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CENTENARY SEASON 2007-08
Members of the Molten Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division
TUES 29 JANUARY 2008 - SSMFL PREMIER DIVISION CUP
LEVERSTOCK GREEN 3 HERTFORD TOWN 2
Hertford Town: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Kevin Kilroy (capt), 5. Glen Draper, 6. Ryan Wade, 7. Matt McArdle, 8. Ian Cooper, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Carl Ashton (for Ardiles, 85), 14. Phil Goss (for McArdle, 80)
It was clear from the outset that neither side was going to give any quarter, and early intervention by the referee looked necessary. On eight minutes, home skipper Alan Arthur fell spectacularly in the box under a challenge from Glenn Draper and the referee appeared to be pointing to the spot. However, to everyone's astonishment, he looked across at his assistant, got no response, and waved play on. This did appear to be a let off for the visitors, and they took full advantage, After a number of unsuccessful raids up the slope, they took the lead on 28 minutes, when LEE ROBERTS scored a marvellous solo goal. Cutting into the box from the left, he dropped his shoulder, beat a defender and passed the ball into the net with his right foot. A couple of minutes later, Kevin Cooper shot over the bar after good approach work by Ian Cooper and Ryan Redford. Although Hertford were playing to their usual 4-4-2 formation, Ryan Redford was the wide right player, with Ian Cooper in Redford's usual central striker role. On 35 minutes there was an ugly incident on the touchline, right in front of the home dugout, when a Leverstock Green player trod heavily on Ryan Wade. Hertford got the free kick, but also a booking, when Ian Cooper was shown a yellow card for comments made to the Leverstock Green player. On 39 minutes, the feud between Allan Arthur and Glenn Draper, which had already led to a lecture for the two, went a stage further when both were booked for ignoring the referee's order to behave.
A delightful run into the box by Pablo Ardiles and a one-two with Kevin Cooper nearly paid off for the full back, but his on target shot was well held by 'keeper Joel Canning. Kevin Kilroy became the third Hertford player booked, for a foul, on 45 minutes. Ryan Redford made a strong run down the right and his cross was deflected for a corner. Hertford kept the home side penned in for the remaining couple of minutes of the half, and were unlucky not to add to their lead.
Half Time: Leverstock Green 0 Hertford Town 1
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The first real action of the second period came on 49 minutes, when Dale Sears drew a good save from Lee Robinson. The ball was played quickly to Ryan Redford, whose shot was tured behind for a corner. From this, Ian Cooper went very close as his shot went just wide of the post. Pablo Ardiles did well to save the day for Hertford and again the ball was played forward quickly to Ian Cooper, who shot across goal. Leverstock Green made a couple of substitutions, first Jamie Parsons replaced Steve Boad, and then Jon Davis came on for Colin Wilson. When Kevin Cooper played a great pass to Lee Roberts, the winger's shot was deflected for a corner. This led to another corner as the visitors looked to double their lead. Then disaster struck on 66 minutes, when James Armstrong broke for the home side. He appeared to kick the static leg of Glenn Draper and went down in a heap, with the referee pointing towards the penalty spot. Pablo Ardiles was booked for suggesting that the referee was balancing up his earlier bad decision with another one. JAMES ARMSTRONG had the composure to wait until this was cleared up, before striking a very good spot kick past Lee Robinson. Green nearly took the lead on 71 minutes, when substitute Parsons went extremely close with a header. Ryan Redford became the fifth Hertford player to be booked, for a 74 minute foul, then Jamie Parsons booted the ball out vigorously for a corner to avoid a mix up with his goalkeeper.
Leverstock Green took the lead for the first time on 80 minutes, after Ryan Wade had conceded a needless free kick right on the edge of the box. FRANKIE JOWLE curled a magnificent strike into the net and out of Lee Robinson's reach for what looked like an excellant winner. The referee had other ideas though, as there were still 20 minutes left on his watch. Hertford made a couple of substitutions, Phil Goss for Matt McArdle, and Carl Ashton for Pablo Ardiles and on 87 minutes looked to have taken the tie to extra time, when KEVIN COOPER did what he does more often than most, poaching a goal from close range as Green struggled to get the ball out of their goalmouth.
Ian Cooper went close for Hertford and then Allan Arthur could have won it for Green, but his header struck the top of the crossbar. Wih 80 + 6 minutes played, Hertford lost possession when they had a throw in, and JAMES ARMSTRONG got free to fire the winner. Despite there having been no trainer on the field during the entire second half, the game continued for several minutes and there was ample time for both sides to mount further attacks. That was the end of the goalscoring though, and it was the home side who earned a Semi-Final tie at home to Beaconsfield SYCOB.
There were ugly scenes after the final whistle, and it appeared that Leverstock Green's Jon Davis was shown a red card by the beleaguered referee.
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