Hapless Hertford held by Trinity
Hertford embark on another attack, but ultimately fail to break down Trinity
Hertford...........0 Trinity..............0 Following their agonising cuppers exit at the hands of Teddy Hall and a disastrous 5-0 loss to fellow strugglers Balliol, Hertford rounded off a disappointing fortnight with a scoreless draw in a match from which they so desperately needed a victory to boost their chances of survival in the First Division. After a game which lacked a consistency and finesse, both sides will look to opportunities missed.
The hosts undoubtedly left the ground feeling the more aggrieved after striking the woodwork twice and missing two more golden opportunities to secure a win against a Trinity side just one place above them. During the opening exchanges the visitors looked the more confident of the two sides. The Trinity midfield, led by playmaker Daniel Kirk, immediately took a hold on the game. Within five minutes, the away side had produced their first effort on goal.
Lone striker Chris Wright picked up the ball 25 yards out and let fly a testing shot, stinging the palms of keeper Gareth Lond. Minutes later, neat work down the right flank • an area in which Trinity looked threatening throughout the match • produced a corner that resulted in a difficult attempted flick from Kirk sailing over the bar. The home side did not allow Trinity to stay in the comfort zone for much longer.
After a number of passes had been strung together, Hertford’s Rob Knight was released down the left. His looping right-footed cross struck the inside of the post, rebounded off disorientated keeper David Smith and the grateful defence intervened to clear the ball to safety. This proved to be a fillip for Hertford, and control of the game swung in their favour for a 20-minute period during which they found themselves frequently frustrated in the opposition’s final third.
In one dramatic minute near the end of the first half, both sides had one-on-one opportunities. At the Hertford end, and against the run of play, Lond saved well after impressive right-winger Chris Copplestone was put clean through. Within moments, home striker Pete Meiklejohn was bearing down on the Trinity goal, only to see his attempt slide narrowly past the righthand post.
A fairly open first half left both sides feeling that victory was within their grasp, but it was Hertford who found themselves rueing another missed chance early in the second period. A free kick from the lefthand touchline was lofted into the Trinity box, and Hertford centre-half Dave Beathan lost his marker and guided a free header goalwards - only to see Smith athletically tip the ball over the bar with the save of the match.
A forgettable period for the home side followed, during which, for all their possession, they lacked direction and looked vulnerable against the counter attack. However, the game was suddenly brought to life again as Hertford created the best scoring opportunity of the afternoon. A hopeful ball into the box, dealt with indecisively by the Trinity defence, found its way to the six-yard area and the feet of right-back John Creighton.
In unfamiliar territory, the captain managed to steer the ball past a helpless Smith, but rather than the net, he only found frustration as the ball ricocheted off the left-hand post. That incident aside, Trinity’s defence had looked for the most part comfortable, with centrehalf Pat Rennie the epitome of composure. Meanwhile, despite being starved of possession, they had looked threatening on the break for the entirety of the second half.
This threat almost brought reward as left-midfielder Charlie Hill fired over from close range in what was to be the last action of the game. A look at the First Division table will show that Hertford are the league’s lowest scorers. Despite their obvious passion and superior possession, it was this lack of potency which leaves them floundering two points from safety. With only two games remaining, time is running out.
23rd Feb 2006