1 game 1 win

Frankly, the only sporting event that deserves a start time that early is a day at the home of cricket. There is nothing better than stepping off the jubilee line at St Johns Wood with the egg and bacon tie brigade, with the day ahead full of possibilities, but mostly full of probabilities that champagne, pimms, overpriced 'gourmet' varieties of fish and chips or a picnic will be consumed heartily. The afternoon sport of seeing just how far you can get a champagne cork onto the outfield seems, at first, a quirky eccentricity of the English, but when three sheets to the wind is funnier than Lenny Henry doing a turn at the London Palladium

Anyway, I was late, frankly in protest at this ridiculous start time. Still 20 minutes before push back (which is early for me) but when I got to the pitch I was greeted by Miles, which made me realise that I was definitely in line for a fine. I was not disappointed.

So, the league season is finally upon us. Good to know that my team mates at the start of the match, will still be so at the end of it, with little or no chance of a 'swap' at half time. Rickmansworth 2nds were our opponents and having played against that club for pretty much the last 20 years and recognising a couple of ex first teamers in their line up, I expected a robust and competitive morning / pre breakfast run around

Those fans of Eastenders in the 90s and noughties will like playing Rickmansworth. Frequent cries of 'Rickeeeeeeee' take you back to a simpler time when all you had to worry about was whether Bianca had locked poor old Sid Owen out of his flat again. One for the kids....

Because of selectorial issues further up the club hierarchy (intriguing, has there been a coup already, Joey Bartonesque style criticism of the management?) we were much changed from last weeks victory. Thankfully Russell's brother stepped up so out overseas contingent remained at 2 even though Renn was relegated to the second team

As the first half got underway, Hertford started with a rare confidence on the ball and began to dominate completely. As well as keeping the ball well, excellent hassling of the opposition ensured that Ricky were pinned in their own half for large chunks of the opening 20 minutes. Even if the opposition did manage to break out then any attacks were quickly dealt with by Howie, Rob and Miles. Most of the attacking play of Rickmansworth was focused down the middle third and it allowed our full backs in Rob and Jon space to drive into

Despite this domination, we couldn't quite get the opening goal, but to the teams credit, there was no sense of frustration. We continued to do the right things and play the right way and were rewarded with the opening goal from Steve, striking home from the right side of the D

Pleasingly, there was no let up in the intensity and 2 more goals followed before half time, Clive and Arthur both netting past the Ricky custodian to lead us into half time in fine fettle

The second half saw Rickmansworth come out with a renewed vigour, perhaps they'd had a Ferguson style hair drier treatment at the break. But bearing in mind the tactics utilised, it seemed more likely that the manager the Ricky coach idolised was Dave Bassett of Wimbledon fame. Nothing to do with the crazy gangs violent streak (the match was played in excellent spirit with quality umpiring), but more to do with the aerial bombardment that rained down upon our back 3. At one stage I swear I saw Howie donning a helmet in fear at the grenades that were coming his way

Whilst on Match of the day, this approach may well have drawn condemnation from such luminaries as Danny Murphy and Trevor Sinclair, it certainly proved effective as Rickmansworth got 2 clear one on ones with only Geoff to beat.

Geoff occasionally gives the impression that he'd prefer to watch the match from the back and not be involved, maybe in the mistaken belief that if he doesn't touch the ball his match fee might be reduced. But then when called into action he shows his class, as on both occasions Geoff pushed the attacks wide. On the one occasion that Ricky did force the ball home, it was correctly overturned for an air shot prior to the final shot

Despite some brief Ricky pressure, Hertford kept moving the ball around and deservedly gained a fourth when Russell smashed the ball into the top left corner - simply unstoppable

With Ricky heads dropping as they realised that the game was well and truly up, there was only one thing left and that was for the customary James Berry goal after 5 missed chances. Sadly it didn't save him from the rather natty pink glasses that the dick of the day is the recipient of nowadays, but it was good that we signed off with a clean sheet and a good victory to kick off the season

Mom - rob - great discipline at the back

Dod - James berry - keep getting in those positions fella, only a matter of time before you get a hatful in a match