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‘I'm sure it would raise a few eyebrows’ Jason Shaw gives his pre-match thoughts ahead of  a potential big result against Biggleswade United

‘I'm sure it would raise a few eyebrows’ Jason Shaw gives his pre-match thoughts ahead of a potential big result against Biggleswade United

Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan24 Feb 2020 - 20:49
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https://www.harefieldunited.co

By Ryan Fitzgerald-Nolan (Image courtesy of Gary South)

Manager Jason Shaw believes a result against a third-placed Biggleswade United would command the attention of the rest of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

Harefield United return to Preston Park to take on Chris Devane’s men on the back of a 4-2 loss at Harpenden Town.

Biggleswade, in contrast, are unbeaten in their five previous league games and picked up an imposing 3-0 victory over promotion hopefuls Colney Heath.

Nonetheless, Shaw is well aware of the issues that are in need of addressing before welcoming a much transformed side since their last outing four years ago.

‘We need to stop committing silly mistakes and ensure we take any chances that come our way, we know goals change games as well as players’ confidence; and we saw this massively on Saturday against Harpenden.’

It would be a fair assumption that the Hares were unfavoured when taking on Harpenden Saturday just gone.

But goals from Tash Jordan and Lenny Farhall saw the Hares take a surprise lead from a goal down, only to falter in what was viewed as ‘three points lost’.

‘At 2-1, to us, the feeling on the bench was that we were going to go on and get a 3rd, we were playing well, our tails were up and Harpenden players looked down and there to be beaten.

‘They had lost their last 3 games, and you could see in their body language they thought ‘here we go again’, however the momentum of the game changed and when Harpenden grabbed the equaliser in the manner they did resulted in a complete change of mindset for both sets of players.’

Harefield got back to winning ways preparatory to Harpenden with a 3-1 convincing win against AFC Hayes in the Charity Cup, a real resounding result that couldn’t be replicated on their trip to Hertfordshire due to ‘absence of numerous players’ on Saturday.

‘Harpenden found a belief they were going to win and we then got that sinking feeling of ‘here we go again’ as we have been on a bad run ourselves.’

The challenge ahead this Tuesday arrives in the form of a team not previously faced in four years.

The circumstances for such absence are due to the Hares’ competing in the SSML Division One up until last season, along with weather-induced postponements this campaign.

Biggleswade are now under the guidance of journalist and chairman Guillem Balague, who since his takeover in 2014 has attracted some high profile signatures, namely former Chelsea midfielder Enrique de Lucas for a short period.

United’s transformation has seen their conversion from a mid-table side, finishing 8th, 9th and 10th respectively before last season’s top four finish, to now a team with one eye on step four football in seasons to come.

‘Considering the form we are in, I'm sure it would raise a few eyebrows if we were to pick up the 3 points against a Biggleswade side sitting 3rd in the league,’ commented manager Shaw.

Biggleswade’s last visit to Harefield was in the 2015/16 season, when they ran out 0-4 victors when the Hares were last in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

David Parkinson has picked up three goals in his last three games, sitting second in the elusive race for top scorer behind Lorrell Smith, both posing a major threat to the Hares.

Shaw and assistant manager Michael Molokwu will be without recent loan signing Jack Waldren in the wake of a hip flexor issue, joining the extensive list of key players on the treatment table alongside Sean Mangan, Richard Pacquette and Gurkan Gokmen.

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