“Disappointing” was the adjective returning to Old Hert’s performance in this match, with five changes to the normal starting eleven not helping! The old traits of not working hard enough and not getting shots on target returned and excuses can be made but for too much of the game the team was under pressure! Westmill were certainly up for it and their hard running made it a difficult fixture for the away team, playing in their change strip of yellow.
Westmill had an early attack and a low hard cross had to be knocked away for a corner. Some battling by Chris Burman resulted in a good run by Brad Scott with his cross threatening the Westmill goal. All of Old Hert’s pressure was coming down the left flank, Christian was fouled, the free kick came in, Reynold’s header was not cleared, the ball fell to Grant he dipped one way he shimmied the other way, he gave the keeper the eyes and on 5 minutes he calmly side footed the ball home!
Westmill 0 Old Herts Athletic 1
Within two minutes however the home side were equal, Rob Burman (who was having his best game for weeks) gave away a free kick, the ball was played into the Old Hert’s penalty area Dan Bolton, who is a great shot stopper and line keeper ran out and for some reason only known to himself pushed the Westmill forward in the back to give away a stonewall penalty! Bolton immediately redeemed himself going low to his left to push away the well struck penalty kick only to see the onrushing Westmill forward convert the rebound for the equaliser, despite Matthews’ furious protests that he had encroached before the kick had been taken.
Westmill 1 Old Herts Athletic 1
Rob Burman now made a strong run out of defence passing the ball to Reynolds, he found Scott on the left wing, but his cross was cleared. Grant and Jowitt were required to make some determined tackles at the back before Chris Burman found Barnes in midfield, who then hit a long pass to Christian. Rob Burman, Chris Burman and Grant combined well at the back to stop a dangerous Westmill attack, then Reynolds set Scott away down the flank for him the set up Christian, whose shot went wide. Rob Burman’s throw to the influential Reynolds set up another Old Hert’s attack but the cross was cleared by Westmill. A fierce tackle again by Rob Burman enabled him to make a strong run forward giving the ball to Reynolds whose shot again went wide.
Westmill came back into the game when a through ball gave them a one to one chance on goal but Bolton pushed their shot wide. Barnes with a strong challenge conceded a free kick, the ball came in and a corner was conceded. Westmill hit a strong shot but Bolton made a great save! Chris Burman made two tough tackles in succession, playing as normal on the edge (keep it going Chris!), this then led to a “full and frank” discussion between the brothers Burman about each other abilities culminating in Reynolds telling Rob that he was making some great tackles too!
Again Westmill managed to threaten the Old Hert’s defence with a dangerous ball into the box, but after a scramble the ball was poked wide.
Rob Burman set Park away for a run but the ball came back and Jowitt made a good interception only to be penalised by the referee. Chris Burman headed the ball away for Scott to make a run down the wing, but the cross was hit wide by Christian.
Westmill’s best attacking option was the log throw in, with one attempt nearly being stabbed in at the near post, but again Rob Burman won a tackle to set Park away on a run. Jowitt was required to head the ball back to Bolton before Park was given a talking to by the referee and told to calm down! The first half came to a close with Reynolds playing Scott in for a shot that yet again went wide.
For the second half Scott was taken off to be replaced by Tanner and he knocked a through ball to Christian, who could only shoot wide. Christian then whipped in a dangerous cross, but no-one could get to it. Westmill had an attack but Jowitt blocked the shot and Bolton came out to gather the ball. Westmill were exerting pressure now, but Old Hert’s retaliated in great fashion on 55 minutes, a move commenced by Matthews at left back, with the ball going firstly to Barnes and then Reynolds before it was laid back to Matthews for him to coolly curl the ball into the far top corner from 25 yards!
Westmill 1 Old Herts Athletic 2
Westmill had a shot of their own but it went wide. Then on 60 minutes a period of sustained Westmill pressure resulted in a hand-ball in the Old Hert’s penalty area and the games second stonewall penalty. The same Westmill player walked up to take the kick, this time he hit the ball to Bolton’s right, but the ball hit the post and away!
Reynold’s was spoken to for a blatant trip but then Tanner had the chance of the game when the Westmill keeper fumbled the ball and gave him a clear chance. He was probably more surprised than anything and tamely fluffed the chance.
Then a long throw went into the Old Hert’s penalty area on 67 minutes. The Westmill forward was allowed to turn and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net, giving Bolton no chance.
Westmill 2 Old Herts Athletic 2
The pressure was kept up and from another throw Westmill hit the ball past the post. Reynolds had a run to the bye line but his shot was saved. Old Hert’s were desperately trying to gain some control of the game, but their passing wasn’t quite good enough. Chris Burman and Reeves combined in midfield and the ball went put to Matthews, but his cross went wide.
It was now apparent that the next team to score would take the spoils and so it proved. In the last minute another Westmill cross and it was hooked in for the winner.
