TWO stoppage time goals gave Eagles a dramatic win over South Midlands Division One side Harpenden Town on Saturday, and kept their chances of defending the Anagram Records Trophy alive.
It looked as though Eagles would be going out when Harpenden stole the lead on the hour, but a Joe De La Salle penalty on 92 minutes and Harry Holland’s header on 93 sealed a memorable victory. In an even game, both sides created openings in the first half. Dan Eely had to be alert to deny Harpenden’s Hill when he raced through and attempted to lob him, and De La Salle had a similar chance at the other end but shot over. Eagles felt aggrieved at not being given a penalty when Harry Holland was dragged back when through on goal, while Lee Pateman and Jack Gregson both supplied dangerous crosses which Harpenden did well to defend. Harpenden captain Green tricked his way through midfield at one point but blazed his shot well over.
The away side started the second half the stronger, and should have gone ahead when Hill’s mishit shot from a right wing cross almost wrong footed Eely, but it trickled against the post and to safety. The same player then gave Harpenden the lead when he got in between Markus Brown and Eely, who had come off his line, and flicked a header into the unguarded net. Harpenden contained Eagles for the majority of the rest of the match, restricting them to possession rather than chances. With ten minutes remaining, Holland twisted in the box, brilliantly evading a challenge, but curled a right footed shot inches over.
As the clock ticked past 90 it looked as though it wasn’t to be Eagles day, but after Mitch Cox’s corner was partially cleared, Pateman’s shot was handled by a charging defender and the referee pointed to the spot. De La Salle dispatched firmly to the keeper’s right and it looked as though we were heading for extra time. But straight from the restart, a surging run down the left from Pateman forced another corner, and Cox swung it over for an unmarked Holland to head home from barely a yard, sparking wild scenes of celebration. There was just time for the kick off to be taken again before the whistle went, and Eagles celebrated a spirited win while some of Harpenden’s players protested to the referee.
Eagles now face Met Police Bushey in the quarter finals at home on March 3. They face a vital league game at Goff’s Oak this Saturday.
Team: Eely, McGennity, Garwood, Brown, Davies, Pateman, Tyler (Cox), L’Honore, Gregson (Abel), Holland, De La Salle
