In a re-arranged fixture, apparently to make use of our pitch before winter sets in, the Reserves entertained top of the table Leverstock Green this afternoon. What should have been a close affair became a big win for the home side, when a Leverstock defender saw red after only 3 minutes, when he knocked a goalbound header off the goal-line.
Hertford Town Res line-up: 1. James Sturgeon, 2. Kevin Viggiano, 3. Glen Holman, 4. Kevin Ashwood, 5. Shaun Crossley, 6. Ryan Gordon, 7. Alex Scriven, 8. Ben Wiper (capt), 9. Mark Draper, 10. Brendan Brien, 11. Michael Cooper. Sub Used: 12. Shaun Toop (for Crossley, 75)

The game was barely three minutes old when MARK DRAPER got his head to the ball and was clebrating a goal when the Green's No. 6 knocked the ball back out with his arm. The referee had no option but to send off the defender and award a penalty. Draper took this himself and duly dispatched past the 16 year old Leverstock 'keeper. The visitors took off their centre forward and brought on a defender as they faced the best part of 90 minutes with 10 men, and already a goal down.
A swift attack down the right by Kevin Viggiano set up Draper for a shot on goal on 9 minutes, but his 20 yard effort went just wide of the post. Alex Scriven was next to attack down the right, and he set up Ryan Gordon to test the young 'keeper. Leverstock Green threatened a couple of times before Alex Scriven went on to a penetrating run which took him into the visitors' penalty area. Green's no. 7 chopped him down and was duly booked. This time BEN WIPER stepped up to convert the spot kick, on 26 minutes.
Before the visitors had time to regroup, RYAN GORDON made it 3-0 on 27 minutes, when his close range shot was deflected wickedly past the keeper. Hertford continued to have the upper hand against the 10 men and after Draper and Michael Cooper had gone close, it was 4-0 on 43 minutes. An excellant long ball over the top from centre back Shaun Crossley fell on to MARK DRAPER's head and the centre forward steered it home in fine style.

Half Time: Hertford Town Res 4 Leverstock Green Res 0

To their credit, Leverstock Green came out looking to retrieve the situation, and their tall, lone striker caused no little trouble to the home defence. It only took three minutes of the half for Green to pull a goal back. Hertford were finding it difficult to get their rhythm back after the break and their finishing was letting them down when they did get their approach play right. Brendan Brien almost got it right on 57 minutes when his chip glanced off the bar, and there were many other near misses as the lads were urged on by a special guest appearance of The Stable End Choir, but it was all to no avail. Both sides had good appeals for penalties turned down. Hertford sent on Shaun Toop as a straight swap for Shaun Crossley on 75 minutes and right at the end Mark Draper squandered the easiest chance he'll ever get to complete a hat-trick when he sliced wide from inside the six yard box.

Final score: Hertford town REs 4 Leverstock Green 1 We hope you will find our website helpful and informative . There is a separate "Fans Forum", for which the Club accepts no reponsibility .