HARPENDEN Town took the whole of the first 45 minutes to get started against a very good young Wodson Park side on Saturday, but in the end ran out as 2-0 winners.

In heat registering 32 degrees, Harpenden failed to match their visitors for both endeavour or enthusiasm, maybe the exploits of Wednesday evening had taken something out of them, but credit must be given to the visitors.

Harpenden needed to thank their back four, but more so keeper Matt Lord, who made one thrilling save, then thwarted a Wodson Park forward when clean through right on half-time.

But a rejuvenated Harpenden began the second half and established a foothold straight away and never relinquished it.

Jimmy Hill and James Ewington began to cause problems to the visitors’ defence, before Ewington finished off a five man move from a tight angle to open his account for his new club.

It was a trade mark Hill free-kick for the second, and it was good to see the two raised arm pose, after what has been a difficult opening to the season.

The big striker has a reputation now and will find himself closely monitored in games, but that’s two goals in two games, and there will be more to come from the number nine.

Three games now without conceding a goal has helped Harpenden to get off to a good start, their keeper and back four deserve a lot of credit, but there will be bigger and more difficult tests to come.

Up to now new signing Chris Green has won many plaudits, but on Saturday it was the tireless work of his brother, skipper Danny, who shaded it as Town’s best player.