HARPENDEN II: 3
SHEFFORD & SANDY II: 0
05.02.05

Saturday saw the visit of Shefford and Sandy IIs to the Field of Dreams, but which Harpenden IIs were going to turn up to play them? Happily, it was the resolute, hard working, focussed version of the most capricious team in the club and the team got straight down to business, brushing off the inconvenience of losing their lame duck captain to a week of relaxation and mineral water drinking in a Swiss health spa.

Strangely, after a few scares at the back, ably and calmly dealt with by the returning, formerly retired Neil Smyth, their opponents seemed more interested in having a go at each other than the traditional virtues of scoring goals, which spurred the men in blue to play some of their best hockey of the season. With Smyth, former nightclub bouncer and inspirational stand-in captain Piles, and trainee bouncer Lunny solid as a rock, the defence was as secure as it had been all season. Midway through the first half, a weak short corner hit from the Veteran Irish Poacher luckily bounced back to the striker and he drilled home the opening goal. Harps held the lead comfortably until half time when ear plugs and aspirins were handed round. Unable to hear their opponents griping at each other, the Bluemen continued where they had left off and as the game opened up in the second half, a second goal became more and more likely.

A Harps break left the trundling VIP in acres of space on the right and as blue shirts poured into the D, he picked out the late arriving Clem, who slid the ball home for the crucial second. A clever swap by Liles saw Munton and McAlister change positions and the incomprehensible, mouth guard wearing hard man revelled in his new attacking role, trundling back and forth (he's been watching his skipper too much). Ten minutes from the end, another piece of good work on the right saw the ball dinked across the front of the goal and who was on hand to apply the finishing touch? Why, no other than the same freescoring inside left, taking his goal tally to three in two games. So it was no surprise that at the end of the game he cheerfully announced that he was off skiing too.

Three points well won and a first clean sheet since England last won at the rugby, are you watching Fraser Tant?? Most notable of all, Lunny stayed on his feet for the full game. Asked afterwards, the loyal defender said, "Yeah, I thought I'd give it a go, hur, hur, hur, and it was amazing what you can see up there. I might try it again next season."

Bring on Stevenage IIs. One more win and another season of Div 3SW hockey is secure.

Guest reporter: Niall McAlister

Paul Clements: Goal Machine