| HARPENDEN:
4
CROSTYX: 0
03.02.06
After a disappointing draw the previous
week Harpenden were visited by relegation candidates Crostyx this
weekend knowing that a win was needed if they were to remain in
the promotion places.
Having conceded 21 goals in their previous two
matches Harpenden expected Crostyx to approach the game very defensively,
and knew that a high work rate would be important if their defence
was to be breached. However the home side started slowly and struggled
to impose themselves on their opposition, all too often needlessly
giving away possession by taking the wrong options. As the half
wore on Harpenden started to dictate play, using their possession
to better effect, however they were unable to find the breakthrough
goal they needed, so the game remained goal less at half time.
The second half started with Harpenden knowing
that they needed to up the tempo of their play in order to stretch
the Crostyx defence if they were to avoid dropping any more league
points. This sense of urgency paid dividends immediately as, after
some neat interplay up the right hand side Tom Kavanagh won the
home side a short corner. A slick routine followed as the ball
was fed to Todd Baines who found the imperious Lance BC at the
far post to tap the ball into an empty net. 1 - 0 to the blues.
Going behind caused Crostyx to retreat back towards
their goal in order to limit the potential damage, and for the
rest of the game the away side rarely had more than 2 players
further than 25 yards from their goal line. This allowed the Harpenden
players to push forward more, using short passes to keep possession
while trying to create spaces in the opposition's defence.
The away side held out until midway through the
half, but eventually Harpenden's patient approach paid off as
three goals were scored in quick succession. A sequence of quick
passes found ex-South African international Spencer Mabanga on
the bye line, who slipped the ball to Todd Baines to score his
thirteenth of the season. Soon after Tom Kavanagh drove the ball
into the D and some excellent skills resulted in a penalty stroke.
This allowed captain Mike Emes to score on his return from injury
from the penalty spot. The fourth came following a one-two between
midfielder extraordinaire DT and Mabanga. Thomas found himself
in space in the D and his pass found Russ Timms at the far post
who, showing uncharacteristic inaccuracy, scored instead of hitting
the post.
The 4 - 0 scoreline allowed Harpenden to retain
third place in the league, however more wins are needed in the
upcoming games if they are to achieve promotion. Special mention
must also be made of DJ whose mummy has been complaining that
he doesn't receive enough mentions in these reports.
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