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Tue 4th Aug 2009
Herts Charity Shield
Sponsored by Jean & Les Robbins
TAFC First team 3-1 Hatfield Town
TAFC goals: Vincenzo Iannone, Darren Franklin, Mark Burfoot |
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We opened the 2009/10 campaign with a hard earned victory over newly promoted Hatfield Town. Hatfield finished 3rd in Division 1 last season but got the nod for promotion because runners-up Kings Langley failed to meet the necessary ground grading requirements. They certainly made us work hard and
were the better side in the first half and could have been ahead at half time. Fortunately we upped our game after the break and although we created lots of chances we failed to put them away and had to wait until 10 minutes from the end of extra time before we had a 2 goal cushion and could relax.
We have lifted the Herts Charity Shield on 3 occasions and it is good curtain raiser to the season as it gives the supporters a glimpse of any new players and what the team might look like. The squad on show in this game was pretty much the same as last season with some notable players missing like Graham Hall, Dave Foskett, Kerry Gordon, Danny Gray, Andy Humphreys and Trevor Gibbs who were either on holiday, unavailable or injured. There were 3 new additions to the team sheet, namely Neil Roberts who started in midfield, Darren Franklin who came on as a sub and scored the vital 2nd goal and made a big impact and Gareth Lee who was on the bench and didn’t get on. A new signing absent was keeper Tom Vincent who accidentally injured his eye which we hope it is not serious.
The team wore their nice new kit but that was about the only good thing about a disappointing first half where we struggled to get going. We knocked too many long balls thus cutting out our midfield which played into the hands of Hatfield’s big defenders. However, we should have had a penalty in the 7th minute when Vinnie Iannone appeared to be clearly taken out from behind as he tried to connect with a loose ball in the area following a corner. But perhaps it came too early in the season because it was not awarded.
The game was frenetic and untidy and in the 13th minute we had to thank Dave Clark for blocking a shot after a corner caused chaos in our area. Matt Myatt tried to curl a shot into the far corner after spotting the keeper was out of position following a corner, but his effort drifted just wide. Our opponents had the edge and were growing in confidence and when Martin Standen burst into our area we feared the worse until Rob Duncan appeared out of nowhere to produce a superb tackle to save the day. Andy Mullins and Tony Fields swapped wings to try and shake things up and Mulls hit a first time shot into the side netting after Vinnie Iannone intelligently laid the ball off into his path.
Hatfield’s left back Richard Cooke broke down our right wing and put in a tantalising cross which fortunately for us was missed by his colleagues. Hatfield were working hard to grab a goal before half time and Dave Clark had to push away a fierce shot from Lewis Fields after the winger cleverly created some space. We were giving away too many free kicks which is dangerous against such a big side like Hatfield but credit to our defence who dealt with the danger well with Dave Clark coming out to punch the ball clear when required. With half time approaching Andy Mullins sped down the left and put an inviting cross onto Mark Burfoot’s head but our big number 9 was unable to direct the header towards goal so the half ended scoreless.
HT TA 0 HT 0
Whatever Phil Casserley said over the half time cuppa certainly worked as within a minute Vinnie Iannone put us ahead with a superbly struck shot. He expertly pulled down a high pass with his left foot and then in one fluid movement struck a fierce left foot shot from outside the area which flew high into the net giving the keeper on chance. The memories of a poor first half were quickly forgotten as we started to play some good football and we went on to create a lot of chances which should have put us out of sight by the end of normal time. Andy Mullins showed he had not lost any of his skills during the summer when he skilfully worked his way past several challenges and was only denied a goal by a good save from the Hatfield stopper Sam Lacey. When the loose ball fell to Mark Burfoot a goal looked certain as he lifted his shot over the prostrate keeper, but unfortunately it also cleared the bar.
The Hatfield Manager boldly made 3 substitutions by the 51st minute and pushed 3 big guys up front and his team went for a more direct approach. Our offside trap worked well throughout the game but we were a bit slow moving up in the 65th minute and when Sam Lacey’s clearance reached sub Jason Caswell he was unmarked and on side. We got away with it when the forward dragged his shot wide of the far post.
