Dave Greenwood changes for this one, with five of Saturday's winning side sitting it out. Fit again Lee Robinson came back in goal, Pany Panayiotou was on the bench after being out injured since August, and Ryan Redford returned after a one match ban. There were starts for Jamie Abbott, Matt McArdle and Nicky Burt.
Hertford Town: 1. Lee Robinson, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Kevin Kilroy (capt), 5. Matt Watts, 6. Matt McArdle, 7. Jamie Abbott, 8. Nicky Burt, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Ryan Wade (for McArdle, 57), 15. Sam Creighton (for Roberts,74), 16. Panayiotis Panayiotou (for Cooper, 79)

Less than 60 spectators bothered to turn out for this cup tie, against Essex Senior Leaguers Sawbridgeworth Town, and those that did might well have wished they had stayed in. After a reasonable first half performance from The Blues in which they took a 10th minute lead through a Kevin Cooper penalty, they hardly made a chance in the second half, and Sawbridgeworth were allowed to do the lion's share of attacking, without really troubling the home rearguard too much.
LIttle had happened before the 10th minute, when Ryan Redford got free in the box, only to be pushed over by centre half Longley, who was booked for the offence before KEVIN COOPER stepped up to smash an unstoppable spot kick past keeper Demosthenos.
Redford was doing his best to get back on the scoring trail, but his battling run on 19 minutes was eventually snuffed out by the visitors' defence. and then when Nicky Burt did brilliantly to cross from the right, Redford's overhead kick was gathered safely by Demosthenos. Matt McArdle was booked for a foul committed after the referee had awarded Hertford a free kick. Burt was doing really well down the right wing and when he whipped another cross over on 27 minutes, neither Redford nor Roberts could get a touch on the ball to turn it home.
More good work from Ryan Redford led to a corner, and when Lee Roberts flighted the ball into the box, keeper Demosthenos dropped it. Unfortunately, all the Hertford attackers had peeled off and no-one was near enough to capitalise on the mistake. Redford was too quick for the referee on 31 minutes. Fouled, he jumped up and was away as the referee blew for a free kick rather than play advantage, much to the strikers annoyance. When Sawbridgeworth got a rare opportunity, with a free kick from distance, Lee Robinson was required to act smartly to catch the ball in front of his face. As Hertford continued to pose the questions, Ryan Redford made another run, this time down the right, and the ball eventually came out to Matt McArdle to shoot just wide from outside the box.

Lee Roberts shot just over the bar following a Jamie Abbott corner, and then the lively Redford laid on a perfect opportunity for Kevin Cooper, but his strike partner was off target with his close range strike. As the half came to an end, Redford's shot was too hot for the visiting keeper, who spooned the ball out for a defender to hack away for a corner.

Half Time: Hertford Town 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 0

Whatever was said in the two dressing rooms at half time, Sawbridgeworth improved and Hertford went off the boil in a big way. Most of the few scoring chances there were in a dull second half went to Sawbridgeworth. On 53 minutes, skipper Longley dived to head spectacularly just past the far post, from a free kick. Matt McArdle was injured in a tackle and was replaced on 57 minutes by Ryan Wade. The little midfielder was soon in action, when he went very close indeed with a 25 yard drive following a Lee Roberts free kick. Centre forward Hughes went reasonably close with a diving header for the visitors on 64 minutes, whilst Hertford's forwards were being caught offside more often than not, as the home side relied on long ball counter attacks. Under 18's player Sam Creighton came on for a taste of first team action on 74 minutes, taking up his position in centre midfield. On 75 minutes, a long rnge effort by Sawbridgeworth clipped the crossbar, although Lee Robinson looked to have it covered. In the final 15 minutes, Robinson was called in to action a number of times, as the visitors began to look like they might actually score and take the game into extra time. Several smart saves by Robinson spared the shiveering spectators from that ordeal, and the referee kept warm by taking the names of four or five visiting players, mostly for apparent dissent.
The home crowd were pleased to see the return from a lengthy injury of Pany Panayiotou, who replaced a very tired Kevin Cooper after 80 minutes.
Final Score: Hertford Town 1 Sawbridgeworth Town 0 We hope you will find our website helpful and informative . There is a separate "Fans Forum", for which the Club accepts no reponsibility .