Hertford go first in the league(!!!)...

The 2's started their season off to a strong start, winning the first league game with a 2-0 win against a strong Blueharts 3's side. The side had a few new faces from last week, with Dave Oldridge, Doug Ashworth, James Ware, Jon Green, Renn Makan, and Euan Begg playing their first game for the 2's this season.

Blueharts, who finished last season in 3rd place, started off strongly, keeping Hertford on the back foot during the beginning of the first half, winning several short corners. The Hertford defence, made up of Matt Earle, Jon Green, Si Moore, and Doug Ashworth, with Tom Smith in goal, remained solid throughout this period, repelling the attacks. Blueharts pressed Hertford from the beginning, making it very difficult for Hertford to break out of their half of the pitch, but as the half progressed, Hertford started moving the ball around more, allowing the forwards to come into the game. Graham Sparrey, and Renn Makan who were playing on the wings, linking up well with the defence, and helping to push the ball further up the field to the inside midfielders and the forwards. As the balance of pressure shifted off Hertford by the end of the half, we largely felt as though much more could be done in the second half.

Sub-par captain's team talk, but fortunately Matt was there to save the captain and inspire the team to greater things in the second half!

Hertford started off the second half with more energy, and playing with more determination. The new found energy meant Hertford were able to play the ball out from the back with more ease, and bring the forwards into the game from the off, leading to several chances. Blueharts continued to play some nice hockey, having their own chances, with one play getting right to the goal, with Tom on the floor out of the goal, only for the attacker to knock it wide from about 3 metres. Hertford countered quickly off one of the Blueharts attacks, with Sparrey linking up with Wills, and Rawlinson down the right hand side, for the latter him to fire the ball across the D with Green ready to deflect the ball to the far corner of the goal, giving Hertford a 1-0 lead. After the restart, Blueharts maintained their high press, keeping Hertford under pressure. James Ware used his pace and skill to beat three players in the Hertford half to allow another counter attack, this time Blueharts were able to get back and defend in numbers, but that didn't stop Rawlinson from knocking the ball over keeper from close range to double the lead. The second goal gave Hertford a comfortable cushion with about 5 minutes left to play. Hertford held out for the remaining time, ending the game 2-0 winners.
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I split my shorts