March 24, 2012

Luton Town 3 Hertford 0

Hertford travelled to Luton with a stronger squad than in previous weeks.

The game started fairly brightly with both sides creating chances & winning several short corners. However it was Luton who took the lead from a break-away goal which appeared to be struck from outside the area. After consultation between the two umpires the decision to give the goal was upheld.

Hertford understandably lost their confidence and to some extent their composure after this decision and soon conceded two further goals in the first half.

After some reflection at the break Hertford played far better in the second half and deserved to score at least a goal with several close opportunities. In the end though, the lack of a cutting edge up front as has been the case for much of the season handed the result to Luton.

Hertford play Rickmansworth on Saturday in an attempt to finish their season with a win and go into the summer break on a high note.

(See below Fixtures & Results for older match reports)

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March 17, 2012

Letchworth 4 Hertford 0              

Hertford travelled to Letchworth on Saturday in the knowledge that anything other than a win guaranteed certain relegation for the season.

Several key players were again missing for Hertford but the side was bolstered by the addition of two new members of the club, Nick & Marcus who have been performing well in the 2^nd Team over the last few weeks & showed that they fully deserved their chance in the first team line up.

Letchworth fielded a strong team than the one met by the Stags earlier in the season and it was the combination of these players which resulted in 2 Letchworth goals in the first 10 minutes of the 1^st half.

In credit to the Hertford team they did not capitulate to further goals & actually performed better than Letchworth in much of the game with committed running off the ball & tackling from several players. Unfortunately the lack of substitutes began to show towards the end of the games and Letchworth were able to capitalise with a further two goals.

Unfortunately the loss now means that Hertford are destined for division 4SW for the 2012/13 season & must regroup over the last few games of this season & summer if they are to return to the 3SW division.

March 10, 2012

Hertford 0 Blueharts 4

As Hertford have been moving further from safety in recent weeks it was imperative that the Stags took advantage of the remaining games. Herford fielded a stronger squad than in previous weeks including the returning former captain Julian Sample on the right of midfield.

Hertford played well in patches throughout the game creating 9 short corners and several open play opportunities. Unfortunately as has been the case for much of the season the finishing left much to be desired against an in form Blueharts keeper.

Blueharts were an organised side that have obviously been well drilled in training, this organisation showed well in the last quarter of the pitch as they were able to convert 4 of their chances several of which were as the result of some good passing movement.

There were some positives to take from the game including a good performance from youngest player George Holmes who is progressing well week to week.

Hertford travel to Letchworth next week in the knowledge that with an 11 point deficit to the next two teams with 12 points available from the final four games relegation is looking more and more likely.

March 3, 2012

Hertford 0 Harpenden 1

Hertford met Harpenden on Saturday to continue the fight to stave off relegation. With several key players unavailable for the match Hertford started the game with unfamiliar line up. The lack of cohesion in the team showed in the first half against a young well disciplined side in Harpenden who were able to control much of the game in the middle of the park. This level of possession unfortunately led to Harpenden’s first and only goal which was a scrappy effort from an unmarked forward in the D.

The second half turned out to better all round for Hertford, there was higher quality of passing and movement from the outset with the team working extremely hard off the ball for each other, this did not however lead to a goal with few clear cut chances in honesty being created.

Hertford host Blueharts this coming week in another must win game for the club if they are to stand a chance of staying in Div 3SW for another year.

February 18, 2012

Hertford 6 Vauxhall 2

Vauxhall visited Balls Park for a bottom of the table clash with Hertford on Saturday, fielding a strong team the Stags were confident of a positive result especially given the 2-0 away win against the same side earlier in the season. This was further built upon as it emerged that Vauxhall had travelled without an umpire and only 11 players, giving them a man deficit from the start.

Even given this advantage the two week gap in training and fixtures due to the snow clearly had an effect on Hertford’s play with players caught out of position far too often & possession being relinquished on a frequent basis. Add to this a Mike Hawes eye injury after 20 minutes from a trailing stick the Stags were quickly caught on the back foot. The result of this was a quick breakaway goal from Vauxhall which led to Hertford trailing at the interval.

After a rousing team talk from skipper Elliot at half time the Hertford play in the second half improved dramatically, the road to recovery started with a Joel Forrester short corner drag flick. Forrester then scored again after some good play down the right challenge by central midfielder Simon Moore.

The Hertford recovery was interrupted 5 minutes later by a Vauxhall goal which appeared to be scored by the Vauxhall player over shoulder height – the goal was confirmed after consultation between umpires.

The game then turned ugly with yellow cards for both sides, thankfully Hertford kept their heads to go on to score a further 4 goals, the first of which being a neat flick by Forrester to complete his hat-trick, the next two scored by Alec Short from a short corner and a close rebound from the keeper. The last of the goals came from left half Dan Livings from the top of the D after a pull back from Stan Power.

