Hertford Town FC in 2007: A Review

By Pete Boyer

As 2007 closes, it gives us time to reflect on an eventful year in the history of Hertford Town Football Club:

 

January: The first game of the New Year was not until January 9th when the Blues were 2-1 victors over Clacton Town in the second round of the East Anglian cup, on a chilly Tuesday evening. The first league match was four days later, away at Ruislip Manor, when Hertford continued their rampant pre-Christmas scoring form with a 7-1 victory, Lee Roberts recording a hat-trick on that occasion. The following Wednesday the Blues travelled to Oxhey Jets for a Premier Division cup fixture. Unfortunately they were beaten 4-3 after extra time, despite a Ryan Redford hat-trick. Three days later, January 20th, the Blues hosted local rivals, St Margaretsbury in the league, and returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory in front of a crowd of 173. Two days later a season’s biggest crowd at Hertingfordbury Park of 287 witnessed heartbreak as a gallant Blues side were beaten 1-0 in the Herts Senior Cup by Barnet, the only goal coming in the final minutes of the game. Hertford returned to league action the following Saturday and recorded an impressive 5-1 away victory at Langford, despite Ryan Redford being sent off in the opening minutes of the game, in one of the more perplexing refereeing decisions of the season. Three days later the Blues rounded off the opening month of the New Year with a 2-0 league victory at Leverstock Green. The result left Hertford in second place in the league, but eight points adrift of runaway leaders, Edgware Town.

 

February: The first match of the month saw the Blues record a narrow 2-1 away league win against Kingsbury London Tigers on February 3rd. This was followed up eleven days later with a St Valentine’s Day massacre away at Oxhey Jets. Hertford ran out 4-2 victors in the match, which included a Kevin Cooper double.  Four days later, Edgware Town were the visitors to Hertingfordbury Park for a top of the table league clash. A crowd of 189 saw the game end in a 0-0 stalemate. A week later on February 24th, the Blues recorded an impressive 3-2 away victory at local rivals, Broxbourne Borough V&E. This was the final league game of the month.

 

March: The first visitors to Hertingfordbury Park on March 3rd were Tring Athletic, who the Blues had despatched 7-1 in their first league away game back in August 2006. However the return leg was a different game altogether and the visitors ran out shock 1-0 winners. A week later the goal drought continued for the Blues as they recorded a 0-0 draw in the league game away at Biggleswade Town, a dire game played on the Bedford (formerly Valerio) pitch. Normal service was resumed on the 13th when Hertford recorded a 2-0 home league win over London Colney. Four days later the Blues visited Colney’s near neighbours, Colney Heath in another league match. The goal scoring machine was back for this game as Cooper and Redford both netted twice in a 5-2 victory. A rare Paul Taylor effort completed the scoring. On March 20th, Tiptree Town were the visitors to Hertingfordbury Park for an East Anglian Cup, quarter-final clash. Hertford ran out 2-0 winners and progressed to the semi-final. Four days later Chalfont St Peter were the visitors to Hertingfordbury Park and came away with a share of the points in a 1-1 draw. A week later saw Hertford travel up the A10 and record a 7-0 victory over league strugglers Royston Town, the home ‘keeper not helping his team by getting booked twice for dissent, and sent off early in the game. Hertford ended the month still near the top of the table, but leaders Edgware had by this time got a stranglehold on the league.

 

