Hertford VI 2 - 0 Stevenage V

Another heroic rearguard action, with a short corner count of 11 - 1 against us, but this time we didn't crack! Nick played a blinder, and thoroughly deserved his first clean sheet of the season. Playing deep again, John, Graham, Tony and Steve soaked up assault after assault from an experienced, but man for man 15 - 20 years younger and quicker Stevenage side. A rather makeshift midfield ran our hearts out and did our best to keep the game flowing, and with Daryl back and Ian Rawlinson making his return after 9 long years of babysitting, we had the speed and power to produce some neatly crafted counter attacks. With 15 minutes gone Aodhan was right on the spot on the far post to give us the lead - his first senior goal. That got us safely to half time, and when we were starting to feel under the cosh after the break it was Aodham again who picked up a pass from Daryl, dribbled 30 yards, went through the defence like butter, swung wide to the bi-line and cut the ball perfectly across the keeper for Ian, arriving unmarked on the far post, to punch home.

We didn't make any more clear cut chances, and we didn't dare to dream until we reached the last five minutes, but the back line held out to the end. Man of the Match goes to Aodhan, Gold Star to Ian for a fairytale return, that's a record three consecutive home games unbeaten, and as we reach the Christmas break we are sitting 8th our of 14 in Div 9, won 5, drawn 1, lost 6, well placed to push into the top half in the New Year.