A good result for Hertford but wins around them for Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth mean that the gap to their nearest rivals still remains at 2 points.

Hertford travel to Winchmore Hill on the 25^th.

January 28, 2012

Southgate Adelaide 2 Hertford 1

Southgate Adelaide were the latest team in Hertford’s sights in an attempt to continue the post Christmas run. Given that Southgate are the current league leaders Hertford would have to raise their performance level to get a result in this game.

Hertford began the game by far the brighter with some impressive attacking moves coming through the midfield and forward line which are gelling together as a unit far better as the season progresses. It was this attacking play which led to one of many Hertford short corners in the first half. The push-out did not come out straight to the stopper but some quick play at the top of the D forced the keeper into a save and allowed Ben Cooper to slap home the rebounding shot.

After the goal Hertford had a few more half chances but were unable to press home their advantage. Southgate towards the end of the first-half continued with their strict game plan of half court press, Hertford being pressured on the ball were forced into mistakes leading to two short corners before half time both of which were converted by Southgate.

After half time Hertford were again the more positive side in attack with some good chances to score, in the end however they were unable to overcome the deficit and ended the game in a 2-1 loss. Herford understandably were frustrated by the result but there were definite positives that can be taken into the game against Berkhamsted next Saturday.

January 21, 2012

Hertford 2 Royston 2

Hertford welcomed Royston to Balls Park looking to build on the win in the last game against Vauxhall. The game started at a quick pace with chances for both sides coming thick and fast. Hertford conceded after 20 mins to a smart turn and shot from the Royston forward. Darren Norman then equalised for Hertford in a goal mouth scramble. Shortly after half time Hertford gained a short corner which was duly dispatched with an excellent low drag flick by new signing Joel Forrester who looked to have fitted extremely well into the Hertford forward line. A flurry of cards including a yellow for Matt Earle followed in a frantic period of the game. Hertford looked to be holding out for the win until a late short corner was conceded and converted by the Royston centre back. Hertford travel to league leaders Southgate Adelaide next week in an attempt to continue their unbeaten run since the Christmas break. 

January 7, 2012

Vauxhall 0 Hertford 2

Hertford travelled to Vauxhall on Saturday looking to kick start the second half of the season with a win. Given that the Christmas break had provided time for various injuries to heal Hertford fielded one of the strongest team they have been able to this season, notably welcoming long term absentees Lee Donnithorne and Mike Hawes. The game started and ended as a scrappy affair with Vauxhall breaking down play wherever they could. The deadlock was broken by a short corner missile struck down the centre of the goal by Stan power. In the second half Vauxhall put the pressure back on Hertford but ultimately the game was sealed by a floated effort into the top left hand corner of the goal by mike Hawes having found himself in the unfamiliar territory of the opposing D. In all a great disciplined performed by Hertford was rewarded with three points to take into next week’s game against Luton. 

December 3, 2011

Hertford 0 Letchworth 7

Hertford’s run of losses continued on Saturday with a heavy defeat to fellow strugglers Letchworth. The match began with an unfamiliar line-up, the first 15 minutes were fairly evenly matched with some decent passing moves from Hertford.

Unfortunately the injury curse that has blighted the team all season struck on 20 minutes with both Ben Cooper and Chris Eley pulling up. After a hasty reorganisation of the team Hertford set about the game but by half time they had conceded 5 goals.

The second half saw some great performances in difficult circumstances by the team – notably by the younger players in the side James Ware and George Holmes. Although Hertford conceded 2 more goals there were also some chances at the other end of the pitch.

Hertford travel to Welwyn Garden City this week to attempt to get their season back on track.

November 26, 2011

Blueharts 4 Hertford 1

Hertford slipped further into the relegation battle this week with a defeat to current league leaders Blueharts. It was always going to be an uphill challenge with five of the stags squad out injured therefore several players having to take up unfamiliar positions. In spite of this the opening phase of the game was quite balanced with both sides having opportunities from short corners and open play alike. It was Blueharts who opened the scoring with a quick break after they had overturned the ball in midfield. The stags however continued to press, George Holmes' tenacious play was rewarded with a short corner that was duly converted by Darren Norman spectacularly diving to deflect the ball in at the far post. After a good period for the stags the opposition managed to score from a corner just before half time. After the break Blueharts cohesion started to show and the Stags defence started to creak under the constant pressure. Short corners ensued allowing Blueharts to put away two further goals.

