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TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER 2006 - SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
HERTFORD TOWN 2 BIGGLESWADE TOWN 0
Kevin Cooper returned after his two match ban, and Joel Maybury came in for Matt Watts at centre half. The Waders fielded no less than four ex-Blues from the team of two seasons ago - Lee Robinson, Glenn Draper, Danny Bowgett and Jamie Abbott.
Team: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. John Barker (capt), 5. Joel Maybury, 6. Paul Taylor, 7. Scott Neilson, 8. Leo Turner, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Matt Watts (for Taylor,88) 14. Kevin Ashwood (for Roberts, 62)
The presence of the four ex Blues in the Biggleswade side gave the season's best crowd of 109 plenty of added interest, with captain Glenn Draper on the end of most of their banter. It was clear from early on that Biggleswade Town were going to present a much sterner challenge than Royston and Haringey. Hertford started well enough, and an incisive attack on 2 minutes saw Leo Turner slice the ball wide when a pass across the box would have been the better ball. In the 7th minute Hertford mounted a real blitz on the Biggleswade goal, and the visitors simply could not clear the ball for over a minute. In the end, Hertford won an 8th minute free kick, from which Lee Roberts found KEVIN COOPER, and the ace striker chested the ball into the net from close range for the opener.
If the home fans were expecting another goal fest, it did not come. Biggleswade were a match for Hertford and were causing particular trouble down Hertford's left, where Lee Roberts was being pinned back helping Pablo Ardiles. On 12 minutes though, a great long range shot from Kevin Cooper was well blocked by Lee Robinson for a corner. From this Robinson punched the ball to Paul Taylor, but the midfielder's quick snapshot was well held on the ground by the ex-Hertford 'keeper.
Biggleswade were giving as good as they got at this stage, without really creating any clear cut chances.
Hertford's best move of the half came on 37 minutes, when Scot Neilson did really well to beat his opponent and whip in a cross which Ryan Redford narrowly failed to connect with. Danny Bowgett was booked for an over zealous challenge on Pablo Ardiles, as the Waders combined pace and steel in an attempt to stop Hertford's winning run.As the half came to a close, Hertford three times looked like doubling their lead, with Leo Turner heading against the bar after more great work by Scott Neilson.
Half time: Hertford Town 1 Biggleswade Town 0
Biggleswade brought on Jonathan Mills for Neil Morgan at the start of the second half.They got in the first shot on goal of the half on 46 minutes, when Jamie Abbott tested Mark Virgo along the ground, but the home 'keeper saved easily. Biggleswade continued to look like they were capable of getting something from the game and Danny Bowgett nearly connected with a through ball right in front of goal. But their tackles were infuriating the home crowd. Peter Gatti was booked for a scything tackle on Ryan Redford, which nearly put the strike into the wall surrounding the pitch. Lee Roberts was already off the pitch receiving treatment for a nasty bang on the foot and eventually had to stay off, Kevin Ashwood replacing him on 62 minutes. Then, on 63 minutes, Biggleswade had their best chance of the game, when Jamie Abbott, now operating down the right, whipped over a cross and the inrushing Ryan Jenner narrowly missed connecting with the ball. Had he done so, a goal was almost certain.
Leo Turner just failed to find Ryan Redford when Hertford broke swiftly, and then the referee awarded a 76th minute penalty to the home side for handball by Glenn Draper, who was also booked. It looked a harsh decision, with the ball having been fired at the big defender from very close range. KEVIN COOPER stepped up to fire past his friend Lee Robinson in the Waders' goal to register his 10th league goal of this still young campaign.
This goal visibly affected Biggleswade's resistance, and matters were made worse when central defender Ben Stocker was dismissed on 82 minutes, after appearing to strike Scott Neilson's face. The visitors sent on Jason Aldridge for Luke Jones, but there was little they could do now to stop the Blues registering their third consecutive league victory.
Final Score: Hertford Town 2 Biggleswade Town 0
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