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Sat 21 Oct 2023 ·  East Men's Division 4 South West
Mens 3rd XIBlueharts 5
L Archer (27'), (55'), (65'), J Skillett (36'), (64'), C Emery (57' Green Carded), K Skillett (69')
6
4
Hertford 3s maintain 100% start to season
Graham Sparrey29 Oct 2023 - 14:07
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From 0-3 and 2-4 down to 6-4 winners!
It took a huge effort by the club captain and all the captains to field seven men's teams on Saturday 21 October. They did more shuffling of packs than a casino croupier, so just fielding the 3s was triumph; however, the result trumped that!
As the 3s took to the pitch against Blueharts 5s it looked like Youth v. Experience, with the 3s estimated average age of 21 and only 3 players aged 25 or over.
Blueharts stamped their authority early on scoring from each of their well worked penalty corners (11, 13 and 16 minutes) - probably the result of years of experience and playing together. 0-3 down was a wake-up call to the 3s who were just finding their way as a team and hadn't reached their normal standards of strong, crisp passing.
Undeterred, the 3s grew in confidence and started transferring the ball more successfully between themselves. After 20 minutes the ball was played from right back Emery, to right midfield Jennings and on to right forward Kimberley who drove along the Blueharts baseline; however, his pass to the back post was put narrowly wide. No goal but signs of capability and threat at least.
The missed chance instilled confidence in the 3s and, marshalled by centre backs Hubble and Metcalfe N, the midfield due of Collier W and Skillet R saw more possession of the ball and were the catalyst for increased Hertford pressure between half-way and Blueharts 23 metre line.
That gave left half Archer L and forwards Skillett J and K the opportunity to cause mayhem in the Blueharts defence, with their fast and unpredictable dribbling and movement off the ball. Such movement created an opening for Archer who calmly swept home from midway inside Blueharts circle on 27 minutes.
Despite the 1-3 half-time scoreline Hertford believed they could come back into this game. The 3s recovery from 0-1 down the previous week to win 2-1 at Shefford and Sandy was evidence of their 'bouncebackability'!
The belief meant the 3s started the second half full of confidence and energy and on 36 minutes they reduced the deficit to 2-3 - Skillett J scoring a well taken goal after a powerful break from the halfway line by Hertford's forwards.
For the next few minutes much of the game happened between the two 23 metre lines; however, Blueharts created a couple of chances which were deftly repelled by goalkeeper Smith A. One such chance resulted in a Blueharts penalty corner, another well worked routine and goal. Hertford may have been 2-4 down but their heads were certainly not!
The 3s growth in confidence largely reflected left back Scott's involvement - he was intercepting passes, winning tackles and driving forward with and without the ball. On 55 minutes his pass to left half Jennings was moved on to Skillett J, and his skillful dribble won a penalty corner which was moved left from the stopper to Archer who repeated the previous week's goal with a drag flick inside the left post for 3-4.
On 57 minutes the comeback was scuppered slightly when, after winning a tackle at right back, Emery contested a decision and received a green card. Hertford reorganised effectively, did not look outnumbered and continued to create chances.
When back at full strength, Hertford increased the pressure around Blueharts circle and on 64 minutes drew level though some smart play down the left channel and a well trapped bouncing ball by Skillett K which saw him enter the circle and pass right for Skillett J to sweep home for 4-4!
The 3s had their tails up and on 65 minutes Archer scored again for his hattrick, putting Hertford 5-4 up! "Some of the crowd are on the pitch. They think it's all over!" - obviously not, but without a pitch-side fence they might have been!!
Not content with that scoreline Hertford continued to dominate. Left back Scott calmly cracked a brilliant drive (that wouldn't have looked out of place in the recent Ryder Cup) from left to right, just over the half-way line. The pass completely opened up Blueharts, showing what happens with crisp, fast accurate passing. That didn't result in a goal, but on 69 minutes neat interplay between Archer and forwards Skillett J and K meant Skillet J repaid the earlier assist and passed to Skillett K to push in a 6th goal just seconds before the final whistle.
What a game - very well played everyone! It was good to see other 3s squad players travelling back from their earlier away game to lend their support too.
