Spartan South Midlands League Division One Amersham Town 0 Harpenden Town 1 HARPENDEN opened their league programme with an away win and an impressive performance against Amersham Town on Saturday. This was always going to be a close contest as these te

Spartan South Midlands League Division One

Amersham Town 0 Harpenden Town 1

HARPENDEN opened their league programme with an away win and an impressive performance against Amersham Town on Saturday.

This was always going to be a close contest as these teams had finished side by side in the Spartan South Midlands League Division One last season.

With a strong pre-season behind them Harpenden were hopeful of picking up more than the one point they took from two fixtures against Amersham in the previous campaign.

Harpenden controlled much of the opening exchanges with their midfield showing strongly and came close with a Jack Cartwright header after a sublime corner delivery from Joe Burgess. The pace of Tom Warren and Nathan Dawes continued to create opportunities down both wings and the forwards Chris Gregory and Joe Burgess were showing up strongly against the Amersham defence with some piercing runs and intelligent interplay.

Harpenden were rewarded for their pressure when Joe Burgess latched onto a magnificent through ball from keeper Matt Lord, outstripping the struggling defenders and clinically dispatched the ball into the bottom of the net with great aplomb to send Harpenden in 1 - 0 up at half time.

Amersham opened the second half with renewed determination and twice within 10 mins of the restart Matt Lord had to athletically tip the ball over the bar from long range shots.

As the half moved on the craft and skill of Harpenden midfielders Adam Potter, Michael Ross and Iaian Turkentine once again imposed themselves on the game as they took control of proceedings in the middle of the park.

This led to more opportunities for Joe Burgess and Chris Gregory who went close to adding a second goal on a number of occasions.

Tim O'Donovan nearly scored with his first touch after coming on as substitute in his very first appearance for Harpenden, just failing to convert from a well taken Danny Jefferies corner.

The match finished with Amersham pushing hard for an equaliser but the solid Harpenden defence held firm with outstanding performances from Gary Wallace, Jack Cartwright and captain Andrew Saul.