HARPENDEN IV: 2
SOUTHGATE ADELAIDE: 1
23.09.06

Paul Nash’s 4th XI got their season off to a flyer on Saturday with a hard fought win at the Theatre of Dreams, but they had to come from behind to do so.

Without the benefit of any dedicated warm-up fixtures, it was always going to be tough to gel from the first minute, despite a number of the 4’s playing cameo roles in the 3rd XI pre-season. Indeed the first quarter of an hour was spent mostly on the back foot, as an experienced and ambitious Adelaide side, who had come down from div 7 the previous year, searched for the opening goal.

The defence lined up with Adam Cole, Stuart Berry and Simon Bates, with Ian Beggs sweeping in front of his son Matt in goal, and between them did a stalwart job of keeping the opposition at bay until midway through the first half. This concession was to act only as a catalyst for Harps though, as the midfield got themselves more into the game, and good linkup play from debutant Jon Pagan, last years player of the season Neil Berry, ever-green Graham Dean and Rich Harle allowed the forward pairing of Mike Edmond and Dan Carter to start creating some chances.

These led to a series of penalty corners (and almost an erroneous penalty flick before umpires Nick Crane and Nigel Timms correctly conferred), the last of which saw Ian Beggs blocked shot fall to Neil Berry, who remained calm and composed to slot the ball under the keeper to equalise.

Half time ensued, and with Ali Barratt impressing in the left back spot, and Ryan Ely making his presence felt on the right wing, Harpenden came out hard in the second period looking to seize the game by the scruff of the neck. Unfortunately, however, Adelaide had the same idea and les Bleus (shortly to become les Blancs) were forced onto the back foot to weather more pressure.

This time, however, a stoic resilience (and maybe a mite of good fortune) kept the visiting forwards at bay, and on the break Mike Edmond released Dan Carter into the ‘D’, who hammered home the second (albeit between the keepers legs!) with ten minutes remaining.

Adelaide exerted a period of concerted pressure to try and force themselves back into the game, but the defence were excellent and held firm, giving the 4’s their first opening day maximum for 5 years, and maintaining the 100% record of the club on the weekend.

Scorers
1. Neil Berry
2. Dan Carter