Hertford introduced new signing Kevin Kilroy, who played at the centre of defence, with cold victim John Barker only making the bench. Ashley McAloon made his first league start of the season at right back, with ever present Nicky Marsh moving forward to midfield. Pani Panayiotou started in midfield, just behind the front two.
Team: 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Ashley McAloon, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Kevin Kilroy, 5. Matt Watts, 6. Pani Panayiotou, 7. Leo Turner (Capt), 8. Nicky Marsh, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Scott Neilson. Subs Used: 12. Joel Maybury (for Kilroy, 82), 14. Kevin Ashwood (for Turner, 21), 16. Paul Taylor (for Panayiotou, 13).

With the weather still unseasonably mild, a season's best attendance of 153 were treated to an explosive first half to the game. Ruislip were more than holding their own, and the first hint of a goal came to them, in 6 minutes when skipper Jason Shaw saw his lob elude Mark Virgo, but fall on to the crossbar. Then, with only 10 minutes gone, a sickening clash of heads between home players Leo Turner and Pani Panayiotou saw them both fall to the ground needing treatment. Pani was covered in blood and had to leave the field immediately (going to hospital for 5 stitches to a head wound). Turner was able to return to the pitch, but looked very groggy. While down to 10 men, Hertford took an unexpected lead, when the referee awarded them a very generous penalty for hand ball. Never one to turn down a free gift from the spot, KEVIN COOPER calmly slotted home to the 'keeper's left to set the home side on their way.This was a definite turning point in the game, and the floodgates opened for Hertford. Paul Taylor came on to return the Blues to a full complement, and after several promising attacks, it was 2-0 when KEVIN COOPER converted with a tap in from 6 yards.
As Hertford continued their onslaught, a Ryan Redford cross was deflected behind for a corner, Hertford continued to assault the Manor goal, and on 19 minutes it was 3-0. RYAN REDFORD claimed the goal, which appeared to have some of Manor's Gavin Smith's involvement too.
Matt Watts made a good interception for a Manor corner, as the visitors still showed signs of being dangerous. Leo Turner was clearly suffering from his head injury, and had to be replaced by Kevin Ashwood, after 21 minutes. Two minutes later a Mark Virgo punch clear nearly brought about a Hertford fourth, as the ball broke to Ryan Redford and the speedy striker took the ball on, only to lose the ball in a challenge.
It was 4-0 on 26 minutes. Kevin Cooper played a fine lay off to Ryan Redford, who couldn't wriggle clear to get ashot in, so he cleverly squared the ball to KEVIN ASHWOOD, for the sub to strike an excellant 14 yard shot past 'keeper Carl Tasker.
Ruislip must have been wondering what they had done wrong to be on the end of a 4-0 scoreline, and made an early tactical substitution, sending on Aaron McLeish-White in place of Joe O'Reagan. But the agony wasn't over, as the super-confident Blues continued to score. Manor's own neat approach play was being spoiled by their final ball, and when it wasn't Hertford's defenders were more than up to the job. New boy Kevin Kilroy was mopping up most loose balls, and Matt Watts made a tremendous challenge to dispossess the dangerous Micky Swaysland right in front of goal. Hertford's fifth was arguably the best of the game. RYAN REDFORD picked up a loose ball 45 yards from goal, went on a mazy run past several defenders, before lashing the ball past Tucker from the edge of the box. Manor sent on a second substitute in the form of Tommy Lambourne, who replaced Gavin Smith. So, very unusually, four substitutes had appeared before half time.
Hertford went 6-0 up on 42 minutes, when another rapid attack led to a 12 yard tap-in to complete yet another hat-trick for KEVIN COOPER.
Ruislip's Chris Henry, prominent throughout, showed a bit of trickery just before half time, but Kevin Kilroy got in a good block at the expense of a corner.

Half Time: Hertford Town 6 Ruislip Manor 0

If the Hertford fans were expecting more of the same in the second half, they to be sorely disappointed. It was Ruislip, fresh from a half time talking to from manager Shane Chandler, who bossed the second period. Hertford found it difficult to regain the momentum of the first half, and with the early loss of Turner and Panayotou, manager Dave Greenwood had few substitute options to choose from. Manor clearly had to improve, and they did. Hertford's defence came under more and more pressure, and the presence of former Haringey Borough player Tommy Lambourne at the heart of the Manor defence was shutting out Redford and Cooper. Lambourne was certainly making his presence felt in a physical way, and Kevin Cooper was clearly frustrated with the lack of protection he was receiving from the referee. In a game with hardly any offsides, it was 58 minues before the first one came. Aaron McLeish-White skied the ball over from 10 yards when he should have scored, and then Chris Henry should have scored but went down looking for a penalty. In a rare period of Hertford pressure, Scott Neilson's free kick from out on the left drifted wide of the far post. On 72 minutes, Ruislip pulled a goal back, to no-one's surprise. Home 'keeper Mark Virgo appeared to misjudge a high cross and was only able to flick it on to the waiting, and unmarked, MICKEY SWAYSLAND, who gratefully headed home under the bar.
Kevin Kilroy was booked for a foul about 35 yards out as Manor continued to press, and the outstanding Pablo Ardiles hacked the ball clear from the free-kick.Manor's Chris Henry was booked for dissent after the referee again refused him a penalty, and then Hertford took off Kevin Kilroy and sent on Joel Maybury. Mark Virgo produced a save right out of the top drawer to keep the visitors out, but in the dieing seconds he could do nothing with a MICKEY SWAYSLAND penalty, awarded from a push by Scott Neilson in the box, for which he was shown a yellow card.

Final Score: Hertford Town 6 Ruislip Manor 2