HARPENDEN IV: 4
BISHOPS STORTFORD VI: 0
16.10.04

The field of dreams bore witness to one of the most devastating 4th XI performances in recent years this saturday as a rejuvenated side finally closed out an overdue first victory of the season.

The tone was set from the first minute, as winning the toss and taking push back, a slick passing manoevre and sublime finish from youngster James Evans saw Harpenden go 1-0 up without the opposition even getting a touch on the ball.

Learning from the previous week when 1-0 up was reversed to 3-1, Harps
capitalised on further early pressure with Dave Munton burying a short corner inside the near post to go 2-0 up with only 7 minutes gone.

Stortford managed to whether further wave after wave from the resurgent blues, and although the home side saw a (perfectly good) third goal disallowed at the far post after good work from Mike Edmond and a clinically poached finish from captain Dan Carter, neither the team nor Carter had to wait long as the same pair combined to put the game out of reach for the visitors.

Stortford then managed to mount some offensive manoevres, but the back line of Nick Crane, Martyn Gill and Munton, despite not having played together (and in Gill's case at all) this season, stayed resolutely solid, with fantastic midfield link up from the family midfield combinations of Pete and James Evans, and Rob and Alasdair Arnsby, combined with new recruit Goutham Bhadri playing his first home game for the club, Harpenden were never really under pressure.

The second half saw subs Andy Morris, Rich Harle and everyones favourite "Crazy Dutch Guy" Arnoud Pagnier making solid contributions, and helping the home side create more chances, culminating in Edmond burying the fourth at the second attempt.

Indeed Harpenden could well have racked up a cricket score, with balls flashing through the D, a goalward shot from Carter blocked bodily by a Stortford defender resulting in only a short corner, and the visiting keeper making a number of good stops.

All in all a solid performance - clean sheet, free scoring, great passing and link play, communication... and 3 points. Job done - yeah baby!!!!


Report by fairweather journo Dan Carter (only writes a report when the blues win! Let's hope we get to read his work many more times this season then...)

Mike Edmond: Deservedly bagged in HHC romp

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