EMH Premier B Ipswich II 2 Harpenden I 5 THE experience and cunning of Harpenden eventually trumped the skill and enthusiasm of a young Ipswich side in an evenly contested game. Harpenden began the game brightly and in the opening minutes a neat pass fro

EMH Premier B

Ipswich II 2 Harpenden I 5

THE experience and cunning of Harpenden eventually trumped the skill and enthusiasm of a young Ipswich side in an evenly contested game.

Harpenden began the game brightly and in the opening minutes a neat pass from Thomas to Pomfret opened up the pitch and allowed the inside-left to drive the ball across the D towards Timms. With the goal at his mercy, the team gasped in disbelief as he deflected the ball wide.

Unfortunately for Ipswich, veteran striker Hutson was less charitable and soon opened up a two-goal advantage with a quickly taken brace.

His first, a tidy flick from a right wing cross and his second a true poacher's goal, punishing a misunderstanding between the opposition's centre back and goal keeper. A now rampant Harpenden surged forward, allowing a ruthless Burgess to clinically slot home from the top of the circle. With a three-goal cushion and half-time imminent, Harpenden momentarily switched off and allowed the Ipswich centre forward to waltz into the D and fire home uncontested.

With the score at 3-1 it was imperative that Harpenden took control of the game from the start of the second half.

Unfortunately, and much to the chagrin of skipper Bunbury, Harpenden conceded straight from the restart, with Ipswich converting a short corner.

Ipswich won a penalty stroke but were denied by young goalkeeper Rasiah who held his nerve to save the flick with a low dive to his left.

With this lifeline offered, Harpenden didn't need a second invitation and slick passing set up the impressive Gosling to slam the ball high into the roof of the net.

Harpenden unleashed a final counter attack and more industrious work from Gosling moved the play high up the pitch, giving Timms the opportunity to break through the last line of the Ipswich defence. He teed up Falk to score, rounding off a satisfying away victory.