|
SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2006 - SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
HOLMER GREEN 1 HERTFORD TOWN 7
Fortunately the weather stayed dry overnight and the game went ahead and what a result. For the fifth time this season, The Blues scored six or more in a league game as they competely destroyed a plucky Holmer Green side who had had the temerity to get a 1-1 daw at Hertford earlier in the season. It took Hertford 25 minutes to register the first goal, but in reality, the result was never in doubt from then on.
Hertford brought back 'keeper Mark Virgo, Michael Bakare and the cup tied Glenn Draper from the midweek cup win at Biggleswade Town, and lined up as follows:
Team: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Ashley McAloon, 3. Michael Bakare, 4. Kevin Kilroy, 5. Glenn Draper, 6. Paul Taylor, 7. Pablo Ardiles, 8. Nicky Marsh, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 14. Panayiotis Panayiotou (for Bakare, 65), 15. Scott Neilson (for Marsh, 73)
Hertford signalled their intent by playing quick, long balls to Ryan Redford, and he nearly opened the scoring in the second minute when his angled drive across the box just evaded the far post. Then, on 5 minutes he nearly conjured up a goal from his own efforts, beating two defenders in the middle before spoiling his work with a poor finish.
Holmer Green, having withstood the early pressure got more into the game and Ashley McAloon had to make a good block in front of goal. As the home side got more into the game, they won a free kick 22 yards out and skipper Kevin Cooper had to concede a corner to clear it. Home defender Simon Poulter headed over the bar from the corner.
Holmer Green won several more corners and free kicks which Hertford defended comfortably, with Glenn Draper marshalling the defence well. Then, on 25 minutes, the breakthrough came. Nicky Marsh put over a cross which Ryan Redford headed back to KEVIN COOPER, who swivelled and hooked the ball over his shoulder and past a bemused Dave Clark in the home goal.
This goal visibly deflated the home side, and Hertford stepped up the pressure, winning a couple of corners in quick succession as the home side began to show signs of panic. Lee Roberts hit a screamer which 'keeper Clark did well to parry, but it fell straight to Ashley McAloon. The right back struck the ball really well, but it hit Clark at point blank range, and he kept the ball out again. On 31 minutes Nicky Marsh had the ball in the net, but the linesman had had his flag up for some time as Michael Bakare was marginally offside before he crossed.
Ryan Redford shot on the turn from 18 yards , only just wide but the, on 35 minutes, KEVIN COOPER, looking a little offside, gained possession 30 yards out and immediately lobbed the 'keeper to make the score 2-0
Glenn Draper had a good chance to head the third from a corner, but only got a thin contact and the ball skidded away to safety.
Half Time: Holmer Green 0 Hertford Town 2
Hertford were in control of the game now, and there seemed little that Holmer Green could do to change things. On 57 minutes, Nicky Marsh thought he had added a third, but his shot from close to the right goal-line thumped against the far upright, and the ball was scrambled away for a corner. Another good attack saw Marsh cross to Ryan Redford but it was beginning to look like the top scorer was going to draw a blank as he headed over. But then, on 65 minutes his strike partner Cooper set him up and he made no mistake, making space in the centre before firing firmly past Dave Clark for 3-0. With the game all but won, Hertford took off Michael Bakare, and sent on Pani Panayiotou, with Pablo Ardiles dropping back to left back and Pani slotting into midfield. Mark Virgo had not had to deal with any on target shots, but a Holmer Green forward gave him a slight scare by firing a good shot just past the upright.
Scott Neilson came on as a straight swap for Nicky Marsh on 73 minutes, as Hertford continued to dictate the game. Then, on 74 minutes, the ultra reliable Kevin Kilroy made a rare mistake, and miskicked the ball straight to Danny Stone,who smashed the ball straight past Mark Virgo for 3-1.
It only took the defender a minute to atone for his error though. Hertford won a free kick when a defender was adjudged to have fouled Scott Neilson, and a Holmer Green's Adam Seymour helped Hertford out by getting the ball placed several yards further back, making it perfect range for KEVIN KILROY to score one of his trademark curling free kicks. His 74th minute strike cleared the defensive wall and was nestling in the back of the net before the 'keeper saw it.
Holmer Green couldn't stem the tide now, and KEVIN COOPER completed yet another hat-trick on 80 minutes with a clinical lob from the edge of the box. This goal was the 50th combined goal from Cooper and Redford so far this season - a remarkable feat by mid November!
RYAN REDFORD got his second, and Hertford's sixth on 83 minutes, when he benefited by tapping home after a piledriver from Lee Roberts had rebounded off 'keeper Clark for Redford to tap home from 5 yards.
KEVIN COOPER completed the scoring with his fourth on 89 minutes, when his shot rebounded kindly off 'keeper Clark, hit him and rolled into the net. They all count!
Final Score: Holmer Green 1 Hertford Town 7
|
