Town were made to fight every step of the way for their three points at Rothamsted Park against opponents who were in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division last season yet have been struggling recently to make an early impact in Division 1.

Town had a lucky escape in just the first minute of the proceedings when a swift Harpenden break produced a fine save from James Noonan. The home side looked the more dangerous in the early stages however on the six minute mark, and against the run of play, Town's leading marksman Lee Scott found himself in space and although the keeper parried his first effort Scott kept his head to collect the rebound and plant the ball in the back of the net for his tenth goal of the campaign. This good fortune enabled Town to settle into their stride following a nervous opening and they started to play their trademark flowing football however Harpenden continued to exhort pressure on the Town goal and with half an hour on the clock a snap shot went just over the bar with Noonan left stretching. A Harpenden free kick from outside the box was then planted over the bar and another good opportunity was missed shortly before the interval with Noonan making an excellent tip around the post.

Town almost increased their lead immediately after the break when a long ball into the box by Thomas Looney was almost put in by Tom McMullen who had arrived from defence. The game then descended into somewhat of a cat and mouse affair with Harpenden enjoying the lions share of play and Town defending confidently with Aaron Hutchins prominent. Terry O'Leary replaced Looney with fifteen minutes remaining shortly before Noonan made another excellent save when diving down low to his right to save a goal bound effort, he then made a brave block to thwart another home foray into the Town box.

Aaron Serieux replaced Thomas Kanaris with ten minutes remaining and proceeded to bolster the midfield in excellent fashion. Town then won a free kick on 85 minutes in a central position, some 25 yards from goal, and a beautifully flighted kick from substitute O'Leary found Hutchins who headed powerfully into the net giving the keeper no chance.

There was still time left for Harpenden to miss a golden opportunity of pulling a goal back however the points by now belonged to Town who proudly return to the summit of the Division 1 table on goal difference from Ampthill Town and Stony Stratford Town.

 

Kentish Town: Noonan (c), B McMullen, Malcolm, T McMullen, Hutchins, Young, Kanaris, Looney, Scott, Cole, Zanre. Subs: O'Leary, Serieux

 

Harpenden Town: Lord, Ross, Firmin, Ducan, Buneja, Haidel (c), Ratcliffe, Barnett, Dawes, Collins, Macfarlane. Subs: Peters, Sweeney, Cornwell

 

Referee: Mr David Clement (Watford)