| HARPENDEN:
6
COLCHESTER: 0
23.09.06
Harpenden
men’s first team started their new league campaign in fine
style with a comfortable victory over their Essex opposition.
Promoted for the past two seasons and now playing in Premier B
the Kingston Smith sponsored team approached Saturday’s
game with an undefeated preseason behind them and with a number
of new players in the ranks.
The game started evenly with both sides pushing forward however
it was Harpenden who took the early initiative creating the clearer
chances. Harpenden scored their first goal after 15 minutes when
a piece of individual brilliance saw right winger Danny Burgess
float into the D and sent a reverse flick over the goalkeeper
and in to the top corner. Youngster Rob Arnsby then doubled the
lead with the easiest of finishes when the Colchester Goalkeeper
and Defender took each other out to leave an open goal. At 2-0
up Harpenden relaxed letting the opposition back in to the game
and Colchester enjoyed their best spell of the match winning two
short corners one of which was excellently saved by goalkeeper
Alan Clark. With the end of the first half approaching Rob Arnsby
feed the ball to far post, Russell Timms unmarked converted the
simplest of chance to take a 3-0 half time lead.
The second half started with Harpenden looking to keep possession
and close the game out however within minutes of the restart the
4th goal came. Russell Timms received the ball with his back to
the goal and trusting his own finishing took a sudden spin past
the advancing keeper and sent the ball rolling in to the bottom
corner for his second. With some harrying by the Harps frontline
of Timms, Burgess and Mabanga forced a slip in the Colchester
defence. Burgess beat the keeper to a loose ball in the D and
he easily lifted it over the keeper for his second and Harpenden’s
5th.
Colchester refused to give up and won a further short corner
however they were unable to get a shot on goal as the Harpenden’s
defence continued to hold them at bay and look to launch attacks
at every opportunity. At 5 up the ‘Danny Burgess show’
continued with him continually beating his marker for fun, another
run into the D from the right wing saw him round the keeper and
slot home for his hat-trick and Harpenden’s sixth. A moment
later he again left two defenders trailing and was unfortunate
to see his undercut shot hit the side netting with the keeper
beaten.
Harpenden’s skipper Mike Emes was satisfied with the teams
first league outing however felt there was still much to be improved
on in the coming weeks. This Saturday see’s Harpenden take
the long drive north to Long Sutton who will provide a tough test
after they also won their first league fixture.
The men’s teams enjoyed a great start to the league fixtures
with the second team beating Rickmansworth 5-3, the third XI beating
Shefford and Sandy 2-1 and the fourth XI winning 2-1 against Southgate
& Adelaide.
Match Report by Paul Davison
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