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TUESDAY 12 DECEMBER 2006 - EAST ANGLIAN CUP
STANSTED 3 HERTFORD TOWN 7
This game kicked off 15 minutes late because it took the two team managers over half an hour to pursuade the referee not to call the game off. The problem was an area of a couple of square yards around the penalty spot at one end, which was completely waterlogged. Eventually the referee relented, and the game got under way at just after 8pm.
Hertford rested Ryan Redford and Mark Virgo completely and Pablo Ardiles, Ashley McAloon and Paul Taylor reverted to the bench. Nick Barnaby, Peter Lane, Michael Bakare, Nicky Marsh and Mark Seller came in instead.
Team: 1. Nick Barnaby, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Michael Bakare, 4. Glenn Draper, 5. Kevin Kilroy, 6. Panayiotis Panayiotou, 7. Mark Seller, 8. Scott Neilson, 9. Peter Lane, 10. Kevin Cooper (capt), 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Paul Taylor (for Panayiotou, 66), 15. Pablo Ardiles (for Cooper, 45), 6. Dave Greenwood (for Draper, 45)
Right from the off, it was largely Hertford on the attack against their Essex Senior League opponents. They won three early corners, and from the third, Kevin Kilroy's effort was kicked off the line. Then, on 17 minutes, the deadlock was broken. Glenn Draper punted the ball forward, and KEVIN COOPER took it on before rounding 'keeper Boyce before slotting home.
Two minutes later , Cooper set up Peter Lane, but he missed the ball, right in front of goal. Then Kevin Kilroy saw his excellant 20 yard free kick well saved for a corner by Boyce. Hertford went two up on 25 minutes when LEE ROBERTS finished off a fine run down the left with superb cross shot into the net, giving the home 'keeper no chance at all.
Hertford increased their corner tally to six and Boyce made another fine save from a Kevin Kilroy header. On 29 minutes, SCOTT NEILSON finished off a great move set up by Michael Bakare and Kevin Cooper to make the score 3-0 to Hertford. Two minutes later it was 4-0. After a seventh corner, a shot was blocked and came to MARK SELLER, outside the box. The midfielder struck a sweet half volley straight into the back of the home net, as the game looked like becoming a rout. Pany Panayiotou was set up by Glenn Draper, but saw his point blank shot saved for yet another corner by Boyce, who was keeping the score from reaching embarrassing proportions. From corner number nine, Peter Lane's cross struck a defender's arm and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Despite it being the penalty spot which had jeopardised the game, KEVIN COOPER struck his kick firmly past Boyce for 5-0. Stansted's left back Satland struck the home side's first effort on goal on 39 minutes, but it faded past the far post with Nick Barnaby looking to have it covered.
Half Time: Stansted 0 Hertford Town 5
Hertford rang the changes in the second half, with the game won. Michael Bakare was pushed up front to replace Kevin Cooper, with Pablo Ardiles coming on at left back, and Dave Greenwood gave himself 45 minutes, in place of Glenn Draper. Bakare immediately looked like scoring, when he broke away at pace, but 'keeper Boyce yet again came to Stansted's rescue with a fine block for yet another corner. Peter Lane and Pany both came near before SCOTT NEILSON made it 6-0 wth a really good finish as he cut in from the right and lashed the ball home with real venom. Then Stansted shocked their visitors when the impressive 16 year old ALFIE POTTER struck a fine goal from the edge of the box. Kevin Kilroy just failed to find the target with a 25 yard free kick and then Lee Roberts so nearly made it seven.
Then, on 66 minutes, the assistant referee decided to signal a penalty to Stansted, when Nicky Marsh was adjudged to have fouled his opponent. Hertford's penalty had looked harsh on Stansted, but this one was plainly wrong. Hertford subbed Pany, bringing on Paul Taylor while Marsh was lectured for protesting about the award, but when Stansted's Bonich took the penalty, Nick Barnaby covered himself with glory with a smart diving save.
Peter Lane somehow managed not to score when one on one with Boyce, and then Stansted made it 2-6 with another good strike, this time from L Mulcare. On 82 minutes SCOTT NEILSON completed his hat-trick with a copy of his second goal, Lee Roberts and Neilson both went very close before ALFIE POTTER got another on 87 minutes, to make the final score Stansted 3, Hertford Town 7.
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