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TUESDAY 26 AUGUST 2008 - SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS PREMIER DIVISION
HERTFORD TOWN 0 LANGFORD 1
You're playing the top team, who have a 100% record from their first three outings, your talisman striker is away on holiday, your influential skipper is suspended for the game, your Manager's Player of the Season right back has cried off injured at the last minute, your rock of a centre half is running late and can't make the start. The Blues could have been forgiven for throwing the towel in even before they kicked off, but, with two U17 lads included, managed to cobble together a starting eleven, and it was only a cruel own goal that beat the valiant lads. Although Grant Hamilton in the Hertford goal was by far the busier 'keeper, all of Langford's efforts were long range catching practice, apart from one, which took a wicked deflection off Joel's boot and looped high over Grant's head and into the net.
Teams: Hertford Town: 1. Grant Hamilton, 2. Jack Bruno, 3. Pablo Ardiles (captain), 4. Sean Crossley, 5. Alex Butler, 6. Joel Maybury, 7. Chris Spiteri, 8. Dave Hunt, 9. Pany Panayiotou, 10. Reece Lyons, 11. Adam Mayson. Sub Used: 14. Glenn Draper (for Lyons, 71)
Langford : 1. Steve Young, 2. Adam Pitcairn (captain), 3. Ross Scotney, 4. Ryan Nichol, 5. Joe Delasalle, 6. Paul Donald, 7. Dave Brown, 8. Lee Pateman, 9. Mark Franklin, 10. Danny Howells, 11. Rob Groves. Sub Used: 14. Alex Green (for Brown, 83).
Langford began the game strongly, testing the scratch Hertford back line, but The Blues stood firm. Langford were never allowed to get in close and were restricted to long range efforts, which, if on target, were comfortably held by Grant Hamilton. On 15 minutes though, a firm drive by midfielder LEE PATEMAN looked like being saved by Hamilton until Joel Maybury's boot intervened, and the ball screwed wickedly over the despairing 'keeper and under the bar. In a game of practically no goalmouth action, veteran visiting 'keeper Young was pretty much a spectator, and Hamilton was able to pluck all of Langford's efforts out of the air comfortably. Just before the interval, the hard working Reece Lyons got his one chance, and Young just managed to stop the shot.
Half Time: Hertford Town 0 Langford 1
The second half was much the same, although Hertford grew in confidence when they realised that Langford were not going to hurt them. When Reece Lyons was fouled about 30 yards out, Pany Panayiotou floated in a free kick and there were strong appeals for hand ball from the Hertford players as the ball reached the box. When your luck is out, it's out though, so no-one really expected a positive outome. The amazing 16 year old, diminutive Jack Bruno, was having a superb game at left back and even found time to support in attack, lashing a shot wide on 61 minutes. Langford were winning corners as they pressed for a second, but never threatened from them. On 71 minutes, Glenn Draper, delayed by work commitments, was introduced to the fray; but instead of disturbing his outstanding back line, Dave Steedman sent him up front in place of the exhausted Reece Lyons. Drapes is a club legend, but striker he is not - although he expended lots of energy and managed to keep up his goal-a-game booking ratio, Hertford were unable to beat a sound Langford defence.
Heads up lads - Coops is back Saturday, Lee Roberts signed on last night, and its' Welwyn Garden City away on Saturday!
Final Score: Hertford Town 0 Langford 1
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