A hard fought and long overdue win for the boys yesterday evening saw us take three points for the first time in almost a month against a well drilled and experienced Harefield side that, before the evening, had found themselves sitting in second place. Even at this early stage of the season it was easy to see why.

It was a tight opening half that finished all square with neither team able to capitalise on any of the half chances created, although Andrew Harewood did manage to hit the woodwork midway through the half. One he would have relished against his former side.

A penalty awarded in the early stages of the second half was well saved initially by the Harefield goalkeeper, but Shawn Richards followed up before the Hares back line could react to it. A big let off as it wasn’t one of Shawn’s finest set pieces, but he still managed to find the back of the net at the second time of asking.

The boys pushed on for a second and looked the more likely to score before tiring towards the latter stages of the game. A tense final few moments saw a half-hearted Harefield penalty shout quickly turned away by the referee, although there was still time for one final attack from a free kick just inside their half. Matt Faley done brilliantly to claim the ball on the penalty spot ahead of the onrushing Harefield forwards who desperately tried to get on the other end of the ball which helped to finally end the final onslaught.

Perhaps not one of the classics shared between the two sides over the years but still one that neither side wanted to lose.

A great response from the boys after the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat in the Vase and hopefully one that they can pick up where they left off with, away at Biggleswade United on Saturday, who currently looked well placed in the league.