Southgate Tankards 3 - 0 Hertford VI

After a rather disjointed pre-season program, we were a bit understrength and underpaced for last seasons runners up (they declined promotion).

Steady pressure inevitably led to goals despite some rather ordinary finishing (I counted about 10 shots wide) and an impressive league debut for Andy Smith in goal, we defended gamely but could never really get a grip on midfield. The passes were too slow and we weren't giving making options forv each other. For 10 lovely minutes after the break we looked like we might get back into the game, but the third goal went in and the game rather drifted from there. Daryl, Dave and Ian battled through from time to time to keep their keeper alert, but as last week we struggled to get support up to the forwards. Tom Day made a lively debut, injecting some welcome pace and tenacity. Tremendous work rate from Chris Dean - not many forwards make goal line clearance.

We'll get better.