HARPENDEN II: 1
BLUEHARTS III: 0
14.10.06

After a disappointing result away to Welwyn it was a melancholy 2nd team that arrived in dribs and drabs at the theatre of dreams to face old rivals Blueherts.

When the loquacious Steve Piercy, acting as stand-in skipper, ordered the changing room door shut, the team was surprised by the briefness of the following monologue. In short the team knew that they could not let the previous weeks loss disrupt their recent form. The line-up saw the return of veteran Neil Liles and young prospect Simon Evans included in a team that would be lacking the significant experience of absent skipper Pete Kneale and ageless Irish frontman Niall McAlister.

Harpenden knew from a pre season bout that Blueherts lacked the imagination to play good hockey and would rely on the long ball. But this time they were prepared. The opening minutes were tentative with both teams struggling to settle into form. It soon became apparent that the away umpire was not used to the pace of Division 3 SW. A string of ambiguous decisions left both teams dazed but it was Harpenden that would struggle most. Keeper Ben Brind made two early saves during patches of confusion, neither of which should have been necessary. Gradually both teams began to settle into the contest and Harpenden began to take the edge creating the better opportunities but just failing to find the quality needed in the final third. Nigel Timms twice looked certain to convert with two spectacular, spiralling misses that saw the ball evade the end of his stick. Brind twice more showed his dominance at the back firstly demonstrating his physical presence against the oppositions young centre forward and then with a spectacular clearance into the attacking third of the pitch. At the other end the Blueherts' longhaired bohemian stopper also did well to deny the Harpenden front line during constant spells of pressure. And so a lugubrious first half ended in stalemate

In the second half Harpenden’s superior fitness and physical strength began to shine through. Defensively there was little to concern Sam Martyn and Graham Smith - So much so in fact, that Martyn became an ever-greater presence in the midfield. Gradually Harpenden began to dominate, but still could not break through, much to the disappointment of the one and only Rob ‘Ginger Whinger’ Arnsby. Then finally, just as hearts were beginning to sink as the final quarter approached, the breakthrough came. The move was sweet. Fraser Tant, having struggled to demand the ball-time deserved, ventured deep into the midfield during a brief spell of pressure from Blueherts. In one swift action he spread the play wide to Ali Hutson who was quick to show that age had not slowed this Ginger Trooper. Tant speculated, committing fully to a goalward run and Hutson did not disappoint in the delivery. The early, perfectly weighted ball gave Tant time to spare at the top of the D but the seasoned pro acted on instinct, quickly seeing the keepers error in moving too soon, and capitalised with a mellifluous strike. The sound of the ball crashing against the backboard could be heard across the park and the noise lifted the hearts of the team. With 15 minutes still to play Blueherts knew that their match was over and failed to find any further penetration. And so it ended Harpenden securing their third win out of four - and oddly their first 1-0 league win for over three seasons - declaring their intent to the rest of the league.

“Whilst the lads were on their run I had request from the Hudson kids." proclaimed the Harpenden Keeper. "They told me all I had to do was save all the goals. Frankly I’ve never had such direct coaching they taught me a lot in those few minutes before the game!! But today was all down to FT. It just goes to show that you have to speculate to accumulate…he took a gamble and claimed us all 3 pints -I mean points!”

Clearly lifted Harpenden left to claim their pints. Next week they journey to Letchworth who have struggled thus far this year but who are sure to lift their game at home.

Match report by Ben Brind

Fraser Tant: Matchwinner