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TUESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2008 - SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER DIVISION
HERTFORD TOWN 1 HANWELL TOWN 0
So fans, including Hertford's star supporters, World Cup winners Ozzie Ardiles and Rick Villa, filed into Hertingfordbury Park with optimism renewed, for a game against a Hanwell Town team lying in fifth place in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division, with 25 points and a game in hand over the teams occupying the top four spots in the table. Hertford Town in the meantime began the game in sixteenth position, with 15 points from 15 games. Yet there is a feeling that Hertford's position in the table, left fragile by the uncertainty at the beginning of the season, does not reflect the quality in the squad.
Teams - Hertford Town: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Ryan Gordon, 3. Duncan Hamilton, 4. Joel Maybury, 5. Glenn Draper (capt), 6. Pablo Ardiles, 7. Jamie Abbott, 8. Dave Hunt, 9. Attila Korsoveczki, 10. Matt McArdle, 11. Owen Beale. Subs Used: Chris Spiteri (for Gordon), Simon Eden (for Abbott), Andy Chapman (for Beale).
Hanwell Town: 1. Keiren Jimmy, 2. Craig Farrell, 3. Chris Pape, 4. Matt Kidson (capt), 5. Gulad Adan, 6. Luke Kenny, 7. James Duncan, 8. Jason Tucker, 9. Warren Williams, 10. Blaise O'Brien, 11. George Mapes. Sub Used: Lee Clarke (for Duncan)
The renewed optimism in the team was evident in the opening exchanges, with the Blues matching high-flying Hanwell as both teams vied for supremacy on a rutted pitch, made worse by the cold weather. With the ball being moved from one end of the park to the other, both teams made half-chances but both Goalies kept their kits clean as neither side managed to create any serious openings, Attila Korsoveczki coming closest for the Blues with a shot from the edge of the box which fizzed just wide of the left hand post. Half an hour into the game and the pressure began to tell on the Hanwell team with their captain, Matt Kidson giving a talking to by the ref after an explosive outburst at his own player as Hanwell began to struggle with some excellent one-touch football by Hertford Town.
A fantastic Ardiles pass sent Dave Hunt scurrying forward only for play to be brought back for a marginal offside. With the first half ticking away, the game started to heat up as both teams threw themselves into tackles, Hanwell got a free- kick after Williams was brought down by Hertford's Duncan Hamilton. The resulting kick was narrowly headed over by Kidson.
43 minutes in and Hertford were rewarded for their increasing dominance. Ardiles put the ball into the right channel to Abbott who in turn crossed to Hunt who flicked it on to Korsoveczki to turn it into the net for his first goal since his return to the club, meaning the Blues went into the dressing rooms one nil up at halftime.
Half Time Score: Hertford Town 1 Hanwell Town 0
Hertford began the second period with a flourish, playing some excellent one-touch football yet the first serious chance of the half fell to Hanwell with Jason Tucker hitting the bar with a spooned shoot. Fifteen minutes in and Hertford were left with ten men after a wild challenge by centre back Glenn Draper. The referee didn't hesitate to produce the red yet Draper clearly disagreed, protesting his innocence as he disappeared down the tunnel to the dressing rooms. "I thought I got the ball so I feel the decision was harsh" Draper mused after the game, perhaps a little optimistically.
Being a man down didn't seem to affect Hertford as the Blues continued to attack, playing the sort of excellent football promised by Ardiles when he took the hot seat. Dave Hunt was unlucky not to double Hertford's lead after some brilliant play on the wing by Owen Beale. Hanwell continued to be roared on by their captain Kidson yet failed to break down the Hertford team as the Blues continued to play as if unaffected by their numerical disadvantage.
With fifteen minutes to go, both teams decided to change things with substitutions. Jamie Abbot replaced by Simon Eden for the Blues and James Duncan of Hanwell leaving the field to be replaced by number fifteen Lee Clarke. The change seemed to benefit Hertford the most, with Eden making his presence felt, closing down the opposition with tireless energy as Hanwell, under the cosh, became increasingly frustrated. This frustration was compounded by a bad miss by star striker Blaise O'Brien, drawing chants of 'how wide do you want the goal?' from the Stable End.
With Hertford harrying all over the pitch Hanwell struggled to make any further inroads in to the Blues' half. With five minutes remaining Hertford made another substitution with Andrew Chapman replacing Owen Beale. Hanwell had one more chance to level the scores with Matt Kidson putting a free kick from the right of the box, over the bar.
The final whistle brought a close to a good game of football, with the Blues deservedly coming out on top. Hanwell chairmen Bob Fisher agreed; "It was an enjoyable game, both sides tried to play football on a very difficult surface. I thought the best team won." Pablo Ardiles was pleased with his team; "We have a good team spirit and have battled to keep things solid. We want to consolidate this year, and hope to be in the top ten by Christmas, that's where we deserve to be." There was praise for dismissed centre half Glenn Draper "The challenge tonight looked clumsy, but he's been tremendous for us". Draper himself has been enjoying life under Ardiles; "It's been a good change, everyone's committed and we're all working very hard for each other".
So the Blues continue to progress under the new regime, playing excellent football and deservedly beating teams that are high above them in the table. Where a few weeks ago there was a misery around the place, now supporters can look forward with optimism at what looks to be a bright future.
Full Time Score: Hertford Town 1 Hanwell Town 0
Jack Roberts.
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