Deadly Downer Helps Hertford Push On

On a humid evening down at Broxbourne Hockey Club, the Stags arrived to play closest rivals Cheshunt in the final show down between 1st & 2nd place in this years Summer League. Hertford knew a win would move them a point clear at the top of the table with a game in hand over the teams around them. They arrived in good spirits having had a weeks break to compose themselves and prepare for what would surely be a close encounter.

The game began in a much expected cagey manor with both teams trying to get into their best flow of hockey. Within the first 10 minutes Hertford looked to be gathering pace and created the better of the first few opportunities in front of goal. Despite the early possession and pressure, it was Cheshunt who got the first goal after a scrap in the D lead to a short corner being awarded. The initial strike was blocked but a bobbling second strike, which deflected off of Oliver De Roecks Stick made it into the back of the goal with post man Jamie O'Sullivan unlucky in his attempt to clear.

After the blip of going 1 goal down Hertford didn't change their game plan and continued to push on in the same way and it soon paid off when a patient spell of possession and transferring of the ball allowed Luke Kennedy to grab the equaliser after an initial save from the keeper. Luke Kennedy pounced on the rebound and cooly lifted the ball over the fallen keeper. Half time soon came around and Hertford had a few moments to compose themselves, receive some advice from the more experienced players and set themselves for the second half. The stags knew they had the upper hand and that wasn't going to change as the second half began.

Hertford had most of the possession with Cheshunts only opportunities coming on the break thanks to the pace of their forwards. To the relief of the crowd and onlooking Chairman Nik Bentley and Chief Photographer Renn Makan, Hertford finally made their chances count and grabbed the second goal thanks to Nick Downer with a sweet strike into the side of the goal. The second goal allowed Hertford to play a much more free flowing game and the third goal cam soon after when Ian Dunnett fired in a beautiful, low reverse pass straight to the far post where Luke Rawlinson was waiting for the deflection. Goals 4 & 5 soon followed with Nick Downer getting on the scoresheet for the second time and Ciaran Begg calmly finishing when 1 on 1 with the keeper.

A well deserved win and another 3 points on the board moving into the final 2 games of this years Summer League.

Next Game: Thursday 25th August vs Broxbourne

Man of the Match: Nick Downer