RICKMANSWORTH IV: 2
HARPENDEN IV: 3
19.03.05

Those who have followed the fortunes of the fourth eleven would have been aware that, prior to this final fixture, there was a three-team relegation dogfight. With Winchmore Hill and Enfield sunk deeper than the Titanic, there were a myriad of permutations as to which two of Bishops Stortford, West Herts and the fours would face the drop. To make the equations simpler, however, a victory would guarantee safety, anything less wouldn't!

The scene set, the weather was more reminiscent of summer festivals than mid-march, and the blues set the early tempo, as they sought to put the game beyond their maroon-clad opponents as fast as possible.

Siege was duly laid to the Ricky 'd', and attack after attack was rebuffed, Mike Edmond as ever posing the greatest threat, with the midfield bossed by Peter and James Evans, Rob Arnsby, Dan Carter and good work from Rich Harle on the right.

The worst possible thing that could happen always does, however and with their first real attack, Ricky were 'gifted' a short corner, and were able to convert courtesy of a fortuitous rebound after good work on the line from Nick Crane. This season, however, has seen the fours develop a much stronger sense of stoicism, and before long Mike Edmond was able to poke home from a melee to even the scores up going into half time.

The domination of both territory and possession continued in the second half, and before long James Evans was able to get a deft deflection from a hard diagonal cross, and as the ball rattled the backboard it looked like the much needed victory was within grasp. As is the way with these things, life is never as simple as we would like it to be, and as Harps sat back, Ricky were determined to make a game of it, and managed to pounce on an unfortunate ricochet after a superb save by Ben Wain in goal, and despite the best efforts of the full backs Brian Smith and Ryan Ely, who had an excellent game, the equaliser was dispatched with aplomb by the Ricky number 14.

This left about 10 minutes in which, to hold their destiny in their own hands, the 4's HAD to score, and duly besieged the Ricky half, forcing smart saves from the keeper, and Carter firing a short corner inches wide of the near post.

Good work moments later from Scott Fleming and Simon Evans managed to earn a couple of long corners, and the ball struck a defending foot giving Harps a short corner.

As the blues lined up for their (un)rehearsed manoeuvre, the final whistle was blown, leaving us in no doubt as to the magnitude of the task - score and stay up, fail and be relegated. The ball was fired to Mike Edmond whose shot rebounded off a defenders foot, and, as time seemed to slow to a fraction of normal speed, the home umpires hands came up to signal another short corner.

Despite a Ricky centre-back doing his best to disturb the Harps concentration by breaking early, Carter pinged the ball to Edmond, who controlled, eased the ball into the 'd', and spanked the ball into the bottom corner for the winning goal. 3-2. Safety. Sweet rapture!

This season has seen some new and old faces return to the fourth team fold, every single person has had a contribution on pitch and off, my thanks to you all for making the season such an enjoyable rollercoaster of emotion! See you next year if not at the Plough and Harrow on Saturday the 2nd April for end of season beer/OJ+ lemonade/coke/pool/banter (all welcome!).

Mike Edmond: last gasp winner ensured safety for the 4s