Apps-solutely Fabulous

Hertford were closer to full strength than the opening day with summer signings Apps, Taylor Weeks and skipper Ian Dunnett all added to the match day squad.

Chelmsford started much the better in the Essex sunshine, moving the ball expansively and at a pace that kept the Stags on the back foot, but other than a couple of speculative crosses flashing across the D, the visitors were doing well to limit any clear opportunities at goal.

Hertford grew into the contest and had their own spells of possession. Simon Halfacre and Jamie O’Sullivan having to be patient in holding the ball across the back and waiting for an opening to be created.

It was some good pressing and incisive play that brought about the first goal. Some good pressing from Hertford’s forwards forced a poor pass out from defence, which was seized upon by James Rollins, jinking around one man and driving to the baseline, Rollins pulled the ball back into the danger area for Dunnett to pick up on his reverse. With more time than he should have been allowed the Hertford skipper nudged the ball across the top of the D and then shot back across goal, beating the keeper via a deflection off a defender’s stick.

Hertford were unlucky not to double their lead a few minutes later when Apps whistled a drag-flick just type wrong side of the upright from a penalty corner.

Chelmsford reasserted themselves, winning a succession of penalty corners of their own, but the dry pitch on a very warm day was causing trouble for the injector and the set-pieces passed without incident.

The home side forced their way back into the contest from an innocuous long corner. No one stepped out to pick up an advancing centre-back who was afforded far too much time to play a straight pass into the circle which was deflected away by Tom Smith in the visitor’s goal, but was scooped over him on the rebound to level the score line at 1-1.

The hosts probably had the best of the remaining 1st half minutes, and could have taken the lead just before half time from a similar situation as their first, but this time the ball into the circle was wide of the mark, and then Halfacre made a brilliant reverse-stick deflection away from danger when Smith was beaten and a Chelmsford forward was lurking ready for a tap-in.

Chelmsford were forced into changing their goalie at half time due to injury which resulted in some of their playmakers having to play further back, releiving some of the pressure on Hertford.

Taking full advantage Hertford bossed the middle fo the park for the first ten minutes of the second period and retook the lead. The tireless Darren Norman closed down a full back in the left corner and turned over possession, driving across the D. Unselfishly drawing the last defender Norman sent a slide-rule pass to Apps who had drifted to the left of the D, where he was able to finish first time, beating the sprawling net minder at his near post.

Hertford remained on top and could have extended their advantage, despite Elliot Barling being asked to sit down for 2 minutes when not retreating the mandatory 5 metres. Norman showed excellent skill beating two men in the D, but then took on a shot from a poor angle when perhaps team mates were better placed, and then the same player rounded the keeper after being sent through on goal by Apps, but was forced too wide with his shot on target being blocked by a recovering defender.

Hertford did eventually get the third. Some good interchanges down the right hand side saw the ever sprightly Arthur Twyning produce some excellent skill, squaring for Apps to smash home his second on the half-volley.

It could have been four when Luke Camilleri beat players at will, but then couldn’t find the killer finish with, once more, team mates waiting in the goal mouth.

The home side chased the game, earning more penalty corners, and finally making one count. A straight shot was saved by Smith, but the rebound was then played to the back post, and then back across goal for a tap-in to close the gap to one with four minutes to play.

Hertford showed the required composure to close out the contest and take the three points, lifting them to seventh in the table. Next week they host tenth-placed Blueharts 2s at the Simon Balle ground where they will be looking to build on this week’s performance.

Hertford - Tom Smith; Elliot Barling, Simon Halfacre, Jamie O’Sullivan, Taylor Weeks; Ian Dunnett, Nick Downer, Adrian Fileczki; Arthur Twyning, Scott Apps, Darren Norman. Subs: James Rollins, Luke Camilleri.