LETCHWORTH III: 2
HARPENDEN III: 3
13.10.2007

Harpenden 3s maintained their 100% away record on last Saturday, with an unexpected win at Letchworth 3s. Pete Evans' side had won their last game on the road at Welwyn with a last gasp goal after an evenly contested contest. On that occasion the 3 points gained were described as "something of a smash and grab" affair. Saturday, saw felony on a scale more akin to grand larceny, as Harpenden won a game where they were comfortably second best for the whole 70 minutes.

Letchworth are a strong side in div 5, and started the game quickly. Harpenden responded in kind, but could not match their opponent's skill or intensity levels. It was no real surprise when the home side went ahead early on, an excellent cross from the right being well finished. Worse was to follow as Harpenden failed to clear a self-inflicted short corner, and went 2-0 down.

Stung into a response the threes raised their game, but clear cut chances were in short supply. Niall Blackwell had an excellent game on his return to the 3rd XI, and just before half time he broke over the half way line. He then played an accurate and perceptive long ball into the heart of the Letchworth D. Andy Barradell timed his run to perfection, applying a deft but lethal touch he diverted the ball first time past the on-rushing keeper. Barradell nearly drew the scores level with the last hit of the half, putting a direct strike from a short corner over the back board by the narrowest of margins.

Letchworth enjoyed an even greater domination in the second half, creating a series of increasingly "unmissable" chances that somehow failed to find the net. The commitment of the defence was little less than heroic, Matt Beggs made some excellent saves in goal and Andy Lunn and Simon Redford became more assured in central defence as the match progressed. The spirit of Evan's side was personified by young Adam Cole at right back, the teenager putting his very body on the line, and
taking the force of a flicked shot full in the face.

Meanwhile Harpenden's attacking efforts were reduced to some mazy dribbles by the Ali Holland, making a welcome return to the third XI ranks, the composure of Blackwell and the constant menace provided by Barradell. But there really was no sign of things to come and the visitors had failed to create a meaningful shot of goal with the second half 30 minutes old.

It was then that the words of Finnish death metal band's Children Of Bodum's much loved opus "Angels Don't Kill" appeared to inspire a change in Harpenden's approach:

"One minute you're an angel fallen from grace. Next, the fears that I hate.
Pick me up from the gutter with a gentle kiss, Then rips out my heart to show me, how black it is!"

Thus rejuvenated the threes were indeed picked up from the gutter of defeat, effecting a most surprising turn around.

Barradell struck another excellent shot from a short corner, the keeper saved but the ball came straight back to Tom Preest, whose shot was deflected into the roof of the net. The equaliser was unexpected, but the winner pushed the bounds of possibility. Barradell turned and ran at the suddenly retreating defence, before playing in Blackwell at the far post. Blackwell slotted the ball over the keeper with aplomb. The
final whistle went seconds later, and Harpenden had won a game that was never really their's to take.

Scorers
1) Andy Barradell
2) Tom Preest
3) Niall Blackwell