No Comeback for Hertford

by Hertfordshire Mercury's Alasdair Gold

A SECOND half performance full of passion was not enough for Hertford Town after three first half minutes condemned them to defeat against Haringey Borough.

The Hertingfordbury Park pitch passed its pre-match frost inspection unlike local rivals Ware and Waltham Abbey, who saw their games called off. The Blues' manager Marvin Samuel was suitably prepared for the chilly weather, bravely sporting a bobble hat that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a skipping girl in a school playground.

An early chance fell for Hertford striker Chris Bangura who headed a cross just wide, while at the other end, ex-Cheshunt striker Darrell Cox fired past the post and was then denied by Blues keeper Alex Elf after a jinking run on 13 minutes.

Both defences were on top with chances at a premium until the dangerous Boro’ winger Dean Fenton broke clear, but was denied by Elf. At the other end Mark Draper half- volleyed wide from a decent position.

Haringey opened their account on the half hour as Elf struggled to deal with a corner under pressure and his weak punch from under the crossbar fell for Chris Benjamin to lash home.

Just two minutes later it was 2-0 as Cox cleverly flicked on a ball over his head and Benjamin ran into a bus lane worth of space down the middle of the Blues defence before driving the ball home into the bottom left corner from the edge of the box.

Cox headed just wide as Boro searched for a third and Benjamin was denied by Elf from close range two minutes before the break.

Half Time: Hertford Town 0 - 2 Haringey Borough

Whatever Samuel said at half-time obviously hit the mark, despite his choice of headwear. Within five minutes Bangura spurned a great chance, when a loose ball fell for him inside the box, but he took an extra touch and rolled it wide.

Gregg Blackett saw his low free-kick deflected wide after Bangura was fouled just outside the area and moments later Ed Adjei headed over at the far post as Hertford piled on the pressure.

They went even closer on 72 minutes when substitute Jamie Packer flicked on a deep Lee Roberts free-kick, but the ball bounced off the post and into the keeper’s arms.

A minute later Haringey had a great opportunity when Elf was called upon to block Cox’s shot and sub Roland Namquita’s follow-up was blocked on the line by Michael Cooper amid fervent Boro claims for handball.

With eight minutes to go, Hertford substitute Billy Healey hooked a cross to the back post, where Bangura’s point blank volley flew straight at the keeper.

After taking one for the team by using a part of his body to cut out a cross that no man usually wants to offer up, especially on a freezing day, Roberts eventually rose to his feet and gingerly got up to the other end to send a crisp half volley past the post from a tight angle.

Hertford ran out of time and the last chance fell for Haringey who had the ball in the net in the final moments as Cox slammed home the rebound after Elf parried sub Richard Worrell’s powerful shot his way, but the ex-Amber was flagged offside.

Full Time: Hertford Town 0 - 2 Haringey Borough

Hertford Line-Up
1. Elf. 2. Cooper. 3. Dayo. 4. Sonuga(c). 5. Diorgu. 6. Blackett. 7. Roberts. 8. Campbell. 9. Draper. 10. Bangura. 11. Adjei.

Subs Used: Packer (for Diorgu), Healey (Draper), Nas (Adjei).

Photos © 2012 Dan Sinclair
Please credit photographers if using photos

You can use the arrow keys to flick through photos