With Attila Korsoveczki away on holiday, and reserve top scorer Mark Draper suspended, Hertford had to improvise and play only Kevin Cooper up front. Against a Ware side brimfull of confidence, this did not bode well for a succesful outcome to the evening.

Teams: Ware - 1. Ryan Jones, 2. Danny Gudgeon, 3. Michael Bardle, 4. Danny Wolf (capt), 5. Stuart Hammonds, 6. Sam Berry, 7. Danny Spendlove, 8. Ryan Redford, 9. John Frendo, 10. Paul Burton, 11. Joe Stevens. Sub Used: 16. Jimmy Berry (for Stevens, 66)
Hertford Town - 1. Mark Virgo, 2. Nicky Marsh, 3. Pablo Ardiles, 4. Sean Crossley, 5. Glenn Draper, 6. Ryan Wade, 7. Matt McArdle, 8. Ross Collins, 9. Panayiotis Panayiotou, 10. Kevin Cooper (capt), 11. Lee Roberts. Subs Used: 12. Dave Hunt (for McArdle, 79), 14. Matt Watts (for Ardiles, 85), 15. Phil Goss (for Wade, 72).

In front of a sizeable crowd of 264, Hertford showed from the start that they would not be outplayed by their senior neighburs. As is usual in such local derbies, the game began at 100mph and rarely relented. Not so many players on view had played for both clubs as is often the case, but nevertheless, four of the home squad had previously played for Hertford, and there were tree former War eplayers in the Hertford ranks. Ware got an early corner which Glenn Draper cleared with a commanding header, then a couple of minutes later Ryan Redford forced another. Joe Stevens struck a powerful shot just over the bar, bringing oohs and aahs from the home fans behind the goal. Ross Collins was first to threaten for Hertford, when he fired in a shot from out on the right, which home 'keeper Ryan Jones held fairly comfortably. When Hertford won a free kick on 14 minutes, the ball evaded everyone, including Glenn Draper at the far post, when a touch would have turned it home.
As Hertford continued to at least hold their own, Lee Roberts did some fine solo work before hitting a rasping 30 yarder just over the bar. Kevin Cooper also got in a shot which was not far away, as he battled away up front, with Ryan Wade playing just behind him. Ware's Danny Spendlove should have scored when he stole into the six yard box but missed his connection when John Frendo laid the ball back to him.
A delightful move started by a Ryan Wade pass to Lee Roberts saw Matt MCardle test Jones with a good strike. Ware centre half Stuart Hammonds stole in with aheader when Ware won a 29th minute corner, and Mark Virgo turned the ball over for another corner. Again Hammonds got in a header as Hetford struggled to defend crosses, and again Virgo had to save.
John Frendo hit a long range effort on 34 minutes which whistled past the post, then, when Ware won two corners in succession afte 40 minutes, JOHN FRENDO tapped home from two yards, off the post.

Half Time: Ware 1 Hertford Town 0

The game resumed at a frantic pace and a slick move ended with Pany Panayiotou shooting wide. Mark Virgo pulled off a fabulous save to thwart former Blue Sam Berry, conceding a corner in doing so. When Ryan Redford threatened to break clear, it was left to Pablo Ardiles to come across and stop him. Unfortunately, the referee blew up for a foul, 30 yards out. Sam Berry's free kick was deflected off thewall for yet another corner for Ware. Ware sent on Jimmy Berry for Joe Stevens on 66 minutes, and the former Harrow Borough and Hertford winger took up a position on the right.
One of the best moves of the match saw Kevin Cooper and Ross Collins combine to present Ryan Wade with a good chance. Athough the little midfielder hit the ball well. Jones in the home goal pulled off a superb save, at the expense of a corner. Phil Goss replaced Wade on 72 minutes and a re-organisation saw Lee Roberts moved into a striking role alongside Cooper, Ross Collins moving to wide left. Hertford then replaced Matt McArdle with Dave Hunt, but within seconds, Ware had won a free kick when Ryan Redford bought a free kick in a challenge with Nicky Marsh. SAM BERRY took full advantage of the opportunity, curling a magnificent 23 yard dead ball kick into the top left corner, beyond the reach of Mark Virgo. This was as good a free kick as you would see on any ground.
At 2-0 down, it seemed as though Hertford might fold, buthey did not. Matt Watts came on for Pablo Ardiles, as Hertford went three at the back, and ther ewas almost instant success. Nicky Marsh, now playing down the right, crossed and PHIL GOSS volleyed home in fine style, on 88 minutes. It was an anxious last few minutes for the home side as Hertford threatened to equalise severa ltimes in the closing stages, but they held firm to et up a second cup final, this time against near neighbours Cheshunt.

Final Score: Ware 2 Hertford Town 1

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