HARPENDEN V: 3
HERTFORD IV: 0
17.11.2007

11 GOALS AND TWO CLEAN SHEETS IN TWO WEEKS…..
has really lifted the spirits of the fifths after having to forfeit the points at Half Term.

The manner of these victories has been the most pleasing thing, attacking with width, pace (well the youngsters!!) and sharpness in front of goal, but then defending with numbers behind the ball, organisation, and solid two handed tackling!! If we can keep progressing along these themes then the results should continue to be pleasing.

Having met Hertford in a pre-season friendly we knew they would be a much tougher more physical test for us. Our midfield controlled the early exchanges with Jo Gosling and Niall McAlister releasing Simon Cain, Jack Ashton and Matt Duffy down the flanks. After getting round the back on a regular basis but being unable to convert we had to rely on Steve Piercy deflecting in a free hit to the P spot.

We continued in the same vain using our width but relied on the predatory skills of Matt Duffy coming in on the back post to slot home number two and give us a cushion.

In the second half Hertford exerted more pressure and were more physical but with the fullbacks of Stephen Salvesen, Alex Piercy, Michael Grimshaw, and Barney Walker all tackling hard and distributing the ball well, all their forays were rebuffed.
Notable in the second half was the discipline whilst ringing 16’s with sticks down and the positional awareness enabling us to keep pressure on Hertford whenever they got the ball.

But it was not all defending as another good move down the right wing led to Alex Radgman scoring from close range. Sorry Greg Clarke did not have much to do in goal this week but on another day all the action will be in his ‘D’.

Team: Greg Clarke, Alex Piercy, Michael Grimshaw, Stephen Salveson, Jack Ashton, Jo Gosling, Simon Cain, Alex Radgman, Matt Duffy, Barney Walker
Steve Piercy, Naill McAlister, Rob Cole, Dave Salveson, Ian Ward

Scorers
1) Steve Piercy
2) Matt Duffy
3) Alex Radgman