Harpenden’s survival bid will go down to the final game of the season after they drew 2-2 with Broxbourne on Saturday.
Russell Timms’ side sit one point above the relegation zone and only victory against Bedford will ensure they stay in East League Division 2S. If Broxbourne lose to second-placed East London, they will be the fourth relegated team and Harpenden will avoid the drop.
Harpenden could, and perhaps should, have secured their league status on Saturday after going into the half-time break 2-0 up against Broxbourne but they couldn’t hold onto their lead and had to settle for a draw.
An excellent pass from Danny Burgess to Reece Baker-Kiff set up the first goal as he swept the ball across the face of goal for Timms to score at the back post. Burgess doubled the lead from a well-worked short corner routine at the end of the half.
At the other end, Wouter van Driel, Tom Bunbury and David Waters had kept Broxbourne quiet but, from a short corner, goalkeeper Bob Voyce had to be alert to keep the ball out.
The second half was a reversal of the first. Harpenden picked up three yellow cards and Broxbourne capitalised, first from a penalty stroke and then a short corner.
Broxbourne could have won the game such was their dominance of the second half, but Dave Falk twice cleared off the line. Still, Harpenden could have snatched three points but Ali Barrett’s effort was smothered by the goalkeeper and the game ended all square.
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