HARPENDEN III: 1
ST ALBANS V: 0
08.12.2007

According to Oscar Wilde’s famous quote, “There’s only one thing worse than being talked about………..”

Harpenden threes had cause to ponder the philosophical implications of this statement last Saturday as they came up against opponents from a shall we say more exalted background?

The visitors had a number of players with superior stick skills. However, the Brache on a wet and windy morning can be a great leveller, especially if the third XI work themselves up into a combative mood. And thus Pete Evans’ side understood the complement involved when the St. Albans skipper loudly berated his team mates after 10 minutes for being

“Dragged down to their level”.

Harpenden had already opened the scoring by this time. Captain Evans has always had a keen eye for goal, and on gaining some space at the top of the D he had little hesitation in trying his luck from distance. His shot while accurate did not appear to have enough venom, but still found its way over the back line.

Having established a 1-0 lead the threes set about consolidating their advantage, and defended robustly from the front, disrupting the more accomplished passing movements of their opponents.

This pattern of play continued for much of the second half, with keeper Matt Beggs making a series of crucial saves to thwart the visitors attacking intent. However, in time Harpenden reached a new level of both resource and adaptability, which resulted in them taking the game to their opponents.

The home side created a number of chances to secure the points, none clearer than when a great pass from Andy Baradell put strike partner Tom Preest in against the last defender. Preest managed to create a shooting opportunity but the keeper was equal to it.

Happily the miss was not costly as the valiant Harpenden back line held firm to earn an excellent victory, ensuring that the first half of the season ended on an unexpected high, and that Pete Evans’ side can look forward to the resumption of league games following the Christmas break.

Report by Tom Preest

Team: Matt Beggs, Martin Pugh, Neil Liles, Geoff Gould, James Bird, Pete Evans (C), Adam Cole, Jon Pagan, Andy Lunn, Andy Barradell, Tom Preest,
Stuart Berry

Scorers
1) Pete Evans