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TUESDAY 13 MARCH 2007 - SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
HERTFORD TOWN 2 LONDON COLNEY 0
On a perfect evening for football London Colney offered stern resistance, and if their forwards had had their shooting boots on, the result might well have been different. However, home 'keeper Nick Barnaby really didn't have a save to make, and The Blues eventually wore their visitors down to come out clear winners.
Manager Dave Greenwood made changes following the 0-0 draw away to Biggleswade Town, with Nicky Marsh reverting to right back, Ryan Wade restored in midfield and Lee Roberts returning after a one game absence. Nick Barnaby took his turn in goal at the expense of Mark Virgo.
Team: 1. Nick Barnaby, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Kevin Kilroy, 5. Glenn Draper, 6. Ryan Wade, 7. Leo Turner, 8. Phil Goss, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 14. Paul Taylor (for Ryan Wade, 85), 15. Panayiotis Panayiotou (for Kilroy, 45).
Perhaps on of the quickest bookings in football history occured when the referee brandished a yellow card at London Colney's Mark Paradise after only 10 seconds, in the first action of the game - Kevin Cooper being on the receiving end of an over zealous challenge from Paradise. The pitch had dried out quite well after the previous week's flooding, and the game was played at a fast pace. After 5 minutes, Kevin Cooper headed down well to Lee Roberts, but the winger had to take his shot with his less favoured right foot, and the ball flew just wide of the upright. After only 8 minutes, a second visiting player was booked, when captain Steve Flain saw yellow for dissent. It was 9 minutes before the visitors were able to penetrate as far as the Hertford penalty area, but striker Dave Parkinson ran the ball out of play for a goal-kick.
Ryan Redford battled well to win the ball and take it on only to be robbed for a corner by a desperate defender. London Colney hit back by winning a corner of their own, which Nick Barnaby punched away. Hertford were trying to take the game to their visitors, but, as in recent games, seemed unable to reproduce the magic which had seen them destroy so many defences this season. Their best effort came when a swift raid saw Ryan Redford cross to Phil Goss, but the midfielder's shot flew over the bar.
Leo Turner became the first Hertford player to be booked when he complained too loud and too long after a foul on him. On 27 minutes, a London Colney forward struck the ball into the side netting and a couple of minutes later another effort from the visitors went narrowly wide. London Colney's Dave Parkinson was creating problems with his pace, but his finishing was not good. On 43 minutes he turned well but fired his shot high over the bar.
In the dieing seconds of the half, Hertford won a free kick out on the right, 15 yards from the goal-line. When the ball came inot the box, Glenn Draper headed it high, wide and not very handsome.
Half Time: Hertford Town 0 London Colney 0
Kevin Kilroy did not appear for the second half, with substitute Panayiotis Panayiotou taking the field instead. This was because of a shoulder injury sustained by the central defender. Leo Turner moved into Kilroy's place, with Panayiotou slotting into midfield.
Lee Roberts made a good run but then pulled his shot across goal and wide, when Ryan Redford was screaming for the ball in front of goal. The referee continued to be busy with the book, yellow carding first Steve Hutchins for the visitors, for dissent, and then Panayiotou for a foul. Dave Parkinson had another wayward shot and then home skipper Kevin Cooper joined the growing list of dissenters, being booked on 65 minutes.
There was a lot of robust striking of the ball by the visitors, with several holdups because all of the balls had been kicked out of the ground, but in a tight affair, Hertford's defence had to be on top form to avoid conceding the opener. Ryan Redford became another to be shown a yellow card but minutes later, on 77 minutes, the top scorer became goal provider, as he ran down the left wing, and crossed into the box to the near post, where PHIL GOSS seemed to get the last touch to put the Blues in front at last.
The goal was greeted by lots of noise from the home supporters, who had been quite subdued beforehand.
London Colney's substitute Scott Walters, clearly sent on to bustle his way to a goal, was booked for a heavy challenge on Pablo Ardiles. Then. on 85 minutes, Paul Taylor came on for Ryan Wade, who had played on after a bad kick on the foot in the first half.
The game was wrapped up on 88 minutes when Ryan Redford was felled as he was about to shoot for goal from inside the box. After initial hesitation by the referee, his assistant made the decision an easy one for him, by flagging vigorously. KEVIN COOPER stepped up and placed his spot kick firmly to keeper Graham Milner's right and high into the net to make it 2-0, to even louder acclaim from the fans.
The game was won now, and although London Colney tried hard to get some sort of consolation in the remaining few minutes, Hertford's defence held firm for their third clean sheet in the last five games.
Final Score: Hertford Town 2 London Colney 0
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