LETCHWORTH V: 0
HARPENDEN IV: 3
09.12.06

The "lucky orange shirts" keep strolling on.

12 heroes was the call after the game, as Harpenden finished victorious against one of their closest rivals for the top of the league. The 12 men in orange battled for every minute on the pitch and worked hard for each other as if their lives depended on it. The commitment to remaining undefeated at Christmas could be seen throughout the squad on Saturday and the result should send a shiver down the spine of anyone else in the league. Indeed before this game Letchworth were unbeaten at home, and had only conceded one goal in the process.

Harpenden started strong in the first half and finished it stronger. With a defensive line up of The Pebble in goal, The Rock sweeping and Homes, The Beast, and Straw challenging for everything the opposition must have been nervous. This defense were not going to give anything away and when a minor slip saw The Rock provide a through ball to a Letchworth striker, The Pebble managed to save at the players feet and save his fathers blushes. This was the only chance the opposition had as Harpenden showed why they have only conceeded in 5 games this season.

With Roadrunner, Bloodbin, The Priest and Elder starting in midfield the defence knew they would have ample cover in front of them and the strikers knew they would have plenty of support moving forward. The Priest and Elder showed how to dominate a midfield and crush the oppositions morale with sweeping moves forward and still getting back to make the necessary challenges.

The forward line of The Provider and Goals as always looked threatening from the off, and were unlucky not to find the net before the breakthrough came after 15 minutes, as Bloodbin scored his second goal in as many games. A move forward by Elder who played the ever energetic Roadrunner into the D, Roadrunner swept the ball across to the waiting Bloodbin who put his body on the line in his own inimitable style, skillfully deflecting the ball into the bottom corner. Bloodbin's roared celebrations showing how much adrenalin was flowing through the oranges bodies.

With Ian Barrett snapping away on the sides as the 4ths official photographer the team new they couldn't let this lead slip and so Rocket Ryan stepped up to the task, on as a replacement Rocket smashed one of his trademark bullets past the keeper from a very tight angle. 2-0 down and Letchworth looked rattled as the half time whistle blew. Harpenden knew the game wasn't over and it was a game of two halves. Skipper "The Provider" rallied his troops and urged them to carry on in the same vein for the second half. Everyone knew Letchworth would not lie down and surrender.

With no BigRobSubManager due to Nat Kings long awaited call up to the third eleven, it was the skipper who had to make the changes this week and every substitution he made encouraged another surge in energy from the rest of the team. Each member calling for each other, helping each other and motivating till the end. Letchworth came at the orange men at the start of the second half but their efforts were thwarted and then finally quashed with a third well worked goal from the Harpenden team.

One of the goals of the season as almost every member of the team touched the ball in a sweeping drive forward, to be finally tucked away by The Provider, at full stretch with one arm to deflect the ball to the side of the keeper and in the bottom corner.

Letchworth were broken and Harpenden joyous, there was now only one thing left for the orange men to do. A clean sheet was ordered by the Rock himself and everyone assisted in providing the 6th clean sheet of the season. Celebrations continued as the clubs Christmas party was after the game. With Roadrunner and Beast showing young Nat King how to impress with moves on the dance floor, one would have to ask where they got their energy from after such a draining game. Dance they did though and with two such handsome men busting their moves it again proved the Harpenden fourth eleven are more talented than people may think. With BigRobSubManager and Elder Berry sitting, watching, respecting the moves on display, probably wondering why the Beast was wearing a lucky orange shirt on the dance floor, the night went on and drinks did flow.

Half way through the season the orange men sit top of the league, still undefeated and looking good on the dance floor. Could this be the season where it all starts to come good for the Harpenden 4th eleven?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, and thanks for a fantastic first half to this season.

Best Wishes

Simon "THE BEAST" Bates