City of Peterborough II 2 Harpenden I 7 AFTER a couple of disappointing results Harpenden bounced back with a resounding 7-2 victory against City of Peterborough. With the mercurial Todd Baines returning to the fold, Harpenden were once again at full stre

City of Peterborough II 2 Harpenden I 7

AFTER a couple of disappointing results Harpenden bounced back with a resounding 7-2 victory against City of Peterborough.

With the mercurial Todd Baines returning to the fold, Harpenden were once again at full strength and keen to return to winning ways.

After tepid opening exchanges Harpenden were first to break the deadlock. Danny Burgess' exceptional pace bursting through on the right to centre the ball precisely for Russell Timms to fire home. This lead was short lived however, as a slick passing move from the Peterborough midfield released their centre forward, who showed great composure to level the scores with a neat flick over the on-rushing Brind.

Harpenden began to dominate the game. A period of controlled passing between the inside forwards and the half backs created an opportunity for Ali Hutson. His powerful shot was initially well saved by the Peterborough 'keeper, but the rebound rolled kindly to Nick McLean, who slotted home.

Harpenden were keen to extend their advantage in the second half and within minutes of the restart had scored not once but twice. The first will surely be in the mix for goal of the season. A mazy dribble from Paul Wise was finished off with a potent mix of spin, slice and lack of pace mesmerising the Peterborough keeper into letting it into his goal.

The next came from an unlikely source, the left back Tom Ward running the length of the pitch to divert an Ali Hutson shot from a yard out.

At 4-1 up Harpenden suffered a momentary lapse and allowed the home side to score a second. This only served to increase Harpenden's desire for more goals, adding a further three before the final whistle.

The fifth was a great goal which was started and finished by David Falk.

Starting deep inside his own 25, he worked the ball into midfield before eventually popping up in the circle to finish the move off, banging the ball into an open goal.

Goal six was a clinical strike from the impressive Alex Radgman and just reward for his tenacious harrying of the Peterborough back line.

Between six and seven, skipper Tom Bunbury was cruelly denied a score of his own. His 70 yard sprint to meet Paul Davidson's pass deserved a goal but it was in vain as the pass was judged to have been lifted.

Eventually the seventh came, this time from a penalty stroke. David Thomas stepped up and calmly buried the ball hard into the bottom left corner to complete an impressive away win for Harpenden.