Moving into their 5th game of this years Summer League, Hertford came up against their closest rivals Broxbourne. With a 100% record behind them, the stags were feeling ready to take all 3 points and take back the bragging rights at Broxbourne's home ground. With Gavin Elliott unavailable this week, Hertford welcomed back Ben Tootell and Jamie O'Sullivan from their Spring Break to slot into defence with new recruit Oliver De Roeck. Marcus Stirling also returned from his tanning sessions in the Caribbean to sit alongside Ian Dunnett & Nick Downer in Midfield.

The opening 10 minutes saw Broxbourne start the brighter team and threatening to open the scoring early on, however Hertford held their nerve and defended well leaving Sam Timms to only have to make a few vital saves the ensure Broxbourne didn't break the deadlock first. The opening goal eventually game for Hertford after a well worked move from Ciaran Begg & Jeremiah Donoghue down the left hand side ended with the ball being fizzed across the D only to find a stampeding Nick Downer with acres of space to finish off cooly despite a touch from the keeper. The goal gave Hertford the energy they needed to push on and a second goal came soon after. A short corner was won after a foot in the D by the Broxbourne defence, and with a simple routine Nick Downer, with the perfect drag flick, finished high into the top left corner of the goal for his second of the game.

Having let 2 goal leads slip in the past Hertford knew they would need at least a 3 goal cushion and not get complacent with so much time still to go. That goal soon came when Ciaran Begg worked his magic again down the left hand side and fired the ball across the D for Marcus Stirling to finish off at the back post. Hertford soon became thankful for the third goal when Broxbourne then grabbed their first and began to threaten towards the latter stages of the half. Despite the set back of the home teams goal, Hertford soon grabbed the fourth after a scrap in the D and the keeper failing to deal with the first shot, Ciaran Begg put the ball in the back of the goal which almost put Broxbourne out of sight.

The second half carried on much like the first with Hertford always looking threatening on the break. The fifth and final goal soon came when a short corner routine ended in a Broxbourne foot being placed in the way of the ball on the goal line and the umpire giving a flick. Protests were made by the Broxbourne player who soon saw green and would sit on the side for 2 minutes. Nick Downer, having already scored 2, took to the stage and finished beautifully to complete his hat-trick.

A superb team performance and a thoroughly deserved win.

Man of the Match: Nick Downer