Hertford suffered only their third home defeat of the season, and the first in 16 games, on a bitterly cold night at Hertingfordbury Park, as their Ryman Division 1 North opponents did just enough to take the tie. The Blues' prolific strikers got no change out of the vistors' defence throughout the game, and when they took the lead just after the hour mark, there was only going to be one outcome.
Hertford made six changes from Saturday's game with Biggleswade Town, with Joel Maybury, Shaun Crossley and Carl Ashton all getting starts : 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Joel Maybury, 5. Shaun Crossley, 6. Carl Ashton, 7. Panayiotis Panayiotou, 8. Matt McArdle, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper (capt), 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Dave Hunt (for McArdle, 75) , 14. Ryan Wade (for Panayiotou, 82)
Brentwood Town: 1. Nick Mitchell, 2. Donovan Wilson, 3. Mick Savage, 4. Steve Dickinson, 5. Steve King (capt), 6. Riki Holmes, 7. Joao Carlos, 8. Leon Diacuzk, 9. Joe Smith, 10. Alfie Hayes, 11. Danny Carroll. Subs Used: 12. Lee Noble (for Joao Carlos, 63), 14. Jake Marsh (for Hayes, 45), 16. Gareth Street (for Smith, 82).

Kevin Cooper brought the ball out from a defensive situation and played a long through ball to Ryan Redford, but Brentwood's Steve Dickinson made a good interception for a 2nd minute corner. It was never going to be a pretty game in view of the conditions and there was not a lot for the shivering crowd to get excited about. Brentwood showed that they would be a threat when they began to press the home defence regularly. Mark Virgo punched a corner out but his defenders were unable to clear the ball adequately, and Leon Diacuzk was able to rifle in a shot which only just missed the goal. Then right back Donovan Wilson tried his luck from out on the wing, and went equally close. On 12 minutes Hertford so nearly took the lead. Carl Ashton floated over a free kick from out on the left wing, and Pany Panayiotou flicked a header on to Joel Maybury, whose own header was just held by keeper Mitchell. Brentwood replied when striker Joe Smith lifted the ball over the bar from 15 yards.
Kevin Cooper made a great turn in the box and squared the ball to Matt McArdle, who might have done better with the chance., screwing the ball wide from in front of the goal. Hertford were enjoying one of their best spells of the game, and Lee Roberts and Ryan Redford forced keeper Mitchell to drop the ball, but a defender came to his aid and the chance was gone. Then Nicky Marsh made a stunning 80 yard run, bringing the ball out from his oewn penalty area and running almost the whole length of the pitch, on the diagonal, before crossing to Lee Roberts, who volleyed the ball first time, only for it to be blocked by a defender.

Half Time: Hertford Town 0 Brentwood Town 0

Brentwood made a half time substitution, with Jake Marsh replacing Alfie Hayes up front. The substitute got in an early shot which Mark Virgo spilled, and there was a scramble before the ball was cleared. Danny Carroll made a run across the 18 yard line before turning and shooting high over the bar and in to the car park. He was clearly Brentwood's danger man though, and it was he who set up the winning goal on 61 minutes when he played a fine ball to the far post where RIKI HOLMES dived to head into the top corner, out of Mark Virgo's reach. Brentwood replaced Joao Carlos with Lee Noble, and then Danny Carroll saw his rasping drive blocked on the line by a home defender. Hertford took off Matt McArdle and sent on Dave Hunt, on 75 minutes, but the home side were completely unable to open up the Brentwood defence, marshalled superbly by skipper Steve King. Gareth Street repalced Joe Smith for the visitors, and Ryan Wade came on for Pany Panayiotou for Hertford, but Brenwood comforably saw ou the last 10 minutes to secure their place in the next round.

Final Score: Hertford Town 0 Brentwood Town 1

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