GOALS GALORE AS WE EXIT THE FA VASE

Our exploits in this year’s FA Vase saw a goal fest in our previous 3 games with 10 scored by us and two by our opponents. In this 2nd Round Proper tie that trend was continued with another 7 on the score sheet but unfortunately for us our opponents Hertford Heath edged us out to win 4-3 and they will have the pleasure of hearing on Monday who they will draw in the next round, which will be an historic moment for them as they have never reached the 3rd Round Proper before.

This cup tie was like a basketball match with end to end scoring and a lack of defensive solidity as typified midway through the second half when 3 goals were scored in a 4 minute spell. We were always playing catch up and failed to get that the illusive equaliser.

This was our first ever game against Hertford Heath who are members of the Eastern Counties League Division (South) having previously played in the Herts Senior County League. They are a Step 6 Club based in Stansted Abbotts where they ground share with St Margaretsbury F C. Their form has been a bit up and down but they did convincingly beat Newport Pagnell Town 4-1 in the previous round so they came into the game with some cup pedigree.

We started the game with an opportunity when Max Hercules picked out his brother with a super free kick but Frankie failed to get a proper connection when well placed in front of goal. Soon afterwards Rivaldo Dou forced Jake Alley into making a good save by the post.

Our opponents got a boost in the 16th minute when we only partially cleared a corner which fell to Sam Hayes whose shot was deflected past Jake Alley to give them an early lead. Score 0-1.

We then suffered a double blow when Max Hercules and Harry Shepherd were forced off through injury to be replaced by Harry Jones and Blake Argent. It meant a bit of restructuring as the game became scrappy. We suffered another blow when our opponents double their lead in the 39th minute when they broke down the right and from our bye line Kachi Njuko produced a delightful chip which Adam Baylis headed in from almost on the goal line. Score 0-2.

We were not playing well but we did find a life line a minute into added time at the end of the first half when Frankie Hercules took a short corner to Dylan Fitzpatrick who produced a lovely cross to the far post where Tommy Smith was on hand to score from close range. It was just the tonic we needed and we went in at the break just a goal behind. HT Score 1-2.

After getting ourselves back in the game just before the break we gave another goal away 3 minutes into the second half when we again failed to deal with a corner and Adam Baylis headed in from close range. Score 1-3.

After the initial shock of conceding 3 goals we started to take the game to our opponents and then came a crazy 4 minute spell when 3 more goals were scored.

In the 64th minute Caden Barber brought the ball out of defence then whipped over a super cross to the far post where Dave O’Connor was on hand to knock the ball back across goal to Jack Harvey to score from close range. Score 2-3.

Two minutes later we let ourselves down again when we failed to deal with a straight forward kick out from the keeper and Adam Baylis was allowed to run through and bag his hat-trick to give his side a two goal lead again. Score 2-4.

But within a minute we again reduced the deficit to one goal when Frankie Hercules converted a penalty after DOC had been fouled. Score 3-4.

There was still 23 minutes plus time added on to find the illusive equaliser and we had an opportunity when DOC fired over from close range after the keeper had tipped a shot from Blake Argent against the bar but it was not to be and our guests ran out as winners. FT Score 3-4.

So our opponents go into the hat for the next round (where they must be praying they get another Spartan South Midlands side after putting 8 goals past Newport Pagnell Town and ourselves!!) and we wish them all the best in the Vase and for the rest of the season.

This was only our 2nd defeat at home and we have to be honest and say that this was a very disappointing result and our performance was well below our usual standard not just in defence but all over. But we move on and must prepare for a visit to Aylesbury Vale Dynamos for a League game on Tuesday. They have just appointed a new management team so they will be well up for this local derby. We may be without Max and Shep but we still have enough quality in the squad to get a positive result.

TEAM
TA: Jake Alley, Eli Hearn (Mason Clarke HT), Dylan Fitzpatrick, David O’Connor, Tommy Smith, Jack Harvey (Capt), Luke Peerless (Caden Barber 60), Frankie Hercules, Harry Shepherd (Blake Argent 32), George Devine (Michael Olulode 56), Max Hercules (Harry Jones 25).

Scorers:

TA: Tommy Smith (45+1), Jack Harvey (64), Frankie Hercules Pen (68)

K: Sam Hayes (16), Adam Baylis (40, 49, 66)

Crowd: 221