East Men s League Premier A Harpenden 2 Cambridge City 4 HARPENDEN Hockey club were yet again unlucky to come away with nothing to show from their home fixture against Cambridge in Premier A of the East League. In the reverse fixture, Harpenden had lost

East Men's League Premier A

Harpenden 2 Cambridge City 4

HARPENDEN Hockey club were yet again unlucky to come away with nothing to show from their home fixture against Cambridge in Premier A of the East League.

In the reverse fixture, Harpenden had lost 9-1 to the top-three outfit and it was with great pleasure that coach Tom Bunbury saw his side taking the game to the away team throughout the match.

Within the first five minutes, Lance Boyd-Clarke passed across the face of the goal to Dan Burgess, only to see the ball fizz off his stick wide of the post. Dave Burns and the returning Russell Timms made some great runs and were causing all sorts of havoc for the opposition defence in the early stages.

It was just rewards that Boyd-Clark opened the scoring for Harpenden. More chances followed but it was Cambridge who struck a goal just before half time to go into the break even at 1-1.

The opening encounters of the second half were much more even with both sides creating some good chances in a fast-paced game. Cambridge were the team that finally broke the deadlock with a classy finish in the top corner that left goalkeeper Matt Beggs with no chance.

Harpenden kept on fighting, playing some of their best hockey this season. Dan Burgess continued to trouble the Cambridge defence down the right but was guilty of spurning a number of opportunities to level the scores. Indeed, it was Harpenden's lack of clinical finishing that ultimately meant they got zero points out of the fixture.

Cambridge got a third but were still not safe, with Burgess finally netting after a short corner broke down to make it 3-2.

With a tight final 10 minutes impending, Paul Davison made a cynical challenge which resulted in a yellow card and left Harpenden down to 10 men.

Cambridge then piled on the pressure which eventually lead to a converted short corner giving them a two-goal buffer. This lead was not to be dented but, despite not getting a result, Harpenden can be pleased that they gave one of the top teams a real scare.

Harpenden Ladies beat Gore Court 6-1 at home on Saturday in the East League Division Two South West.