Harpenden II's fine run of results continued with a hard-fought but thoroughly deserved victory against Royston on Saturday; their fourth win in five league matches.

Niall Blackwell was the hero, with a fine all-round performance capped by securing the only goal of the match, his first for the club. That said, Harpenden also had a perfectly legitimate goal ruled out to the surprise of both Harpenden and Royston, and a two-goal cushion that should have resulted would have made for a less nervy last five minutes for Harpenden.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, in conditions that somewhat thwarted flowing hockey. Harpenden maintained possession for long periods, while speedy youngsters Blackwell, Nigel Timms and Tom Vickerton kept the visitors on the back foot. Despite excellent ball retention, Harpenden were unable to create many goal-scoring openings other than from short corners. In Ben Thompson and Dave Munton, Harpenden have a corner-striking line-up that must have scored over 50 short corners over the last ten years, and this always looked Harpenden's most potent weapon.

At the half-time interval, and with the match goalless, the half-time message from skipper Fraser Tant was simple: "The game is there for the winning. We're the better side, go out there and prove it." A tactical reshuffle saw Dave Waters move back to his preferred position at right back and Pete Kneale drop a little deeper in the midfield, and he was to be the fulcrum for the second half. With ten minutes of the half gone, Harpenden
won a short corner, and Ben Thompson's initial shot and rebound, both thunderous, were kept out by the keeper's pads. The second rebound fell to Dave Munton who drilled the ball in to the roof of the net to - it seemed -
give the blues the lead. However, to the amazement of both side, the umpire ruled it dangerous and awarded a 16 yard hit. Tempers frayed, especially from the skipper and vice-captain who should have known better and were
fined accordingly after the match.

Harps' heads could have dropped, and before christmas probably would have done, but the 2004 blues are proving a tough nut to crack, and they rose to the challenge. Five minutes later, they got the lead they deserved when a flowing move of Ajax-style total hockey saw a Timms shot parried to Blackwell, who slotted home. "It was an easy finish really", said Blackwell
with a familiar hint of modesty. "Timmsy's shot was a good one and the keeper was out of position so my job was made easier. You've still got to put it away though, I suppose!"

A nervy last 5 minutes saw Royston throw everything at Harpenden, but unlike the reverse fixture back in October, a lucky last-minute equaliser was not
forthcoming.

The 2s host old adversaries Bishops Stortford next week, keen to avenge defeat earlier in the season when half of the regulars were missing.

Blackwell: Goal machine