SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLAND LEAGUE
HAREFIELD UNITED F.C. 5
HADLEY F.C 3

Riccardo Cannon was the star as Harefield United successfully kicked off their new league campaign with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Hadley FC on Saturday.

The Hares, despite a disappointing pre season which culminated in a heavy defeat to Chalfont St Peter, scored two late goals to edge a topsy-turvy encounter and record a fine start to the season.
After a fairly even start to the game, the home side took the lead in the 16th minute in stunning style as Daniel Fleming curled a perfect free kick into the top corner from just outside the penalty area.

Harefield looked to capitalise on their domination but failed to increase their advantage, eventually leading to a Hadley equalizer just before the half hour mark when Charlie Goode headed in from a corner.

Despite some continued promising football from the hosts it was the away side that had the honours at half time as Kieran Smith benefited from a defensive error to give Hadley the lead with an unerring finish into the corner.

Cannon, however, did not take long to level the proceedings after the break as he pounced on a loose ball in the Hadley box, before then edging Harefield ahead for the second time in the game with a powerful strike in the 68th minute.

Unfortunately for the Hares their lead did not last long as Tom Milton made it 3-3 with a firm header.

With the game finely balanced it was the Hares that crucially regained the lead through Mo Hashi's low strike in the 83rd minute after he brilliantly forced his way into the penalty area.

Despite Hadley's stern resistance there was no way back and Cannon completed his hat trick from close range in the final minutes to cap a brilliant individual and team performance.

The Hares will hope to use this performance and tomorrow's (Tuesday's) game with Berkhamsted as a springboard to success in their upcoming FA Cup extra preliminary round tie at home to Woodford United on Saturday.