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SATURDAY 12 AUGUST 2006
HERTS CHARITY CUP
HERTFORD TOWN 0 HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN 1
Hertford were due to be included in the Charity Sheild, along with the other Spartan South Midlands clubs, but were re-instated to the Charity Cup in place of Conference newcomers St Albans City. Paired against Hemel for the fourth time in five seasons, the home side had a very poor recent record against the Tudors, losing the last five encounters. Hemel were preparing for the Southern League Premier Division, having won promotion via the playoffs.
Hertford Town: 1. Mark Virgo; 2. Ashley McAloon, 3. Tom Neill, 4. Matt Watts, 5. Halil Akil, 6. Adrian Robinson (capt), 7. Scott Neilson, 8 Leo Turner, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Pablo Ardiles. Subs Used: 14. Paul Dodds (for Scott Neilson, 80), 15. Lee Roberts (for Tom Neill, 73), 16. Ryan Wade (for Adrian Robinson, 65).
Hemel Hempstead Town: 1. Steve Smith; 2. Robbie Keane, 3. Jamie Kearns, 4. Paul Aldridge, 5. Rob Gould, 6. Leon Hibbert, 7. Charlie Mapes, 8. Chris Herron, 9. Gary Sippetts, 10. Anthony Thomas, 11. Paul Edgworth. Subs Used: 12. Kevin Chakaodza (for Gary Sippetts, 83), 14. Danny Mead (for Chris Herron), 16. Dave Fotheringam (for Rob Gould)
With Hemel being two levels higher in the pyramid, it was no surprise that the visitors dominated the early exchanges. Playing a 3-5-2 system against Heretford's 4-4-2, it looked like it might be a difficult afternoon for the Blues' middle two Robinson and Turner. This was Hemel's 8th outing of the pre-season, against Hertford's third but as the game settled down, however, it didn't really show. On 8 minutes, Ryan Redford so nearly got clear in the box, and then on 10 minutes, Blues won the first corner of the game when Pablo Ardiles' cross was deflected behind. Scott Neilson's kick found the head of Matt Watts, but the big defender's header went well over the bar. The nearest that Hemel came to a goal threat in this early period was when Anthony Thomas tried a very speculative 45 yarder which also went high over the bar.
A minute later though, wing back Charlie Mapes stole in and his toe poke whilst on the deck gave Mark Virgo his most dangerous moment so far as he caught the ball safely.
The play returned to the Hemel end and Leo turner tried his luck, only for 'keeper Steve Smith to hold on with ease. On 18 minutes Anthony Thomas found his range but Mark Virgo saved again. Hertford won another corner on 20 minutes and Ryan Redford's goalbound effort unluckily struck team-mate Leo Turner. Adrian Robinson came to the rescue to concede a corner which Mark Virgo failed to hold, and the home defence conceded another corner in getting the ball clear. From this Hemel's Leon Hibbert flashed a header just wide of the post. Keeping up the pressure, Hemel won another corner when Chris Herron's shot was deflected, but again nothing came of the opportunity. Pablo Ardiles blocked another Leon Hibbert effort for yet another Hemel corner, as the watching crowd had the feeeling that it was only a matter of time before the visitors took the lead. The corner count went 5-3 in Hemel's favour on 28 minutes, when Gary Sippett's header was deflected. On 29 minutes though it looked like Hertford would open the scoring when the swift Ryan Redford got clear enough of the visitor's rearguard to get in a shot. Under pressure from the last defender, Redford just lifted his shot over the bar, being injured as the defender got in his challenge. In the later stages of the half it was the Blues who made the best opportunities, and Hemel at last seemed to realise that they had a game on their hands.
Half Time: Hertford Town 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 0
Presumably fired up after a half time roasting from manager Steve Bateman, Hemel came out on the attack and Anthony Thomas immediately had his best effort so far with a 20 yarder which Mark Virgo handled with ease. On 47 minutes Matt Watts went down with a facial injury after a clash of heads with Gary Sippetts but was able to continue with no apparent ill effects. Hertford rued the missed opportunity on 54 minutes when, from the second of two corners in quick succession, Matt Watts applied a defender's touch to a loose ball to sky it high over the Hemel bar. Charlie Mapes brought a good save from Mark Virgo on 58 minutes and then Adrian Robinson again saved the day, conceding a corner with a timely interception. The dangerous Charle Mapes shot narrowly wide on 63 minutes after good Hemel build up play before substitutions began in earnest. Ryan Wade came on for Adrian Robinson, taking over the captain's armband at the same time. Hertford spurned another golden opportunity to take the lead when a fine run and cross from Scott Neilson should have given Pablo Ardiles the chance to head home, but he headed over the bar. Then Lee Roberts was introduced for Tom Neill, with Ardiles dropping back to accomodate him. The goal that the home supporters feared finally came on 78 minutes, and it came when Pablo Ardiles passed to Lee Roberts in a difficult left back position. The winger, perhaps not yet attuned to the game was robbed and when the ball came across, CHRIS HERRON scored with a sublime half-volley from just inside the box, which gave Mark Virgo no chance whatsoever.
To Hertford's credit, they did not throw in the towel, and continued to try and take the game to Hemel. Pablo Ardiles played in Leo Turner, but the midfielder's effort under pressure was sliced wide. Hertford manager Gary Conner made his final permitted sunbstitution when striker Paul Dodds replaced Scott Neilson. Playing three up, Hertford managed to keep the pressure on Hemel, and a nice move between Dodds and Kevin Cooper saw the latter's close range effort smothered by 'keeper Smith. Hemel netted in the 88th minute, but the effort was correctly ruled out for offside, and then Kevin Cooper won a corner as Blues determinedly sought the leveller. Good interplay led to Ryan Wade shooting and again Smith got down to smother the effort. With 3 minutes of added time played Kevin Cooper's best effort of the game was deflected for a corner, but despite the loud vocal support from the Stable End, Hertford were unable to convert. As Blues pressed for an equaliser they were caught out at the back and Charlie Mapes so nearly got the goal that he had deserved when his calculated strike hit the far post and bounced clear. That was the last kick of the game, and the home supporters were left feeling that it had been a game which the Blues could have won, and encouraged for the season to come.
Final Score: Hertford Town 0 Hemel Hempstead Town 1
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