First Point On The Board After Tough Encounter

Old Herts Athletic –v- Mangrove Saturday 12th September 2015

It was always going to be a testing first outing for a reworked Old Herts starting XI, with a new manager, a new division, a new home ground and a new (clashing) Lincoln green kit! Last season’s player of the year was also missing, but at least they were to drink at the same pub again!

And so it proved against an as ever well organised and experienced Mangrove team. Although the wise old fox Jim Reeves was on hand to provide pre-match advice and encouragement though.

Dan Bolton in the Greens goal was called into action early having to come out to a long through ball, but Paget won the ball with some good tackling in midfield and this enabled “Brad” Braddock to attack down the left. Mangrove struck back when a long throw forced the first corner of the match, but the resultant kick went harmlessly wide.

The first 10 minutes were characterised by a competitive struggle in the middle of the park, but Old Herts had the first serious attempt on goal of the game when a one/two between Konnor Smith and Ian Baker forced the Mangrove keeper to come quickly off his line to smother Baker’s effort. Chris Burman had a long effort go wide having been set up by some quick passing between Staines, Baker and Paget and the scrapping in midfield continued with Paget being taken out by a crude body check.

Rob Burman and Paget were combing well at times in an attempt to play football from the back, the final ball however often going frustratingly astray. Simon Brooks was called into action showing his vast experience to gain a free kick, when pressurised at the back. Mangrove forced another corner Bolton having to save a long shot from outside of the penalty area and this enabled them to maintain the momentum with both Brooks and Jowitt making vital interceptions and Bolton needing to punch a number of efforts away.

Mangrove had what certainly was the clearest chance of the game so far and maybe of the match when a deflected shot went loose in the six yard box, but could only be prodded wide by their lurking forward. Chris Burman, Baker, Smith and Paget were working hard to gain a grip on the game, but Old Herts problem at this stage was their inability to keep possession of the ball for any length of time.

Using a tactic of swift counter attacks Mangrove broke away but their wingers shot went wide. On 30 minutes some tidying up at the back by Brooks led to Baker and Paget combining in the Mangrove penalty area forcing their keeper to block Paget’s shot. Reeves replaced Baker up front and after Brooks conceded a free kick on the edge of the box, Bolton’s safe hands were equal to the Mangrove attempt.

It was increasingly looking that the first half would end all square until Chris Burman on 42 minutes was adjudged to have pushed his opponent in the back and the resultant penalty kick was struck emphatically home!

Old Herts Athletic 0 Mangrove 1

The first half came to an end when after good defending by Jowitt and Rob Matthews, Braddock was sent away again down the left for a mazy run and shot on goal.

For the beginning of the second half Baker rejoined the fray. Matthews, after a quiet first half embarked on a run from full back until he was tripped. The free kick to Smith went onto Braddock for Old Herts first attack of the second 45 minutes. Rob Burman now received a yellow card on 52 minutes for a late tackle on the Mangrove winger.

Jowitt and Paget again defended well and this resulted in a period of attacking pressure from Old Herts. Firstly Brooks headed just wide from a corner, Chris Burman set Smith up to shoot on goal and then Chris Burman, this time with Braddock’s assistance played Smith in, but his claim for a foul was waved away by the referee. On the hour mark Stevens replaced Paget and Rob Burman, who had picked up a hamstring strain (or was it because he was having a hard time of it?) was replaced by Darren Galloway.

Mangrove broke away again and Bolton was forced to a good save low to his left, but increasingly the Old Herts defence were keeping all Mangroves’ attempts on goal to be made from outside the 18 yard box.

Staines, Burman, Smith and Stevens were getting a grip in midfield and the pressure finally paid off on 65 minutes, when a Galloway throw to Smith was passed onto Matthews, back to Smith again down the left and his fierce shot gave the Mangrove keeper no chance!

Old Herts Athletic 1 Mangrove 1

Mangrove came back strongly and Staines showed the defensive side of his game to keep them at bay. A powerful shot from Mangrove was coolly pushed over the bar by Bolton. Braddock’s good run and low cross managed to go completely across the Mangrove goal line without anyone being able to put a boot on it and Old Herts now seemed to be the stronger team, with Chris Burman, Staines, Smith and Baker trying to win the game for the Greens. Chris Burman had a shot from outside the box blocked and then from a Matthews pass he chipped the ball through to Baker who after controlling the ball on his chest and turning towards goal sent a screaming shot just over the bar, for what would have been a spectacular late winner!

Patrick Sterling replaced Braddock for the final few minutes and managed one quick run, before the match ended.

After the game two amusing stories were told, by the oldest player on the pitch and the youngest spectator. Simon Brooks had given little change away all game was asked by his opponent “are you 40?” The retort from Brooksy was “yes I am! Now count to 40!” and by Sonny Baker whose opinion of the game was that Old Herts would have won had not the player/manager given the penalty way!

All in all though more of a point gained than lost by Old Herts and certainly more to be satisfied with than Mangrove.