April: The first match of the final month of the league season was played at home against Leverstock Green on April 3rd. A disappointing   Tuesday evening crowd of just 69 saw Hertford record a comfortable  4-0 victory, including a brace from Phil Goss. Four days later, Haringey Borough were the visitors to Hertingfordbury Park. The Blues recorded a narrow 2-1 victory over a team much improved from the one that had capitulated 9-0 earlier in the season at Coles Park. On April 10th Cockfosters were the visitors to the Park for a South Midlands Floodlight Cup tie, the Blues’ first game in the competition since the 7-0 away demolition of Arlesey Athletic back in September 2006. The Cockfosters game was a closer affair with Hertford running out 4-2 winners. Four days later Hertford travelled to Harefield United for the first league meeting of the season between the two teams, previously scheduled games having been called off for a number of reasons. The Blues were worthy 2-0 winners against a strong home side. The following Wednesday Hertford travelled to Saffron Walden for the semi-final of the South Midlands Floodlight Cup. A large, vocal and good humoured home crowd saw their team progress to the final with a 2-1 victory over the Blues. On April 21st Welwyn Garden City were the visitors to Hertingfordbury Park and became the only team to record a league double over Hertford Town during the 2006/07 season. The citizens won 2-1 and finally put an end to any lingering Blues’ hopes of the championship. Three days later the second league meeting in less than two weeks between Hertford and Harefield United saw the Blues win 1-0 at home and ironically record a league double over the team that would finish above them as runners-up in the Premier Division. Two days later, a rare Thursday evening fixture saw Hertford pitted at home against Essex Senior League outfit, Concord Rangers, in the semi-final of the East Anglian Cup. A closely fought game swung either way, eventually going to extra time and then penalties. The penalty shoot-out was a nail-biting affair, which Glenn Draper, indeed everyone at Hertford Town will want to forget, Needless to say, the Blues did not progress to the final. The final league game of the 2006/07 season saw Hertford Town visit Biggleswade United on April 28th. For various reasons, reserves striker, Andy Chapman played in goal and his team-mate Shaun Crossley made his first team debut. In another game which swung both ways, the two teams shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw, and the tired Blues players were applauded off the pitch by their travelling support. Although the team had only finished third in the league, Ryan Redford and Kevin Cooper were the Premier Division’s two highest scorers.

 

May-June: The close season was obviously dominated by matters off the pitch. The first event was the end of season presentation, when Cooper, Redford and others were rewarded for their efforts over the previous nine months. In the late Spring and early Summer down at the Park, a small but enthusiastic band of volunteers was sprucing up the ground and clubhouse in preparation for the forthcoming 2007/08 Centenary Season. Also, following the departure of Chairman Mark Bohm and His Vice-Chair, Broderick Munro-Wilson towards the end of the season, Mick Clarke took over as the new Chairman of Hertford Town Football Club. Bob Brown became Vice-Chair and a number of new faces were elected onto the committee. Meanwhile, back on the pitch, and barely in time for the newly sewn grass seed to take root, pre-season training began in June.

 

July: Pre-season training continued into July with the first friendly played on July 17th. Just a week later and somewhat earlier than normal, the first ‘competitive’ game was played. Bishop’s Stortford were the visitors to Hertingfordbury Park in the first round of the Herts Charity Cup, choosing to field a young and inexperienced side for the tie. This ploy backfired as the hosts ran out 6-0 winners, and could easily have scored a lot more. Their reward—an away tie at Ware in the second round, a fixture that come the end of the year, has still to be played.             

 

August: A few more friendlies were played, with the team looking very impressive on the eve of the start of the new season. The league season commenced on August 11th with a home tie against Holmer Green, one of the pre-season relegation favourites. However, on the pitch they looked far from this and came away from Hertingfordbury Park with a 1-1 draw. Three days later the Blues played their first away league fixture of the new season at newly-promoted Cockfosters. Hertford won the game at a rain-drenched Chalk Lane, 3-1, which included a rare Glenn Draper effort, so rare in fact that a number of supporters were still in the clubhouse when he scored in the opening attack of the game. August 14th saw the extra-preliminary round of the FA Cup, and a home tie against Cogenhoe United. The Blues scraped a 1-0 win in a closely-fought encounter. Next up at the Park were Beaconsfield SYCOB in the league. Another closely-fought encounter appeared to be going Hertford’s way after a second half strike by Ryan Redford. However, two very late efforts from the visitors saw the shellshocked Blues lose 2-1. Three days later normal service was resumed when Hertford travelled to Colney Heath for a midweek league fixture, and came away easy 5-0 winners.

