Hertford went optimistically into this game following the respective performances of the two sides on Saturday, but, despite taking an early lead, were rocked by the home side, who took control of the game, and came out convincing winners. Hertford were without the injured Ross Collins, with Paul Taylor replacing him. Barkingside made two player changes from Saturday but a number of positional ones.
Teams: Hertford Town - 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Kevin Kilroy (capt), 5. Glenn Draper, 6. Paul Taylor, 7. Ryan Wade, 8. Phil Goss, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Rory Brien (for Nicky Marsh, 63), 14. Louis Lancaster (for Ardiles, 87), 15. Alex Scriven (for Goss, 76).
Barkingside - 1. Chris Clark, 2. Danny Church, 3. Paul Kavanagh, 4. Corey Ellis, 5. Matt Frew, 6. Brian Suchley, 7. Jamie Langton, 8. Greg Thompson (capt), 9. Mark Doyle, 10. Mark Steadman, 11. Dom Harkins. Sub Used: 12. James Bly (for Frew, 67)

Hertford began really positively, and took a fourth minute lead through LEE ROBERTS. The ball was switched out to the left and Roberts cut inside before unleashing a vicious dipping shot past the helpless home 'keeper. The travelling support were delighted and, having seen the two sides on Saturday, would have been confident with that start. The home side had other ideas though. After an opening 10 minutes belonging to the visitors, Barkingside gradually got on top. There was mayhem in the Hertford 6 yard box when Mark Virgo did well to beat away a shot, but DOM HARKINS was on hand to tap the ball home for the equaliser, on 14 minutes. Whereas in the first game Barkingside had only been effective on the counter in the early stages, in this game they were able to apply concerted pressure on the Hertford defence; and they were also able to deny space to The Blues' attack. Harkins had another shot easily held by Virgo, and then Glen Draper headed a rocket from Brian Suchley to safety. Mark Steadman broke clear down the left and it looked as though he must score; however his shot hit the side netting.
STEADMAN made no mistake on 24 minutes though. Kevin Kilroy gave the ball away cheaply, and when it was played to the useful No. 10, he converted in fine style to put Barkingside 2-1 up. The Essex Senior Leaguers had the upper hand now, and more goals looked likely. One came on 34 minutes, and it was scored by their charismatic centre half MATT FREW. "Burger" to his team-mates, who had had such a poor game in the first encounter that he had been subbed at half time, moved in undetected at the back door to head home unchallenged from a Barkingside free kick. At 3-1 to the home side, it looked ominous for The Blues, who were showing little invention against their well drilled opponents.
Ryan Redford did get free to get in a shot which nearly got through 'keeper Clark's grasp, but in general Clark was having an easy night. Barkingside's Paul Kavanagh was booked for kicking the ball away after a free kick had been awarded, the apparent inconsistency in this matter really upsetting the home bench. On 43 minutes, good work from Kevin Cooper permitted a run into the box by Ryan Redford, but his shadow, Corey Ellis managed to dispossess him. Redford felt that this had been done illegally, but got nothing for his efforts. A poor challenge on Ryan Wade by Dom Harkins saw the little midfielder booked, but home skipper Thompson, who seemed to tread deliberately on the injured Wade escaped any punishment.
Redford and Cooper appealed for a penalty when the free kick came in, but got nothing. Shortly after this a general melee broke out, with most of the outfield players involved. The result was a booking for Kevin Kilroy and similar punishment for Barkingside's Suchley.
Barkingside's Mark Doyle became the fourth home player to be booked, in the final minutes of the half, which ended with Ryan Redford heading high over the bar from Phil Goss centre.
Half Time: Barkingside 3 Hertford Town 1

The uncompromising Matt Frew became Barkingside's fifth booking, with the home bench still claiming unfair treatment by the referee. Kevin Cooper had a shot saved on 50 minutes, but almost immediately Mark Doyle's shot at the other end was blocked with Virgo in trouble. With little to indicate that they were going to get back into the game, Hertford took off right back Nicky Marsh and sent on Rory Brien. Brien took up Phil Goss's right wing berth, allowing him to move infield. Jamie Bly came on for a reluctant Matt Frew on 67 minutes, and the defender got an ovation from the home fans. With nothing happening, Hertford sent on Alex Scriven as an extra striker, at the expense of Phil Goss. Glenn Draper became the second Hertford player to be booked, for a foul, as Barkingside won a free kick right on the edge of the box. This came to nothing however, and Alex Scriven tested keeper Clark with a looping header. When Hertford won a free kick, Kevin Kilroy put too much power on it and Kevin Cooper was unable to get a proper contact with his head. As frustration set in, Cooper was booked for questioning a decision, even though he did it really politely. Ryan Redford headed wide from a Kilroy cross, but this was not a "kitchen sink" situation. Barkingside were looking well able to keep the Hertford front line under control, in complete contrast to the first game. As Hertford committed more men to attack, they inevitably left themselves light at the back, and were nearly punished on 85 minutes when Rory Brien managed to kick a shot by Greg Thompson off the line. Hertford made a straight swap between Louis Lancaster and Pablo Ardiles on 87 minutes, but the three substitutions really did not make any impact on the game. Again Kilroy put too much power on a free kick, this time Glenn Draper was unable to direct his far post header goalwards because of this. In the dieing moments Alex Scriven got the Visitor's best chance of the half but skied the ball over the bar.

Overall, a disappointing performance against much improved opponents.

Final score: Barkingside 3 Hertford Town 1 We hope you will find our website helpful and informative . There is a separate "Fans Forum", for which the Club accepts no reponsibility .