WISBECH TOWN : 1
HARPENDEN: 4
10.03.2007

Harpenden Mens’ Hockey Club sponsored by Kingston Smith, secured the third and final promotion slot in the premier B division last Saturday with an emphatic win over the fellow promotion chasers Wisbech Town. Next season they will be playing in the top division in the region after their third successive promotion.

Harps made the long journey to Wisbech expecting a rough ride in the knowledge that a point against the home side would guarantee promotion. They were not to be disappointed, with the home side starting out as the reverse fixture finished, with hard tackling and their direct style of hockey. The umpires attempted to clamp down early on in the game trying to keep a tight reign on the teams. As a result, the opening exchanges were patchy with numerous interruptions in the play. But it was the Harps’ goal under pressure early on after the away side looked nervous in their defensive game. A number of penalty corners were conceded and it was only a good reaction save from ‘keeper Alan Clark that kept the home side out.

It wasn’t long however before Harps got into their stride and after some good work by the midfield trio of Baines, Boyd-Clark and Emes, winger Danny Burgess was in the right place at the right time to pick up a rebound off the Wisbech keeper, and he superbly buried the ball into the roof of the net, 1-0 Harpenden. Wisbech came out hard from the restart, and managed to win a number of penalty corners after some slack play by Harpenden, but their routines were one dimensional and dealt with easily by the defensive team. The umpires continued their tough stance on stick tackles, with both teams making basic errors, but it was the Harps’ left winger Russell Timms who suffered from the umpires’ hard-line. He was unfortunate to receive a straight yellow for a clumsy tackle, but his first foul of the game. Harps took the opportunity to consolidate, holding possession of the ball and close out the half.

The away side came out strongly from the break and in the opening moments, a penalty corner was won after good work from Timms and David Thomas down the left. Captain Mike Emes fired a trade mark drag flick from the corner, but the keeper was only able to parry the ball into the path of Lance Boyd-Clark who finished coolly, doubling the advantage. 2-0 and Harps were cruising. More disjointed play ensued with both team having a player sin binned for ungainly tackles, with the umpires maintaining their hard-line over the game. However the spirited Wisbech team fought back well, and somehow managed to win a penalty stroke after a goal mouth scramble. The Kiwi-play maker stepped up to take the stroke, but was very fortunate that Clark chose the wrong way as his wall struggled to trouble the backboard! The home side were back in the hunt, but not for long.

Harps soon showed their class. The introduction of young starlet Ally Arnsby helped shut down the Wisbech player maker, the one and only catalyst for their attacking game. Arnsby carried out the job brilliantly with the Wisbech player kept in his pocket for the rest of the game. More good play in midfield down the right by Davison and Baines led to another penalty corner. The keeper managed to get a hand to another Emes drag flick which he turned on to his own cross bar, only for the ball to fall to the incoming Burgess. His follow-up shot was stopped on the line, but was turned in by an alert Todd Baines.

The game was turned upside-down with only 5 minutes remaining. In a 50:50 challenge for possession, both Timms and his opposing number went for the ball. Their sticks became entangled and a combination of Timms trying to draw his stick free and the Wisbech midfielder looking to strike the ball, led to the Harpenden player’s stick making slight contact with the face of the Wisbech player. Play continued for a couple of seconds, and was ceased by the umpires as the Wisbech player retaliated and chaos ensued. The home crowd roared, baying for the umpires to hand a card to the Harpenden player. To Timms’ dismay, the umpires awarded a straight red card for the incident, sending the Harpenden player from the ground. The Wisbech player received a yellow card for his part in the incident which begged the question of consistency, especially given the fact the ‘blow’ to his face did no injury whatsoever. A red card was extremely harsh on the Harpenden player, with a big part played by both the opposition player’s reaction and the vociferous crowd.

Harps regained composure and Boyd-Clark converted another penalty corner shortly before the full time whistle. Harpenden closed out the game as clear winners with the final score at 4-1. A fantastic effort by the whole team, despite the debacle in the closing stages. With two games left in the season, Harps will be looking to continue their good form and hard work right to the end and set the tone for the 2007/08 season in the top division.


Man of the Match - Ali Arnsby

Scorers
1) Daniel Burgess
2) Lance Boyd-Clark
3) Todd Baines
4) Lance Boyd-Clark

Mens 1st - League Goal Scorers