HARPENDEN: 5
PELICANS: 2
24.03.2007

Kingston Smith sponsored side, Harpenden capped off their promotion winning season this Saturday with a comprehensive win of the Norfolk based side, Pelicans. Once again, Harps knew it was going to be a tough and physical encounter following their exchanges earlier in the season, but the ‘Great Whites’ were ready to let the hockey do the talking.

The half started well with some excellent possession play from Harpenden all around the park. In one of the first sorties into the Pelicans half, Danny Burgess burst down the right wing, beat his man and slipped the ball across the incoming forward Spencer Mabanga. However, his goal scoring opportunity was impeding in the circle by a lose stick from a defender, which resulted in the awarding of a penalty stroke. This was confidently dispatched by the Harpenden captain, Mike Emes, 1-0 Harpenden. But this was to be the last contribution for the skipper, whose season has been plagued by shoulder problems. In a diving interception of a through ball in midfield, Emes landed awkwardly, dislocating his shoulder for a third time in the season.

However, the Harpenden players were not to be distracted from this, and their attacking game intensified. A few minutes later, another goal was added by David Jeffrey after a powerful strike from a penalty corners and Harpenden had doubled their lead. Pelicans were able to snatch a goal back prior to half time with a cool finish from their skilful centre forward, but this was to be an isolated attack for the away side. Danny Burgess notched another to restore the two goal lead into the half time break after some excellent work in the circle by Todd Baines and David Thomas. It could easily have been more if Mabanga and Wise had taken their chances in front of goal.

The start of the second half saw more changes from the home side, with the introduction of star junior keeper, Matt Beggs, and veteran striker Paul Nash. Both raised their game with the opportunity to play 1st team hockey. Harps again started the stronger, and it wasn’t long before a forth goal came. Good interchange from Paul Davison and Todd Baines down the right side gave Kevin Moxham the easiest of chances, which he slotted home to make the score 4-1. Paul Nash then rolled back the year, when the 39 year old winger and club captain completed a pacey and skilful right down the right flank. His through ball was turned goal bound by Paul Wise, and the keeper was unable to keep the strike out. Pelicans were able to snatch hope with a second goal to make the score 5-2, but this wasn’t enough to trouble the Harps side who confidently closed out the game.

The rest of the game was not short of incident, with defensive rock Tom Bunbury having a ball deflected into his face leaving him needing 20 sticks to a cut below his mouth. With Pelicans well beaten, the game began to deteriorate with careless stick tackles being made by the away side. 4 of their players were sin binned in the game at one point leaving them with 9 players on the park. The poor discipline in their defensive play was then summed up with a dangerous and agricultural tackle on Nash by a Pelicans defender. The player had already been binned earlier in the game and had a strong tackling to from the umpires. A red card was shown for his troubles.

Harpenden finish the season on a real high with another strong performance to run out 5-2 winners in the game. There is a great deal of excitement about playing Premier A hockey next season and a real buzz around the club. A couple of weeks post season break to rest weary body and minds, and then thoughts will be turned to preparing for the 2007/08 season.

Scorers
1) Michael Emes
2) David Jeffrey
3) Daniel Burgess
4) Kevin Moxham
5) Paul Wise

Mens 1st - League Goal Scorers