Harpenden Town prepared themselves for a busy end to the month with a narrow 2-1 win away to London Colney.
This was the first of eight games between now and the end of March and puts Harpenden up to fourth in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.
Star of the show was James Ewington who took his tally up to 30 for the season in all competitions with both Harpenden goals.
The first did have an element of doubt about it, as Ewington’s shot made it into the net despite the efforts of Jason Coughlan on the line.
The winner though had no such worries as Ewington swept it from 20 yards with just 13 minutes remaining.
Manager Danny Plumb was full of praise for his striker but is also confident that others will step up in the weeks ahead.
He said: “We’re saying the first one was definitely an own goal but he’s trying to claim it though, as every good striker would.
“He just keeps scoring and the second one was a great strike.
“Harry Hunt will be returning soon so that will give us another forward.
“Matt Sutton was on the bench again and we’ve brought Jack Green in so we’ve got strength in depth which is what we need.
“We’ll use all 17 players in this run so it’s important they are all ready to play when they are called upon.
“They are a decent side. They play a certain way and their two big lads up front cause problems.
“So it’s a good result considering we didn’t play particularly well.”
The first half was pretty even with neither side getting going early on.
The Blueboys had the better territory and possession in the opening 20 minutes and because of that, they had the chances.
But Loren Maxwell twice and Dominic Morgillo both failed to test Connor Sansom while James Yates had Harpenden’s best attempt.
Yates, however, played a huge part in the opener, wriggling free to find Ewington 10 minutes into the half.
Bobby Armstrong levelled eight minutes later with a fine header from a corner but that was just the prelude to Ewington’s winner.
Harpenden host Holmer Green tonight (Thursday) before Hadley visit Rothamsted Park on Saturday.
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