| RICKMANSWORTH
III: 4
HARPENDEN III: 7
14.01.06
Reports of matches containing 11 goals
are rarely filed under “dull”. However, there was
something strange about Harpenden 3rd XI's return to competitive
hockey after the Christmas break. The Blues never seemed in actual
danger of losing a game they controlled with some ease for long
periods. That said the match also never appeared safe either.
The final three-goal cushion certainly feeling more comfortable
than the lead the 3s had sat on for much of the game.
The match turned on two goals of the very highest
quality from Ryan "Ginola" Ely and Ali Holland, neither
of which had any rightful place in SW Division 6. Both goals easily
make it into the top 10 I've ever witnessed for the 3rd XI. In
fact (give or take a few mazy “run and strike” efforts
from Nigel Timms when on "ringer" duty), they might
actually claim spots 1 and 2.
Holland's effort came with the Blues leading 2-0.
After some deft control at the top of the D, he spotted the keeper
marginally off his line, and produced a devastatingly accurate
flick into the top corner.
Ely's strike was even better. Rickmansworth had
come back into the game at the beginning of the second half, and
had gained all the momentum by reducing the deficit to one goal
at 5-4. Harpenden needed something special and Ely duly obliged.
The young forward received a good pass from Matt Lord and left
the last defender for dead. Approaching the D at a difficult angle
Ely demonstrated composure beyond his tender years, committing
the keeper before finding the net with a spectacular reverse flick.
This was some way for Ely to open his goal scoring account for
the 3s. The volume and intensity of the celebrations were something
of a surprise to the opposition. However, one of the most pleasing
aspects of the game was Ely's general level of play, which especially
in the first half was of the highest quality, particularly in
terms of his perceptive distribution and good use of the ball.
The quality of the other goals paled somewhat
inevitably in comparison. Tom Preest opened the scoring after
10 minutes with a tap in from a yard, after Pete Evans had brought
a good save out of the Ricky keeper. Preest was in the right place
to add a second (this time from all of 3 yards) a few minutes
later after the keeper had denied Ali Keith. The skipper was first
to the loose ball and his pass provided Preest with the simplest
of chances.
Ricky got back into the game at 3-1. Pete Evans
scored almost immediately only for Harpenden to concede again
before going into half time leading 4-2. Evans scored again at
the start of the 2nd half, only for Ricky to come storming back
to 5-4. This set up Ely for his match winning intervention. The
match was finally made safe by a late strike from James Keith.
The wanderer marking his return from Australia, with a goal following
a short corner.
Three points and a couple of wonder goals were
a good return for Ali Keith on a day when his side could have
dropped vital points in their promotion push. However, he will
be looking for more defensive solidity in next week’s crucial
top of the table clash with Letchworth.
Report by Tom Preest
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