Harpenden Town 3 Sun Sports 1                            1956/57                           HCL Premier

Sun misses helped Harpenden

Returning to their County League programme at Rothamsted Park on Saturday, Sun did not enjoy the best of luck.
Neither side was at full strength and a lively ball was often difficult to keep low in a strong wind blowing obliquely across the pitch.
Sun had the balance of play in both halves, but they crossed over a goal down, and an unfortunate penalty against them in the last 15 seconds made it a 3-1 defeat.
Harpenden seldom threatened in the first half, but nevertheless they managed to score once.
After 16 minutes Bob Croucher blocked a shot, but Harpenden got it in at the second attempt.
Missed chances by the Sun's inside forwards ensured that the home team held onto their lead until half time.
Sun gave Harpenden the "run around" early in the second half, but could not get that vital goal.
Instead, the home side went further ahead when a pass from the right found the centre forward, who scored well.
The goal came against the run of play, but a few minutes later the visitors were rewarded when Disdale put McDonald away.
McDonald passed to Danny Walsh, who picked his spot well for Sun's one and only goal.
Almost bang on time, the referee awarded a penalty to Harpenden after a race between the Harpenden centre forward and a Sun defender had ended in a collision, and the home side made no mistake from the spot.