PREMIER DIVISION Harefield United 4 Broxbourne Borough V&E 0
Three goals in the final eight minutes after Broxbourne Borough were reduced to 10 men took Harefield United to a rather flattering 4-0 win and kept them clear at the top of the table.
On 82 minutes a clumsy tackle by Luke Lloyd resulted in a melee, at the end of which Broxbourne's Daryl Mitchell was sent off for punching a Hares player and the hosts used their extra man to great effect.
Within three minutes Lloyd was left in space to add to Chris Drake's opening goal and two more goals in as many minutes sealed victory, the first on 90 minutes when Ben Cowen converted a low cross before Drake competed his brace for a relieved Harefield side, which had its woodwork rattled twice with the score at 0-0.
Pouring rain played its part in play moving from end to end with both defences battling to contain the forwards, Broxbourne's Rob Teppett and Ryan Wade keeping the home side busy.
At the other end Drake and Cowen worked openings against a nine-man defence but poor finishing meant no goals and neither goalkeeper was troubled, although four minutes from half-time Teppett was sent down the right and he beat the oncoming Charlie Miller but saw his shot strike the inside of the post and it was cleared.
Four minutes after the restart it was Wade's turn to find the woodwork and Miller was then called upon to make a good save as Broxbourne began the second period well, only to concede the first goal when a good move down the left found Drake in space and he hit a 25-yarder past the keeper.
The goal changed nothing in terms of the balance and pattern of play and it took Mitchell's dismissal to give the Hares the opportunity to wrap up the points that left them three clear at the top.
HAREFIELD: Miller, Williams, Lloyd, Kirk, Gladdy, Williamson, Totton, Willis, Cowen, Brown, Drake. Subs: Buckle, Haynes, Houliston.
Goals, Harefield: Drake 55, 90+1; Lloyd 86; Cowen 90. Broxbourne: None. Attendance: 66.
