This was the Blues' first outing, and involved a 10 minute drive up the A10 to visit Herts County League Premier Division side Standon & Puckeridge. With manager Gary Conner away on a short holiday, coach Don Nicholson took charge, Lee Roberts, Joel Maybury and Ryan Redford were still away on holiday, but the Blues party included back again Kevin Cooper, Adrian Robinson and Leo Turner, as well as new signing Dan Culwick. The starting line up was : 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Mark Teasdale, 3.Tom Neil, 4. Dan Culwick, 5. Jamie Nicholson, 6. Adrian Robinson, 7. Kevin Ashwood, 8. Alex Scriven, 9. Ryan Wade (capt), 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Scott Neilson.
The home line-up included ex Blue Chris Hardy, whose exciting start at Hertingfordbury Park last season was so cruelly halted by injury.
In somewhat cooler breezier conditions than of late, Blues took a while to settle, and the home side had the first shot at goal on 6 minutes. Two minutes later Kevin Ashwood tried a long range strike which went over the bar. Mark Virgo was the first 'keeper to have to make a save when he tipped a 12th minute close range effort over the bar. From the ensuing corner, a Standon & Puckeridge player found himself free to head over the bar. Scott Neilson was looking particularly sharp and he and Kevin Cooper were combining well, especially on 15 minutes when Neilson fed a through ball just in front of Cooper. Unfortunately Coops was just unable to make contact.
Blues were shocked on 17 minutes when the ball came in from the right hand side to an unmarked Standon & Puckeridge player, who netted with ease at the near post.
This setback merely encouraged Hertford to play some of their best football of the game, and they mounted wave upon wave of attacks, with man-of-the-match Scott Neilson prominent. On 22 minutes, the teenager made a fine burst through the middle and only narrowly missed with his final shot. On 22 minutes, Alex Scriven crossed into the middle and the home side's Chris Hardy headed the ball off the line, only to see RYAN WADE move in to smack the ball home from 16 yards.
Two minutes later, Kevin Cooper played a great ball to Scott Neilson, who lobbed just over the bar. The first of many changes were made on 28 minutes, when Scott O'Donohue and Robbie Syrett came on for Adrian Robinson and Alex Scriven.
Immediately Hertford took the lead, as KEVIN COOPER announced the start of his third spell at the club when he latched on to a through pass and lobbed home from 22 yards.
Further chances came to the Blues, a 38th minute effort from Kevin Ashwood being deflected for a corner, and a Robbie Syrett shot being parried away.

Half time: Standon & Puckeridge 1 Hertford Town 2

Leo Turner came on for Mark Teasdale, and Gareth Lippiatt replaced Ryan Wade. Immediately Scott Neilson made a penetrating run down the left and presented Gareth Lippiatt with the chance to score with his first ever touch for the Blues, but the ex Ely City man just failed to make contact. Lots more changes were made, such that your reporter lost track. Kevin Cooper gave way to Paul Dodds, Mark Virgo was replaced by James Sturgeon and several other players came back on. Apologies to those who did not get a mention! Hertford were so disrupted by these planned changes that it was Standon & Puckeridge who found the net to make the score 2-2 on 75 minutes. In the final minutes, Adrian Robinson showed why he is such a valuable defensive midfielder when twice he headed clear with the Blues under pressure. Ryan Wade nearly got the winner at the end when only a first class stop by the young Standon & Puckeridge 'keeper kept his shot out.
Final score: Standon & Puckeridge 2 Hertford Town 2