You can win something with kids

Hertford wrapped up their league season in style on Saturday, running out 3-4 winners away to Bedford 3rds in a to and fro encounter.

With 1st team regulars Ben Tootell and Ben van Rooyen absent, as well as player-coach Nick Downer and captain Alec Short, a very young and much changed team took to the pitch with Archie Akers, Ciaran Begg and the comparatively senior Jamie O'Sullivan being recalled to the side.

The game started with the home side slightly on top, being more comfortable with the bouncy surface and imposing some of their physical advantage against a Hertford side that featured five teenagers.

Hertford did eventually find some rhythm, with Mike Branford offering a decent outlet on the let and Gavin Elliot neutralising the high press through the aerial ball.

The away side fended off a few penalty corners before breaking down the left and finding Finn Kennedy, who showed deft lifted skill in beating two defenders on his way into the circle, before feeding brother Luke on the baseline. The younger Kennedy unselfishly passed across the goalmouth for Archie Akers to tap in at the far post.

The hosts responded well and quickly drew level as Hertford lost the ball in midfield and were unable to get back behind the ball before the Bedford forwards worked a simple goal, and then shortly afterwards the home side were in front as a penalty corner broke down and scrambled home at the second time of asking despite Max Capaldi's decent initial save.

Not to be outdone, Hertford levelled the tie on the stroke of half-time. Man of the match Jeremiah Donogue exhibited a trademark dribble on the right flank, with Ciaran Begg latching on the ball with a reverse stick strike, which was well saved by the Bedford keeper, but stand-in skipper Ian Dunnett collected the rebound and changed the angle by moving the ball onto his reverse side and sweeping home, high into the net past the netminder's right arm.

It was only a few seconds into the second half when Hertford retook the lead. Another foray down the right and ball into the danger area reached Akers, who, with his back to goal, laid off to Finn Kennedy, driving on the angle and unleashing a strike which evaded the onrushing goalie and found its way inside the far post.

The tie entered a more fractious and turgid period, with both sides guilty of losing the ball in midfield, and not really creating much in the way of chances, as frustrations began to bubble to the surface, but with ten minutes to go Hertford extended their lead.
Stan Power won the ball in the middle of the park, and fed Dunnett, who could turn and run at the home defence. A one-two with Finn Kennedy at the top of the circle enabled Dunnett to draw the goalie and slip the ball to the back-post where Luke Kennedy was waiting to steer home for his maiden 1st team goal.

Somewhat aggrieved, Bedford pressed for the remaining ten minutes. They thought they had found a any back into the match when Gavin Elliot deflected a cross into his own net, but after consultation between the officials play was brought back for an earlier offence.
Bedford did register a third with a penalty corner routine which didn't go to plan, with a makeshift passing move finding the open man to flick home from eight yards out.

On the final whistle Bedford secured another penalty corner, but a cross from the right could only be deflected toward the sideline as Hertford secured the three points.

The win took Hertford above Bedford in the table to fifth, capping off a strong second half of the season, and providing some very encouraging signs for next year.

Hertford: Max Capaldi; Elliot Barling, Gavin Elliot, Jamie O'Sullivan, Mike Branford; Jeremiah Donogue, Stan Power, Ian Dunnett; Finn Kennedy, Ciaran Begg, Archie Akers. Sub: Luke Kennedy.