 

September: The first day of September saw the preliminary round of the FA Cup, which for Hertford Town, meant a trip to fellow Spartan League club Tring Athletic. After an early setback, the Blues dominated the first half and went in 3-1 up at the break. In the second half the roles appeared to be reversed and by the middle of the half Hertford found themselves 4-3 down, It was left to a late Ryan Wade strike to level the scores and take the game to a replay. This was played the following Tuesday, September 4th at Hertingfordbury Park. A less-frantic game than the first saw the Blues run out 2-0 winners with goals from Kevin Cooper and new signing Ross Collins. The following Saturday saw Welwyn Garden City visit the Park. There was to be no double over the Blues this season however, as the hosts ran out 3-2 winners. September 11th saw Hertford Town take on Spartan League Division One outfit, Winslow United in the first round of the League Cup. The 67-strong crowd at Hertingfordbury Park witnessed the Blues’ third 9-0 victory in four seasons, as the opposition capitulated, Cooper and Redford bagging seven between them. The following Saturday, Hertford hosted Essex Senior League team Barkingside in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup. The Blues  had the chances to win the tie but the game ended 3-3, including a Kevin Cooper hat trick. For the replay two days later, the Essex club had clearly done their homework, for despite an early Lee Roberts strike, they ran out easy 3-1 winners, thus ending the Blues’ participation in the World’s oldest cup competition for another season. This was also Mark Virgo’s last game before going into hospital for surgery on his injured ankle. September 22nd saw Hertford visit Harefield United in the league. On a day when nothing went right for the away team, Harefield won 1-0, the Blues leaving with a worrying injury to Kevin Cooper and Ryan Wade facing a suspension. Three days later, Hertford travelled to Kingsbury London Tigers for the final league encounter of the month. A closely-fought encounter saw the visitors edge out their hosts 2-1, which included a fine strike from substitute Ross Collins.

 

October: A week later, on October 2nd, Kingsbury were again the opposition, this time at Hertingfordbury Park in the second round of the League Cup. A disappointing crowd of just 47 saw a disappointing Hertford performance as the Blues lost 2-0 and exited another cup competition. It got worse—the following Saturday the Blues visited Concord Rangers in the first round of the FA Vase. Another disappointing performance again saw them beaten 2-0 and another cup competition exited at an early stage. This would also be the last game for some time for goalkeeper Nick Barnaby and midfielder Paul Taylor, after they picked up injuries. On October 13th, Hertford Town were hosts to Championship rivals, newly-promoted Brimsdown Rovers, in the league. With Kevin Cooper Returning from injury and reserves ‘keeper James Sturgeon covering for the injured Virgo and Barnaby, the Blues were impressive 3-2 winners of the game. Three days later they travelled to London Colney for another league game and again scored three goals, this time without reply. The following Saturday, however, it was a different story, as Hertford were beaten 2-1 away by fellow title contenders Biggleswade Town. During the week, news had come through that ‘keeper James Sturgeon had been injured playing in a university match, and Hertford were fortunate to be able to call upon the services of former coach, Tony Tillbrook, between the sticks for the Biggleswade game. October 23rd saw the second meeting of the season between Hertford Town and Harefield United, this time at Hertingfordbury Park in the Premier Division Cup. The Blues eventually won 2-0 after extra time. Four days later, local league rivals St Margaretsbury were the visitors for the final game of the month. The score was another 2-0 home victory, which saw Hertford entering November lying in 6th place in the league. The game also saw Hertford use their fifth goalkeeper of the campaign, with Lee Robinson, newly re-signed from Broxbourne V&E donning the Number 1 shirt.

