HARPENDEN II: 3
WELWYN GARDEN CITY: 2
29.09.07

A last-gasp winner from Oliver Moore saw Harpenden II open their Division 3SW campaign with all three points. In a committed and skilful display, Harps shrugged off a disappointing pre-season and fully deserved to take the spoils.

“I’m delighted,” commented skipper Pete Kneale. “The lads played some excellent hockey, especially in the first half, and even if Welwyn kept pegging us back I always felt we were favourites for the win.”

The game started with a period of Welwyn pressure as the visitors looked to get the ball forward quickly. Those attacks repulsed, Harpenden began to assert themselves and created several good chances, culminating in a sweeping move that was finished with aplomb by Fraser Tant. “That’s my trademark,” Tant told reporters after the match, “the big wind-up, spin and hit from the edge of the D has served me well for many years and I’m not about to change now.”

Harpenden looked likely to go further ahead, with Kneale missing a tap-in from a short corner, so it was a surprise when the visitors got back on terms. The otherwise impeccable Graham Smith and Sam Martyn partnership were surprised by the pace of a Welwyn counter and an early strike saw the ball whistle past a startled Matt Beggs in the Harpenden goal.

Turning around 1-1, Harps began the second half brightly with Simon Evans and David Waters combining to great effect down the left. After going close with an earlier effort, Sam Martyn cashed in from a short corner to put Harpenden ahead. Welwyn were undaunted, however, and worked a good opening down the Harpenden flank and converted the whipped cross to get back to 2-2.

As the clock began to run down, Welwyn appeared to settle for what would have been a stolen point. Harpenden kept up the pressure and at the death a penetrating cross from the left was turned in at the far post by the ever-alert Moore. It was no more than Harpenden deserved.

Scorers
1) Fraser Tant
2) Sam Martyn
3) Oliver Moore