TT No.20: Bob Davies - Hertford Town v Langford; Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division;         Result: 0-1; Attendance: 74; Admission £5 for me, £1 for grandson, Programme (4 pages) free with admission.

View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08   photos courtesy of Stephen Gray   With the current SSML Premier Division leaders Langford visiting nearby Hertford Town a first visit of the season to Hertingfordbury Park seemed to be in order on Tuesday evening.   The ground is located off West Street, and best approached by turning left off the A414 westbound (Gascoyne Way). The turn is signed, a few yards past the Ford Garage (Gates). West Street is narrow and can be obstructed by parked cars. There is no other practical approach for coaches however. About 200 metres along West Street is a narrow lane which falls away to the right. Follow this over a narrow bridge and the car park and entrance to the ground is in front of you. Please respect other users of the lane when parking - particularly do not block access to and egress from the Stables (demarked by cones and rope). Courtesy of Hertford Town website: www.hertfordtownfc.co.uk   The ground itself has not changed over the last few years but problems with the wall surrounding pitch has meant that demolition has started with a metal wire filled in fence replacing it in parts. The stand houses the changing rooms, in front of which are the dugouts. The clubhouse and snack bar facilities are housed next to the stand and are currently being redecorated but are still open. A small club shop (not open on our visit) occupies the space between the clubhouse and stand. There is large covered terrace behind the goal that stretches the width of the pitch and should prove more than adequate for spectators when the inclement weather returns during the season!   Both Hertford and Langford were missing key players for this game as happens to most teams at this time of year. The game is settled in the first half with Langford’s Lee Pateman shot on target but getting a deflection on the way to goal. The visitors should have wrapped the game during the first period but didn’t. This led to a spirited effort from the home side in the second period but veteran keeper Steve Young will not have many easier games in the Langford goal this season as the home lack fire power up front. Langford went on to maintain their 100% start to the League season and many sterner tests await them in the games to come.   A final word on the programme, four page photocopied effort that didn’t include the Langford side even though it had been sent. This was a big disappointment as I would normally get a very good programme on my previous visits to Hertford. Let’s hope this current issue is purely a temporary state of affairs as per the apology in the programme.

contributed on 28/08/08