 

November: The first league game on the 3rd of the month saw Leverstock Green visit Hertingfordbury Park and the Blues record their third consecutive 2-0 victory. Three days later Broxbourne Borough V&E were the visitors to the Park, but the Hertford Town goalkeeping jinx had struck again and Lee Robinson was unable to face his old club through injury. Tony Tillbrook again took up the job of custodian as the two teams ground out a 1-1 draw. On November 10th the Blues travelled to Langford for a league fixture. An entertaining game saw them triumph 4-3, a victory which included a brace from Pablo Ardiles. Three days later, Sawbridgeworth Town of the Essex Senior League were the visitors to Hertingfordbury Park for a Herts Senior Cup first round tie, which saw Lee Robinson return from injury. A close game saw the Blues scrape through, winning by a single Kevin Cooper penalty. The following Saturday, Aylesbury Vale were the visitors to the Park for a league match. In a game in which they rarely looked troubled, the Blues recorded an easy 3-0 victory, including a first goal for Matt McArdle since his October signing from Welwyn Garden City. On November 20th Brimsdown Rovers were again the visitors to Hertingfordbury Park, this time for a Premier Division Cup second round tie. The Blues were comfortable 3-0 winners of this match, though ‘keeper Robinson was substituted early on as a result of a recurring knee injury. The following Saturday saw the Blues make their second visit of the season to Tring Athletic’s Grass Roots Stadium. In keeping with a recent tradition of eight goal thrillers at the stadium between the two teams, Hertford recorded an impressive 6-2 victory, including a Kevin Cooper hat trick and a beautifully struck Ryan Wade free kick. On 27th November the Blues visited Chalfont St Peter for the final league game of the month, but what a turn around from just three days before. Suffice to say that the highlight of the evening for a number of the supporters were the kebabs consumed during the first half. Although in the game in the first half, Hertford appeared helpless against Chalfont’s second half onslaught and lost the game 4-0. Lee Robinson had returned to the side for this encounter following his knee injury and probably wished he hadn’t

 

December: The first day of Advent was marked by Hertford Town’s league visit to Hanwell Town’s Reynolds Field, where the clubhouse TV had been stolen the night before, meaning the supporters had to gather around an old wireless set to listen to the half time and full time scores as they were beamed direct from Alexandra Palace, 1950s style. The first half looked good for the Blues as they took the lead through a Kevin Cooper strike. The second half was however noticeable for just two things—the torrential rain and the unjust sending off of Matt McArdle. Hanwell also equalised and the game ended 1-1. Three days later Hertford Town visited Potters Bar Town in the second round of the Herts Senior Cup. The Ryman 1 North team dominated the first half with the help of a strong following wind, but the Blues came back strongly in the second, and in the  end were unlucky to lose 2-1, especially after the home ‘keeper had conceded a penalty in a most bizarre fashion. The home league game against Oxhey Jets on December 8th was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. However as the players were present for the Christmas party that evening, manager Dave Greenwood treated them to an afternoon training session. Despite the appalling weather and the postponement of the game, the evening event was well attended. The following league match saw the Blues scrape a 1-1 draw at St Margaretsbury on the 11th, which was followed by a shock 1-0 defeat at lowly Ruislip Manor, a result few would have predicted before kick-off, or even at half time. The Blues then returned to cup action with an East Anglian Cup second round tie at home to Spartan League Division One outfit Hoddesdon Town. This match once again saw the team’s scoring fortunes take a turn for the better as they beat the opposition 6-2. Lee Roberts scored his first hat trick of the season and Ryan Redford recorded a much needed, confidence-boosting brace. The final two league matches of 2007 were both played at Hertingfordbury Park. The penultimate match was against a Biggleswade United side, who were never really at the races. The Blues ran out 5-1 winners, including a brace from Dave Hunt. The final game of the year was against a competitive Kingsbury London Tigers side. Hertford eventually won 2-1, thanks to the very generous addition of eight minutes of injury time by the referee. The result leaves the Blues lying in a healthy fifth position in the league, with just six points separating the top seven teams.

 

Next Year: 2008 is the centenary of the founding of Hertford Town Football Club, and as it stands the team are still in a position to secure promotion at the end of the season, though a number of other teams may have something to say about that. A number of events are planned for the centenary year, which will be announced in the matchday programme and on the club website. Ground improvements will also be put in place in order to satisfy the ground grading requirements of the next step up in the non-league ladder. Furthermore the publication of Elaine Waumsley’s book on the History of Hertford Town Football Club is eagerly anticipated.