With Ryan Redford's suspension and Ian Cooper's departure for Hemel Hempstead Town, Hertford were forced to play with only Kevin Cooper in attack. Glenn Draper was also still suspended, so youngster Sean Crossley continued to deputise.
Hertford incleded ex V&E players in Mark Virgo, Ryan Wade and Pany Panayiotou, while the home side fielded ex Blues Daryl Mitchell, Bradley Poole and Paul Dodd.

Hertford Town: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Matt Watts, 5. Sean Crossley, 6. Ryan Wade, 7. Panayiotis Panayiotou, 8. Dave Hunt, 9. Carl Ashton, 10. Kevin Cooper (capt), 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Matt McArdle (for Panayiotou, 73), 14. Brendan Brien (for Hunt, 73).

Broxbourne: 1. Obey Murefu, 2. Bradley Poole, 3. Rob Kemble, 4. Ade Cole, 5. Carlo Casali, 6. Danny May, 7. Bradley Drisdale, 8. Paul Dodd, 9. Danny Ward, 10. Daryl Mitchell (capt), 11. Tony Burke. Subs Used: 14. Michael Noble (for Dodd, 76), 15. Michael Nathen (for Drisdale, 57), 16. Lee Teagle (for Cole, 76)
The match was played on a bitterly cold evening in front of Borough's biggest gate of the season, despite the Champions League games on TV. Unusually for such a cold night, rain swept the pitch in the early stages, giving a nice zip to the excellent Goff's Lane pitch. As a result, the opening phase of th egame was full of slick passing. Hertford had created a couple of decent opportunities before V&E took a 6th minute lead through their playmaker and skipper Daryl Mitchell. He tried his luck with afirm strike from 25 yards on the angle, with the ball deflecting off Matt Watts to take it away from Mark Virgo's dive.
Hertford were not daunted by this early setback and continued to build up patiently, and when they attacked down the left on 13 minutes, PABLO ARDILES exchanged passes before taking the ball on into the box and slotting home past home keeper Obey Murefu to equalise. On 23 minutes, Pany Panayiotou burst through the middle but his effort was turned out for a corner. Then Ryan Wade conceded a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area, centrally, although he appeared to win the ball. This was apparently tailor made for Mitchell, but it was Tony Burke who took the kick, shooting just over the bar. Dave Hunt combined well with Lee Roberts but the winger's cross was hacked to safety by a home defender. Borough were giving as good as they got, and won a free kick out on the right when Sean Crossley brough down Bradley Drisdale. Moments later, it took a Nicky Marsh header on the line to clear for the visitors. From the ensuing corner, Mark Virgo, busier than in any game recently, made a good, firm punch to clear. But he had no chance on 36 minutes, when Broxbourne took the lead again. Rob Kemble was heavily involved in an attack down the left which gave PAUL DODD the opportunity to score from close range at the near post.

Carl Ashton got behind the home defence and got in a dangerous low cross, but it was a V&E defender who got his boot to the ball.

Half Time: Broxbourne Borough V&E 2 Hertford Town 1

The game had looked to be full of goals, but the second half did not really live up to the first. Both sides continued to play attacking football, but neither could add to the scoreline. Right at the start of the half, Nicky Marsh forced a save from keeper Murefu, who spilled the ball at the feet of Dave Hunt. The midfielder was unable to capitalise on the half chance, however.
When Broxbourne next attacked, Danny May steered his close range header wide of the right hand post. Carl Ashton smashed the ball home from an acute angle, but Kevin Cooper had already been flagged offside. Bradley Drisdale limped off injured on 57 minutes, replaced by Michael Nathen. On 59 minutes, when the ball was scrambled out by Broxbourne it fell to Lee Roberts and his fierce snap shot went a yard over the bar. From a 64th minute Hertford corner, Tony Burke was on hand to head off the line and keep his side ahead. As Hertford pressed for an equaliser, they offered the occasional chance of a breakaway to Broxbourne, and from one of these, Danny May shot over the bar, to the relief of the Hertford fans.
DAve Greenwood rang the changes on 73 minutes, with Matt McArdle and Brendan Brien replacing Pany Panayiotou and Dave Hunt. BRien went up front with Kevin Cooper and the move did add something to Hertford's attacking threat. When they won a corner on 75 minutes, 'keeper Murefu would not release the ball and Kevin Cooper tried to pull the ball out of his grasp. Cooper was booked for his actions, while Murefu was not. Broxbourne sent on Michael Noble and Lee Teagle for Paul Dodd and Ade Cole on 76 minutes, and on 88 minutes should have extended their lead, but Mark Virgo made an heroic stop with his legs when Danny Ward shot from point blank range. As the game drifted into added time, Hertford won three successive corners, but could not break down the home defence.

Final Score: Broxbourne Borough V&E 2 Hertford Town 1

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