Havering 1s vs Harpendon 1s

A busy weekend saw Havering host Harpenden on Saturday and then travel to league leaders Broxbourne on Sunday to play their rescheduled fixture that was cancelled prior to the festive break. It was always going to be a testing weekend with winter chills, injury and fatigue compounded the challenge somewhat more.

The weekend started brightly at least as the cold snap broke and temperatures climbed above zero for sufficient time to allow Havering’s game against Harpenden to take place.

With Harpenden riding high in the league, Havering knew they were in for a tough game.
The visitors started well and their experienced midfield and forward line pressed high to keep the ball securely in the Havering’s half.

It wasn’t long before the pressure paid off and the visitors secured a short corner which was expertly converted at the 15 minute mark.

A second goal for Harpenden wasn’t long in the making as they retained possession well and scored from open play. Minutes later, the home side’s woes were exacerbated further still as the umpire brandished a yellow card thus sending Havering down to ten for the remainder of the half.

A robust half time chat, whiteboard consultation aplenty and some subtle changes to strategy raised the home side’s spirts and they started the second half well. The midfield battle resumed with the trio of Harry Andrews, Liam Appleyard and Luke Joslin taking the game to Harpenden. Havering’s experienced backline dug deep to absorb the pressure, and the youthful forwards didn’t stop running making it difficult for Harpenden to structure a meaningful attack.

Harpenden adapting well and alas it was not to be Havering’s day. With 15 minutes to play the visitors capitalised on a break away opportunity to scored a third against the run of play.

Yet Havering did not relent, heads did not go down and the home side continued to play with passion and purpose. With five minutes to go, Paul Dover’s pass found Paul Johnson on the right side of the field just outside the opposition’s D. Johnson dispatched a well timed pass into the circle to find Toshan Patel who converted the opportunity to make the scoreline 1-3.

Despite a spirited close to the half, the game end with Harpenden the victors.