We brought on Dave Whicker for Neil Roberts and replaced Vinnie Iannone with Darren Franklin who was to make a big impact `on his debut. Immediately Darren Franklin sent Tony Fields away and his cross just skimmed Mark Burfoot’s head. Andy Mullins deftly left his marker for dead with an exquisite touch and his subsequent shot went just wide of the far post. We had a good little spell of pressure but with 15 minutes to go we made aware that Hatfield were far from being out of the game when a quick break down the left led to a cross picking out Trevor Golder who put a good chance wide.
Hatfield were getting bodies forward and we needed that vital 2nd goal to give us some breathing space. Mark Burfoot was just wide from Steve Smith free kick and Ashley Addison was brought on for Andy Mullins. With 4 minutes to go the Referee penalised Chris Salmon for a challenge on Jason Casswell and Hatfield’s leading scorer last season Trevor Golder made no mistake from the penalty to make the score 1-1.
There was only a few minutes remaining but we still carved out 3 great chances and should have made sure that extra time was not needed. Darren Franklin was heavily involved in this final exciting run in, firstly beating the offside trap and rolling an inviting ball into the path of Matt Myatt who shot over the bar. Then Darren’s flick sent Mark Burfoot through on goal but the keeper made a super save to keep his side still in the tie. With time up the crowd wondered how the ball didn’t end up in the net as Darren Franklin and Mark Burfoot couldn’t get a touch as the ball bobbled around near the goal line, a defender eventually managing to clear the danger to keep the at 1-1.
FT TA 1 HT 1
Hatfield’s relief at their narrow escape at the end of normal time was very short lived as within 30 seconds of the start of extra time we finally got a 2nd goal. Mark Burfoot laid a pass back to Chris Salmon whose excellent cross picked out Darren Franklin who coolly controlled the ball on his chest before slipping it past the keeper. On this impressive performance this could be the first of many goals that we will see from Darren.
Over the next 10 minutes Darren Franklin threatened to score on 2 more occasions, firstly nearly converting a Tony Field’s cross at the near post and then despatching back the keeper’s poor kick just wide of the empty net. Hatfield to their credit were still pushing forward but were frequently caught out by our offside trap. Jason Caswell did execute a skilful overhead kick in the area from a throw but the ball landed safely in Dave Clark’s hands.
We were still not home and dry despite the chances which were now coming up frequently. Darren Franklin got past 2 defenders on the right and put in a super cross which unfortunately went begging. Sam Lacey made a good save from a Mark Burfoor header from a free kick and Darren Franklin worked himself some space but his shot missed the far post. Tony Fields cut inside from the right and hit a lovely curling shot which Lacey again saved. However, the keeper’s luck finally ran out when from the resulting corner we finally got the goal we needed when Mark Burfoot headed home from close range in the 110th minute. We still had to do some defending to do and Chris Salmon had to make a great saving tackle after Rob Duncan miscued his clearance. The final whistle went to clinch our place in the next round away at Division 1 Hoddesdon Town who comprehensively won 3-0 at Colney Heath which is no mean feat so they will offer a tough challenge.
Final Score TA 3 HT 1
After a poor start we got our act together to produce a game winning performance. We had more than enough chances to have avoided the need for extra time, although you have to give credit to Hatfield who battled away right to the end and will be no push over in the Premier Division. Darren Franklin made a very impressive debut and we must also mention Neil Roberts who did well in midfield. On Saturday we kick off our league season so lets hope we can build on this performance.
Finally, the only down side was a late injury to Hatfield’s centre forward Daniel Staples and we hope he is not seriously hurt and will recover soon.
Teams:
TA: Dave Clark, Chris Salmon (Capt), Rob Duncan, Steve Smith, Henry Thomas, Matt Myatt, Andy Mullins (Ashley Addison 79), Neil Roberts (Dave Whicker 66), Mark Burfoot, Vinnie Iannone (Darren Franklin 72), Tony Fields. Subs not used: Gareth Lee, Dave Salmon.
HT: Sam Lacey, David Reade, Richard Cooke (Lewis Owen 51), Martin Standen, John McGrandies (Capt), Gary Coley, Jack Evans (Jason Caswell HT), Trevor Golder, Daniel Staples, Jason Beck (Rhys Lawrence 51), Lewis Fields. Subs not used: Daryl Smith, Gary Ansell.
Goals:
TA: Vinnie Iannone (46), Darren Franklin (91), Mark Burfoot (110)
HT: Trevor Golder Pen (86)
Attendance: 101
HT Website: www.hatfieldtownfc.co.uk |
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(No photos on file)
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