Doctor and Downes seal victory for Bob Fowler’s side

SSML Division One

Wodson Park

Harpenden Town 2

AFTER a two week break, Harpenden Town returned to action in Division One with a 2-0 victory at Wodson Park.

With several key members of the first team unavailable Bob Fowler’s side showed the importance of a strong squad as Town dug in for a hard fought victory. A terrible pitch and a tremendous downpour of rain stopped any real passing football being played and early on both teams had half chances from free kicks.

With 11 minutes played Town had a penalty appeal turned down but it mattered little as moments later the ball fell kindly to Neil Doctor on the edge of the box, who sent it sailing into the roof of the net. As the pitch and the rain become progressively worse so did the quality of football and both sides where fairly evenly matched.

The second half panned out with both teams having sustained periods of possession and Wodson Park had a penalty shout correctly turned down by the referee. Town’s defence stayed strong throughout with Tony Golder making his an impressive full debut at centre-half.

Ben Warren, playing in a lone striker’s role, had the pick of the chances for Harpenden and 10 minutes from time, after some neat interplay, he was brought down inside the Wodson Park box for a penalty. Unfortunately, in the subsequent m�l�e Wodson Park’s centre-half was booked and Warren was, rather harshly, sent from the field of play. Jack Downes calmly stepped up to convert the spot kick leaving Harpenden to comfortably see out the remaining minutes. This victory leads Town to fourth in the table, having games in hand on the teams below and above them. This Saturday Harpenden travel to Amersham Town.