| WAPPING:
2
HARPENDEN: 2
11.11.06
Harpenden travelled away to unbeaten league
leaders Wapping on Saturday for the first match in a tough sequence
that sees them play three of the league’s top four sides
in the next month. After 4 wins on the trot, the Kingston Smith
sponsored side went in to the game confident of obtaining the
3 points that could have seen them top the league that evening.
The
visitors looked to start the match strongly, but uncharacteristic
errors allowed the home side to dominate possession in the early
minutes, and they paid for this by conceding a short corner from
which Wapping took the lead. Keeper Alan Clarke saved the initial
shot, however the rebound fell kindly for the home side and the
ball was swept in to the empty net.
Harpenden’s
character showed through after this initial set back as they fought
their way back in to the game. Forwards Danny Burgess, Russell
Timms and Spencer Mbanga began to find space behind the defence,
worrying them with their pace and it was only a matter of time
before the equaliser came. Good work down the right between Tom
Kavanagh and Todd Baines took the ball in to the Wapping D and
Lance-Boyd Clarke was on hand to score from close range. Buoyed
by equalising Harpenden continued to press forward, taking the
lead shortly after following more good work down the right hand
side which earned the visitors a short corner. A trademark Michael
Emes drag flick down the middle was saved comfortably by the Wapping
keeper, but Burgess was on hand to poke the rebound home for the
second goal of the match.
The
rest of the first half was uneventful with Harpenden happy to
maintain possession without creating any clear cut chances. Wapping
resorted to throwing aerials towards Tom ‘suspect under
the high ball’ Bunbury in an attempt to break down the resolute
Harpenden defence, but the away side held on to go in to the break
2 – 1 up.
The
second half started as the first ended with Harpenden controlling
the possession without really threatening the Wapping goal whilst
dealing comfortably with all the home side’s attacks. As
the half wore on the home side began to see more of the ball and
Harpenden found themselves defending deeper and deeper. Playing
on the counter attack they still created the better chances, but
were starting to rely heavily on their defence to keep out the
strong Wapping attack. Eventually the pressure told 10 minutes
from time when the home side earned another short corner from
which an unstoppable drag flick was deposited millimetres inside
the post for the equaliser. Harpenden raised their game again
in search of the winner, but with time running out Wapping seemed
happy to accept the draw, keeping possession well without attempting
to score and allowing Harpenden no goal scoring chances when the
ball was turned over.
The
2 – 2 final score was acceptable to both sides, however
Harpenden travelled home knowing that a chance for 3 points against
their perennial rivals had been missed. They will be looking to
get back to winning ways this week with the visit of mid-table
Wisbech to the Vauxhall Brache on Saturday.
Match Report by Dave Thomas
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