East Men s League Premier B Harpenden 0 Crostyx 1 HARPENDEN suffered their second consecutive defeat on Saturday when they lost by the only goal of the game to a well-organised Crostyx team. Harpenden started the stronger with some quality spells of poss

East Men's League Premier B

Harpenden 0 Crostyx 1

HARPENDEN suffered their second consecutive defeat on Saturday when they lost by the only goal of the game to a well-organised Crostyx team.

Harpenden started the stronger with some quality spells of possession but, as was to prove the case for the entire game, they were unable to force clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities.

As the half wore on the visitors began to get a foothold in the game and from their first short corner they bundled the ball over the line after an impressive Matt Beggs save.

In the second half, Harpenden pressed for the equaliser but rarely truly threatened. One exception was an interchange of passes between Danny Burgess and Wayne McGuire which saw Russell Timms burst through the Crostyx defence. His shot beat the surprised 'keeper but the goal was disallowed as the shot was narrowly adjudged to have been from outside the shooting circle.

In the closing minutes Crostyx were the more likely side score as Beggs was once again called into action to make a string of fine saves.

This week Harpenden will try to get back to winning ways when they face the long trip to Long Sutton.

l Skipper Pete Evans was able to pick the strongest Third XI squad and this strength in depth showed as the home side thrashed Blueharts IV 5-0. Andy Baradell opened the scoring and then the Harpenden rearguard stood firm to keep it to 1-0 at half time.

The goals that Harpenden's approach play promised finally materialised in the second period. Evans claimed the second from a short corner and the third came after excellent inter-play at the top of the D when vice-captain Andy Lunn applied a clever deflection past the 'keeper.

Alex Radgman then capped a fine performance with the goal of the afternoon and the scoring was completed when the tireless Alex Beggs won possession and found Tom Preest on the right-hand side of D, whose cross was well converted by Baradell for his second goal of the game.

l Harpenden Ladies went down 3-0 away to Old Loughtonians in the East Women's League Division One South.