Saturday, April 02, 2005
Hertford Town v Brook House - Considered report
Hertford Town 1 Brook House 0
Saturday 2nd April Report by: Chris White
Not the time of the season for pretty football, Hertford Town fans left the ground happy with this scrappy 1~0 victory.
Dave Pentecost surprised the crowd by playing a 3-5-2 formation with defensive stalwart Dave Greenwood slotting in the centre of midfield. Leo Turner was preferred in midfield to Phil Goss and Ryan Wade was chosen to start up front alongside Kevin Cooper.
Hertford just weren’t at the races early on, Brook House winning the preliminary midfield battles and possession. Brook House had the early goal attempts, but all went sailing over the bar. Hertford didn’t have a shot until the 21st minute, a tame effort by Cooper. Ryan Wade found himself a great position on 26, but he attempted a first time volley when maybe he could have had a touch and the effort didn’t trouble the keeper. Wade did have the ball in the net on 35, bulleting a header home from a free kick, but an offside flag ruled it out. That was the last action of a generally poor and strangely subdued first half.
The bizarre nature of non-league football at this level was brought home at half time as Lee Roberts was substituted as he had to leave early to catch a flight to go on holiday, Phil Goss was his replacement.
Kevin Cooper had the opening effort of the second half, a 30 yard shot straight at the keeper. A glorious opportunity was spurned on 55. The keeper misjudged a cross but Cooper and Wade got in each others way and the chance was missed. Then Greenwood hit the bar with a header as the Blues got closer to breaking through. The goal came on the hour, Curtis Johnson turning in a cross following good work by Nicky Burt and Phil Goss. Brook House upped the pace in search of an equaliser, Kirkland going close with a header. Adrian Robinson came on to add a bit of steel and replace a tiring Leo Turner. The best move of the match on 86 saw Cooper hitting a pinpoint cross to Johnson, his header brilliantly saved by the Brook House keeper.
A few heart stopping moments in the extended injury time but Hertford held on to claim the 3 points.
After a shaky start, Dave Greenwood was magnificent in his unusual midfield role and Kevin Kilroy was the pick of the defenders. Ryan Wade looks a lively striker and his non stop work-rate took the pressure off Kevin Cooper.
Hard work this afternoon. But a vital win for the Blues.
Saturday 2nd April Report by: Chris White
Not the time of the season for pretty football, Hertford Town fans left the ground happy with this scrappy 1~0 victory.
Dave Pentecost surprised the crowd by playing a 3-5-2 formation with defensive stalwart Dave Greenwood slotting in the centre of midfield. Leo Turner was preferred in midfield to Phil Goss and Ryan Wade was chosen to start up front alongside Kevin Cooper.
Hertford just weren’t at the races early on, Brook House winning the preliminary midfield battles and possession. Brook House had the early goal attempts, but all went sailing over the bar. Hertford didn’t have a shot until the 21st minute, a tame effort by Cooper. Ryan Wade found himself a great position on 26, but he attempted a first time volley when maybe he could have had a touch and the effort didn’t trouble the keeper. Wade did have the ball in the net on 35, bulleting a header home from a free kick, but an offside flag ruled it out. That was the last action of a generally poor and strangely subdued first half.
The bizarre nature of non-league football at this level was brought home at half time as Lee Roberts was substituted as he had to leave early to catch a flight to go on holiday, Phil Goss was his replacement.
Kevin Cooper had the opening effort of the second half, a 30 yard shot straight at the keeper. A glorious opportunity was spurned on 55. The keeper misjudged a cross but Cooper and Wade got in each others way and the chance was missed. Then Greenwood hit the bar with a header as the Blues got closer to breaking through. The goal came on the hour, Curtis Johnson turning in a cross following good work by Nicky Burt and Phil Goss. Brook House upped the pace in search of an equaliser, Kirkland going close with a header. Adrian Robinson came on to add a bit of steel and replace a tiring Leo Turner. The best move of the match on 86 saw Cooper hitting a pinpoint cross to Johnson, his header brilliantly saved by the Brook House keeper.
A few heart stopping moments in the extended injury time but Hertford held on to claim the 3 points.
After a shaky start, Dave Greenwood was magnificent in his unusual midfield role and Kevin Kilroy was the pick of the defenders. Ryan Wade looks a lively striker and his non stop work-rate took the pressure off Kevin Cooper.
Hard work this afternoon. But a vital win for the Blues.
