HARPENDEN STILL A JINX GROUND FOR US

Up until a week ago we were basking in the after glow of an unbeaten run of 6 league games but since then we have suffered two 2-0 League defeats. There is no need to panic as these defeats came against League leaders New Salamis and Harpenden Town who are 9 places above us in the table. In addition our hosts had history on their side as we have an awful record at Rothamsted Park with just 5 victories in 19 visits.

The reality is that our very young side came up against a tough, experienced outfit who worked hard and made life difficult for us. They took their chances with a goal in each half to run out deserved victors.

We started okay with Ronan Hutchins hitting a snap shot from just outside the area which flew just over the bar and then soon after a cross from the bye line into Harpendens box resulted in a couple of shots being blocked.

Harpendens right back Andrew Simons had a great chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute but his effort went wide of the far post. However, our hosts did take the lead in the 34th minute when we failed to clear our lines properly and the ball fell to the unmarked Harvey Scott who smacked a great shot past Jake Alley for the opening goal. Score 1-0.

We were finding it hard to play our normal fluent football and credit must go to our opponents who closed us down quickly when we had possession. HT Score 1-0.

After the break we started to get into our stride with Ronan Hutchins firing a shot straight at the keeper then later forcing him to get down quickly tip the ball round the post. Adam Sawyers terrific ball into the opposition area was just missed by the outstretched leg of Leo Farruch. Then a poor clearance from the keeper found Adiel Mannion but his lob drifted wide of the empty net.

The next goal was going to be crucial and when George Robinson doubled his teams tally in the 68th minute it swung the pendulum very much in Harpendens favour. We kept going and nearly scored from a corner in time added on but it was not our day and we had to concede the win to our hosts. Score 2-0.

A disappointing result but we have the opportunity to bounce back on Tuesday when we visit Aylesbury Vale Dynamos in the Premier Division Cup.

Teams:

HT: Alex Desmond, Andrew Simons, George Robinson, Ryan Plowright (Capt), Toby Syme, Miles Habashi, Osamu Allman, Jamie Riley, Jake Anthony, Harvey Scott, Josh Rodrigues. Subs; Dan Palmer, Natth McGreevy, Mulik Rickman, Josh Setchell, Steve Oreily.

TA:Jack Alley, Harrison Cornick (Eli Hearn 61), Adam Sawyer, Harry Seabrook, George Carbery (Capt), Charlie Miller, Godlove Oppong, Ronan Hutchins, Leo Farruch, Jack Stevens (Luke Peerless), Adiel Mannion (Frankie Hecules 73). Subs not used: Adam Sawyer, Harrison Cornick. Su not used: Matt Ellis,

Scorers:

HT:Harvey Scott (34), George Robinson (68)

TA:-

Crowd:211

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