November 19, 2011

Harpenden 2 Hertford 2

Herts held by Harps

The Stags were cruelly denied a well earned win at the weekend after they were unable to hold out against a youthful Harpenden side. The game started well for Hertford a new formation and short accurate passing proved to be the key to greater ball retention. The Harpenden lads had their moments but were generally being snuffed out by Simon Moore at centre back before they could really threaten. Darren Norman and George Holmes were doing some excellent work up front, their pace proved too much for the opposition about ten minutes into the game creating a 2 on 1 against the keeper that Holmes coolly slotted into the open goal. Things got better only a few minutes later when Darren Norman received the ball and ran around the full back to belt a shot into the corner of the net. 2 - 0 up at half time and things were looking good however luck was to change in a matter of moments of the restart. Almost simultaneously Stan Power pulled a hamstring and Harpenden scored from a short corner. Effectively down to ten men and only one goal ahead the game turned into a rearguard action for the Stags. The team drew a line in the sand and were incredibly resilient against the fitter Harpenden side. Harpenden however managed to rescue a point by converting a penalty corner in the last few minutes.

November 12, 2011

Hertford 1 Winchmore Hill & Enfield 4

Stags Poor Run Continues

The Stags bad run of results continued on Saturday with a heavy defeat to Winchmore Hill and Enfield Town. Possession was at a premium, the Stags were run ragged by a well drilled Winchmore team, however the home side managed to hold out with some excellent defending from the back line and top class saves by goalkeeper Andy Mari. The pressure finally told with Winchmore slotting their first with a neat deflection goal. Though the Stags had been under the cosh during the first half the team felt they were still in with a good shout of getting something from the game. Hertford started the second half well but succumbed to a second within ten minutes of the restart. The stags pushed forward in order to try and get back into the game which left the defence exposed for Winchmore Hill to convert two more chances form open play and a short corner. The game turned into a bit of a scrap with a Winchmore forward being sin binned for persistently hacking Hertford players. The stags managed to capitalise on the numerical advantage as Simon Moore ran through the right hand side of the pitch to set up Ben Cooper who swivelled on the spot to beat the keeper with an excellent piece of skill. Unfortunately it was little more than a consolation though things could have got worse with skipper Mike Branford lucky to stay on the pitch after reacting to reckless tackle, after some handbags the situation quickly diffused and the game finished shortly after. The Stags are now need to recapture last season’s form to get back up the table.  

October 29, 2011

Hertford 1 Rickmansworth 2

Stags Stunned By Late Comeback

Hertford were well on course for three points on Saturday before the tables were turned in the  last few minutes of the game. The match started evenly with chances at both ends, neither side were able to keep possession for sustained periods. The Stags though felt comfortable in defence and were having the better of the play. Hertford had several short corner routines come close but Rickmansworth managed to scramble them away. The breakthrough came just before half time as Darren Norman pressurised the Ricky defence, confusion reigned between their keeper and centre back, with the ball ending up rebounding off of the goal post only to be tucked away by Norman. Hertford went into the break with ambitions to press on and make sure of the win, this seemed likely after the break with Darren Norman almost coming agonisingly close to a second and Mike Branford being denied by the keeper in a goalmouth scramble. To their credit Rickmansworth weathered the storm and pinched an equaliser in the last ten minutes when their centre forward coming in from the right. The Stags were shell shocked by the turn around that was compounded by a Ricky winner two minutes from time. The stags were totally gutted by the result which leaves them with some work to do to get back into the mix.

October 22, 2011

Berkhamsted 2 Hertford 2

Stags Lock Horns with Battling Berko

Hertford travelled to Tring with high hopes of gaining three points at the weekend. With two subs able to keep the energy levels up throughout the 70 minutes the prospects were good, initial play showed that the stags had the classier players. The Hertford midfield began pulling the strings, early pressure did not convert into goals though there were several close calls with the Berkhamstead keeper regularly going walkabout. In their desperate defence Berko cleared a ball straight into Gregg Bazleys chest, the reorganisation led to an uncharacteristic slip up in the Hertford defence and a well struck short corner goal from the portly Berko centre forward. Within a couple of minutes Herford had a corner opportunity of their own, the routine was slick and Gavin Elliot slammed home a rocket of a shot from the top of the D. Hertford again piled on the pressure but could not capitalise on several promising opportunities. Fate was once again against the Stags as a misplaced pass was deflected into Berko's possession for a breakaway goal just before the end of the half. Feeling a little hard done by the stags resolved to turn the game around and were back on level terms within minutes of the restart as Chris Eley poached a goal after some good work from Hertford down the right. The Stags continued to press and contain the odd Berkhamsted break out, Eley was denied by what appeared to be a reverse stick in the way of the his goal bound shot, the umpire awarded a penalty flick but after consultation with his colleague the decision was not upheld. The game then descended into a scrappy affair with the stags earning a few bruises for their troubles, though a point on the road can't be sniffed at the stags left feeling they had just let two go begging.

