Colney Heath’s first Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division game of the season ended with a 2-0 win over near neighbours Harpenden Town.

Herts Advertiser: Spencer Clarke-Mardel was brought down as Colney Heath won a penalty against Harpenden Town. Picture: Jim WhittamoreSpencer Clarke-Mardel was brought down as Colney Heath won a penalty against Harpenden Town. Picture: Jim Whittamore (Image: Archant)

They took the lead after eight minutes. A free-kick from Charlie Hunter caused problems inside the Harpenden box and it dropped kindly for Greg Shaw to drive a low shot through a crowded goalmouth.

A wicked Jack Woods cross was almost deflected in by Spencer Clarke-Mardel and then Hunter and Harvey Scott combined only to be denied by Sam Wyer as the Magpies pushed in search for a second.

Herts Advertiser: Spencer Clarke-Mardel was brought down as Colney Heath won a penalty against Harpenden Town. Picture: Jim WhittamoreSpencer Clarke-Mardel was brought down as Colney Heath won a penalty against Harpenden Town. Picture: Jim Whittamore (Image: Archant)

For Harpenden Kyle McLeish got a fine shot away which was well saved by Charlie May before play switched to the other end for Wyer to save from a turning Scott.

Just before the break Archie McClelland made a surging run towards the Colney Heath goal which saw him brought down just outside the box.

Herts Advertiser: Action between Colney Heath and Harpenden Town in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. Picture: Jim WhittamoreAction between Colney Heath and Harpenden Town in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division. Picture: Jim Whittamore (Image: Archant)

Sam James stepped up to take the free kick but he was off target.

Free-kick duties passed to skipper Steve O’Reilly early in the second half and his shot was on target and required another stop from May.

Herts Advertiser: Greg Shaw puts Colney Heath ahead against Harpenden Town. Picture: Jim WhittamoreGreg Shaw puts Colney Heath ahead against Harpenden Town. Picture: Jim Whittamore (Image: Archant)

Shaw was unlucky not to add to his goal tally when he just failed to a get a touch to a splendid ball into the box from the left by Hunter but number two soon followed.

Another flowing move saw Woods find Clarke-Mardel and when he was brought down in the box, Scott blasted the ball to the left side of the goal sending Wyer the wrong way.

More misfortune was to befall Harpenden a couple of minutes later as they were reduced to 10 men, Manny Richardson sent off for saying something at match referee Steven Conway.

It left Colney on top and substitutes Danny Fitzgerald and Carl Carr almost linked up for number three.

But in the end two was enough.

FA Cup action is up next for both teams. Colney Heath face a long trip to Gloucester to face Tuffley Rovers while Harpenden will have more familiar foes at Rothamsted Park in the shape of Edgware Town.