AYLESBURY 2 HERTFORD TOWN 0
Molten Spartan South Midlands League - Premier Division
Saturday 13th March 2010
Although the scoreline may have read the same as that at the end of the previous disappointing result against Hanwell Town, the team performance in this game was altogether greatly improved, indeed if it had not been for an unfortunate couple of minutes early in the second half, The Blues may have got something out of this match. It was also the first time since the 1-0 win at Biggleswade United on 23rd January that Scott O'Donoghue's side kept a first half clean sheet - conceding goals in that opening period has been the downfall of the team in so many recent performances.Teams - Aylesbury: 1. Steve Smith, 2. Ben Stevens, 3. Daniel Mead, 4. Ed Chemlal, 5. Matt Hayward, 6. Matt Butler, 7. Gareth Price, 8. Sam Swonnell, 9. Nathan Graham, 10. Greg Williams (capt), 11. Kieron Schmidt. Subs Used: Gavin James (for Graham), Mark Boyce (for Butler).
Hertford Town: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Matt McArdle, 3. Alan Barker, 4. Jason Coughlan, 5. Glenn Draper, 6. Joel Maybury (capt), 7. Dave Hunt, 8. Pablo Ardiles, 9. Michael Cooper, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: Dominic Musafiri (for Roberts), Scott O'Donoghue (for Barker), Andy Chapman (for McArdle).
The home side attacked from the off but the Hertford Town defence managed to effectively deal with all of the early pressure. It was not until the 19th minute that Aylesbury had their first real chance on goal, when they were awarded a corner. Gareth Price played the ball in and it found Matt Hayward, but the veteran centre half could only head wide. Nine minutes later a good shot by Aylesbury's Daniel Mead was brilliantly saved by Hertford custodian Lee Robinson. The first and only booking of the game came soon afterwards after Dave Hunt had made an untidy challenge on an Aylesbury player.
A Hertford free kick a short while later was taken by Glenn Draper, who passed to Hunt. He nodded the ball on to Pablo Ardiles, but he hit his effort wide. The visitors' pressure continued and they forced a corner, which was taken by Jason Coughlan. As the ball came into the box it was flicked on to Hunt but he headed over the bar. A short while later Robinson pulled off another magnificent save after an Aylesbury player had hit a powerful header goalwards.
A couple of minutes before the break the home side were forced to make an early substitution after Nathan Graham had received a knock to the head. The somewhat groggy player was replaced by Gavin James, who would prove to be somewhat of a danger to the visitors in the second half. The referee soon blew the whistle on what had been a solid half for both sides.
Half Time Score: Aylesbury 0 Hertford Town 0
The visitors started the second half well and forced a corner two minutes after the break. Alan Barker played the ball in but it was eventually cleared by a relieved Aylesbury defence. The home side were then awarded a free kick at the other end. A dangerous ball into the Hertford box was headed clear by Hunt. Disaster then struck for The Blues when Aylesbury played another ball into the box. It just clipped Barker but the contact was enough for the ball to be deflected into the unfortunate defender's own goal. A minute later the score was doubled: The visitors lost the ball soon after the restart and with confusion still reigning in the Hertford defence after the first goal, the home side attacked quickly and Kieron Schmidt was able to play a well-weighted ball past the stranded Lee Robinson into the empty goal. Substitute James smacked the ball into the back of the net for good measure.
The home side continued to apply the pressure and soon won a free kick. Ben Stevens played the ball into the Hertford box but it was headed over. Twelve minutes into the half there was a tussle between Aylesbury's Matt Butler and Hertford's Kevin Cooper. The referee had stern words with both players but sensibly took no further action.
On the hour mark the home side were awarded a corner but as the ball came into the Hertford box there was an infringement on a visiting defender and the visitors were awarded a free kick. With a quarter of the match remaining, Hertford made their first substitution as Lee Roberts was replaced by Dominic Musafiri. This was soon followed by a second change for the hosts as Mark Boyce replaced Matt Butler. The visitors than had a chance after a good move but Kevin Cooper fired over the bar. The substitutions continued and Hertford manager Scott O'Donoghue brought himself on for a rare appearance in place of Alan Barker, who had picked up a knock.
Another good Hertford move saw Coughlan play the ball in to Musafiri. The Blues' substitute tried a spectacular effort but his shot was wide of the target. There was then a delay in play as Aylesbury substitute James received treatment for an injury.
When play restarted the home side were soon on the attack and a fine goal-bound shot was superbly saved by Lee Robinson diving to his left. The ball stayed in play however, and within seconds it seemed the score would be 3-0 as another Aylesbury effort headed goalwards. Robinson had other ideas and pulled off a magnificent save, tipping the ball over the bar, which even received applause from the home support.
With game now in its final few minutes the visitors made a third and final substitution, sending on striker Andy Chapman at the expense of right back Matt McArdle. It was the home side who were next on the attack though and they forced a corner, though this came to nothing. After a few more minutes play and with The Blues still unable to find a way through the resolute Aylesbury defence, the referee blew the final whistle.
Final Score: Aylesbury 2 Hertford Town 0