Stags stumble in stalemate

Due to the weather Hertford had been unable to train during the week and their rustiness showed on a newly laid - and quite lively - pitch at the University of Hertfordshire ground.
With Welwyn more familiar with the bouncy surface they arguable enjoyed the better chances of the first half, with two high-running forwards working well in tandem and trying to get beyond the centre-back pairing of Simon Halfacre and Ben Tootell who was deputising for absent vice-captan Jamie O’Sullivan.

In the main Hertford managed to keep the danger at bay, with Max Capaldi ably coming off his line to smother any shooting opportunity on two occasions, and then pulling off a deft save to his right when a player at the back post looked certain to score.

Hertford warmed into the tie as time wore on, getting to grips with the conditions, and forcing a couple of set pieces before half time, with the lack of practice perhaps letting them down as the usual routines weren’t quite on song.

The second half saw a similar pattern of good defending and goal-keeping, although with the visitors slightly in the ascendency. Some positional guidance at the half time team talk, and improved ball pace was bearing fruit as the aerial ball from Nick Downer in midfield and Oliver de Roeck at left-back was now more regularly finding its mark.
Hertford continued to win penalty corners, but found an in form net minder twice denying them; firstly from a Downer drag flick and then a clever switched move which was deflected on target by Alec Short.

Ben van Rooyen, averaging more than a goal a game, uncharacteristically missed a gilt-edged chance. Seizing on a mis-hit ball out from the back, and driving to the top of the circle, the South African could only skew his shot wide of the right-hand upright.

The home side were reduced to hitting long balls and playing on the break, but some disciplined marking and the odd sliding challenge from Tootell largely kept them at bay.
Welwyn thought they might have broken the deadlock when a ball in from the left squeezed past Capaldi and was bundled home at the back post, but - following consultation by the umpires - the effort was disallowed for a foot.

Hertford rolled the dice with all out attack in the final minutes, but were unable to make the breakthrough before the final whistle.

Despite the draw, Hertford remain second in division 3SW as other matches fell victim to the near-freezing conditions. Next week Hertford host third-placed Letchworth 2nds in another crucial encounter.

Hertford: Max Capaldi; Elliot Barling, Simon Halfacre, Ben Tootell, Oliver de Roeck; Ian Dunnett, Nick Downer, Alec Short; Ben van Rooyen, Luke Kennedy, Greg Page. Subs: Mike Branford, Ciaran Begg.