Harpenden II: 3
Shefford & Sandy II: 1
17 January 04

Harpenden IIs registered their fourth consecutive win on Saturday to ease themselves away from the relegation mire and start climbing up the table.

This time, the vanquished were Shefford and Sandy IIs, who suffered defeat at the hands of the blues in the first match of the season and showed little sign of reversing that at the Brache. Bolstered by the return from injury of first team stars Ross Walker and Paul Nash, Harps were more than able to cope with the absence of key performers Pete Kneale, Dave Munton and Niall McAlister. The Blues began the game confidently, with Niall Blackwell and Dave Waters looking particularly threatening on the right, while the visitors' sporadic attacks were mopped up with ease by Neil Liles, Andy Lunn and Dave Francis. It came as little surprise when the blues opened the scoring, Ben Thompson thumping home a short corner rebound that had smacked the backboard and bounced back out beyond the D before the keeper had even moved.

From here, it seemed a foregone conclusion that the blues would extend their lead against the relegation favourites, but a little against the run of play, the next goal game from Shefford and Sandy, whose otherwise ineffectual and, some would say, irritating front man slotted past stopper Ben Brind. So, the teams went in at half time level at a goal apiece, much to the chagrin of Harpenden skipper Fraser Tant. "I just felt that we had given the oppo a lifeline. They should have been dead and buried by the break, but we'd let them have a foothold in the game." Some harsh words were exchanged during the break, and the blues emerged from their half-time oranges with a point to prove. From here on, there was only going to be one winner.

First, Rich Stock finished a swift passing move, slotting under the advancing keeper with aplomb. It was Stock's third goal in three games, and he must surely be looking at promotion to Harpenden's goal-shy first team. "I just keep doing what I do, if it comes off, so be it" said the self-effacing west countryman. "If the first team guvner comes knocking on my door, I'll be the first to say "hello, who is it, oh it's you Emesy, how are you, I'm fine too, yes, I'd love to, count me in." But until that happens, I'm 2s through and through."

Harps have thrown away leads on a few occasions this year, so it was important that they made the game safe. The points were secured when another incisive move out of defence sent Tom Vickerton through one-on-one. He rounded the keeper with ease before sliding the ball in with the reverse stick for the best goal of the game. It was Vickerton's first goal for the club and his celebratory removal of the shirt and tango with the corner flag were well merited in his best performance yet.

So, the blues head to Broxbourne next week keen to avenge a controversial defeat in the home fixture back in October. On the back of four straight wins, they have to be in with a chance.

Fighting talk at half time makes the points safe