Hertford's Unbeaten Run Continues

Hertford stretched their unbeaten run to three games on Saturday with a battling one-all draw at home against Royston.

Hertford rang the changes up-front with Darren Norman returning for the injured Finn Kennedy and new international signing Ben Van Rooyen making his debut for the club in a more experienced looking line-up.

The game began evenly with Hertford showing some of the patience they have benefitted from in recent weeks and Royston enjoying their fair-share of possession, looking more threatening in the centre of the park.

The hosts maintained their fine first-half defensive form, yet to concede a goal from open play in the first half this season, thanks to Max Capaldi in the Hertford goal producing a number of decisive saves, although the harrying in midfield was a little strong for the unpires’ tastes as Ian Dunnett was sent to the sideline for two minutes following 2 stick tackles in quick succession.

It was the home side who opened the scoring, perhaps against the run of play, as a well worked passing move through the ranks found Nick Downer in space just outside the Royston 23 metre line. A measured strike to the back post evaded a number of defenders where Van Rooyen was on hand to control the ball and slide home an easy finish to register his first goal for the club.

Royston may have felt unfortunate to be behind, and started the second half repurposed and keeping Hertford on the back foot for long periods. Capaldi remained steadfast with Ben Tootell reading the game well to prevent any threatening balls into the ‘D’.
Hertford had looked half-a-yard short of pace compared to their opponents for much of the game, and that half a yard counted as a Royston defender nipped in front of Van Rooyen to pinch the ball, only to be clattered into by the South African, who was duly dispatched for a five-minute yellow-card.

Royston’s pressure and man advantage paid dividends as after a number of repelled short corners, one switched move found its way to the left-post where despite the closing Gavin Elliot, the Royston injector was able to steal in and finish tidily, flicking high into the Hertford net.

The home side attempted to reapply themselves, and won a few set pieces of their own, but didn’t manage to overly stretch Royston’s netminder. Things were made more difficult for Hertford as first Mike Branford was shown a green following a tussle in midfield and then, as the frustration grew, Van Rooyen saw yellow for a second time in the match, reacting to a poor recovering challenge by one of the visitor’s back-line.

Having only ten men to press with Hertford did well to hold out for a share of the points, and will be looking to register some more when they travel to Letchworth 2nds this Saturday, who currently sit just below Hertford in the table.

Hertford: M. Capaldi; E. Barling, M. Hawes, B. Tootell, G. Elliot; A. Short, S. Power, N. Downer, I. Dunnett; B. Cooper, B. Van Rooyen. Subs: M. Branford, D. Norman