| WEST
HERTS IV: 2
HARPENDEN III: 2
28.10.06
Harpenden
3s travelled to West Herts last Saturday, hoping to build on their
excellent victory over a skilful Letchworth side the previous
week. The visitors made some changes to their line up, but retained
sufficient strength to think 3 points a possibility against a
West Herts team who have been struggling in the early stages of
the season. The welcome return of Neil Smyth in goal was perhaps
the most notable inclusion, not least because this increased the
"good music taste" quota of the team considerably.
Harpenden
were once again forced to re-organise their line up early into
the game, when an injury to Alistair Holland led to him taking
no further part in the encounter. The 3s may have missed Holland’s
mazy skills at points over the 70 minutes, but the direct running
and pace of his replacement Toby Pickard more than made these
up for.
Simon
Redford's team started well, forcing a number of short corners
in an opening period, where both Dan Pickard and Oliver Moore
showed considerable elan and skill. Moore in particular displayed
a number of touches, which show why the youngster is held in such
high regard at the club, one dribble through the heart of the
home defence being especially memorable.
However, a familiar culpability in front of goal
led to chances being missed and Harpenden paid the ultimate price
when West Herts converted a break way after a failure to clear
the ball quickly enough. At 1-0 down Harpenden re-doubled their
efforts and lovely skill from Moore presented Tom Preest with
chance to equalise after a short corner. It may have been harder
to miss, but the centre forward could only find the side netting
and the opportunity went begging. The 1-0 deficit did not reflect
the balance of play as the first half drew to a close.
After a stirring team talk from Redford the Blues
came out of the blocks in the second half determined to turn things
around. For 20 minutes the threes played some of their best hockey
of the season so far, scoring twice to take the lead. The opener
was created by Dan Pickard, who ran in to the top of the D and
sent in a shot. The keeper could only half parry the effort and
the ball was rolling towards the goal as Ben Thompson and Preest
converged and ushered it over the line. With both players claiming
the final touch it is not for this author to offer a definitive
version, although bribes are available for the person responsible
for making the final decision.
More importantly the threes had the bit between
their teeth and took full control of the game. From another short
corner the ball was worked left to Preest, whose rather scuffed
short eventually reached Moore, great work by the youngster set
up Toby Pickard who finished emphatically in front of goal. At
2-1 up the Blues should have then gone on to make the points safe,
but couldn't convert any of their further chances.
The visitors defence had been solid all afternoon,
with the centre back partnership of Neil Liles of Andy Lunn being
particularly impenetrable, they were well supported by captain
Redford and Martin Pugh who ensured that the home side had little
joy down the flanks. It was going to take something special to
breach such an impressive rear guard and that moment sadly arrived
5 minutes before time. A well struck free hit came in from the
right, which was brilliantly tipped in the top corner after a
beautifully judged run from the West Herts midfield.
There was no time for further chances, and the honours ended even.
It is a measure of the expectations within the side that this
was seen as two points dropped rather than a good away point gained,
and left the 3s looking forward to the visit of Bishops Stortford
to the Brache next Saturday.
As Captain Redford said after the game,
"I
felt we were caught in a trap today, after taking the lead we
sat back and didn't really look like we wanted to aim for the
jugular, we need to play for the full 70 minutes, and take our
chances when we're in the ascendancy".
Match Report by Tom Preest
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