Hertford made two changes from Saturday's line-up for their first ever league encounter with Cockfosters. Louis Lancaster replaced Pablo Ardiles and Alex Scriven came in for Pany Panayiotou.
Team: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Louis Lancaster, 4. Kevin Kilroy (Capt), 5. Glenn Draper, 6. Paul Taylor, 7. Nicky Burt, 8. Ryan Wade, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Alex Scriven, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs used: 12. Ross Collins (for Scriven, 75), 14. Michael Cooper (for Burt, 75), 15. Glen Holman (for Taylor, 89)

With the rain pouring down, Hertford made a dream start when they scored after just 39 seconds. They won a corner straight from the kick off, and Lee Roberts found Ryan Wade, who headed on into the packed six yard box, where GLENN DRAPER was on hand to nod home from 2 yards. The game was played at a fast pace on the lush, flat surface livened up by the day long rain. Cockfosters' Jon Moniatis saw his fiece 8 minute shot deflected for a corner, but the home side were unable to emulate their visitors' success. They were level on 11 minutes, though, when great work by Jon Moniatis down the right led to DAVE PIGDEN finishing off the move to make it 1-1.
Lee Roberts was once again prominent down the left wing and nearly scored on 23 minutes when Nicky Marsh raided down the right and crossed to Ryan Redford. The ball was too high but fell instead to Roberts, cutting in from the left, and he shot just over when perhaps he had more time to control his shot. Only 2 minutes later, Roberts again found himself in a shooting position, this time pulling his shot across the face of the goal. RYAN REDFORD opened his league account on 28 minutes, to restore The Blues' lead. Home 'keeper Chay Morris rushed out, calling for the ball, and skipper Samson Okeke headed the ball over him straight to the waiting Redford, who took the ball on a couple of strides before stroking it into the empty net.
When Cockfosters won another corner in the 32nd minute, Ryan Wade was on hand to head clear. Nicky Marsh and Ryan Redford combined well to set up Lee Roberts for his third chance , and this time his shot was on target and forced a save from Morris.
Roberts then tried a spectacular volley when Paul Taylor found him with a 30 yard pass, but it was not to be the winger's night for scoring.

Half Time: Cockfosters 1 Hertford Town 2

The rain eased off for the second half, much to everyone's relief, and Cockfosters tried their best to get back on terms. They won a free kick in a very dangerous area in front of goal, when Glenn Draper was adjudged to have fouled Jon Moniatis. Dan O'Connor blasted his kick against Hertford's defensive wall and the ball flew away to safety. Then Ben Anderos hit a low 30 yarder which went just wide. On 55 minutes ex Blue Aaron Tourlamain let fly from all of 35 yards and forced Mark Virgo to concede a corner with an athletic save.
At the other end, Ryan Redford came close with a fine overhead kick, and, on the hour, a good run and cross by Lee Roberts saw Nicky Burt's shot saved by 'keeper Morris. It was end to end fare now, first Moniatis had another shot saved for a corner, then Lee Roberts had a shot hit the upright, then it was Moniatis again, firing over from 20 yards.
On 75 minutes, Hertford took off striker Alex Scriven and winger Nicky Burt and sent on Ross Collins and Michael Cooper. Collins took over Ryan Wade's place in centre midfield and Wade went up top with Redford. After 77 minutes, the home side's Ben Anderos had to be replaced, when he collided with a fence, and Gary Haycock came on instead. After playing up front for only four minutes, RYAN WADE made the game safe for Hertford when he rifled the ball home from 12 yards. Cockfosters threw on Aaron Ewing and Jamie Brandon for the last few minutes, with O'Connor and Nicky Page coming off. It was Ryan Wade though who had the best chance in the remaining minutes, when he came very close with a good shot on the turn.
There was just time for Glen Holman to get onto the field for a couple of minutes in place of Paul Taylor, before Hertford ran out fairly comfortable winners.

Final score: Cockfosters 1 Hertford Town 3





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