This game was never going to be a classic, in view of the hard bumpy pitch and a strong wing, and so it turned out. The first half was completely forgettable, but Harefield raised their game sufficiently in the second half to deservedly win the game. With Ryan Redford and Glenn Draper suspended and Kevin Kilroy still out injured, reserve team player Brendan Brien came in for his first Premier Division start to partner Kevin Cooper, and Sean Crossley continued in defence. Harefield were without leading scorer Sean Sonner, who had left during th eweek to join Northwood Town.

Teams: Hertford Town: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Matt Watts, 5. Sean Crossley, 6. Ryan Wade, 7. Dave Hunt, 8. Phil Goss, 9. Brendan Brien, 10. Kevin Cooper (capt), 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Carl Ashton (for Wade, 85), 14. Matt McArdle (for Hunt, 83), 15. Panayiotis Panayiotou (for Marsh, 62).

Harefield United: 1. Andrew Hagger, 2. Luke Eldridge, 3. Adam Willis, 4. Joe Cowans, 5. Gary Williams (capt), 6. Murray Williamson, 7. Tom Lewis, 8. Luke Willis, 9. Ben Cowan, 10. Craig Totton, 11. Danny Buckle. Subs Used: 12. Ben Hammond (for Buckle, 66), 14. James Hauliston (for Williamson, 5).

The opening minutes of this game were not worthy of detailed reporting, although when Craig Totton broke clear down the right only to see the assistant referee flagging for off side, it was a very close call. Murray Williamson injured himself when making a heavy tackle on Ryan Wade, and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher after a five minute delay. Substitute James Hauliston came on immediately to replace him.
On 37 mniutes, Harefield's Luke Willis found himself clear on goal and onside, but made a hash of his finish, much to the relief of the Hertford defenders. This was a rare moment of excitement in a poor first period. Just before half time, United's Ben Cown got in a good long range strike which Mark Virgo had to put over the bar for a corner.

Half Time: Hertofrd Town 0 Harefield United 0

The talk among the spectators at half time was that the game had "0-0 written all over it". The visitors had other ideas, however, and markedly upped their game. On 51 minutes, Pablo Ardiles had to concede a free kick just outside the 18 yard box, when his defensive colleagues went missing. CRAIG TOTTON scored direct from the free kick, with questions to ask about the set up of the wall and Mark Virgo's starting position.
One of Hertford's very few chances came on 57 minutes, when the visiting 'keeper, Andrew Hagger parried a shot and the ball fell quickly to Kevin Cooper, a yard out. The leading screr only had time to make aquick stab at the ball, and it flew high over the bar.
Pany Panayiotou entered the fray on 62 minutes for the off form Nicky Marsh, and then Harefield's Ben Cowan was booked for following through on Mark Virgo, who required the attention of the trainer.
On 72 minutes, Dave Hunt's 30 yard strike just faded wide of the far post, but a couple of minutes later, it was the visitors who lost out, whe Pany Panayiotou made a vital challenge on Ben Cowan to save the day.
It was all over for Hertford on 77 minutes, when Harefield's skipper GARY WILLIAMS headed home firmly at the second attempt, from a corner, although Pablo Ardiles valiantly tried to head clear.
Although Hertford switched Lee Roberts with Brendan Brien, and brought on fresh midfield legs in Matt McArdle and Carl Ashton, they were unable to do anything to rescue the situation, losing their proud record of not having lost a league game at home since August 2007.

Final Score: Hertford Town 0 Harefield United 2

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