JACK HARVEY GETS THE BALL ROLLING FOR EMPAHTIC WIN

For many of us long standing supporters the trip to Harpenden is undertaken with trepidation because so often we have come away from Rothamsted Park empty handed. In our very first game there back in the 1988/89 season we did come away with a point from a 1-1 draw but later that season we lost 5-1 there in a cup match to set off a trend of mainly disappointing results with just 4 more wins from 19 visits..

However, records are there to be broken and the players certainly did that in style with a superb performance - scoring three first half goals and then shutting up shop in the second period to keep a clean sheet. They then added a late goal to round off a very good day for the Club. Jack Harvey led the way with our first two goals both set up by Kieran Turner who grabbed the third himself. Benji Kakembo rounded off the scoring with our 4th.

Our hosts, who have renovated their ground with an astro turf pitch and lovely surroundings, came into the game on the back of an impressive result in their last League game winning 5-0 at Baldock Town. They started strongly with their leading scorer Danny Webb getting on the end of a decent cross into our area in the 7th minute but our debutant keeper Archie Davis was able to catch the header cleanly. Five minutes later our new keeper did well to get down quickly to save a shot from close range from Webb.

But despite our opponents bright start it was us that opened the scoring in the 16th minute by exploiting their achilles heel down their right flank where all our first half goals would stem from. Harry Beaumont, so often the instigator of our many of our moves, sent Kieran Turner away down the left where he got to the bye line and whipped over a super cross that Jack Harvey stabbed home at the far post. Score 0-1.

Twelve minutes later we doubled our lead when Frankie Hercules and Kieran Turner linked up nicely down the left with the latter sending over a lovey cross to the far post for Jack Hervey to head home from close range for his 2nd goal. Score 0-2.

In the 38th minute we trebled our lead and again it started down the left with impressive teenager Mason Clarke cleverly wrong footing the defender and then picking our Kieran who was not going to miss from that range. Score 0-3.

After a ruthless first half performance we went into the break with a commanding 3 goal lead. HT Score 0-3.

As expected Harpenden came out for the second half with all guns blazing and we had to show our defensive qualities which we did superbly. Our opponents enjoyed lots of possession but we restricted them to few clear cut chances. Harpenden did produce some dangerous crosses into our box but unfortunately for them they didn’t have the players there to take advantage of the opportunities.

Our new keeper Archie Davis demonstrated he had a safe pair of hands and when called upon from set pieces he was able to clear the danger with confident punches. A nice move from our hosts in the 75th minute offered young winger Fynn Sweeting a sight of goal but Archie was equal to it, tipping the shot over the bar. A few minutes later a header from Captain Ryan Plowright was deflected kindly to Davis.

We were dangerous on the break with a searching pass from Noah Butler sending Harry Sheppard away down the inside right channel. Shep has been in sensational scoring form lately but this time the keeper saved his shot at the near post. Soon afterwards Max Hercules forced the keeper to tip round the post his well taken free kick from the edge of Harpenden’s area.

Our opponents made a number of changes and kept going in an attempt to get a breakthrough. They went close to reducing the deficit in the 85th minute when sub Harry Antic cleverly lofted his shot against the post. We had the last word when Benji latched onto a loose ball in time added on to score his 8th goal of the season and make the final score line 4 nil and cap an impressive afternoon. FT Score 0-4.

Ryan and his coaching team must be delighted with this near perfect performance – decisive in front of goal in the first half and defensively organised and strong in the second period. The squad is a nice mixture of experience and youth, with 6 players aged 20 or under. That was our 4 consecutive league win which pushed us up to 6th in the table just one place off a play off place.

Next up will be a crucial FA Vase (Second Round Proper) tie against Harleston Town at the Michael Anthony Stadium on Saturday so lets hope we can get a bumper crowd to cheer on the lads.

Team:
TA: Archie Davis, Harry Jones, George Carbery (Capt), Greg Deer, Mason Clarke, Frankie Hercules (Noah Butler 67), Harry Shepherd (Jonah Howgego 77), Harry Beaumont, Jack Harvey (James Sales 86), Kieran Turner (Benji Kakembo 61), Bailey Osborne (Max Hercules 77).

Scorers:

HT: -

TA: Jack Harvey (16, 28), Kieran Turner (38), Benji Kakembo (90+4)

Crowd: 193