A long season couldn't come to an end soon enough for the Blues. Their fourth game in eight days, and 57th in all took its toll both in terms of player availability, and also in terms of the sides durability on the day. Recent stand-in goallie Pat O'Brien didn't show because of a misunderstanding, so with no fit 'keeper available, reserve centre half Andy Chapman bravely dooned the gloves. With the squad decimated, two more reserve players, Michael Cooper and Shaun Crossley were drafted into the defence at short notice. Mark Sellar also got his first league start, making four players starting their first league matches in the same game. Pablo Ardiles was the only available fit substitute.

Team: 1. Andy Chapman, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Michael Cooper, 4. Kevin Kilroy, 6. Mark Seller, 6. Ryan Wade, 7. Paul Taylor, 8. Phil Goss, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper (Capt), 11. Shaun Crossley. Sub Used: 14. Pablo Ardiles (for Wade, 80)

Mark Seller tested teenage home 'keeper Adam Lawrence with a snap shot from distance, but the youngster was up to the task. Indeed he was to go on to be the main reason why the scores ended up level at the end. United mounted their own attacks in the early stages, but when one broke down on 6 minutes, Hertford attacked swiftly and Ryan Redford stung Lawrence's hands as he made another good save. Mark Seller tried his luck again on 8 minutes, this time his 25 yarder looped just over the bar. United's best attack so far saw Robbie O'Dell end a mazy run with a shot which was deflected for a corner. In the 13th minute, two Ryan Redford point blank shots were kept out by the home side in quick sucession. First keeper Lawrence beat away Redford's 6 yard effort, and then, when the ball rebounded to the 53 goal man, his second effort was kicked off the line by a defender.Redford continued to pepper the home goal, with another effort being well held by Lawrence on 15 minutes. United continued to threaten on the break but were unable to test Andy Chapman until the 23rd minute, when he was nearly caught out by a high bounce on the rock hard pitch. Fortunately his 6'4" frame was able to stretch far enough to tip the ball over for a corner. From this, O'Dell flashed a header just wide.
Paul Taylor so nearly opened the scoring with a fine 25 yard left foot drive which brought an equally impressive flying save from home 'keeper Lawrence. From the resultant corner, Lawrence made a good save on the ground from Kevin Kilroy.
On 32 minutes, Lawrence for once didn't have to make a save as Ryan Redford smashed a shot over the bar. Mark Seller tapped the ball just wide after Redford played him in, then United's Darren Sarll was booked for handball centrally just outside the area, with the home fans fearing that the referee might deem it a red card offance. He didn't, and Kevin Kilroy was so unlucky when he saw his brilliantly taken free kick strike the underside of the bar and bounce in front of the goal-line. Redford continued to fire shots in on the home goal, and keeper Lawrence continued to keep them out. Then, with 42 minutes played, Hertford won a corner, and when Ryan Wade planted his kick right in the centre of goal, RYAN REDFORD found himself unmarked and headed home for the opening goal.

Half Time: Biggleswade United 0 Hertford Town 1

Kevin Cooper had a glorious chance on 47 minutes, but inexplicably headed straight across goal when scoring looked easier. Hertford's Crossley cleared a dangerous O'Dell cross for a corner which was wasted by the home side when a header flew high over the bar. United were getting a lot more opportunities now, but their finishing was poor. Then, on 57 minutes, they were made to pay for their profligacy when RYAN REDFORD ran through a stretched home defence, ignored the better placed Ryan Wade, and rifled the ball home to make it 2-0 to Hertford.

Keeper Lawrence continued to make save after save as the Blues attacked at will. Stand-in keeper Chapman had to make his first real save on 67 minutes when he tipped an O'Dell shot behind for a corner. United's poor finishing was still letting them down as they began to get on top as the very tired Blues flagged. Manager Greenwood did not have the luxury of more than one pair of fresh legs to send on and then, on 76 minutes, the home side got a lucky break when the referee decided, with apparent indecent haste to award a penalty when Kevin Kilroy tangled with Rhys Cannella as they chased for a loose ball. Marc Holmes beat Andy Chapman with some ease to bring the score to 1-2. Hertford used their only sub when Pablo Ardiles came on for the battered Ryan Wade, who, as usual, had given his all. It was no surprise really when United drew level, on 79 minutes, when substitue Sam Thrower, who had come on for O'Dell, powered home a header for 2-2.
Hertford were not done though. They looked to have won the game on 85 minutes, when PHIL GOSS scored with a fine lob after keeper Lawrence had had to rush out and charge down the ball with his body just outside the box. Goss waited what seemed like an age for the ball to come down and then coolly lobbed it into the net.
A final cavalry charge by the home side was just too much for the exhausted Blues, and DARREN SARLL drove the ball firmly past Chapman for an 88th minute equaliser.

Final score: Biggleswade United 3 Hertford Town 3

We hope you will find our website helpful and informative . There is a separate "Fans Forum", for which the Club accepts no reponsibility .