Chatham Town 3 Hertford Town 1

[Horace]

Hertford were only able to field a bare 11, including several reserves for this challenging friendly.

 

Chatham went 2 up in 23 minutes as Hertford failed to cope adequately with the long grass, which hampered their short passing game. The scratch back four were unable to keep the rampant home forwards at bay in this period, and with no substitutes it was always going to be hard work on the hottest day of the year so far. Hertford got a goal back when they were awarded a penalty for a trip on Redford. With regular penalty kick man Kevin Cooper absent, skipper Kevin Kilroy stepped up and smashed a perfect spot kick past the home 'keeper.

Second half saw Chatham use several subs. How Hertford kept the score down to only one more goal is hard to fathom! The defence, held together by Kilroy, was under constant pressure but a string of superb saves by Virgo and some woeful finishing by Chatham ensured that the final score was only 3-1

[Jack Sparrow]

What was the team Horace?

[Horace]

1. Mark Virgo, 2. Glen Holman, 3. Nicky Burt, 4. Kevin Kilroy, 5. Louis Lancaster, 6. Paul Taylor, 7. Alex Scriven, 8. Pablo Ardiles, 9. Ryan Redford, 10. Michael Cooper, 11. Lee Roberts.

[Horace]

 

 

Photos from the game

[Rhodes]

Horace - I take it you've seen the brief report on the Chatham Town Website, it sounds like you were well beaten:

 

Chatham Town 3 Hertford 1

 

Chatham picked up from where they had left off on Tuesday night and took the lead after just 3 minutes. Gavin Schulz found some space on the left of the visitors penalty area and found the top corner with a curling right foot shot. Hertford's depleted squad found themselves under pressure for much of the opening quarter and conceded again in the 22nd minute thanks to a trademark long range shot from Darren Smith.

 

Dominic Elmes nearly set up another when he got past the keeper and clipped the ball back across the goalmouth, however Schulz close range volley cannoned back off the crossbar. Hertford got into the game towards the end of the half when a good run from Pablo Ardiles, son of Ossie, created a shooting chance which John Whitehouse did very well to keep out. They did get on the scoresheet just before the break when an error in the Chats defence forced Danny Larkin to concede a penalty, which Kevin Kilroy duly converted.

 

Chats controlled most of the second half and created further chances for Schulz and Steve Best. The third goal came in the 83rd minute when yet another foray into the visitors box by Best saw him dive full length to head home from an excellent cross from Danny White.

 

Chatham are at home to Waltham Abbey on Tuesday evening and complete their pre-season games with another home match next Saturday against Tonbridge Angels.

 

Chatham: Whitehouse, King (James), Finn (White), Larkin, Goodger, Best, Smith (Lyons), Solly, Elmes (Shade), Schulz, Groombridge.

 

 

 

[HTFCew]

I was interesting to find out that the local council paid for the impressive buiding behind the goal. The council are also responsible for marking the pitch, and presumably cutting it as well.

[Horace]

.. I was told that the new building cost the Council £700,000! .. and the local council also re-seeded, fertilised and weed-treated the pitch for free in the close season! On the down side, the Club have to pay for a new perimeter fence, costing £40k, to retain their Step 4 ground grading.