Hockey: Gallery: Harpenden’s goal drought continues

Harpenden’s goal drought continued on Saturday as narrowly lost at home against Ford.

Just like last week’s 1-0 loss to Havering, Harpenden dominated much of the possession and seldom looked in danger, but they failed to convert pressure into goals.

After the game, captain David Falk said: “Well after that I’m totally deflated, and it’s not even Pancake Day yet, but I’m as flat as one.

“We had plenty of batter today, plenty of butter in the pan, and the hob was on. But it’s the end result. There’s no blueberry topping, no maple syrup. It’s very disappointing.

“We work hard to make a lovely pancake, but then we can’t find the sugar and lemon to finish it off. I’m just pleased Lent is nearly here – I’m giving up pancakes.”

A solidarity defensive lapse was enough to give the visitors a brief sight of goal, and they took their chance gladly, picking up the ball from the Harps defence before shooting at goal. Keeper Ben Brind parried the initial shot, but the rebound fell invitingly to the attacker who smashed it home at the second attempt.

Harpenden pushed forward with Lance Boyd-Clark doing well down the right hand side and carving out a great chance, only to see his shot go narrowly wide. Mike Bowler, this week preferred up front, looked threatening in parts, but the visitors’ defense showed considerable experience in limiting his shooting opportunities.

It became an increasingly frustrating afternoon for Harpenden as short corners, such a strength in their recent past, seemed disjointed and ineffective. And so it came to be, as the game fizzled out, with Ford delighted to have grabbed all three points, and Harps left licking their wounds and left with a mountain to climb to stay in the division.

• Elsewhere in the club the men’s 2s lost 2-0 but the 5ths fought to earn a respectable 2-2 draw with Hertford.