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TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER 2007 - EAST ANGLIAN CUP, GROUP 3, ROUND 2
HERTFORD TOWN 2 CLACTON TOWN 1
After all the rain of late it was something of a surprise to see this game played, but the pitch had dried out well, and there was no doubt whatsoever that the game should go ahead. It kicked off 15 minutes later because Clacton suffered a coach breakdown and they then had to wait for a replacement.
Hertford were without suspended leading scorer Ryan Redford, and Glenn Draper, and the home fans got a first look at back again Phil Goss and Nick Turner.
Team: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Kevin Kilroy (capt), 5. Nick Turner, 6. Paul Taylor, 7. Mark Seller, 8. Phil Goss, 9. Michael Bakare, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Ryan Wade (for Seller, 65), 14. Peter Lane (for Cooper, 82), 17. Nick Barnaby (for Virgo, 45)
Clacton looked to be still on the coach as Hertford nearly took a 5th minute lead, when Kevin Cooper's shot struck the post and ran along the goal-line. Two minutes later, it was Lee Roberts' turn to hit the same upright, with a free kick. Having survived this opening onslaught, the visitors settled down and began to ask just as many questions of the home side. They were operating a well disciplined offside trap which continually caught the home forwards offside. On 20 minutes, only a smart block from Pablo Ardiles prevented what looked like being a certain goal. On the half hour, as Hertford began to get back on top, Phil Goss made a good challenge to win the ball, and passed to Kevin Cooper, in the right wing position. With strike partner Michael Bakare free in the centre, Cooper disappointed by overhitting his cross. On 36 minutes, good work by Cooper played in Lee Roberts, but his shot went well over the bar.
Nicky Marsh made an excellant tackle and pass to Phil Goss, who crossed to Kevin Cooper, but the striker inexplicably fell over. Michael Bakare was spoiling good approach work with his final shot, most notably on 39 minutes. Phil Goss again made good ground down the right and found Cooper with his cross, but the striker's shot was blocked. With the game well into stoppage time, Hertford were rocked when a seemingly innocuous challenge by Kevin Kilroy resulted in penalty to the visitors. This was later confirmed to have been for shirt pulling. Clacton's Matt Waters made no mistake with the spot kick, although Mark Virgo did get his hands on the ball.
Half Time: Hertford Town 0 Clacton Town 1
Hertford changed their goalkeeper at half time, with teenager Nick Barnaby replacing Mark Virgo. Lee Roberts and Michael Bakare switched roles as manager Dave Greenwood looked at options for Saturday's league game without Ryan Redford. Hertford soon won a free kick in a dangerous central area, and Kevin Kilroy's kick struck a hand in the defensive wall, and the referee allowed a quick take of the second kick. Unfortunately, the kick was too quick for everyone, and the move broke down. Mark Seller then saw a shot charged down after Lee Roberts had set him up. Hertford were having mixed fortunes against Clacton's offside trap, and when Kevin Cooper did beat it on 55 minutes, his cross went behind everyone. It broke to Pablo Ardiles though, and the full back saw his fierce shot tipped over the bar by 'keeper Michael Hicks. Hertford were doing most of the attacking now, and it seemed only a matter of time before the equaliser came. On 57 minutes, a clever flick by Cooper let in Michael Bakare but his shot was blocked by a defender. Hertford's opening goal came following a slick 6 man move, which took the ball forward using the whole width of the pitch before reaching KEVIN COOPER in the box, and he swept the ball home in classic Cooper style for his 150th goal for The Blues in his 192nd appearance - a truly remarkable strike rate. Hertford nearly let themselves down almost immediately, when Adam Daniels so nearly scored from close range a minute later. That was just about Clacton's last serious threat though, as Hertford pressed for the winner.It wasn't long coming. Ryan Wade, absent for some months, made a surprise return as a substitute for Mark Seller and his impact was immediate. Out on the right, he put up a huge lob which was held by the wind and fell invitingly on to KEVIN COOPER's head. Cooper was probably waiting to have the ball snatched off his head by the 'keeper but it didn't happen, and he was left to head calmly into the net for his second of the night.
Hertford looked comfortable for the final 20 minutes. Kevin Cooper came off ten minutes from time, to rousing applause to be replaced by Peter Lane. In the final moments Lane should have increased Hertford's lead after marvelous work by Ryan Wade,who cut in from the left and crossed to Lane, right in front of goal, but the big striker was unable to convert.
This win took Hertford through to a Group Final, at home to either Tiptree United or Hoddesdon Town
Final score: Hertford Town 2 Clacton Town 1
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