HARPENDEN III: 3
ROYSTON II: 0
16.02.2008

The record states that Harpenden 3s achieved a comfortable win at home last Saturday, making it four wins out of five for Pete Evans’ side since the Christmas break. However the result somewhat hides the fact that this was the least convincing performance the threes have put in since the resumption of the league campaign, and that the visitors, without a full compliment of players were worthy, obdurate and skilful opponents.

As the much loved Finish Death Metal outfit “The Children of Bodom” put it on their blog concerning all things Division 5 SW

“The spawn of Harpenden prevailed, but the men in black from Royston were stout of heart, despite performing under the watchful and cursed eyes of the angel of death, or in other words only coming with 10 players.”

The visitors started the match with just 9 players on the field, and were 2-0 down before the 10th arrived five minutes into the game. Ali Arnsby showed his worth early in the piece but winning the ball in midfield and sending Tom Preest through for a 1 on 1 with the keeper. The striker couldn’t convert but Harpenden won a short corner from the second phase of the attack. Dave Munton sent a firm strike towards the far post, where it was deftly turned in by Adam Cole to open the scoring.

The second followed shortly afterwards. Andy Barradell made a surge down the right hand side towards the D, in typically unselfish fashion the forward crossed for Arnsby in front of goal. Arnsby’s shot was saved by the keeper but the rebound fell to Preest, whose mis-timed and ill directed reverse stick push wrong footed the defence and just about had enough power to bobble apologetically over the line if not reach the back board.

At 2-0 Harpenden should have gone on to comfortably dominate the game, but Royston bolstered by the arrival of their 10th player took the game to the home side, and stretched the Harpenden back line with their attacking verve. They won a number of short corners, but failed to make the break through due to some excellent keeping from Neil Smyth, fresh from his 1st XI seasonal baptism of fire against St. Albans HCC earlier in the afternoon.

The newly and specifically aerodynamically coiffeured Geoff Gould cleared the danger a number of times following short corner saves by Smyth, and generally gave an excellent all round display in defence, totally putting (almost literally at some points) his diminutive direct opponent in his pocket, especially after the latter had developed an injury. Gould’s tonsorial commitment to the cause could well act as an inspiration and example to Cole and fellow youngster Stuart Berry as their careers develop. Both were both sporting new styles last Saturday, although sadly they appeared driven by the fickle hand of fashion as opposed to a consideration of the ratio between velocity and head winds.

All of which meant that at half time Harpenden still led 2-0. A rather sombre team talk followed, where Evans asked for greater energy, urgency and efficiency from his side. His players responded and delivered an improved if not dominant performance in the second period. The Royston keeper was on good form and made a number of saves, particularly from the unlucky Ryan “Ginola” Ely, who took up some excellent positions late in the game and on another day could have had a hat trick.

The final goal of the afternoon eventually came from Baradell, who found his way to a post Christmas scoring oasis courtesy of some excellent individual persistence following a brilliant through ball from Arnsby. There was still time for Smyth to make one more telling intervention, closing down the Royston centre forward as he broke towards goal, and for Neil Liles to join the attack with a couple of excellent passes at the top of D, but there were no further additions to the score.

Harpenden were worthy of the 3 points, but their opponents deserve the plaudits for their excellent performance with only 10 men.

Report By Tom Preest

Team: Neil Smyth, Adam Cole, Neil Liles, Andy Lunn, Martin Pugh, Geoff Gould, Dave Munton, Pete Evans, Ali Arnsby, Tom Preest, Andy Barradell, Ryan Ely, Stuart Berry

Scorers
1) Adam Cole
2) Tom Preest
3) Andy Barradell