BIGGLESWADE UNITED 0 HERTFORD TOWN 1
Molten Spartan South Midlands League - Premier Division
Saturday 23rd January 2010
On the penultimate weekend of the month, Hertford Town finally managed to complete their first league match of 2010. And what a result it was too; Owen Beale's solitary first half strike securing the Blues' first league victory since 17th October. It also means that they have recorded a rare league double over Biggleswade United this season, though the Second Meadow side will be wondering how they got nothing out of this match, having laid siege to the Hertford goal for prolonged periods in the second half. Teams - Biggleswade United: 1. Adam Lawrence, 2. Michael Supple, 3. Kyle Lincoln, 4. Liam Murray, 5. Chris Balazs, 6. Martin Russell (capt), 7. Kerran Birch, 8. Stuart Richardson, 9. Emanuel Langlais, 10. Sean Murray, 11. David Parker. Subs Used: Jason Darvell (for Supple), Troy Birch (for Parker).
Hertford Town: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Pablo Ardiles, 3. Tom Neil, 4. Joe Scales, 5. Michael Cooper, 6. Joel Maybury (capt), 7. Lee Roberts, 8. Owen Beale, 9. Attila Korsoveczki, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Rob Luya. Subs Used: Jason Coughlan (for Maybury), Dominic Musafiri (for Beale), Andy Chapman (for Coughlan).
The visitors had the better of the exchanges in the opening minutes of the game but it was the home side that really threatened first, when they were awarded a free kick deep inside the Hertford half. Emanuel Langlais' effort was on target but well-saved by Lee Robinson in the Hertford goal, at the expense of a corner. The corner kick was taken short and came to nothing before being cleared by the visiting defence. A few minutes later Hertford were awarded a corner, though Attila Korsoveczki's effort was easily cleared upfield.
The visitors soon won a free kick inside the Biggleswade half, though Lee Roberts' kick was hit straight at home custodian, Adam Lawrence, sporting one of the more interesting coiffuring experiments to be seen in the Spartan League this season. Another free kick for the Blues soon followed but this came to nothing. Approaching the twenty minute mark the ball was at the other end and the home side won a corner, though Robinson easily held the cross. A good Hertford chance followed immediately. A Roberts cross found Kevin Cooper but he headed wide. Another attack by the Blues soon followed, this time Joe Scales shooting just wide.
It was then the home side's turn to apply the pressure and they were awarded a free kick inside the visitors' half, though the ball was hit harmlessly over the bar. Shortly afterwards Biggleswade won a corner, though the ball was headed off the Hertford line by Korsoveczki. The ball fell to a home player but he shot wide. Soon afterwards the visitors put together what would prove to be a decisive move. They gradually advanced into the hosts' area with some nice interplay with the ball coming to Rob Luya. He crossed to OWEN BEALE in the box who shot on target. The ball took a slight deflection, wrong-footing Lawrence and went into the back of the net to give the visitors the lead. Hertford clearly felt they could get a second and kept up the pressure. Luya embarked on a fine solo run, eventually shooting on target, though his effort was well-saved by Lawrence.
As the half went into the final ten minutes the home side were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Hertford box. The visitors were relieved however, to see Langlais blast his effort way over the bar. A Hertford attack soon followed, though Roberts also hit a chance high. Another Hertford move two minutes from half time saw the ball eventually come to Korsoveczki lurking, unmarked, a few yards outside the Biggleswade box. He hit a powerful volley but it was just wide. After a couple more minutes of play, with neither side creating any chances, the referee blew the half time whistle.
Half Time Score: Biggleswade United 0 Hertford Town 1
The second half started off pretty slowly and it wasn't until seven minutes after the break that the first chance fell to the home side, though the effort was saved by Robinson. The first personnel change soon followed as Hertford captain Joel Maybury had to leave the field with a knee problem. He was replaced by Jason Coughlan whilst Kevin Cooper donned the captain's armband. The home side then won another free kick on the edge of the Hertford box, though David Parker's effort was woeful. It was not long however, before the home side were again on the attack, though they contrived to shoot right across goal. They then made their first change as Jason Darvell replaced Michael Supple.
There was a slight hold-up on the hour mark as Hertford's Tom Neill required treatment after having collided with the perimeter fence following a challenge. The game restarted with a Biggleswade free kick that Robinson punched clear. The visitors soon mounted an attack and Luya played in Kevin Cooper. He passed to Roberts but he hit his shot over the bar. Another good Hertford move shortly afterwards saw Scales hit his shot at Lawrence.
The home side then had a good chance as Kerran Birch beat Neill and went on a solo run. He hit a powerful shot on target that brought an excellent save out of Robinson. The resulting corner was eventually cleared, as was another, two minutes later.
As the game approached the final quarter hour of normal time the home side made their second change as Troy Birch came on for Parker. The visitors were glad Birch hadn't featured earlier as he began to dominate the home side's right flank as soon as he came on. Robinson was soon called upon to pull off a magnificent double save from relenting Biggleswade pressure. Two Corners for the home side soon followed with Robinson gathering the ball at the second attempt. A Hertford attack soon afterwards saw Roberts shoot wide after a solo effort, when he might have passed to the better-placed Kevin Cooper.
The visitors then made their second substitution as Dominic Musafiri came on for goal scorer, Beale. The home side's pressure continued and they hit another effort across the face of goal. In the 90th minute the visitors made their third and final change as Andy Chapman came on for earlier substitute Coughlan, who had picked up an injury. The game was not yet over and the home side continued to dominate well into stoppage time, seeking that elusive equaliser. After more than six minutes stoppage time the referee blew the final whistle, much to the travelling team and supporters' relief.
Final Score: Biggleswade Town 0 Hertford Town 1