Harpenden II: 1
Bedford II: 2
22 November 2003

Two words describe HHCIIs performance so far this season, and never more so than this weekend: "Deserved better".

On a day when even England winning the rugby world cup couldn't bring some sunshine to the skies above Luton's Theatre of Dreams, Bedford were the visitors given a tough time by Harpenden IIs, who themselves were something of a Dad's Army with a spine of two centre backs, two centre halves and two centre-forwards with a combined age of 207. But, despite an excellent team performance and some fine individual showings from key players young and, er, less young, the blues were cruelly denied by a late winner.

Harpenden could have opened the scoring in the first minute when Pete Kneale fed in Ben Thompson, but the front man's effort was blocked by the keeper. Thompson and the Bedford stopper were to clash again later in the first half, leaving the Harpenden target man bloodied, bruised and confused, but in the absence of a substitute he bravely soldiered on. The deadlock was broken after 15 minutes when skipper Fraser Tant dispossessed the Bedford sweeper and, as the keeper approached, deftly lifted the ball over him to give his side the lead. Harps have been somewhat goal shy this season, but this goal brought new confidence and as the half progressed and the rain increased, Harps began to pile on the pressure. In particular, the two Nialls in midfield, McAlister and Blackwell, tormented the Bedford defence, but Harps were unable to extend their lead. Just before the break, Bedford equalised from a short corner but as the teams digested their metaphoric halftime oranges, it was Harpenden who could reflect on having the better of the first half.

The second half was an end to end affair with both sides creating good opportunities to steel all three points. in yet another new position for him this season, Mr Versatile Andy Lunn kept Bedford's dangerous right winger and Frodo Baggins lookalike at bay at left back, Dave Waters' right-sided overlaps were a constant thorn in the visitors' sides, while Pete Kneale's discipline, strong tackling and perceptive passing at centre midfield ensured his team's attackers had plenty of the ball in good areas. But, while a string of short corners came and went for the blues, with just 5 minutes on the clock, Bedford showed Harpenden how to do it and crashed one of theirs past Ben Brind. Despite their best efforts and a few more set piece opportunities, Harpenden were unable to secure the equaliser they so richly deserved.

Harps have two genuine 6-pointers coming up, with fixtures against the two sides directly above them in the table. If they play like they did against Bedford, the blues are more than capable of getting their season back on track.

Baggins: Tricky skills kept at bay by Andy Lunn

Want to see where we are in the league? Really? Oh go on then, click here