BIT OF MAGIC FROM JOSH CHAMBERLAIN TAKES INTO NEXT ROUND OF SENIOR CUP

After the disappointment of going out of the FA Vase on penalties to Cockfosters on Saturday it was very encouraging to bounce straight back with a hard earned victory against Hertford Town who play at a level above us in the Southern League Division 1 Central Division where they are 4th in the table. Both sides made significant changes for this match but our guests still had 10 players in their team who were in the squad that thrashed Aylesbury United 5-1 at home on Saturday so they were still formidable opponents.

This was the 29th encounter between our two clubs and the last time we played each other was in 2016/17 when Hertford finished runners-up and were promoted to the Isthmian League after Champions London Colney turned down promotion. Some interesting facts from our past games include the home match in 2014/15 when we lost 4-2 with our goals being scored by a certain Ryan Sturges and a young Greg Deer from a penalty. Another interesting piece of history came in 2015/16 when we triumphed 5-1 at home and the scorers that day will be well known to our fans as there was a brace from Lee Stobbs and goals from Ryan Sturges again (he obviously liked playing against Hertford) and Kieran Turner with the other goal coming from Jack Westlake.

The key moment in this game came just before half time when Josh Chamberlain produced a sumptuous free kick from around 28 yards that left regular first team goalkeeper (and skipper) James Callan stranded. Score 1-0. Prior to the goal Bailey Osborne headed the ball on to release Pablo Karamaris who forced a terrific save from Callan in the 19th minute and 8 minutes later Callan was called upon to again show his skills to deny Jonas Kalonda. Later Jonas showed great technical skills to beat his marker and find Pablo who fired the opportunity over.

The opposition players showed a lot of technical ability and were comfortable in possession but they failed to trouble young Freddie Burroughs in goal and we went in at half time with a deserved but slim lead. Score 1-0.

The opposition started the second in determined fashion and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but we defended superbly with Liam Mann, Mason Clarke, Tommy Smith and James Kimber outstanding, giving Freddie in goal plenty of protection. Hertford played a lot of terrific football and the talented Albert McGregor went on a great run but his shot cleared the bar. Later the opposition centre forward shot wide from a good position.

We were finding it hard at times to keep possession but we were able to see the game out and book our place in the second round of the Herts Senor Challenge Cup where we will play Bishops Stortford away after they won 2-1 at Kings Langley on the same night. This will be another tough encounter as Bishops Stortford play 2 levels above us. FT Score 1-0.

Hertford are having a great season and we wish them every success for the rest of the season. Our next game doesn’t get any easier as we again find ourselves travelling to Cockfosters this time for a League game. After our agonisingly close defeat in the Vase there last Saturday hopefully we can pick up some much needed points. We will need all the support we can get so why not come along and cheer on the players.

TEAM,
TA: Freddie Burroughs, Liam Mann, Tommy Smith (James Kimber HT), Mason Clarke, Jack Harvey (Capt) (Greg Deer 61), Finn Rolfe (Max Hercules 79), Blake Argent, Jonas Kalonda (Dylan Fitzpatrick 79), Pablo Kamaris, Josh Chamberlain (Dylan Whitelock 71), Bailey Osborne.

Scorers:

TA: Josh Chamberlain (42)

HT: -

Crowd: 81