Hertford Hockey Club had never fielded a Boys Under-18 team until last Sunday when the club’s junior talent took to the field in their first competitive fixture. The history making squad, including several boys who had played together at the club since Under-6’s, faced off against Southgate at Simon Balle School.

The visitors started strongly with their ex-Hertford defender, David, shutting down everything the current Hertford boys could throw at him. An open, end-to-end first half looked like finishing goalless until, on 33 minutes, a through-ball into the Southgate circle was picked up by George K who created himself an angle to fire a shot on goal from close range. The keeper, unable to deal with the pace, looked back to see the ball rolling over the line and the deadlock broken. Lifted by the opening goal, Hertford pressed again and a minute later it was 2-0 with Ryan, on his competitive debut, clinically finishing from five metres after a cut-back from the baseline had deflected off a Southgate stick.

Soon after the break, Ryan was on the score sheet again, skilfully finishing through the keeper’s legs after the ball was won high up the pitch by an exceptional team press. With Kieran largely untroubled in goal, the Hertford outfield players dominated. Cormac and James P bossed the midfield wings and defenders had license to roam further up the pitch. James W won the ball in the midfield and dribbled past two players before unleashing a bullet from the edge of the circle into the top corner. Not to be outdone, Hertford’s other central defender and captain, Peter, soon spotted an opportunity to dribble into the circle himself, firing a quick shot low past the keeper which thumped against the backboard for 5-0.

Towards the end, normal service was resumed from the forward players. Zac span past a baffled Southgate defender and backhanded the ball low into the corner for 6-0 before Calum started a brilliant team move from left-back that culminated with an aerial that found Jasper who squared the ball to George F for a tap-in at the far post.

7-0 was the final score but it could have been more in the final minutes. Matt had a sublime penalty corner drag flick ruled out for an infringement on the edge of the circle before right-back, Jamie, saw his shot beat the keeper but crash into the post and rebound to safety.

Reflecting on the victory, coach Duane said, “It was great to start the league with a win and I’m delighted with the team performance today which gives us a great platform to build on for the rest of the season.” The show moves on to London Wayfarers on 3rd November where the team will be looking for another 3 points after this hugely successful start to Boy’s Under-18 hockey at Hertford.

Hertford BU18: Kieran, Jamie, Calum, Peter, James W, Matt, James P, Cormac, Zac, George K, Jasper, George F, Ryan.