Hertford VI 2 Bishops Stortford V 3

Six changes from last week. A welcome visit from our old pal Rian Weston, along with Ed Haretley in a straight swap from the 5s for Nick and Aodhan. Dave Harding and Chris Duncan made their first appearances of the season, Andrew Smith had his first outing for the club.

Against a generally quicker and younger BS side we made a fine start, handling the pressure well at teh back and making good use of our attacking opportunites. Kash smashed in our first, Chris Duncan swept the second into the top of the net as a deserved reward for several dangerous breaks down the right.

But BS stepped up their game, took a firm grip of midfield and pinned us back. Only a spectacular one on one save from Clive got us to half time with a 2 - 1 lead.

As our legs tired and substitutions unsettled us, the equaliser came and then a spectacular winner rocketing in off the underside of the bar. Some tenacious defence and more desperate saves from Clive made sure we stayed in reach, but we showed little sign of forcing an equaliser.

Man of the match goes to Ed for a smart and tenacious game at left back, special mentions for Kash and Duncan for lots of fluent moves in the first half and fighting hard to make something of our limited second half openings.

Good progress again, always disappointing to see a lead slip away, but I'm confident there will be good times ahead.