HARPENDEN : 7
BOURNE: 1
17.02.2007

Harpenden sponsored by Kingston Smith played host to Bourne on the sunniest of February days last weekend. With continued injury concerns, Harpenden went into the match knowing a win was essential to keep in contention with league leaders Bishops Stortford.

Harpenden started well with purposeful ball movement and determined defence. This combination was rewarded early in the first half when forward Spenno Mabanga intercepted a ball crossed from midfield to set Danny Burgess free down the right side. Intent to shoot on entering the circle, Danny made no mistake with a clinical finish that wrong footed the keeper and thundered into the sideboard. With Bourne on the back foot, Harpenden gained confidence and enjoyed much of the possession over the next 10 minutes forcing Bourne to defend. Good linking play between Boyd-Clark and Paul Wise resulted in a 1-2 that gave BC an easy tap in to make it 2-0. Not long after this Mike Emes, starting his first game since the New Year after injury, took full advantage of a penalty corner and dragged one low to beat the defence once more, 3-0.

With time still remaining in the half, Harpenden seemed to lose momentum temporarily having established a good early lead. This gave Bourne the initiative and they made two or three decisive incursions into Harpenden’s defence. Bourne may have got one back had it not been for a great save from Alan Clarke who kicked a reverse shot wide with legs outstretched – flexibility still very much part of Clarkies game!

Into the second half Harpenden started promisingly once more and dominated possession with great ball movement between Paul Davison, Todd Baines and Tommy Kavanagh on the right side, which was matched by useful linking play between Tom Bunbery, David Jeffrey, Dave Thomas and Rusty Timms down the left channel. Continued ball movement between left and right sides created holes in the Bourne defence and a flurry of goals then followed. First, Stu Johnstone made great position at the far post to latch onto a useful cross from Mabanga to make it four. Minutes later Johnstone was in the play again, this time taking the ball wide and passing neatly for Danny B to net his second for the day. Not long after, a sixth followed when Emes combined with Boyd-Clark to beat Bourne’s defence once more in a well-rehearsed penalty corner.

Given the conditions Harpenden were intent to interchange players, and while some came off as substitutes others weren’t as fortunate, with two being sin binned. One was received for disputing a dubious lifted ball while another was legitimately awarded for a deliberate infringement in bringing down from above the shoulder. Amid the disruption, Bourne managed a penalty corner and while Matty Biggs affected the save, the rebound shot was stopped on the line forcing a penalty stroke. This was duly converted to pull one back for the visitors. With minutes to play, Todd Baines, provided Mabanga with a final assist from which he made no mistake.

At the final whistle Harpenden ran out convincing 7-1 winners. In a fitting end Danny B deservedly won man of the match having scored two goals but was cruelly denied his hat-trick (it should have stood and no, the MoM decision was not a sympathy vote!).

This week Harpenden are away to Redbridge and Ilford.

Double Strike from
MoM Dan Burgess

Scorers
1) Daniel Burgess
2) Lance Boyd-Clark
3) Michael Emes
4) Stuart Johnstone
5) Daniel Burgess
6) Lance Boyd-Clark
7) Spencer Mabanga

Mens 1st - League Goal Scorers