CAMBRIDGE NOMADS II: 1
HARPENDEN II: 3
17.09.05


Harps legend Simon Redford gave skipper Steve Piercy something to think about on Saturday as an assured performance from the veteran club stalwart helped the 2s to a comfortable victory over Cambridge Nomads 2s.

Commented Piercy "Reds was tremendous. At a time when everyone is fighting for their place, he's given me another option at the centre of defence. Like Jose Mourinho, I've got at least two quality players for every position and it makes selection pretty tough. But it's a nice problem to have".

Redford joked "I think I've still got their centre-forward in my pocket somewhere. Seriously, it's a thrill to play at this level and I think I've still got a lot to offer."

Harps started a little uneasily, not helped by the late arrival of a couple of players. The front two of McAlister and Piercy soon settled, however, and started to cause problems for the Nomads defence. Their clever promptings brought the pacy midfield pair of Rob Arnsby and Chris Parsons into the game and soon Harps were creating chance after chance. Somehow Nomads made it to half-time without conceding but they could not hold out after the break. First Parsons got on the end of a sweeping move to crash the ball high into the net, then soon after a cynical foot by a defender prevented a certain goal. Parsons coolly converted the resulting penalty flick.

Harpenden were by now in full flow and it was a shock when Nomads pulled one back, taking advantage of a momentary lapse of concentration in the 2s back four. Muttered Piercy later, "that was sloppy. The boys need to learn that I won't tolerate that sort of thing." Neil Liles took the affront personally and was soon seen in the opposing D, sweeping past two defenders before slipping the ball to McAlister. The veteran Irish poacher made no mistake and a comfortable two-goal cushion was restored.

With two successive wins, the 2s are looking good for the start of the league season on October 1st, but the skipper knows there is a lot more to come from this team. "I'm excited. There's a lot of talent at this club and it's my job to bring it out. It's a job I'm relishing."

Simon Redford: Drinking up the skipper's plaudits

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