Could Mr Elliott please step forward

After having lost heavily to Cheshunt in the previous week, Hertford were looking to bounce back with a win against Stevenage to jump back to the top of the table. The loss to Cheshunt left them 2nd on Goal difference but with the returning James Begg from Uni and a midfield trio of Dunnett, Stirling & Short, Hertford were determined to take home all 3 points. The game started well and the Stags drew first blood when Marcus Stirling drove into the D to fire home hard and low into the bottom left corner. It was the start that Hertford needed and gave them confidence moving into the rest of the game, however the lead didn't last very long when Stevenage, who had a few outsiders playing, caught them on the break to finish past Tom Smith in goal.

The game continued in the same end to end fashion and Hertford soon found themselves 2-1 up thanks to a goal from Varsity Cup Winner James Begg after a fine passing move. The score continued to bounce with Hertford either 1 goal to the good or level with Stevenage and at half time, the score stood at 3-2 to the Stags. Coming out in the second half, Hertford began brightly but still found themselves giving away possession too easily and you could see their growing frustration. Stevenage equalised once again and with nerves beginning to show and the clock counting down, it was going to take a true team effort to see off a well drilled opposition. The score climbed once again thanks to a second from James Begg & a neatly taken reverse flick around the goalkeeper from Luke Rawlinson eaither side of another Stevenage goal.

With the game precariously poised at 5-4 the defensive wall began to come down at Hertfords end as them continued to withstand the attacks, whilst still maintaining a fast counter attacking when in possession of the ball. Unfortunately, with gaps beginning to appear, Stevenage grabbed the final equaliser to leave the game at 5-5 moving into the final 10 minutes.

BUT HAVE NO FEAR!

The game began to close out, and with the crowd beginning to leave the ground to beat the rush in the car park, Hertford pressed on and were awarded with a Short Corner when the ball was placed onto a Stevenage foot in the D. The short corner was awarded in the 70th minute meaning Hertford stepped up to try and keep the ball in the final quarter and grab the winning goal. Gavin Elliott stepped up, Ian Dunnett lined up, Mike Hawes prepared, it was like an action movie. A perfect short corner routine ended with Gavin Elliott flicking the ball into the top left corner and sealing the win for Hertford.

The win leaves them 3 points above Cheshunt again having played 1 game more.

Man of the Match: Gavin Elliott