FA Cup: Harpenden Town back to their old selves as cup run begins with Edgware success
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Sam James in action for Harpenden Town. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
Danny Plumb believes Harpenden Town are getting back to their best following their 1-0 FA Cup win over Edgware Town.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Dan Weeks celebrates scoring a goal for Harpenden Town 1-0. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
A bumper crowd of almost 200 piled into Rothamsted Park and were left thoroughly entertained by the victory, achieved thanks to Dan Weeks’ seventh-minute strike.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Will McLelland in action for Harpenden Town. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
And the Harps’ boss was delighted to see a number of his stalwarts back in action following their opening two Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division games against Leighton Town and Colney Heath.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Harry Hunt in action for Harpenden Town Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
He said: “We had a few out against Colney Heath, though we had no excuses against them, but today felt like we had a strong 16.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Manager Harpenden Town Danny Plumb. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“To be able to bring on Matt Sutton, Michael Davies and Kyle McLeish, who are all first-team players was massive and having Tom Collin back is great.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Archie McClelland in action for Harpenden Town. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“I felt we were back to ourselves.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Steve O'Reilly in action for Harpenden Town. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“It was the first game this year where we’ve looked strong throughout and on the bench.”
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Jake Collins in action for Harpenden Town. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
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Weeks, one of a number of new signings at the club, got on the end of a free-kick from Sam James that was headed back to him by Dwayne Duncan.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Sam James in action for Harpenden Town. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
And the delivery of Harpenden’s number eight from free-kicks and corners was a feature of the afternoon where the hosts could, and probably should, have won far more comfortably.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Goal attempt by Harpenden Town's James Yates. Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
Plumb said: “We’ve worked on set-pieces during the week because we do need to improve. We scored a lot of goals from set-plays last season but they’ve not been good enough so far this year.
Harpenden Town V Edgware Town - FA Cup - Harry Hunt in action for Harpenden Town Picture: Karyn Haddon - Credit: Archant
“But it was pleasing to get one today.
“Their keeper made some great saves but then when it’s still 1-0 and we’re in the last 10 minutes, we’re hanging on a little bit.
“It would have been nice to get the second just to relax”.
Other than the obvious progression to the preliminary round, where a home tie against Leverstock Green on August 25 awaits, the win brings other, more tangible rewards to the club.
The FA have increased the prize money on offer this year which means Harpenden have now scooped a guaranteed £3,210 with the promise of more should they advance further.
“It wasn’t pretty but it was just important for the club to win and get a few quid,” said Plumb.
“We now get a nice week off and back to a tough game on Saturday against North Greenford.”
