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SATURDAY 19 AUGUST 2006
FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
HERTFORD TOWN 1 STOTFOLD 2
Hertford went into this match with four key players in Adrian Robinson, Halil Akil, Kevin Cooper and Pablo Ardiles all unavailable for one reason or another. In came Ryan Wade, Paul Dodds, Jamie Nicholson and Lee Roberts. Stotfold were yet to win after losing their manager on the eve of the season.
Hertford Town: 1. Mark Virgo; 2. Ashley McAloon, 3. Tom Neill, 4. Ryan Wade (capt), 5. Matt Watts, 6. Jamie Nicholson, 7. Scott Neilson, 8. Leo Turner, 9. Paul Dodds, 10. Ryan Redford, 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 15. Alex Scriven (for Turner, 83), 16. Nicky Marsh (for Neilson, 66), 17. Mark Teasdale (for McAloon, 53).
Stotfold: 1. Nigel Blower; 2. James Diplock, 3. Stephen Purton, 4. Ricky Geraghty, 5. Richard Bennett, 6. Ryan Nichol, 7. Sean Turner, 8. Ryan Mitchell, 9. Marc Holmes, 10. Ian Thorne (capt), 11. Craig Reynolds. Subs Used: 12. Rave Hayer (for Mitchell, 81), 14. Wayne Blows (for Ryan Nicholl, 68), 15. Patrick Alcide (for Diplock, 32)
The game was slow to get going, with Hertford's probing coming to nothing, and Stotfold looking to keep things tight. Paul Dodds won a corner on 12 minutes with a strong run, but the visitors dealt with the threat easily. On 14 minutes Stotfold did get into a threatening position, but a fine one handed save by Mark Virgo kept them out. On 23 minutes the home side were rocked when Stotfold rather surprisingly took the lead. Jamie Nicholson was all alone to deal with a bouncing ball when he misjudged it and midfielder SEAN TURNER was on to the loose ball in a flash to strike it past Mark Virgo from just inside the penalty box. Turner had been thretening to do something like that, constantly losing his marker in midfield.
Mark Virgo again came to the rescue with a punched clearance with the home defence all at sea. Stotfold were forced to make a substitution on 32 minutes, with Patrick Alcide replacing James Diplock. Lee Roberts raised the hopes of the home supporters with a fierce strike from 22 yards but the ball drifted wide. On 42 minutes Ryan Redford's strike from only 6 yards struck the visiting 'keeper Blower and flew away for a corner, following a period of sustained Hertford pressure. From the corner, Ryan Redford this time headed over the bar.
Half Time: Hertford Town 0 Stotfold 1
Hertford received a roasting from manager Gary Conner at the break, and came out looking much more positive. Within a minutes, Ryan Redford signalled his intent with a good run and shot from just inside the box, going very close. However, Stotfold were also looking sharper, and goalscorer Sean Turner popped up again to strike the base of the upright with the Blue's defence helpless. On 51 minutes, the lively Lee Roberts' cross was deflected behind for a corner, from which Ryan Redford netted, but not before the lady assistant referee had raised her flag for offside. After 53 minutes, Hertford took off Ashley McAloon and sent on Mark Teasdale, and two minutes later were level. Leo Turner made a penetrating run into the box and was tripped right in front of the referee. RYAN REDFORD made no mistake with his 55th minute spot kick before the whole team ran to celebrate with the fans on the Mound. This equaliser seemed to gee up the Blues, and at the same time deflate Stotfold. The visitors were now there for the taking, and Hertford mounted a whole series of raids which should have led to a second goal. Two more efforts from Redford flew not far over the bar, as the tireless running of Lee Roberts and Paul Dodds set up lots of chances. Nicky Marsh came on for Scott Neilson and then Stotfold made the change that was to win them the game when Striker Wayne Blows came on for midfielder Ryan Nichol. Full back Stephen Purton made a rampaging run through the middle and only good covering work by Nicky Marsh rescued the situation for Hertford. Moments later though the ball was floated over to WAYNE BLOWS who glanced a header across Mark Virgo and into the net for 2-1 to the visitors. Hertford brought on Alex Scriven for Leo Turner but it was all too late. Although the referee played about 5 minutes of added time, Hertford were unable to fashion any more real chances, and were left to rue the missed opportunities. Defeat at the first attempt in a cup competition is getting to be too much of a habit, and the forthcoming visit to Edgware Town in the FA Vase will be no different unless there is a big improvement.
Final Score: Hertford Town 1 Stotfold 2
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