MATCH REPORT by Neil Murphy

WIn 3-0 vs Harpenden 4’s

We ended last season as we started it – rubbish, with a 0-7 defeat ending our promotion chances. The bit in the middle, however, was fantastic – last gasp winners, comfortable victories and only one defeat – meaning we finished fourth.

The captain was nervously awaiting his new team’s arrival. With a number of regulars missing we were to be an untested mixture of youth and experience including a very welcome addition of a member of the Collier family…it turned out to be Luke.

In beautiful Trent Park sunshine and a packed balcony (record attendance to a 5A game) we got off to a great start. All the possession was in the Harpenden half – numerous chances created by Sohan, Kyle, Luke and the midfield might of Duncan and Rob.

Tom von Soest, our U14 debutant had an excellent first half, creating Sohan’s opener and taking on the Harpenden defenders with assurance. Dad, Michiel, looking on proudly from central defence and adding to the pressure in the opposition half including some powerful strikes at short corners.

1-0 up at half time didn’t do justice to our possession and we always sense that 5A’s are never more vulnerable than being 1-0 up (unless we are 2-0 up). Focus and concentration were the rallying cries at half time.

As the second half progressed, the 5A strength and determination showed through complemented by a colourful flurry of cards. Rarely could Harpenden penetrate the halfway line and the strength and control of Aman, Aryan, Ethan and Michiel ensured that any attacks were quickly rebuffed.

A second goal arrived courtesy of Aryan after a neat build up to be followed soon after by a super solo effort from debutant, Tom. Picking up the ball outside the D, Tom beat his defender and drove on into the D to unleash a brilliant reverse hit which hit the backboard with a resounding thud, only drowned out by the whistles and cheers of Michiel, the 5A’s and the balcony. The reverse hit is not something generally seen in the 5A, especially on target – an early candidate for goal of the season.

A win in our first game thanks to an impressive display by our younger players who we look forward to seeing swiftly progressing up through the club.

A 3-0 win, 3 points on the board (when GMS is working), confidence is high, next stop Watford, what could go wrong?