Harefield United earned what was a very impressive point when they hosted Colney Heath, with the latter still sitting top of the pile in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

Despite what the score line infers, it was a highly entertaining watch for the travelling faithful and home supporters alike, end to end right till the last.

Cliché or not, the frantic pace of the game set the precedent for most of the ninety plus minutes, with Jason Shaw’s men stepping up to the plate and going toe-to-toe with the champions elect.

A negative footnote to the encounter will no doubt be the conduct of the away team, whose goading of the referee and home fans, irrespective of their position in the league, eventually led to degenerate and unsavoury scenes at the game’s conclusion.

The result confirmed the first points Harefield have registered in the league since 25th January against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, but the result was no fluke, as according to assistant manager Michael Molokwu, ‘We have done a lot of work over the last few weeks on defensive shape and expectations out of possession’.

The Hares’ hard behind the scenes graft was there for all to see, seldom throughout the night were Ryan Thompson’s men afforded one on one opportunities.

That’s not to say The Magpies didn’t trouble Harefield of course, despite it not being a top draw ‘golden’ display, they aren’t challenging for step four football next year for no reason.

The first of said scenarios came when George Devine held up the ball well, and possibly could have released his teammates but opted for a low drive to force Jacob Ballheimer to parry wide.

Early signs of the feistiness that purveyed the game arrived within ten minutes, with Jay Lovell’s challenge on Lenny Farhall earning the first yellow card of the game, following a stern challenge where the defender got the ball but a lot of the man too.

The absence of the usual pre-match handshake ritual, as requested by Spartan South Midlands League in wake of the coronavirus, may have set the tone for the match from the outset.

The direct nature of Colney Heath’s attack was something not seen by Harefield so far this season, with long balls so often finding their intended target and was made to look effortless.

Josh Humbert and John Clements’ ability to find other players through on the ground instead of aerially with neat footwork was matched at the other end by Tash Jordan, who released wing back Rowan Larrington, who in turn rounded multiple players only to blast high and wide.

Yasin Boodhoo’s game ended prematurely after a collision when trying to defend a well placed Sam Shaw free kick, enabling Callum Dudrenec to take his place at the heart of the defence.

Ballheimer’s significant efforts in keeping Colney Heath at bay were hard to avoid, reaching low to his right to stop a Clements header and then again with his feet to deny Chris Griffin in the next phase of play.

After showcasing his ability to get the ball from under his feet to release Larrington earlier, attacking midfielder Tash Jordan couldn’t do the same again when he blazed over a shot that, would it have gone in, should have been a contender for goal of the season in any division.

Tiki Taka football briefly resurrected on the Preston Park turf when Larrington’s throw in found Farhall, who combined with Sam Shaw, Steven Green and Jordan in a series of one touch movements that gave Jordan the space to shoot.

The vocal visitors, players and management that is, were not afraid to voice their concerns to referee Ceri-Louise Williams throughout the half, sometimes at legitimate claims, sometimes not.

Williams’ understandable frustration came to the boil when manager Thompson was given a yellow card for dissent on the cusp of half-time, who also felt the need to walk off with a few minutes left.

Both sides continued their endeavour for three points, and at this point after resuming, the spoils could have truly gone in to either camp.

The Hares were never out of the game, but Colney enjoyed a significant spell of pressure in the final third in the opening exchanges of the second fourty five.

The Magpies’ jeering seemed to be an attempt to get into the heads of the home team, maybe they knew something everyone else didn’t, because with every patronizing noise coming out of them seemed to boost the morale of Harefield.

The back-line, who absorbed the pressure well, found an out road one way or another often through the nailed-on man of the match, Jacob Ballheimer.

Captain Spence Clark-Mendel was twice denied by the ‘keeper, each time being found with a nice through ball centrally but couldn’t put his outfit ahead.

Substitute Foday Sesay came close after combining with striking partner Lenny Farhall, as the strong target man muscled his way to a chance but dragged wide from outside the box.

Jon Clements’ attempt at a postage stamp finish again was telegraphed by Ballheimer, nevertheless a possible foul on centre-half Harry McCorkell when regaining the ball was missed by the officials.

Some fantastic last ditch blocking in front of steamrolled shots by McCorkell and Wharton were also strong factors behind Harefield being able to pick up a point against strong opposition.

The final whistle blew to confirm the spoils were shared, but confrontation after the whistle almost seemed an inevitability after the previous ninety minutes, with two red cards given to Tash Jordan and Josh Humbert respectively, after emerging from a crowd of hostile management and players.

The poor conduct displayed at the end by both teams will cast a shadow over what could potentially be turning point in the season for Jason Shaw and his men, but Harefield are the team walking away from the scuffle happiest.

‘Thank god we won’t have to come back here next season!’ exclaimed an away supporter to a friend after the game.

I believe the feeling may be mutual.

Harefield United Team:
Jacob Ballheimer (GK)
Rowan Larrington
Steven Green
Ryan Wharton (C)
Harry McCorkell
Blaise Riley-Snow
Tash Jordan
Luke Baldwin
Lenny Farhall
Sam Shaw
Nikco Williams

Subs:
Paul Underwood (Used)
Foday Sesay (Used)
Lee McManus
Aderi Dede
Reece Mallett

Colney Heath Team:
Connor Samson (GK)
Danny May
Jack Woods
Jay Lovell
Yasin Boodhoo
Chris Griffin
Brett O’Connor
Josh Humbert
Jon Clements
Spence Clarke-Mardel (C)
George Devine

Subs:
Chris Blunden (Used)
Callum Dudrenec
Jake Anthony (Used)
Mickey Shuttlewood
Taylor Cobb (Used)