LANGFORD 1 HERTFORD TOWN 0
FA Vase - 2nd Round Qualifying
Saturday 19th September 2009
Hertford Town could and should have won this game; indeed in the first ten minutes it seemed that they would completely overrun their hosts. However, the chances in those opening minutes went astray and then the rest of the half went decidedly pear-shaped, being compounded by the home team scoring the only goal of the game following a defensive lapse by the visitors. The second half was a dour affair, the visiting supporters only kept amused by the banter with jovial home custodian, Scott Walker, who in truth had little else to do. Teams - Langford: 1. Scott Walker, 2. Adam Pitcairn, 3. Luke Nicholl, 4. Steve Starling, 5. Lee Pateman, 6. Gary Watts, 7. Dave Brown, 8. Cameron Facey, 9. Lee Harman, 10. Joe de la Salle, 11. Ryan Hicholl. Subs Used: Mark Wright (for Starling), Angus Stewart (for Brown).
Hertford Town: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Michael Cooper, 3. Alan Barker, 4. Kevin Kilroy, 5. Glenn Draper (capt), 6. Harry Atkins, 7. Daryl Mitchell, 8. Pablo Ardiles, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Attila Korsoveczki, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: Dominique Musafiri (for Ardiles), Danny Ward (for Roberts), John Ward (for Musafiri).
The first chance of the game saw the hosts win a corner in the second minute and although the incoming cross found an unmarked Langford head, the effort was wide. Play then switched to the other end and the dominant visitors lay siege to the Langford goal for the next ten minutes. The first good move came from a Daryl Mitchell corner that found the head of Glenn Draper. He nodded the ball on to Ryan Redford but his shot was saved by Scott Walker. A second corner immediately afterwards was headed clear. Two more Mitchell corners soon followed; the first found Draper but he shot wide, the second was cleared. Hertford then won a free kick in a dangerous position, but Kevin Kilroy's effort was headed out.
Following the bombardment of the Langford goal, play then switched back to the other end and the home side won their second corner. Like their first, this too found an unmarked head but again the effort was wide. A free kick minutes later by the home side was scrambled to safety, though there was adjudged to have been a foul and the visitors were awarded a free kick themselves. Midway through the half Mitchell took a speculative shot from distance but his effort was wide. A Langford corner soon followed, though this was easily cleared. With the ball at the other end a Hertford corner was taken short but the threat was easily cleared by the Langford defence.
On the half hour mark, Langford's Lee Harman found himself in some space and tried a shot but he hit the ball wide. The visitors immediately countered and following a good move Lee Roberts found himself just outside the Langford half with Walker to beat. He lobbed the ball over the advancing 'keeper, but unfortunately for the diminutive winger, the ball also cleared Walker's crossbar. A few minutes later disaster struck for the visitors as their defence appeared to part like the Red Sea, leaving Lee Harman in a one on one situation with the unprotected Lee Robinson. Despite Robinson's best efforts, Harman was able to convert his effort and give the home side a slender lead. For the remaining minutes of the half the visitors tried to claw their way back on to level terms but without success. A Lee Roberts effort three minutes from the break was easily saved and a Daryl Mitchell corner on the stroke of half time was easily cleared.
Half Time Score: Langford 1 Hertford Town 0
Hertford Town's player-manager, Pablo Ardiles, did not re-appear for the second half, instead he was replaced by new signing, Dominique Musafiri, who had impressed for the reserves during their midweek victory over Harlow Town. Play was pretty even, if uninspiring, for the first ten minutes of the half and then the visitors were awarded a free kick inside the Langford half. Unfortunately Kevin Kilroy's effort lacked direction and power and was easily mopped up by the Langford defence. Ryan Redford then received the first yellow card of the game for disputing a refereeing decision, and on the hour mark the home side made their first substitution, bringing on Mark Wright for Steve Starling.
Minutes later Langford were awarded a corner, which caused a small amount of chaos in the Hertford box. A home player eventually got in a shot but it was saved by Lee Robinson. The hosts then made their second substitution, Angus Stewart replacing Dave Brown. Midway through the half the visitors also made their second change, Danny Ward coming on for Lee Roberts. Hertford soon had a chance but Kilroy shot wide.
With ten minutes to go the Blues were forced to make a third change as John Ward came on for the unfortunate Musafiri, who had picked up a knock. There then followed a spell of dominance by Langford. A vicious shot from outside the box from the home side brought an excellent flying save from Lee Robinson. The resulting corner eventually found its way to Langford's Cameron Facey but he shot wide. Another Langford corner two minutes from the end of normal time came to nothing and then in the 89th minute, Hertford substitute John Ward tried an effort from distance but his shot was wide. The visitors continued to push for the elusive equaliser into injury time and well after the ninety minutes was up were awarded a corner. Mitchell's cross found a team mate but the ball was headed over. The referee soon blew the whistle to send Langford into the next round of the competition and a home tie against Wembley.
Final Score: Langford 1 Hertford Town 0