In 1995 BBC Match of the Day pundit Alen Hansen infamously commented "You can't win anything with kids" about the Manchester United team, only for them to win the football Premier league that same season. 2023 and Saturday's 3 team showed you very much CAN win with youngsters, and in style too.
Come on the 3s!
As the 3s took to the pitch against Blueharts 5s it looked like Youth v. Experience, with the 3s estimated average age of 21 and only 3 players aged 25 or over.
Blueharts stamped their authority early on scoring from each of their well worked penalty corners (11, 13 and 16 minutes) - probably the result of years of experience and playing together. 0-3 down was a wake-up call to the 3s who were just finding their way as a team and hadn't reached their normal standards of strong, crisp passing.
Undeterred, the 3s grew in confidence and started transferring the ball more successfully between themselves. After 20 minutes the ball was played from right back Emery, to right midfield Jennings and on to right forward Kimberley who drove along the Blueharts baseline; however, his pass to the back post was put narrowly wide. No goal but signs of capability and threat at least.
The missed chance instilled confidence in the 3s and, marshalled by centre backs Hubble and Metcalfe N, the midfield due of Collier W and Skillet R saw more possession of the ball and were the catalyst for increased Hertford pressure between half-way and Blueharts 23 metre line.
That gave left half Archer L and forwards Skillett J and K the opportunity to cause mayhem in the Blueharts defence, with their fast and unpredictable dribbling and movement off the ball. Such movement created an opening for Archer who calmly swept home from midway inside Blueharts circle on 27 minutes.
Despite the 1-3 half-time scoreline Hertford believed they could come back into this game. The 3s recovery from 0-1 down the previous week to win 2-1 at Shefford and Sandy was evidence of their 'bouncebackability'!
The belief meant the 3s started the second half full of confidence and energy and on 36 minutes they reduced the deficit to 2-3 - Skillett J scoring a well taken goal after a powerful break from the halfway line by Hertford's forwards.
For the next few minutes much of the game happened between the two 23 metre lines; however, Blueharts created a couple of chances which were deftly repelled by goalkeeper Smith A. One such chance resulted in a Blueharts penalty corner, another well worked routine and goal. Hertford may have been 2-4 down but their heads were certainly not!
The 3s growth in confidence largely reflected left back Scott's involvement - he was intercepting passes, winning tackles and driving forward with and without the ball. On 55 minutes his pass to left half Jennings was moved on to Skillett J, and his skillful dribble won a penalty corner which was moved left from the stopper to Archer who repeated the previous week's goal with a drag flick inside the left post for 3-4.
On 57 minutes the comeback was scuppered slightly when, after winning a tackle at right back, Emery contested a decision and received a green card. Hertford reorganised effectively, did not look outnumbered and continued to create chances.
When back at full strength, Hertford increased the pressure around Blueharts circle and on 64 minutes drew level though some smart play down the left channel and a well trapped bouncing ball by Skillett K which saw him enter the circle and pass right for Skillett J to sweep home for 4-4!
The 3s had their tails up and on 65 minutes Archer scored again for his hattrick, putting Hertford 5-4 up! "Some of the crowd are on the pitch. They think it's all over!" - obviously not, but without a pitch-side fence they might have been!!
Not content with that scoreline Hertford continued to dominate. Left back Scott calmly cracked a brilliant drive (that wouldn't have looked out of place in the recent Ryder Cup) from left to right, just over the half-way line. The pass completely opened up Blueharts, showing what happens with crisp, fast accurate passing. That didn't result in a goal, but on 69 minutes neat interplay between Archer and forwards Skillett J and K meant Skillet J repaid the earlier assist and passed to Skillett K to push in a 6th goal just seconds before the final whistle.
What a game - very well played everyone! It was good to see other 3s squad players travelling back from their earlier away game to lend their support too.
In 1995 BBC Match of the Day pundit Alen Hansen infamously commented "You can't win anything with kids" about the Manchester United team, only for them to win the football Premier league that same season. 2023 and Saturday's 3 team showed you very much CAN win with youngsters, and in style too.
Come on the 3s!
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