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TUESDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2006
SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
HERTFORD TOWN 1 BIGGLESWADE UNITED 1
New player manager Dave Greenwood was unable to take his place on the field as his transfer from St Margaretsbury had not been completed. He was, however, able to take charge of his first game as a manager. Hertford's only change from the side which demolished Arlesey Athletic on Saturday was the inclusion of Panayotis Panayiotou for the unavailable Pablo Ardiles.
Team: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Mark Teasdale, 4. Matt Watts, 5. John Barker (capt), 6. Panayiotis Panayiotou, 7. Leo Turner, 8. Scott Neilson, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. No Subs Used.
Hertford had the lions' share of the early play, without ever looking threatening though. United looked content to make the odd probing attack, with their prolific striker Robbie O'Dell as their main target. After 13 minutes, Hertford won the first corner of the game, and Scott Neilson's testing kick was headed off the line by United's David Parker. Three minutes later, Ryan Redford made a darting run down the left touchline before playing the ball forward to Lee Roberts. The winger's cross was deflected for another corner, and when Neilson placed another good kick into the visitors' box, both Pani Panayiotou and Matt Watts had stabs at the loose ball, without contact.
The ball was played straight to the other end and Robbie O'Dell somehow managed to slice the ball well wide when right in front of an open goal. On 19 minutes, Pani Panayiotou, playing in an unaccustomed role as a central midfielder, conceded a free kick in front of goal, from which O'Dell forced a corner. This was punched away by Mark Virgo, who had been totally unemployed so far. Then, on 27 minutes, with Hertford looking vulnerable, Biggleswade United took the lead. The ball found it's way to JACK WELDON, in front of goal, and the midfielder made no mistake with a confident finish.
Hertford were huffing and puffing without threatening the visitors' defence, and United were content to defend what they had. Ross Kane was booked for the visitors for a foul on Leo Turner as Hertford tried to turn up the heat.
Half Time: Hertford Town 0 Biggleswade United 1
Hertford came out for the second half showing a lot more urgency, with Ryan Redford winning a free kick 22 yards out, which Scott Neilson thumped only a foot over the bar. United's goalscorer Weedon tried his luck on 49 miutes, but his long range shot was well wide of the mark. From then on it was constant attack by the Blues. On 52 minutes Kevin Cooper sliced the ball wide from only 6 yards, and then, on 55 minutes, Ryan Redford went down in the box, and the Stable Enders were sure that it was a penalty. To everyone's surprise though, the referee ran up to Redford and booked him for diving.
Three minute later Kevin Cooper got a clear run at goal, but made a poor fist of his shot, and the ball went wide of the left hand upright. Matt Watts played a searching ball down the right to Leo Turner, whose whipped in cross was cleared out to Lee Robert on the left. His firm shot caused Bobby Smith in the United goal considerable difficulty before he got the ball under control. It was all Hertford now, with the Stable Enders urging them on. Lee Roberts found Ryan Redford with a free kick, but the top scorer's header missed the target, with more than a suspicion of a deflection. Scott Neilson whipped the ball into the box, but just over the head of Kevin Cooper. Just when it looked like Biggleswade's dogged defending would hold out, the Blues got level. Kevin Cooper played a smart through ball to RYAN REDFORD, who for once was able to break clear of his marker, and he coolly scored his 12th of the season for a 78th minute equaliser.
United's dangerous striker O'Dell received his marching orders a minute later, apparently for stamping on Nicky Marsh. Hertford continued to press for a winner while United risked nothing as they hung on. Matt Watts headed over from an 86th minute corner, but the home side were just unable to penetrate the United defence again, and the referee ended the game bang on the stroke of 90 minutes, when everyone was expecting several minutes of added time.
Final Score: Hertford Town 1 Biggleswade United 1
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