Thursday 30 July 2009 - Herts Charity Shield 1st Round
Hertford Town v Royston Town
Hertford Town: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Michael Cooper, 3. Alan Barker, 4. Pablo Ardiles, 5. Glenn Draper (capt), 6. Robert Ager, 7. Alex Scriven, 8. Matt Mcardle, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Ryan Wade, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Adam Furness (for Redford, 45), 14. Ryan Gordon (for Scriven, 61), 15 Scott O'Donoghue (for Wade, 80), Not Used: 16 Harry Atkins, 17. Lee Garity
Royston Town: 1. Jordan Gibson, 2. Mark Roach, 3. Peter Chappell, 4. Michael Debnam, 5. David Cain, 6. Ross Collins, 7. Carl Edwards, 8. Ricky Young, 9. Craig Hammond (capt), 10. Greg Jackson, 11. Luke Robbins. Subs Used: 12. Tom Malins (for Edwards, 57), 14. Lewis Endacott (for Roach, 60), 15. Jan Stephenss (for Debnam, 60), Not Used: 16. Joe Tyler, 17. Matt Cook
The spruced up Hertingfordbury Park gleamed in the early evening sunshine as punters trickled through the turnstile for what was to be Hertford's first competitive game of the new season; the first round of the Herts Charity Shield against premier league new boys Royston Town. Tuesdays friendly against local rivals Ware had given the Blues' a good run out and despite going down four - two, there was enough glimpses of quality to give Hertford fans a sense of belief going into this match. Both teams started brightly on the new improved surface and the ball was moved around nicely as each side tried to forge an opening. The first meaningful attack of the match came from Hertford as Wade sent a good cross field ball to Scriven whose attempted cross was charged down for a corner. Lee Roberts struck the dead ball dangerously into the area only to see the ball cleared to the edge of the box. Blues' boss Pablo Ardiles followed its flight and struck a shot with the instep of his right boot, which went through the gaggle of bodies and nestled into the bottom right hand corner of the net. One - nil Hertford inside two minutes. Stung into action by the early deficit, Royston enjoyed a period of possession before their attack was brought to an abrupt halt by right back Mark Roach when he hoofed the ball high over the goal and over the Stable End roof as if somehow angered by the sight of it. Ball retrieved, and Hertford were next on the attack as returning striker Ryan Redford played a brilliant pass with the outside of his foot that set Roberts scampering down the left wing only for his cross to be intercepted and sent for a corner. The kick was taken quickly and the ball swung into the box by Wade, before again being cleared to the edge of the box to the waiting Ardiles, sadly for the Blues' this time his shot failed to bother the Royston keeper. Royston continued to make good use of the ball as they probed the Hertford defence looking for an opening. Ex Blue Ross Collins swung a long ball into the box only to see Royston captain and last season's division one top scorer, Craig Hammond, head wide of the goal. This was to prove to be the theme of their first half, Royston playing some nice football but lacking any punch in the final third. Hertford were next on the attack however as Redford beat two markers before hitting a shot that was saved by Gibson in the Royston goal. Straight down the other end and Robins chipped a pass across goal to right winger Ricky Young, who beat the excellent debutant Alan Barker before hitting a strong shot at goal which was brilliantly saved by Robinson. The game continued with both teams having periods of attack but without either keeper being seriously tested. Royston's Luke Robins was unlucky when his left foot lob sneaked agonisingly over the crossbar. With half time looming, a mix up between Hertford's centre backs allowed Hammond to steal the ball and leave himself with only the keeper to beat. Robinson was up to the task however and tumbled out of his goal to smother the ball and ensure that the whistle shrilled with Hertford still in the lead.
Half Time: Hertford Town 1 Royston Town 0
Hertford made a change at the interval, with Ryan Redford leaving the park to be replaced by Adam Furness. Royston began the half the brightest however and enjoyed a period of sustained possession. Five minutes in and a cross from the right wing found prolific striker Hammond unmarked on the edge of the six yard box. His header was firm and directed toward the bottom left hand corner of the goal. Diving low Robinson, who was having a brilliant game, pulled off a fantastic save and the follow up shot was cleared by the Blue defence. After soaking up the constant Royston pressure, Hertford sprung an attack of their own when Wade beat his man and passed the ball down the left for Roberts to take possession. His cross was low and controlled by substitute Furness who spun to leave his marker for dead and then hit the ball hard but straight at the Royston keeper. Royston made a substitution on 57 minutes as Edwards was replaced by Malins. The duel between Hammond and Robinson continued moments later when the striker saw his header saved superbly from under the crossbar by the diving Hertford keeper. Royston seemed to sense that they were getting the upper hand and continued to attack fluidly. A corner from the right resulted in a desperate scramble in the Hertford box with the ball eventually squirming out of the area only for Ross Collins to meet it. He hit a vicious shot which cleared the crossbar and left Royston still needing an equalising goal. Both teams then decided to change things as Royston sent Endacott and Stephens into the fray, replacing Roach and Debnam. Hertford replaced Scriven with Ryan Gordon. After 71 minutes, Robinson made a rare mistake by rushing from his goal only to beaten by Royston's Ricky Young. There was a collective intake of breath around the stadium as Young looked up and leathered a shot toward goal. There followed a collective exhale as the ball struck skipper Glenn Draper and cannoned behind the goal for a corner. Robinson was left in a heap after punching the corner clear and then being clattered by an onrushing Royston attacker. 78 minutes gone and a pressure relieving punt sailed up field from a Hertford boot, the header was won brilliantly by Furness which sent Ryan Wade hurtling toward goal on the right of the box, he took a touch before sending a shot across the keeper and into the far side of the net. Wade gave the fans in the Stable End a nonchalant shrug as if to say 'pressure, what pressure?' as he scampered off in delight to take the praise of his team mates. Wade was then given a round of applause for himself as he was replaced by O'Donoghue. Royston continued to have a go at the Blues' but the game was up and their attacks now lacked the bite that was evident earlier in the second half. The final whistle sounded with Hertford victorious and into the second round. As their support filed out if the ground, it was clear to see that there is an optimism and excitement for the upcoming season and so there should be. With the club being run professionally and with dedication, both on and off the pitch, it would appear that the only way is up.
Final Score: Hertford Town 2 Royston Town 0