Hertford kicked off their 2021 Summer League campaign with an entertaining 4-4 draw against Cheshunt in a game that saw Hertford have a staggering amount of opportunities to put the game to bed before the final whistle. The squad this season has seen a bit of a revamp with many youngsters being brought into the fold to test their skills and ability against some more competitive opposition than they may have been used to. Peter Sharman, Alex Lewis-Martinez & Sam Bond all joined the team and for anybody watching from the sidelines did not look out of place at all.

The game begun with both teams very much looking like they hadn't played much hockey over the past few months and it took some time to get used to the bounce seen on the Broxbourne throughout the years. The first half saw Hertford very much on the front foot, creating multiple opportunities to break the deadlock only to come up against a seemingly in form keeper and rusty shooting. Given all Hertford possession it was Cheshunt who got the first goal in what could be considered a superb counterattack. With the ball being cleared out of Cheshunts own D it somehow broke through Hertford's backline and saw the pace of the Cheshunt forward burn through the Center Backs to find himself alone with just Sam Timms to beat and slotted it calmly into the bottom corner. Despite the goal coming against the run of play, Hertford soon equalised with a determined drive into the D and a square ball across the face and slapped in by James Rollins who was determined to try and smash the backboard at the same time.

The stags new the game was in their favour but always feared the counterattacking threat from Cheshunt and so it was important they grabbed the next goal which they did through a typical Adam Price drive through the middle of the pitch which he finished off in a delicate fashion through the keepers legs. Cheshunt continued to camp in their own defensive third which came to be their downfall as James Rollins got the next goal to make it 3-1 heading into the final third of the game. Hertford continue to create opportunity after opportunity with short corners flying past the post, saves being pulled out of the top drawer from the keeper and square balls being sent right across the face of goal with no connection from anyone. The Stags team began to see their frustration leak through as Cheshunt then caught Hertford on the break multiple times and Hertford then found themselves 4-3 moving into the final 10 minutes of the game.

Despite the scoreline Hertford continued to press in the same manor as they knew the opportunities would come and after more close misses the equaliser came when Adam Price drove into the right hand side of the 23, slapped it across goal for Archie Akers to deflect into the air towards the back post where Luke Rawlinson, who has recently returned from injury was waiting to pick out of the air and deflect into the goal with a minute remaining.

Hertford knew this was a game they should have won but given the fresh look team having not played together yet this year they can be proud of the performance they put in knowing that the opportunities were there and the creativity was in no way lacking.

The next game sees them take on Welwyn Garden City on Friday 7th May.

Man of the Match: Alex Lewis-Martinez