| HARPENDEN:
6
BISHOP STORTFORD: 2
25.11.2006
On
a day when flippers would not of looked out of place the sparkling
stars of Harpenden sponsored by Kingston Smith turned up to Lake
Brache unsure of whether the weather would be calling off the
much anticipated clash with Bishop Stortford.
After watching the hero’s from the 3rd XI
trudge off soaking wet without even having hit a ball there was
a certain amount of speculation. Setting a cut off time half an
hour after our allotted pitch time the relief of the Stortford
players was evident when the captains agreed the pitch had drained
sufficiently to let battle commence.
Once
a brief warm up had been utilised the Stortford players started
the game at a much higher tempo and after only five minutes and
two failed clearances a perplexed Clark was picking the ball from
his own net thinking “Oh dear wasn’t I meant to stop
that” one nil down. Then
the words from our illustrious skipper started to sink “Lets
draw a line under last week and show this league why we are in
it”. Let the game begin!! Within a few minutes Harpenden
had attacked the BS circle with gusto and secured a penalty corner,
up steps skipper emes.
After
unleashing a thunder bolt drag flick a clear three yards wide
Man of the Match Lance Boyd-Clark who using a mixture of self
preservation and the abundance of skill he possess’ slammed
the ball home from chest height with a certain flair only our
aussie can summon. During the celebrations I am sure I heard someone
cry “See I told you training pays off”. A
slight lull in the game followed where both teams cancelled each
other out in the centre of the park due to some outstanding play
by the boys in the middle, Lance (again) Kavanagh, DJ and skip.
BS then started their attack and with every wave of pressure they
surged forward our pocket rocket defence of Tom the poppet and
Paul “oh I think I broke it” Davison soaked up and
sent back with interest. Following this bout of pressure and defending
a couple of short corners the break was made, another short corner
for the harps. Up stepped Mike Emes who dispatched another rocket
into the bottom left corner leaving the BS defence bemused
As
half time approached the game again was pretty even with some
outstanding displays from the Arnsby brothers making a play for
regular first team hockey (Beware those that holiday during the
season) We go into the break 2-1 up.
So began the second half with some awesome hockey
being played by both sides.
Harpenden then made the break and procured another short corner
Arise Sir Mike with which he did and consolidated our lead with
another pin point carbon copy drag flick to the bottom left.
A short while later Harps had the upper hand and
were maintaining the lions share of possession when a missed timed
tackle lead to yet another Harps short corner and a small rest
for the BS No7 courtesy of a yellow card. Yet again the training
ground short corners came into play when LBC dragged the ball
wide to Davo’s right hand side, a quick adjustment in body
position and Davo thumped the ball back past the confused BS defence
to an in form LBC who delectably slotted the ball past the exposed
keeper 4-1 to the harps. With our very own Ali Hutson running
around like a greyhound on steroids which belies his advancing
years Harps were again in on the act and another well deserved
short corner ensued.
Up
step that bloke again yes you’ve guessed it the on form
skipper who unleashed another blast from his trusty gryphon and
made cannon fodder of the bottom right corner which to my surprise
(and I may be corrected) is his first attempt at that particular
corner resulting in a jug purchasing Hat-trick (which you still
haven’t bought).
Then
the unthinkable happened a slick move from the Stortford middle
men produced a 3 on 2 which resulted in the visitors regaining
a little bit of pride and walking the ball round a prone Clark.
Showing tremendous spirit the effervescence of the Great Whites
was not to be quashed and after an absolutely sublime passage
of play Todd Baines slid a square ball into the D which a promising
Rob Arnsby latched onto to caress the ball over the sliding keeper
and into the net thus securing a fantastic 6-2 victory over the
unbeaten (until now) Bishop Stortford. Unfortunately an in form
and very promising Matt Beggs didn’t get to make a cameo
but he has about 20 years on the ageing keepers at the club and
will undoubtedly be a Great White of the future.
All
that is left to say is well done Harps one and all and a special
thanks to the Arnsby boys, Ali Hutson and Matt Beggs who stepped
up to the front line and elucidated the strength and character
the Great Whites have.
Also a small token of gratitude to the Oxford mini dictionary
and the penguin A-Z thesaurus!!!
Match report by Alan Clark
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