HERTFORD TOWN 0 DUNSTABLE TOWN 4
Molten Spartan South Midlands League - Challenge Trophy Second Round
Tuesday 20th October 2009
Teams- Hertford Town: 1. Matt McArdle, 2. Michael Cooper, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Ryan Gordon, 5. Glenn Draper (capt), 6. Harry Atkins, 7. Attila Korsoveczki, 14. Daryl Mitchell, 9. Dominic Musafiri, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: Alan Barker (for Musafiri), Joel Maybury (for Mitchell).
Dunstable Town: 1. Paul Taylor, 2. Wayne Mills, 3. Lee Burgoyne, 4. Shane Wood, 5. Luke Flood, 6. Neal Perrin (capt), 7. Karl Davidson, 8. Danny Ryan, 9. Douglas Kisuule, 10. Nick Jackson, 11. Russell Preston. Subs Used: Aaron Flood (for Jackson), Matt Baldry (for Mills), Terry Billy (for Preston).
The home side were put at a disadvantage before the game had even kicked off. Goalkeeper Lee Robinson picked up a knee injury in the pre-match warm-up and was unable to start the game. With no replacement 'keeper available, Matt McArdle drew the short straw and had to take his place between the sticks for the start of the match. Daryl Mitchell, who had initially been named as a substitute, took McArdle's place in midfield.
The first chance of the game came in the opening seconds when a cross from wide by Hertford found Kevin Cooper in an advanced central position, though he lashed his effort well over the target. Three minutes later, and as has happened so often this season, the home side conceded an early goal. Dunstable advanced upfield and a Danny Ryan pass found Nick Jackson, who was allowed far too much space on the left. He unleashed an unstoppable shot from a wide position, which gave McArdle no chance, giving Dunstable the lead and almost bursting the back of the net in the process.
Hertford responded and five minutes later Attila Korsoveczki hit a shot wide, but just after the quarter of an hour mark the visitors doubled their lead. This time scorer turned provider as Jackson played in Karl Davidson. He too was allowed far too much space and easily hit his shot past McArdle and into the empty net. Midway through the half the visitors had a chance to further their lead, but hit a free kick from a dangerous position, was hit out of the ground. Minutes later, play was at the other end and Daryl Mitchell hit a shot just over the bar.
On the half hour mark, Dunstable won a corner and although initially cleared, the ball fell to a visiting player, though he hit his shot wide. A few minutes later, Lee Roberts tried a speculative lofted shot some way out on the left. His effort cleared visiting custodian Paul Taylor, but fell just long of the target, hitting the rear stanchion of the goal on its descent. The visitors then won a corner though this was cleared by the Hertford defence. As the half went into injury time the home side were awarded a corner. Mitchell's cross was cleared off the line and the referee soon blew the half time whistle.
Half Time Score: Hertford Town 0 Dunstable Town 2
The first notable action of the second half saw the visitors extend their lead five minutes after the break. They were awarded a free kick, which was taken by Russell Preston. He passed to Lee Burgoyne who hit a powerful shot past McArdle, to effectively kill off the game at 3-0. The home side soon won a corner but Mitchell's cross was cleared. The visitors then made their first substitution of the evening as scorer of the first goal, Nick Jackson, made way for Aaron Flood. Two more changes came just before the hour mark as Matt Baldry replaced Wayne Mills for the visitors and Hertford sent on Alan Barker for Dominic Musafiri.
The home side soon won a corner, though Attila Korsoveczki's cross fell straight into the arms of Taylor. Two further changes followed as Joel Maybury replaced Mitchell for the home side and Dunstable sent on Terry Billy in place of Preston. Within two minutes, the visitors' advantage had extended to 4-0. An Aaron Flood free kick found Douglas Kisuule, who made no mistake, sending his side into the next round of the competition with a good finish.
The home side did not give up however, and soon forced a couple of corners. Korsoveczki's cross for the first was cleared and a shot following the second was hit just wide of the target. Dunstable's Danny Ryan then became the first player of the night to be booked, following a clumsy challenge. Blues' skipper Glenn Draper took the resulting free kick but his effort was cleared. Lee Roberts then had arguably the home side's best shot of the game, when he hit a powerful effort from the edge of the box, but it was well saved by Taylor.
As the game went into the final few minutes the visitors received their second booking of the night as Lee Burgoyne was shown yellow for disputing a refereeing decision just a little too much. Hertford then won a free kick, though Kevin Cooper shot over the bar. The referee played a few more minutes but then blew the final whistle to put the Hertford players and supporters out of their misery.
Final Score: Hertford Town 0 Dunstable Town 4