Hertford were missing Lee Robinson, Kevin Kilroy and Glenn Draper, but the travelling fans were thrilled to see the return of former favourite Dave Hunt, who rejoined from Enfield Town during the week.

Team: 1. Tony Tillbrook, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Louis Lancaster, 4. Shaun Crossley, 5. Matt Watts, 6. Ryan Wade, 7. Dave Hunt, 8. Nicky Burt, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Kevin Cooper, 11. Pablo Ardiles. Subs Used: 12. Panayiotis Panayiotou (for Cooper, 62), 15. Matt McArdle (for Hunt, 75), 16. Lee Roberts (for Ardiles, 65)

Hertford love playing on the Grass Roots Stadium pitch and today was no exception. Playing down the slight slope first is always preferable, and the Blues cashed in, running up a 3-1 lead as early as the 23rd minute. With the game only 10 seconds old though, Athletic's skipper and right back Dave Foskett clattered Pablo Ardiles with such force that the referee had no option but to book him - one of the earliest such incidents I have witnessed.
Hertford took early advantage to go a goal up on 6 minutes, when KEVIN COOPER, played in by a delightful through ball from Dave Hunt, was allowed to walk through the home defence and plant the ball firmly home. Tring were having their share of the action though, and only poor finishing twice by Ty North let the nervous Hertford defence off the hook. On 9 minutes, though, The Blues were so nearly two to the good, when Pablo Ardiles struck a left foot shot across the goal, clipping the outside of the post when he looked certain to score.
Tring were regularly finding their way forward, and on 15 minutes were level, when DARREN CASEMAN was allowed to run right through the middle of the Hertford defence and stroke the ball past a helpless Tony Tillbrook. At this stage there was little to indicate what was to come, with Hertford's much changed back line struggling to get to grips. Shaun Crossley headed Darren Caseman's pacy cross out for Tring's first corner of the game, but this was easily dealt with. Then, on 22 minutes, Hertford were back in the lead. RYAN REDFORD wasn't sure if he was on or offside but ran on and slotted the ball home past keeper Michael Lavender when he saw that the assistant referee wasn't about to flag. In the next minute it was 3-1. A shell shocked home defence were taken apart again as KEVIN COOPER headed home majestically when strike partner Redford supplied a peerfect cross.
Tring probably knew it was all over already, but urged on by their manager from the touchline, they did their best to get back on terms. Tony Tillbrook was required to make a save of the highest order at the feet of Caseman when the big striker shrugged off Matt Watts and looked certain to get his second of the game. Dave Hunt was on hand to head a Tring free kick away to safety and Shaun Crossley was able to clear the subsequent corner. Tring's Steve Hutchins foolishly got himself booked on 39 minutes when he protested too much about a free kick awarded to Hertford for hand ball by Darren Caseman, the free kick being wasted by Louis lancaster. Then, on 44 mniutes it was 4-1 to Hertford. Ryan Redford was again the provider, this time jinking into the box from the right before laying the ball on a plate for DAVE HUNT to score with ease from 12 yards.

Hal Time: Tring Athletic 1 Hertford Town 4

When the teams met at The Grass Roots Stadium in the FA Cup in the balmy days of late August, Hertford threw away a 3-1 lead inside three minutes of the game's restart, and they were in no mood to do the same again today. They withstood some early pressure from Tring before increasing their lead on 53 minutes. There was controversy surrounding the goal as Ryan Redford was felled on the edge of the box, with the referee appearing to allow advantage. Kevin Cooper took the ball on and netted but the assistant referee had kept his flag raised throughout, and the referee decided to rub out the goal and give Hertford a free kick. With the visiting fans and the Hertford bench outraged, RYAN WADE put matters right by curling the perfect free kick straight into the net, and perhaps get the referee off the hook.
It was 6-1 on 58 minutes when KEVIN COOPER finished off a swift attack with a tap in for his hat-trick. Minutes later , Cooper left the field to an ovation, a precaution against aggravating a knee injury. Pany Panayiotou came on to replace him, on a ground where he was badly injured in August, and only recently having returned to fitness. Vinnie Iannone had come on for Tring, and tested Tony Tillbrook from 25 yards, the veteran keeper holding on well. Lee Roberts came on as Pablo Ardiles limped off, suffering the effects of the first minute assault on his shin. Roberts was straight into the action, Panayiotou feeding him down the left for a speedy run and a shot into the side netting. Tring then pulled a goal back from a 74th minute corner when VINNIE IANNONE was left free to fire home unchallenged. Dave Hunt made way for Matt McArdle on 75 minutes and the game meandered to its conclusion and yet another high scoring game in this fixture.

Final Score: Tring Athletic 2 Hertford Town 6

We hope you will find our website helpful and informative . There is a separate "Fans Forum", for which the Club accepts no reponsibility .