Harpenden finally clicked into gear with a convincing 2-1 victory over league new boys Ipswich East Suffolk.

Herts Advertiser: Lance Boyd Clark turns his markerLance Boyd Clark turns his marker (Image: Archant)

Harpenden started the game with the kind of intensity previously missing in their performances and looked a class apart from the side that has struggle through the season thus far.

After the game captain David Falk said: “I’m delighted with that; we really stepped up today and got the result we deserved. Bringing Todd Baines into the middle of the park really paid off, he showed an appetite for the game and it galvanised the whole performance.

“It was his determination that got us ahead early doors and that set the tone. Very pleased with young Oli Edmund, he’s been on the fringes of the squad for a while now, and with Matty Evans getting injured, he got plenty of pitch time today to show us what he can do. With a bit more experience he will be a top player, no doubt about it.”

Harpenden made an explosive start to the game Baines immediately pressurised the visitors’ centre half and won the games first free hit. Baines then linked up with Matt Evans, who turned quickly to get his slap shot away and open the scoring for Harps.

Sadly for Evans, in the next attack he got a ball on the ankle and hobbled off injured. The silver lining for Harps was the introduction of youngster Edmund, who, with fellow youngster Harry Osborne, added a youth and vitality to Harps’ forward line.

With energy up front, Harps produced by far the better hockey and went into the interval with their lead intact.

The game followed a similar pattern in the second period, with Harps dominant but without really finding their cutting edge.

With the game entering its final stages, Nick Mclean forced a short corner as Harps looked to extend their advantage. The first attempt was blocked but second time around Harps switched the play and Falk made no mistake.

At two goals up, Harpenden looked to close the game out but allowed the visitors back in, conceding a scrappy short corner. Then, in the dying moments, Brind fouled Ipswich’s centre forward but only a short corner was given, which Harps kept out.

This Saturday Harpenden are back on the road, away at Ely, and will need to be at their very best to keep the winning momentum up.

• Elsewhere in the club, Harps results had a healthy complexion to them, with the Mens 5s and 3s also winning and the 2 continuing to add points with a 3-3 draw. On the women’s side the women 2s lost and the 3s played out a tense 0-0 draw in their derby against Welwyn.