HARPENDEN II: 1
STEVENAGE II: 3
12.03.05

Last week Dr Jeckyll, this week My Hyde. After a bright start at the Theatre against mid-table Stevenage IIs, Harps tailed off to another lacklustre defeat. Listless, leaderless and lamentable, tactical guru and inspirational leader Fraser Tant cannot return soon enough to pick his team up off the floor and give them a good slap.

Yet it had all started so well. Quick out of the blocks and buoyed by their win the week before, Harps again played good, intelligent attacking hockey for the first 20 minutes, which their opponents struggled to contain. The pressure culminated in a goalmouth scramble converted by stand-in centre-forward Niall McAlister. However, a goal to the good, the men in blue didn't know whether to chase the crucial second goal or sit back on the lead. The free-flowing hockey of the first 20 minutes quickly disappeared and Stevenage upped their game. Suddenly the visitors looked twice as quick and sharp as hatpins and inevitably the equaliser came shortly before half time from a well worked/slackly defended (take your pick) short corner.

In the second half, the blues were a sorry sight, conceding two more and never again looking in contention.

However, luckily the previous week's opponents, Shefford, had clearly settled their differences and were still up for it, doing the Blues a massive favour by beating (and relegating) Bedford IIIs. With West Herts IIIs losing to unbeaten champions Stevenage, they were relegated too, so Harps live on to play 2005/6 in Div 3SW, despite their best efforts for much of the season.

Guest reporter: Niall McAlister

Niall McAlister: Early goal not enough