Harps suffer first defeat

East Men's League Premier B

West Herts 3 Harpenden 0

Harpenden suffered their first league defeat of the season when they travelled to Watford to play table-topping West Herts.

The game started fairly evenly with Harpenden creating a number of good chances, both Mike Emes and Russell Timms going close, but a couple of sloppy pieces of defending allowed West Herts to score twice which turned the game.

West Herts skilfully closed things out as they comfortably held onto their two-goal cushion. Harpenden failed to threaten until well after they had conceded a third, a deflection which left Matt Beggs no chance in the Harpenden goal.

Harpenden thought they had scored a consolation goal at the death but Wayne McGuire saw his shot diverted round the post by the West Herts keeper.

Harpenden will look to bounce back when they entertain Crostyx at Woollams on Saturday, the game starts at noon.

l Skipper Pete Evans took a much changed Harpenden III to the Essex border last Saturday to play Bishop Stortford V. The Harpenden side contained four teenagers, all of whom played a major role in the 3-0 win. Pick of the bunch was Oliver Moore, who worked tirelessly down the right-hand side and capped a superb display with a goal towards the end of the game.

Jon Pagan and Andy Lunn were both in fine form, with vice captain Lunn especially impressive down the left. Evans converted a short corner with a crisp straight strike in the second half to take the lead, before slipping another short corner to Tom Preest, who slotted home. Moore fired home from a narrow angle after a skilful break down the right hand side to seal the win.

l In East Men's League Premier A, St Albans won 3-1 away at Bedford Town to move up to fourth in the table. The Saturday they take on second-place Havering at Clarence Park.