HARPENDEN IV: 0
SHEFFORD & SANDY III: 4
01.12.2007

Harpenden went into the match without a win since the Rickmansworth game but having played some good hockey in recent weeks.

Paul Wise was asked to come along and to organise the substitutes and provide technical help, and this proved a shrewd move. Wise controlled the subs well, with everybody getting at least 45 minutes on the pitch, and gave some useful insight at half time, highlighting opposition weaknesses and making Harpenden focus on their strengths at half time.

A relatively even match, in every sense except the scoreline, saw the ball kept out of the Harpenden 23 for most of the first quarter of an hour, but few chances at either end giving the new backline a chance to get to know each other. Regular centre back Nick Crane was partnered by Simon Redford, with Ali Barrett filling his usual left back spot and Ryan Ely given a trial at right back. Slightly against the run of play, Shefford scored with a great strike from just inside the D which Neil Smyth couldn't quite get to. The first round of substitutions saw Alex Beggs brought on for Mike Edmond up front and Rich Harle brought on for Ely and captain Graham Dean switching to right back. The rest of the half saw chances spurned by both sides, with several Harpenden players guilty of missing chances which should really have been put away.

After the half time talks, Harpenden knew they just had to take their chances to get something from the game. Not long into the half, Shefford were awarded a short corner from which they scored. Harpenden tried desperately to get back into the game and good runs from Ryan Ely and Alex Beggs ended with the ball rolling agonisingly wide of the goal. A third goal for Shefford followed from another short corner, before Harpenden had another good attack, resulting in young Beggs playing the ball to Rich Harle in the middle of the D, but Harle's first time shot was well saved by the opposition 'keeper who stretched out a hand to block the ball. Despite further Harpenden pressure, Shefford broke away and scored a fourth.

Man of the Match (as voted by Paul Wise): Ryan Ely

Scorers