Blues find their shooting boots

By Hertford Town

Away win for the first game in March

Bostik League North Division
Saturday 10th March 2018
Romford 1(1) Hertford Town 4(2)

When Romford allowed Phil Lowen a 25-yard ‘sighter’ on goal in the first minute or so of this game they weren’t to know that two minutes later he would give the Blues the lead with a ‘screamer’ into the top corner of the goal, from the virtually the exact same place.

Having gone a goal up, though, the Blues were guilty of ‘taking their foot off the gas’ and needed two good saves from Charlie Mann in the 15th and 23rd minutes to stay in front. They needed to pick their game up and, once they did, they doubled their lead the 34th minute.

Romford FC VS Hertford Town FC - Bostik League North Division 16:57

This time is what Phil Lowen as the provider when, after a period of sustained pressure around the home goal, he drove the ball across the face of goal where Charlie Ruff arrived to stab the ball home.

The Blues were now in command of the game but, with half-time approaching, some poor defending gave the hosts a lifeline in their battle against relegation. An unnecessary free-kick conceded just outside the area was delivered towards the back post and poked home by the home side’s Andrew Tiranhu.

Any hopes the hosts had of a comeback were soon extinguished, however, when seven minutes into the second half Brett O’Connor was tripped inside the box for a clear penalty. Michael Toner accepted responsibility for the kick and put the Blues 3-1 up with a fierce shot that gave the keeper no realistic chance of a save.

This was the boost that the Blues were looking for and from this moment onwards there was only going to be one winner. Luke Illsley added a fourth with twenty minutes remaining, when he rose high at the back post to superbly head home Ricky Light’s free-kick.

Brett O’Connor had a great opportunity to make it five when he broke away beyond the home defence in the 78th minute but, with only the keeper to beat, he placed his shot agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

The game therefore ended with the Blues completing a double over their game opponents and moving up to 13th in the table with games in hand on those teams immediately ahead of them.

Team:, Charlie Mann, Matt Thomson, Michael Toner, Phil Lowen, Ollie Sharman, Jason Beck(Jay Lovell 64’), Ricky Light(George Lutaaya 69’), Luke Illsley, Emmanuel Osei, Charlie Ruff(Charlie Cole 75’) and Brett O’Connor.

Subs not used: Dan Palmer and Harry Crook.

Match report by Ray Greenall