In cards the term “nap hand” refers to winning 5 tricks on the trot but it can equally apply to us after we clocked up our 5th consecutive win during which time we have scored 14 goals and conceded just 1. We still remain 4th in the table but have games in hand over some of our competitors and keeping 4 clean sheets during this run means we now have the best defensive record in the Premier Division.

Our guests Harlow Town are known as the Hawks, following a local radio vote in the early 1990’s, and this was only our 3rd meeting after they were promoted to the Spartan South Midlands League last season from the Eastern Counties Division 1 (South). Last year they left Tring with all 3 points after an impressive 2 nil win but we managed return the favour with a 1-0 win at their smart stadium, with Harry Shepherd getting the winning goal.

Their supporters turned up in force which contributed to a healthy crowd of 235 which is our highest gate of the season for the 2nd time, equalling the crowd for the local derby against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos.

Our visitors have not got off to the best of starts to the season with just 4 wins and 2 draws from their last 13 games and they started the game in 14th place in the table. However, our constant mantra is that there are no easy games in this League.

We got off to a cracking start and could have grabbed a goal or two in the early stages of the game. After only 6 minutes Max Hercules saw his shot flick off a defender and hit the bar after he was picked out unmarked in the area by a super cross from George Devine. From the resulting corner taken by Max the ball fell to brother Frankie inside the area and he rifled a shot just over the crossbar.

Literally seconds later following a lovely move the Hercules brothers set up George Devine for a clear scoring opportunity but he appeared to be bundled over by a defender from behind. It looked like a penalty but nothing was given.

Harlow played some lovely football and responded in the 11th minute with a nice move which set up Jesse Epstein who did well to turn and shoot from the edge of the area but his effort went wide.

Skipper Jack Harvey has been scoring for fun recently but his header from a Frankie Hercules cross in the 15th minute was tipped away by the keeper. However, from the resulting set piece we deservedly opened the scoring when Tommy Smith got his head to the corner from Max and George Devine cleverly backheeled the ball into the net from close range for his third goal of the season. Score 1-0.

Harry Shepherd went close to doubling our lead with 2 efforts on goal which forced good saves from Harlow keeper Vinith Murugamoorthy in the 29th and 33rd minute. Harlow responded with a couple of good efforts. Tricky winger Stef Georgiou did well to create some space in the 30th minute but his shot went straight at Jake Alley but his colleague Jack Wilson went closer 4 minutes later forcing Jake Alley into a good save by tipping the shot over the bar.

Goal number 2 came in the 40th minute after the Hercules brothers combined together with Frankie picking out bro Max on the left wing. As soon as Max gets the ball around our opponent’s area our supporters start to feel a tingle of excitement and he didn’t disappoint after he cut inside and fired a shot that beat the keeper at his near post. Max has certainly made a terrific start to the season with 8 goals and 7 assists from 10 games. Score HT 2-0.

There was little goal mouth action during the early stages of the second half although there was a call for a penalty after Dave O’Connor appeared to be fouled in the area but nothing was given. In the 19th minute Paulius Ditkevicius went close for Harlow with a long-range effort that just went wide of the goal.

Around the 75th minute we stirred ourselves again with Dylan Fitzpatrick doing well to set up Harry Jones whose header was tipped over by the Harlow keeper. From the corner Caden Barber sent a header wide. Soon afterwards Caden had another opportunity but he failed to connect properly with his scissor kick.

With just a 2 goal lead there was always a danger that Harlow could get back into the game by scoring the next goal and their leading scorer Reece Simpson had a sight of goal but his fierce shot flew well wide of the target. We needed a 3rd goal to put the game to bed and Harry Jones duly provided it.

Young Jack Stone was the provider by winning the ball and lobbing it forward to Harry Jones who from a difficult angle perbly volleyed the ball into the far corner. Harlow felt Jonesy was offside but the nothing was given and the goal stood. FT Score 3-0.

Full marks to our opponents who played well at times but failed to stretch Jake Alley in goal and we wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

A good performance and result for us that now stretches our winning run to 5 games during which we have kept 4 clean sheets. In fact the only goal conceded was from a penalty awarded to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos. Our next game will be against Kings Langley in the League on Saturday 3rd October at the Michael Anthony Stadium. This will be a tough fixture so lets get behind the players and cheer them on to success.

Finally the Man of the Match Award was rightly given to Luke Peerless for a superb performance. He was everywhere – winning tackles and headers as well as pinging lovely passes to his colleagues. So well done Peerless.

TEAM
TA: Jake Alley, Eli Hearn (Mason Clarke 80), Dylan Fitzpatrick, David O’Connor, Tommy Smith (Caden Barber 71), Jack Harvey (Capt), Luke Peerless, Frankie Hercules (Jack Stone 75), Harry Shepherd (Blake Argent 59), George Devine (Harry Jones 64), Max Hercules.

Scorers:

TA: George Devine (15), Max Hercules (41), Harry Jones (85)
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Crowd: 235

MoM: Luke Peerless