Harpenden IV: 6
Bishops Stortford VI: 2
25.02.06

Harps entered this game knowing only a win would do, since they are precariously close to the drop zone. They also knew a win would ensure Stortford dropped down to the basement league. It was also the season decider, with each team having won 1 of the previous 2 meetings this season.

The game started, and for the first 10 minutes, it was a bit of a midfield battle, with no clear-cut chances at either end. Mike Edmonds scrambled the ball home shortly after this period, and the 'oranges' of Harpenden took control (we were playing in orange, according to skipper Dan Carter, because “they're here and the blue ones aren't”). A short while later, it was 3-0, with Malcolm Jones sticking away 2 well-taken goals, 1 of which came on the break after a good short-corner save from Ben Wain. 5 minutes before half time, Harps were denied a 4th when Rich Harle pushed the ball over the line, as Nigel Timms (umpiring) had already, rightly, blown up for a short corner. The short came to nothing, but with the last touches of the half, Stortford smashed a hopeful ball into the D from halfway, and the striker got the feintest of touches to it, but 'keeper Ben Wain had already gone to leave it and was left powerless and had to watch it roll into his net. Malcolm had to dash at half-time, so a slight reshuffle was in order.

The second half started and Harps looked a little lost, resorting to the long-ball tactic which has failed them thus far. Stortford claimed a short corner which deflected up off a Harpenden stick into Graeme Dean's face, which led to a penalty flick being awarded. All we heard from our huddle was Wain screaming “AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! YEAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” as the ball deflected off his glove and into the bushes behind the goal. That ball was never found...
This provided Harps with some encouragement and they regained some of the skill and composure displayed in the first half. Shortly afterwards, Edmonds completed his hat-trick. At 5-1 Harpenden were fairly comfortable, and solid defending from the 3-man defence with a rotated selection from Adam Cole, Stuart Berry, Brian Smith and the returning Ian Beggs meant the midfield could attack a bit more. Stortford were much improved in the second half and their corner count eventually gained them a goal, the striker slipping it just inside Wain's right-hand post. Harpenden were not finished though, with Dave Wain foiled by the 'keeper, who showed no sign of getting back up onto his feet, Dan Carter calmly lined up his chip and slotted it home. Harpenden saw the game out without too many more scares.

Next week, we face Winchmore, with a 2 season record of played 4, won 4, scored 28, conceded 0. If we keep that run going, we are one step closer to safety.

Report by Rich Harle

Mike Edmond. Well-taken hatrick