finished. A good tussle in a game which frankly could have easily fizzled into nothing with little riding on the result. Harpenden will close out their most successful season ever this Saturday with a home game against Norfolk based side, Pelicans. The game is at the Brache Arena in Luton, with push back at 12noon.

Scorers
1) Daniel Burgess
2) Michael Emes

Mens 1st - League Goal Scorers