Same outcome as the corresponding fixture last season, same script - Hertford take an early lead and then Holmer Green equalise late on. This was a disappointing outcome for the Blues' supporters, expecting much more after last season's exploits.
With Kevin Cooper unavailable and Louis Lancaster, Phil Goss and Bradley Stamp unfit, Hertford had to call upon several reserve team players to make up the bench.
Team: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Kevin Kilroy, 5.Glenn Draper, 6. Paul Taylor, 7. Ryan Wade, 8. Nicky Burt, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Panayiotis Panayiotou, 11. Lee Roberts. Sub Used: 12. Alex Scriven (for Panayiotou, 57)

A minute's silence was observed before the kick-off in remembrance of Steve Thorne, recently assistant manager at Holmer Green, who had sadly died on Friday 10th August. The captains also exchanged pennants, to recognise the 100th season for both clubs.
After the hot weather of the past few days, the pitch had become very hard, and in hot, sunny, conditions it was perhaps predictable that the game was not a classic. Green's No. 9. Daddy Moses was prominent early on, with a couple of efforts on goal, then Hertford took a rather unexpected and fortunate 5th minute lead, when NICKY BURT floated over a looping cross from the right wing which evaded Holmer Green 'keeper David Clark and dropped into the net.
Ryan Redford had the ball in the net on 10 minutes but was adjudged to have handled the ball, as the Blues looked to increase their lead. Holmer Green were winning all of the free kicks, much to the frustration of the home players and supporters, but in each case Matt Stringer just kicked the ball into Mark Virgo's waiting arms. Ryan Wade headed just wide from a Lee Roberts corner, and then Ryan Redford picked James Williams' pocket before forcing a save from David Clark.
There was controversy on 26 minutes when an assistant referee flagged to indicate that Mark Virgo had carried the ball out of the area as he launched a kick up field. Holmer Green were given a free kick inches outside the 18 yard area but Matt Stringer's free kick was struck fiercely into the defensive wall. In the follow up, Stringer appeared to launch a two footed tackle at Ryan Wade, who required treatment for a kick on the shin. The same Assistant Referee had a conversation with the referee, who went to talk to Stringer, but it as clearly just a lecture.
Ryan Redford was trying to beat Holmer Green all on his own, wriggling free from the attentions of two defenders before electing to shoot tamely rather than pass. Holmer Green had got themselves much more into the game and had several half chances before Ryan Redford again broke clear. This time he realised that he wasn't going to get a good opportunity to shoot and squared the ball to Lee Roberts, who pulled his first time shot across goal and wide.
Right at the end of the half, Ryan Wade's shot flew just over the bar.

Half Time: Hertford Town 1 Holmer Green 0

Ryan Redford did well to take the ball to the bye-line and cross to Lee Roberts at the far post. Roberts was unable to convert the chance, prodding the ball just wide of the post. Holmer Green were forced into a change on 51 minutes when Simon Williams came on for the injured Sam Grace. Williams went up front and Moses took up Grace's right wing berth.
Both sides made a substitution on 57 minutes. Holmer Green sent on Adam Chaumerton for Alex Hesmer, and Hertford brought off Pany, with Alex Scriven replacing him.
Holmer Green were competing well but getting few real scoring opportunities. One came on 67 minutes when another harsh decision against Hertford, this time for alleged hands by Glenn Draper gave the visitors a free kick 22 yards out. Mitch Woodward's kick bobbled along the ground to Mark Virgo however, and he had the simple task of scooping the ball up. On 69 minutes, Green got their best opportunity so far, as Karam Sesay powered a header against the upright. with Mark Virgo beaten. Minutes later there were anxious moments as Sesay lay motionless on the ground following a collision with Glenn Draper. Swift action by Hertford's stand-in spongeman Louis Lancaster saved the day as it seemed that Sesay had swallowed his tongue. After a long delay, the injured striker was helped from the field and Bimal Sherchan replaced him. Draper was booked for a foul which occured in the move following the injury. Alex Scriven was booked next for a foul, as the game became more tense. Hertford had been unable to increase their slender lead, and it is not in their make-up to sit on a one goal lead, so there was always the chance of an equaliser for the visitors. On 81 minutes Hertford so nearly got their 2nd when Redford did well to set up Alex Scriven, whose 10 yard shot was blocked on the line. Ryan Wade became the third home player booked, also for a foul. From the free kick, Skipper Tom Alabaster shot straight at Mark Virgo. The inevitible equaliser came on 85 minutes when substitute SIMON WILLIAMS siezed on a loose ball 25 yards out and fired in a shot which took a wicked change of direction off the pitch and beat the already committed Mark Virgo.
Holmer Green so nearly got all three points when Adam Chaumerton's shot was well saved by Virgo, after Ryan Wade had lost possession.
With loads of added time because of the injury to Karam Sesay, Hertford spent the final minutes encamped in the Holmer Green half, as they tried everything to get the winner. Alex Scriven had another shot blocked, and then Ryan Wade was unluckiest when his shot cannoned off the upright.But a winner for Hertford didn't come, and Holmer Green went away with a point for the second season running.

Final Score: Hertford Town 1 Holmer Green 1





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