Relegation Battle Hots Up

Both sides came into this match knowing that a loss would majorly compromise their chance of survival, and both were in form leading up to the match. Luton Town were 3 points from safety, with Hertford only 1 point behind.

The game started quickly with both sides having a share of possession. Within no time at all the scoring had begun when a strong Hertford shot was deflected in at the far post by Harpreet Uppal, with Keeper Thomas Briggs stranded at the near post. Hertford had no time to enjoy the lead however, as Luton struck back almost immediately, with a strong attack through the middle and a lucky deflection by Dean Pierce set William King one on one with the Home side goalkeeper, superbly lifting the ball into the top left hand corner to level the score.

The game picked up still more speed as Hertford attempted to regain their lead forcing a barrage of saves out of Luton Keeper Thomas Briggs including a superb left handed stop from a Short Corner Drag Flick. Despite the pressure Luton fought on, and a quick re start by Dean Pierce from a free hit, and a neat one-two with Chris May the winger forced his way into the penalty area again, pulling the ball back across the keeper for Robin Barnes to fire into an empty goal.

Town might have extended their lead when Damian Hayward forced his way down the right hand side and opened up an opportunity for top goal scorer William King, only to pass the ball into the keepers Pad. Such was the open nature of the game, Luton could hardly be surprised when Hertford equalised, when the ball rebounded from Briggs strong save and was turned in by the red clad striker to make the score 2-2.

The intensity continued however with several players beginning to implement some brute force into the proceedings. The game was momentarily paused before a short corner for the home side, when Luton's Oscar Anstee had been bundled to the floor during a scramble from a Long Corner. The shot was blocked by defender Kyle Beirne's foot, giving another short corner. Yet another Drag Flick was Saved by Thomas Briggs, and with the resultant long corner being fired straight into the D, Luton Town had a free hit and a chance for respite at last. The visitors made the most of the opportunity to re shuffle when a smooth attack involving Kyle Beirne, Steven Pierce, and Dean Pierce resulted in another goal for Robin Barnes, in a carbon copy of Luton's second goal.

With the score 3-2 and only minutes left until half time, Town began to slow the pace of the game, but were not helped by some difficult decisions by the umpires, with Martin Crimp astounded that he hadn't won a free hit after being bundled to the ground. The real sting came when a shot that was deemed to have been taken outside the area was left by Luton players to roll into the goal for a 23 free hit, only for a goal to be awarded. This left the half time score 3-3 and town distraught at the interval.

Half Time Score 3-3

Luton were understandable still outraged when the second half began, and their opposition took full advantage of this, running between Kyle Beirne and Martin Crimp before firing past Thomas Briggs to give Hertford the lead for the first time since the opening stages. Town responded immediately with John Hathaway hitting a perfectly weighted ball through the middle of the field for King to deflect the ball past the flailing goalkeeper to level once more.

Fatigue was setting in for the visitors who were dropping deeper and deeper allowing Hertford to apply more pressure and inflict yet more punishment on Briggs in goal, with several more strong saves, the last of which deflected off his chest to be cleared by a combined effort from Martin Crimp and John Hathaway which released town into a rapid counter attack and despite only having 3 players up field, Robin Barnes and William King worked the ball through Hertford's defence to tee up Chris May for his Third goal at the Club, and Towns lead was restored.

Barely Time to recuperate and attempt to remember the score before Luton Conceded once more to level the score at 5-5, with Hertford working the ball around the penalty area and scoring into an empty goal when Thomas Briggs, Martin Crimp and Steven Pierce were left on the floor after a collision whilst trying to clear the ball.

Luton pulled themselves together and begun to dictate the game once more, with Martin Crimp acting as a rock in the Centre of Luton's Defence and John Hathaway was dictating play through the increasingly open Midfield, winning Luton Town a Short Corner. Despite confusion between Dean Pierce and John Hathaway, Luton won another Short Corner. William King pulled a low Drag-Flick powerfully into the bottom left hand corner, putting Town ahead once more.

It seemed another goal would just about finish Hertford off, an with this, the hosts became more frantic, launching all 11 players up the pitch, unleashing a barrage or shots into Thomas Briggs, and occasionally the side of the net. The match was paused once more with Kyle Beirne being left on the floor by a strong challenge. Luton held on until 5 minutes from the end when Hertford finally broke through and levelled the score one last time. Town were naturally disheartened but kept their heads up to keep Hertford at bay, with Briggs saving yet another Drag-Flick, deflecting the ball dangerously past the head of Steven Pierce on the post.

Pierce was the hero of the moment just seconds later, when another flick from the Hertford striker was deflected spectacularly past the post by the Winger, despite Hertford celebrating the goal they were sure would go in. Pierce could have made himself the Hero of the entire game when pulling into space in the penalty area before unleashing a stunning shot which flew agonisingly over the crossbar.

The final whistle brought an incredible match to a close with both teams sharing the points. A win would have been preferred but the absence of a loss was more than welcome. Luton Town stretch their unbeaten run to 3 games, but would drop to 5 points from safety with other results. The team, however, remain optimistic.

Final Score Hertford 6-6 Luton Town
LTHC Player of the Match: Thomas Briggs by unanimous vote