October 15, 2011

Hertford 1 Southgate Adelaide 1

Eley equaliser ends bad run 

After two successive defeats the Stags needed to stop the rot at Balls park on Saturday, playing against the early league leaders Southgate Adelaide was perhaps not the ideal way to get back on track. Though it took a short while to get going Hertford stepped up to the plate competing doggedly with their lofty opposition, Darren Norman managed to penetrate the Adelaide D several times before Stan Power had a shot cleared off the line after a cracking corner strike. Though under pressure at times the Stags defence proved resolute until Southgate opened the scoring against the run of play, chances came and went though Hertford were still confident of getting a result through the half time period. Ben Cooper and Norman started the second half with a rapid attack straight from the push back, the panicked Southgate defence gave away a succession of corners that the stags were unable to capitalise on. As the half wore play became stretched though it appeared as if time was running out for the Stags to mount a comeback. That was until sweeper Simon Moore dribbled 60 yards evading several opposition players to lay on a chance for leading goalscorer Chris Eley, he managed to deftly tuck the ball into the corner of the goal. The Stags continued to press and were only denied a winner by some athletic goalkeeping before the end of the game. Back on track the Stags will now travel to old rivals Berkhamsted for another epic encounter.

October 8, 2011

Royston 3 Hertford 0

The mighty stags travelled with the bare 11 to compete against  Royston.  Hertford started well with some fluid play working the opposition hard, with Short and Cooper working the central midfield well, delivering cutting passes around the field.  Royston attacked hard through their midfield and front line, but Hertford managed to hold them through the defence of Mari, Livings, Elliott, Moore and Barber.

As the first half went on Royston continued to apply the pressure and scored 2 breakaway goal, putting the stags 2 nil down at half time.

After re-grouping and re-fuelling, the stags took the game to Royston applying pressure in all areas of the pitch.  Hertford were denied a penalty flick after Royston's keeper obstructed Willows, when he was through on goal, managing to remove his contact lens in the process.

Royston’s third came from a stray short corner strike on goal, which Livings managed to bring back into play and place on his foot on the goal line, resulting in a final score of 3 nil.

This week Hertford are back at home with improved numbers competing against Southgate Adelaide. Here's to 3 points...

October 1, 2011

Hertford 0 Luton 5

Luton too Hot for Herts

The Stags crashed back to reality this week with a 5 - 0 defeat to promotion favourites Luton. Initial signs were good as the Stags competed well in spite of the 30 degree heat, however the game changed when Stan Power was involved in a collision with the Luton keeper. The resulting injury left Hertford effectively down to ten fit players with the majority of the match remaining. The stags held out for most of the half, repulsing numerous attack and short corners though the flood gates finally broke five minutes before the break. Darren Norman almost brought things back on level terms missing by inches just after Luton's first, a further two goals hit the backboards to compound the first half deficit. With their backs to the wall the stags came out and played some attractive hockey however the heat and lack of subs began to take their toll as the half wore on. An inability to maintain possession meant that Luton repeatedly attacked the Stags beleaguered defence. The resilience was again broken just before half time as Luton brought the score up to five.

September 24, 2011

Hertford 3 Welwyn Garden City 2

Hertford Comeback in Derby Thriller

The Stags opened their account with a superb derby win against local rivals Welwyn Garden City on Saturday. Hertford started the match in confident style playing the ball around as if the summer break had never happened. The early dominance however was shattered by a City strike from the top of the D, the goal stood in spite of protestations from the Stags defence regarding an infringement. Hertford rallied playing their usual passing game working the Welwyn players around the pitch with some slick passing from the back three, Livings, Rainsford and Bazley. Yet again the Welwyn centre forward scored after bulldozing his way through to make it 2 - 0. Many teams would have wilted under the pressure but this seasons Stags are made of sterner stuff. Sticking to their game plan the comeback started ten minutes before half time when Dave Willoughby struck a perfect tomahawk shot into the top of the goal. This was followed by a period of intense pressure from Hertford who were looking comfortable in defence again, Matt Earle mopping up any foray by the City forwards. The hard work paid off when Chris Eley found himself one on one with the keeper just before the break, a neat reverse flick into the corner of the goal got the Stags back on level terms.
 
The second half saw Hertford push on and continue to press, Alec Short running the game from the centre of the field. A rare penalty corner was awarded about five minutes in to the half and the Stags took full advantage. A training ground routine was put away by Short at the far post after slick work from the rest of the short corner team. Now in the lead the Stags shut up shop with Welwyn throwing the kitchen sink at the Hertford goal. Tight marking and some excellent team defending kept the opposition at bay, though things became tougher when Willoughby pulled up with cramp effectively reducing the stags to 10. In a frantic final period Simon Moore was sin binned leaving the Stags further depleted. Welwyn however were unable to muster a clear chance leaving the home side to claim all three points for the opening game of the season.