Late Carden Goal Gives Soham Win

By Simon Cullum

Joe Carden’s goal six minutes from time gave Soham the three points as they recorded a 1-0 away win at Hertford Town.

The Greens made two changes to the side which drew at home to neighbours Mildenhall Town for the trip to seventh placed and newly promoted Hertford Town with Will Gardner coming in for the suspended Jordan Lee, whilst Gary Cohen replaced Marcus Hall up front.

Soham had the better of the first halves play and chances however were unable to make the breakthrough in the opening forty five minutes with the two sides going in level at the break. The Greens made a quick start with captain Russell firing an early shot high and wide before Cohen placed low at Mann. Fifteen minutes in, Gillies head wide from a Clayton freekick, with the striker heading against the post moments later from Carden’s by-line ball, with the ball being delivered back into the middle of the area where Cohen headed over. Midway through the half, the Greens had a penalty appeal turned down by the referee after Gillies’ shot appeared to be blocked by a home defender’s hands. The play switched ends with Beck heading across goal and wide from a corner. The visitors continued to have the better of the attacking play with Chaffey twice and Cohen all off target with headers by the end of the half.

Hertford came back into the game after the restart with Toner placing his shot from outside the area low and wide of the post. Just before the hour Pope made a fine save to deny Sharman from Light’s freekick into the area with Carden firing over shortly after following good build up play from Gardner and Russell down the left. Both sides made changes before Gillies flicked wide and Pope made another important save this time keeping out Illsley’s header from Thompson’s freekick. Further changes were made before Soham scored what turned out to be the winner with six minutes remaining when Hall collected a forward ball, playing it wide to Joe Carden who advanced into the area, holding off Foster, to place a low angled shot between Mann and his near post. The hosts pushed forward in the latter stages however the Greens remained solid at the back seeing out time to record the win which sees them climb to thirteenth in the table having collected seven points in the last week.

Soham Town Rangers
J. Pope, A. Bankole, W. Gardner, J. Kaye, L. Chaffey, H. Norman, J. Carden, L. Carden (L. Endacott 78), C. Gillies, G. Cohen (M. Hall 78), C. Russell (J. Bennett 69)
Unused: D. Hobbs

Hertford Town
C. Mann, O. Sharman, L. Foster (A. Ward 86), M. Thompson, J. Beck, D. Palmer, R. Light, M. Toner, C. Cole, C. Ruff (L. Illsley 64), B. O’Conner (D. Ferrigno 80)
Unused: C. Edwards, B. Andreos

Score: (0-0) 0-1

Goals
STRFC: J. Carden (84)
HTFC: None

Yellow Cards
STRFC: L. Clayton (26), H. Norman (68), J. Bennett (90+1)
HTFC: C. Ruff (45+1)

Attendance: 243