This is only just the start, says Alterman

Harmen forged ahead after 15 minutes - a through ball from Ben Weinberg split the defence and Gershfield latched onto it before slotting past the keeper.

New signing Max Shields made a couple of great saves to keep Harmen ahead before turning provider for the second goal. The former NWN keeper's huge clearance was misjudged by the Raiders defence, allowing Gersh to finish with one touch over the onrushing NLR keeper.

The Harmen management team looked happy as the teams went into the break, but Joel Alterman told JC Sport that the scoreline should have been even more emphatic. "Most people would be celebrating going into the break 2-0 up against the team that everyone rates as the best in the Prem, but we were disappointed. We had chances to be four or five up after 35 minutes, the Raiders keeper making some quality saves to keep his team in it."

The second half was more of the same as HArmen had another three or four good chances to extend the lead, but the NLR keeper was determined not to be beaten again.

As the half went on, you sensed the urgency from Raiders as they started to click into gear but the Harmen defence stood strong.

A misjudged header with about 10 minutes to go saw Raiders pull one back through Liron Mannie, but aside from a couple of late free-kicks, they never looked like finding an equaliser in a game where George Fierstone and Marc Foster seemed to have all the time in the world throughout the game, controlling the play from the middle of the park.

Harmen joint-manager Joel Alterman told JC Sport: "There is no doubting that this was a great result for us, but there is still room for improvement from the boys and there is no let off with a tough cup game against Camden coming at the weekend.

"We look forward to the return fixture against Raiders and I know they will be putting a travel ban on Ben Joseph for that one.

Co-boss Joe Marsh added: "There was a great feeling today as we set about our business under the Wembley arch straight from the word go. With our tenacity and ability we dominated the majority of the game.

"The scoreline suggests it was a tight game but we should have been three or four goals better off. The players were outstanding today from Shields in goal to Gersh up top."

Oli Leslie, the third member of the Harmen management team, commented: "Not bad for a team expected to get relegated – Raiders win, Faithfold win, Redbridge draw. We are most definitely not expected to challenge, but we will make it very hard for those who are.

Raiders boss Rob Richman told JC Sport: "Unfortunately we just weren't at the races today; we didn't perform anywhere near our capabilities and as a result got beaten by a very good Harmen side. Well played to them."