DEFEAT ON THE ROAD

After two good midweek cup wins at home we failed to make it three on the trot at Rothamsted Park where we went down 3-1 to an inform Harpenden Town. Rothamsted Park has undergone a major transformation since we last played there with an artificial pitch and new stands and surrounding standing areas. Its just the sort of development we would like to introduce at our stadium.

Its just the kind of surface that suits us and we started on the front foot with Ben Kakembo having a shot blocked after a fine run by Max Hercules. We were playing well and a great burst up field by Harrison Cornick took him into the opposition’s area but the keeper Eman Olajide did well to grab the ball and nullify the danger.

It was looking good for us then out of the blue we found ourselves 2 goals down within 3 minutes. Firstly David Keenleyside (who evidently is Noah and Jonah’s sports master at school) smashed home an unstoppable shot from outside the area then before we hardly had time to recover Isaiah Hilaire headed in at the far post a cross from the left wing. Score 2-0.

Although it could have taken the wind out of our sails we got our act together and pulled a goal back in the 38th minute when Max Hercules sent a telling cross into the Harps area which caused chaos and Jack Harvey was able to score from close range. Before that Max went close from a free kick 25 yards out but importantly we were back in the game. Score 2-1.

Just as half time approached Ben Kakembo got free of the defender and sent a shot just wide of the far post. At the break we were still a goal behind but the players had done well not to let their heads drop and we were still very much in the game. HT Score 2-1.

Harpenden started the second half at a high tempo and they had chances to add to their lead with Archie McClelland, Isaiah Hilaire and Archie Locke all spurning reasonable chances. But we made a number of changes and full credit to our young team we bounced back and took the game to our hosts. Ben Kakembo just failed to get on the end of a header from Jack Harvey then the Harps keeper shut down Noah Butler and from the resulting corner Dave O’Connor headed over.

We pressed forward looking for an opening but our hosts got back in numbers. Max Hercules saw his shot pushed up in the air but before we could seize on the opportunity a defender cleared the ball off for a corner. Noah Butler then shot over the bar but with the clock showing just 2 minutes of normal time left our hosts put the game beyond our reach when from swift counter attack Ryan Plowright scored his side’s third goal. Score 3-1.

We still kept going and Liam Smyth had shot blocked by the keeper and Joah Howgego shot wide but Harpenden collected all three points which kept them in 6th place in the table just 4 points behind 3rd placed FC Romania. FT Score 3-1.

Disappointing defeat but no disgrace against an experienced side who are having a great season. One lesson we can take from the game is that we must take our chances when they come our way. We now find ourselves in 10th place just 3 points behind 7th in the table London Lions and we should be aiming to catch them up.

The depth of our squad will be surely be tested with another 3 matches next week starting with a league game on Tuesday at another team doing well our close neighbours Leverstock Green. Then on Thursday we travel to London Lions for the quarter final of the Premier Division Cup followed by another away trip on Saturday to Sawbridgeworth Town for a Premier Division match.

Finally a special mention for another talented product from our U18’s Youth Team with James Sales coming for his 2nd First Team appearance and then then slotting seamlessly in on the left.

Team:

TA: Dan Gould, Harrison Cornick (James Sales 59), George Carbery (Capt), Dave O’Connor, Harry Jones (Liam Smyth 78), Jack Harvey (Jonah Howgego 68), Harry Shepherd (Frankie Hercules 73), Harrison Mead (Noah Butler 59), Greg Deer. Max Hercules, Ben Kakembo.

Scorers:

TA: Jack Harvey (38)

HT: Dave Keenleyside (19), Isaiah Hilaire (22), Ryan Plowright (88)

Crowd: 179