Cockfosters 2 - Hertford Town 1

[digby]

Three most needed points were won with a battling performance that saw Cockfosters benefit from a goalkeeping howler and despite having to play with ten for the last twenty minutes after Rakim Richards was dismissed for two yellow cards.

 

Goals after 21 and 25 minutes from Danny Curbelo set Cockfosters on their way and although Hertford reduced the arrears after 58 minutes a rearguard action earned a deserved win.

 

Well done boys keep that fight alive !!!!!

[digby]

Saturday 7th March 2009

 

Spartan South Midlands League - Premier Division

 

COCKFOSTERS 2 HERTFORD TOWN 1

 

From Back To Front Battlers......

 

By their own admission, Hertford did not expect to return to their base empty handed. That they did was wholly due to the battling performance that Cockfosters plight demanded. The rearguard were superb to a man and the recent additions of Matt Keogh at the heart of the defence and goalkeeper, Paul Daley, have stiffened up no end, a defence that has been by any stretch of the imagination, too generous for too long. That Cockfosters held a two goal advantage by half-time was due to two of the scruffiest goals seen at Chalk Lane for some time. But in each case, the build up was neat and decisive. After 21 minutes, Kieron Bishop started the move down the left and was set clear by Nathan Eno's neat pass to deliver a low cross into the Hertford goalmouth. In the scramble that followed, Hertford's Duncan Hamilton's touch hit the body of the grounded Danny Curbelo and crept over the line. Four minutes later, Joe smith sent in an angled shot that beat Louis O'Neil in the Hertford goal, all ends up. The danger seemed to have passed as Danny Curbelo's effort from the rebound went straight at O'Neil, only for the 'keeper to allow the ball through his legs to give Cockfosters a two goal lead. Hertford started the second half with more purpose and after 58 minutes reduced the lead when Rob Luya received from a free kick and raced into the left hand side of the area before unleashing a shot past Daley. There then followed a spell of baffling refereeing decisions which left most in and around Chalk Lane totally bemused and in a flurry of cards and free kicks, Rakim Richards was to catch sight of a yellow for rolling the ball four yards away. That was to cost dear as Richards saw the same card minutes later for a foul that was more justified. Reduced to ten men, Cockfosters had to dig in and as they went deeper and deeper, chances opened up for Hertford and in particular for David Hunt. Fortunately for Cockfosters, Hunt was wayward with his finishing that on another day would have presented him with a hat-trick. At the other end, Joe Smith took too much time when staring at O'Neil and his shot was sent wide of the stranded 'keeper as the faithful held their breath in anticipation of the game being killed off. Another chance was to fall to our man Joe when Danny Curbelo did well to get to Nathan Eno's cross and head back across the face of the goal only for Smith to miss the target again. The referee hardly endeared himself to the crowd as he entered the 97th minute and with it came Hertford's last chance. A free kick from just outside the area was blasted goalwards but to the relief of all, Daley managed to turn it over the bar - which was the only shot apart from the goal, that he had to deal with. Hardly vintage, but that was a massive three points - now we need to follow that up.

[Rhodes]

Hertford Town's version of events:

 

http://www.hertfordtownfc.co.uk/cockfostersaway7_3.htm