| HARPENDEN
II: 1
STEVENAGE II: 1
11.11.06
Harpenden
welcomed Stevenage to the Brache, knowing that a good performance
could see them make up ground on their league-leading visitors.
The hosts were looking to build upon last weekend's second half
performance, which saw them claw back a two goal deficit for a
well-earned draw.
Harpenden
started off well and played some good possession hockey. The midfield
looked comfortable on the ball and weren't afraid to play it back
to fullbacks Graham Smith and Rob Arnsby when the path forward
was blocked. Stevenage also started well with their experience
in the middle of the park linking well with the two youngsters
upfront. It was from such a move that the first goal came, when
midway through the first half the ball was played to one of the
Stevenage forwards on the 25 yard line. There didn't seem to be
much danger until Smith, who was marking the player, fell to the
ground with an injury to his leg. The Stevenage player was suddenly
left free to walk into the 'D' and lay on a simple pass for his
fellow forward to score. Smith was replaced by a flu-ridden Sam
Martin and all of a sudden it wasn't looking too good for the
home team.
Despite
this setback Harpenden finished the first half strongly. Some
good interplay between forwards Nigel Timms and Fraser Tant resulted
in Harpenden winning their first penalty corner of the game. A
straight strike at goal was well saved by the Steveange 'keeper,
only for him to see the ball rebound to Ali Arnsby. Arnsby's subsequent
flick at goal was again well saved by the 'keeper's outstretched
stick, but Timms was on hand to volley the ball home emphatically.
Despite complaints of dangerous play from the Stevenage defence
the goal was allowed to stand and both teams went into half-time
with the scores level.
After
an encouraging half time talk by skipper Pete Kneale, Harpenden
re-emerged for the second half looking to take the game to Stevenage
in search of a winner. Youngster Simon Evans once again proved
why he has become a regular in the seconds this season with some
intelligent play at left midfield. Fellow youngster Tom Ward also
performed well as Harpenden threatend the Stevenage defence on
several occasions. Despite Ali Hutson and Tant linking up well
upfront, Harpenden couldn't find the much-needed goal that they
were after.
Desparate
for a winner Harpenden chased everything. At one point Paul Nash
showed everyone how he'd earned the nickname of 'Nippy' as he
raced to stop a ball that was going out in the corner. The resulting
cross was only narrowly missed by Timms at the far post. It looked
as if the game was going to finish all square, but with only seconds
to go Stevenage managed to get the ball to one of their forwards
who was unmarked. Fortunately for Harpenden, 'keeper Ben Brind
was on hand with a fine save. The final whistle blew shortly after
and the game finished 1-1.
Next
weekend Harpenden travel to Bishops Stortford 2's who, like Stevenage
are also riding high in the league.
Match
report by Graham Smith
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