GALLERY: Harpenden crash out of Anagram Records Trophy

Harpenden Town fell just short in a thrilling Anagram Records Feeder Leagues Trophy tie on Saturday, losing 3-2 to White Ensign in Rothamsted Park.

But Town could so easily have drawn level in the quarter final in the 75th minute when a Harry Hunt penalty was saved by the visitors’ keeper.

The match produced promising debuts for new signings Ryan Plowright and striker Jamal Harvey, who scored with his second touch of the ball when brought on in the second half.

Uncompromising manager Danny Plumb said: “It was the worst first half performance we have played this season. There were some positives with Jamal scoring as soon as he came on and Ryan also played well.”

Harpenden went behind after only 12 minutes when Ensign’s Dan Williams got the ball on the edge of the box and lobbed Town’s keeper Sam Taylor for the first goal.

After 41 minutes Harpenden drew level when Hunt pounced on a through ball and, despite appearing to miss-hit the ball, saw it fly into the corner of the net.

Two minutes later Hunt again picked up a Mark Hitchcock through ball but missed out with a great save from keeper Joe Robbins.

White Ensign took the lead early in the second half from a free kick on the edge of the box which Gary Ticehurst blasted into the top corner.

Harpenden came from behind again in the 61st minute when Hunt picked up a pass on the right and fired across the face of the goal and substitute Harvey got a vital touch.

Ensign got a disputed penalty shortly afterwards and although Taylor got a hand to it the ball went into the top corner.

Harpenden played really well in the last twenty minutes and deserved to draw level with several shots on target, a missed penalty and some goalmouth scrambles but wound up losing 3-2.