HARPENDEN: 6
REDBRIDGE & ILFORD: 0
04.11.06

Harpenden sponsored by Kingston Smith went into the first of their potentially tough November fixtures against Redbridge and Ilford on Saturday with confidence high after a series of strong performances over the past few weeks.

At home, they looked assured from the outset maintaining good spells of possession and working openings throughout the pitch. Within the first 5 minutes these endeavours lead to a short corner that captain Mike Emes converted despite the post-mans best effort to deny him. One-nil was quickly converted into 2-0 when Dan Burgess broke from midfield and found Todd Baines in the D. He laid on for Lance Boyd-Clark to score a fine team goal and from there on in Harps never looked back. The third goal, probably the best of the afternoon, was created masterfully with a sweet aerial down the line from Tom Kavanah which Dan Burgess picked up and after beating his man crossed the ball for Russell Timms to finish with a fine first time strike.

Redbridge and Ilford then attempted to kill the game with a half court press that kept the home side at bay until half time but did little in the way of providing any forward momentum for the away side. The second half was just as eventful as the first with Redbridge coming much more into the game. Keeper Alan Clark made a series of fine saves and was awarded man of the match for his effort in maintaining Harpenden’s clean sheet. However, Harpenden’s pace and clinical finishing saw Lance Boyd-Clark and Russell Timms both adding to their goal tally in the second half to make it 5-0. Spencer Mbanga rounded off a fine afternoons work when a great bit of skill saw him cut inside his marker and finish emphatically in the corner. 6-0 was no less than the home-side deserved and sets them up well for a big clash with perennial rivals Wapping this Saturday.

Match report by Danny Burgess

Man of the Match - Alan Clark

Alan Clark - MoM Performance

Scorers
1) Michael Emes
2) Lance Boyd-Clark
3) Russell Timms
4) Lance Boyd-Clark
5) Russell Timms
6) Spencer Mbanga