Amersham Town were unrecognizable as the team which capitulated to Bedford on Saturday. They closed their opponents down well and enjoyed the majority of possession. Unfortunately, lack of scoring prowess let them down.

For the second successive match Amersham got off to the worst possible start. In only the fourth minute a well flighted ball into the box was cleverly diverted by Harpenden’s Chris Gregory past Amersham keeper Jack Portland. Amersham, however, replied immediately. In the next minute a crossfield pass by James Gumbs found Amersham full back John Phillips advancing into the area and he knocked the ball confidently past the advancing Matthew Lord in the Harpenden goal.

The remainder of the half was evenly balanced. On seventeen minutes a slick move down the Amersham right between Rob Baker and man of the match Andy Wheeler-King resulted in a Toby Francis cross which appeared to bounce up onto a Harpenden hand leading to strong claims for a penalty. Some referees give them: this one didn’t! At the other end forceful tackles by Amersham defenders James Williams and Justin Hockley snuffed out some dangerous Harpenden attacks.

Four minutes before half time, however, Amersham’s good work was undone when the ball appeared to strike Phillips arm as he fell in the area. Some referees don’t give them: this one did! Gregory stroked home the penalty to Portland’s left.

Amersham continued to press after the break with Francis and Dan Llewellyn winning most balls in midfield. A string of tempting crosses from Wheeler-King on the left went begging as Amersham just failed to find the final touch.. Then Gumbs headed wide a cross from the other flank before Baker got behind the defence on the end of another Wheeler-King centre but his shot hit the side netting.

As the final whistle approached Harpenden started to come more into the game. First their forward had a snap shot just wide and then, on eighty eight minutes, Amersham failed to clear a corner and Harpenden’s Mark Hitchcock lashed the ball into the net.

Amersham Town: Portland, Wallis, J Williams, Phillips, Hockley, Baker, Francis, Wheeler-King, Gumbs, Llewellyn, F Williams. Subs: Loakes, Dias, Glover.