Biggleswade United 1-3 Hertford Town
Molten Spartan South Midlands League, Premier Division.
In front of 59 paying spectators, the miserable start to the New Year continued for United, as they went down to fellow strugglers Hertford Town at a blustery Second Meadow. In what can be described as a lacklustre performance, the sloppiness, which had reared its ugly head in the previous match at Royston, continued in abundance.
In a forgetful first period, after having to make 2 substitutions to replace injuries to Martin Russell and Russell Preston, a clueless United found themselves deservedly languishing to a brace of Mark Draper goals at the interval.
Things did seem improve a little for the home side in the early exchanges of the 2nd period with one or two nice build-up plays, but sadly due to reasons out of their control, it wasn't to last for long.
In the 54th minute the referee, who had struggled to keep control of a bad tempered match, awarded the Blues a somewhat questionable penalty. To the chagrin and dismay of both home players and supporters alike, keeper Adam Lawrence was adjudged to have brought down Bangura in the box and the over zealous official didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot.
Draper stepped up to slot home the kick and complete his hat-trick, sending the incensed Lawrence the wrong way in the process. To all intents and purposes the game was over.
Things did seem improve a little for the home side in the early exchanges of the 2nd period with one or two nice build-up plays, but sadly due to reasons out of their control, it wasn't to last for long.
In the 54th minute the referee, who had struggled to keep control of a bad tempered match, awarded the Blues a somewhat questionable penalty. To the chagrin and dismay of both home players and supporters alike, keeper Adam Lawrence was adjudged to have brought down Bangura in the box and the over zealous official didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot.
Draper stepped up to slot home the kick and complete his hat-trick, sending the incensed Lawrence the wrong way in the process. To all intents and purposes the game was over.
Jason Darvall managed to get a scrappy consolation goal for United, but they were never really at the races and posed little further threat on the Hertford goal for the remainder of the match.
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