HARPENDEN suffered only their second defeat of the season on Saturday when they failed to pick up any points away in Upminster, following a 5-2 defeat.

It was a crushing blow considering that they could have almost finished off their opposition's title aspirations half way through the season if they pulled out the victory.

Nevertheless, the Blues stay top of the league and know that they are still in with an excellent chance of promotion.

The depleted Harpenden side travelled to Upminster knowing that a tough game was in prospect from the opposition, placed fourth in the table. It was no surprise, therefore, that Upminster came all guns blazing in the first ten minutes.

It was Harpenden that created the early chances, however, with the return of Niall McAlister and Nigel Timms up front. The two combined early on and McAlister should have converted from a one-on-one with the keeper, but the upright denied him.

Tim Flower also had a chance to open the scoring when a short-corner rebound created an excellent chance. His resulting shot was parried over by a lunging Upminster stick.

It was against the run of play when the home side scored the opener, a fine strike from a short corner that sprawling keeper Brind could do nothing about. In true Harpenden spirit, though, it was not long before the Blues struck back in a period of play in which they dominated the game.

Flower converted after a series of short corners and it looked like the game was going to swing back Harpenden's way. However this was not to be as Upminster struck on the break and re-established their lead in what was becoming a very exciting game.

Shortly after the interval a break by Emes put through Davison, whose shot was parried by the keeper. This laid on McAlister who teased the ball round the keeper to calmly to slot home.

The game was now in the balance and, with the ball flowing from end to end, it was going to be difficult to predict a winner.

However, Harpenden then suffered what might be the umpiring blunder of the season so far.

From a free hit near the touch line, Upminster put in a cross that sailed past all of their own players. Defender Sam Martyn was the only person to get a stick on the ball in the D, and he deflected it past his keeper into his own net.

This should have been no problem as no attacking man had touched the ball and a long corner should have ensued. Remarkably, fervent cheering from the home side convinced the umpire to signal a goal.

Harpenden surrounded the umpire in disbelief, but he was not to be dissuaded.

From the re-start, the Blues lost all shape and concentration and paid the price. They never regained any composure and to rub insult to injury were caught on two further occasions on the break to go down to their biggest defeat of the season.

Upminster are now just three points behind the Blues.

December 14, 2001 12:00