Hertford Town: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Kevin Kilroy (capt), 5. Glenn Draper, 6. Panayiotis Panayiotou, 7. Matt McArdle, 8. Phil Goss, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Ian Cooper. Subs Used: 12. Lee Roberts (for Redford, 45), 15. Ross Collins (for McArdle, 74), 16. Ryan Wade (for Ardiles, 64)

Brimsdown Rovers: 1. David Ball, 2. Darren Reid, 3. Tom Chapman, 4. Andrew Julier, 5. Aaron Scott (capt), 6. Jason Coughlan, 7. Ashley Taylor-Forbes, 8. Reece Prestidge, 9. Scott Atkinson, 10. Neil Thompson, 11. Tan Tezel Sub Used: 16. Aaron Churchhouse (for Thompson, 80)

Was this one defeat too many? An eighth league defeat surely spells the end of the title chase for The Blues, as they failed to score or earn a single point for a fourth successive away game. In previous defeats recently, performances have generally been better than the results would indicate, but there could be few complaints today. Brimsdown were pretty good value for their 2-0 win, and try as they might, Hertford could not get the ball past home 'keeper David Ball and his defenders.
Hopes had been high, with Kevin Cooper's brother Ian joining this week and being played today in addition to the usual front two in a 4-3-1-2, with Kevin Cooper playing behind Ian, and Ryan Redford. Unfortunately, what should have been a bold attacking formation did not pay off, and the enforced replacement of Ryan Redford at half time led to Hertford reverting to their normal 4-4-2 line up.
The Blues might have taken a 2nd minute lead when Matt McArdle tried a speculative high lob from the halfway line when he saw home 'keeper Ball way off his line. Hearts were in mouths as the ball descended from the clouds but was blown off course by the breeze and fell wide of the upright. Brimsdown responded by going very close when Reece Prestidge headed just wide from a free kick by Tom Chapman. Hertford were looking a handful up front and the speedy duo of Redford and Ian Cooper set up a chance for Kevin Cooper, whose effort was blocked for a corner. On 11 minutes, Ryan Redford's shot was beaten out to Kevin Cooper, whose own shot was deflected for another corner.
Scott Atkinson took advantage of a weak defensive header from Glenn Draper, but his shot from 22 yards was wide of the mark. Brimsdown were getting forward all too often now, and it was no surprise when they took a 17th minute lead. Scott Atkinson pulled the ball back to REECE PRESTIDGE, who fired home past Lee Robinson from outside the box, and through a sea of legs.
Prestidge was booked for a heavy tackle on Ryan Redford soon afterwards, and Kevin Kilroy's free kick found Ian Cooper, who was unlucky to see his smart shot blocked. A Hertford attack broke down as the ball was played across to Nicky Marsh, who lost possession, and Scott Atkinson missed an absolute gift by firing wide. Ian Cooper had another shot blocked, as Hertford looked to get level, but then fell two behind on 35 minutes. Lee Robinson came out to challenge and found himself in a heap on the 18 yard line. The ball broke to the unmarked SCOTT ATKINSON, and this time the striker calmly placed the ball into an empty net. On 38 minutes, Ryan Redford went down having received a blow to the head, and was unable to resume. The Blues played out the rest of the half with 10 men in the hope that Redford would recover at half time.

Half Time: Brimsdown Rovers 2 Hertford Town 0

Ryan Redford did not recover sufficiently at half time, and Lee Roberts replaced him, with the line-up reverting to the more usual 4-4-2. The game was getting a little more fiesty now, and Ashley Taylor-Forbes and Glenn Draper received a long lecture from the referee and shortly afterwards Ian Cooper was booked for a foul. Ex Blue Jason Coughlan struck a long range effort over the bar, then the referee finally lost patience with the excitable Forbes-Taylor, booking him for a fairly innocuous foul. Kevin Kilroy fired the free kick against the Brimsdown wall. Hertford sent on Ryan Wade for Pablo Ardiles and went three at the back. Scott Atkinson became the next player booked as the game continued at a high pace. Hertford replaced Matt McArdle with Ross Collins on 74 minutes and Lee Robinson made a good save as Brimsdown looked for a third. Rovers made a substitution when Aaron Churchouse replaced Neil Thompson for the final 10 minutes. Ryan Wade forced a flying save from keeper Ball, with a free kick on the edge of the box, but in truth Hertford, despite winning several corners, were able to offer little threat to the home rearguard. Pany Panayiotou became the second Hertford player booked, on 85 minutes, for a foul and the game petered out with The Blues adly lacking a cutting edge.

Final Score: Brimsdown Rovers 2 Hertford Town 0

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