It's beginning to sound a bit repetitive, but this was another game that The Blues should have won, but lost! Pablo Ardiles was away on honeymoon, with Louis Lancaster taking his place at left back, and fit again skipper Kevin Kilroy replaced the unavailable Glenn Draper, but otherwise it was the same side that played against Kingsbury London Tigers last Saturday.

Team: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Louis Lancaster, 4. Matt Watts, 5. Kevin Kilroy (capt), 6. Panayiotis Panayiotou, 7. Dave Hunt, 8. Phil Goss, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper 11. Lee Roberts. Sub Used: 12. Ross Collins (for Lancaster, 80)

Leverstock Green's line-up was: 1. Graeme Milner, 2. Kenny Hull, 3. Colin Wilson, 4. Steve Boad, 5. Louis West, 6. Anthony Page, 7. Dale Sears, 8. Steve Hawes, 9. James Armstrong, 10. Alan Arthur, 11. Frankie Jowle. Subs Used: 12. Mark Welling,(for Sears, 72) 16. Matt Wardle for Armstrong, 59).

Following heavy overnight rain, the game had been in some doubt until given the go ahead by the match referee. The pitch was sticky down the middle and rain during the first half added to the problems. Hertford dominated the first half, but in common with many games lately, were unable to convert superiority into goals. On four minutes, Ryan Redford burst into the box from the right, checked to beat his marker and brought a good save out of home 'keeper Graeme Milner. A minute later Miner had trouble grabbing hold of a long punt into the box from Louis Lancaster, as the greasy ball nearly slipped from his grasp. Hertford continued the blitz, and Green's Louis Wast was booked for a cynical trip on Ryan Redford right on the edge of the box. Another free kick came on eight minutes, as Lee Roberts was brought down equally cynically by Mark Welling. When Ryan Redford made a smart run down the left and cut into the box, he chipped the ball to Phil Goss at the far post, but the cross was just too long and Goss was only able to hook back across goal.
It was 22 minutes before Green got so much as a corner, winning two in quick succession without threatening Hertford's rearguard. When Hertford won a free kick just outside the box when Phil Goss was fouled, Kevin Kilroy found Kevin Cooper's head, but the striker's header was over the bar. Alan Arthur headed inches wide of the left hand upright on 35 minutes, ut Lee Robinson looked to have the ball well covered. Lee Roberts provided a centre which Ryan Redford headed over before Redford turned proider for Phil Goss, who headed just wide.
It looked like Hertford would have to settle for a goalless first period when, out of nowhere, Green's STEVE HAWES fired in 30 yard scorcher which Lee Robinson managed to get to, but could only divert the ball over his right shoulder into the net. Apart from Arthur's header, this was Green's only goal attempt of the half, and it was a disconsolate Hertford side who trudged off the pitch moments later.

Half Time: Leverstock Green 1 Hertford Town 0

Hertford kicked up the slope in the second period, probably not knowing that last week, five goals were scored up the slope in the second half! Pany Panayiotou was booked for a heavy tackle on 48 minutes, followed by the home side's Steve Boad, for a foul on Kevin Cooper. Kevin Kilroy chipped a free kick for Cooper to head goalwards, but his good header shaved the top of the crossbar. In a three minute spell, Cooper had two more headers ,one over the bar and then one well on target but bringing an excellant save from the impressive Milner in the home goal.
Green took off James Armstrong, much to his disgust, and brought on new signing from Welwyn Garden City, Matt Wardle. Because Hertford were taking more risks to draw level, Green were getting the ball forward a little more now, and it took some smart defending by the visitors on several occasions to stop them increasing their advantage. On one occasion it was one of his own team-mates who stopped Anthony Page scoring when his blockbuster from close in struck a white shirted colleague and bounced out to safety, Hertford swept the ball back up the slope and Kevin Cooper was only centimetres away from connecting as he slid into the box trying to get on to the end of a Lee Roberts cross. Leverstock Green made another substitution on 72 minutes, sending on Mark Welling for Dale Sears. Hertford were becoming inreasingly anxious as the minutes ticked away. Phil Goss won a corner when Milner's legs came to the rescue on 80 minutes, and Hertford withdrew Louis Lancaster and went three at the back with Ross Collins coming on on the left hand side and Lee Roberts moving to central striker. Kevin Cooper was becoming typically frustrated but hardly deserved his booking for kicking the ball away, when it was an additional ball thrown on by the home bench! Ryan Redford had a glorious chance on 88 minutes but pulled his final shot across the goal in the mud. With three minutes of additional time played, Lee Roberts also had a really good chance but his snap shot went inches the wrong side of the post. It was not Hertford's day!

Final score: Leverstock Green 1 Hertford Town 0

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