Cheshunt vs Hertford Town – FA Youth Cup
Steve Stephanou‘s high-pressing young Ambers were unlucky as they came unstuck in the preliminary rounds of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening. The U18 side were defeated 3-0 by a hungry and talented Hertford Town team.
It was an attacking start for the visitors as their play down the wings forced a couple of corners. They went very close just five minutes in, a cross from the left found Roman Chapps at the back post, his header found Finn Lynch in front of goal, but his effort was blocked by the Ambers defence.
The first chance for the Ambers came from a high press, left-back Fionn Murphy found himself on with the ball on the edge of the box with space to shoot but he dragged it just wide of the post. Then, just moments later, Mason Bound headed a corner just over the crossbar.
For Hertford, FC Romania recruit Zen Cunningham hit the crossbar with a well-controlled volley after a cross in from former Cheshunt Youth player George Andreou. However, the linesman had flagged for offside just before he got his effort away. The Ambers almost made the most of a rapid counterattack as a ball in-behind found Wilmott Appau through on goal. However, having done the hard work rounding the keeper he was halted by the covering Hertford defender, who somehow beat the Cheshunt number nine to the ball as it rolled agonisingly towards the empty net.
The Ambers got countered themselves moments later as the visitors took the lead. Zen Cunningham who was looking dangerous down the right accelerated past Fionn Murphy and squared the ball to Finn Lynch who was free in the six-yard box to tap his side into the lead. The game was end-to-end before the goal and continued to be after it, Appau continuing to cause problems for the Blues defence.
The Ambers continued their possession football throughout the match and played it out from the back with ten minutes to go, but Hertford matched Cheshunt’s high-press and won a tackle with Rehan Field. The ball fell through to the goal scorer Finn Lynch, but he was unable to keep his effort down this time, smashing the ball against the advertisement boards above the goal.
HT: Cheshunt 0-1 Hertford Town
Jordan Njipap really began to step it up on the right wing as the Ambers really stepped up the pressure at the start of the second period in a bid for an equalising goal.
However, against the run of play Hertford Town’s Abraham Ajiboye was adjudged fouled just inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Goal scorer of the first Finn Lynch stepped up and placed it past the keeper.
The Blues almost made it three as like Murphy had for the Ambers earlier on, Hertford left-back George Andreou pressed high up the pitch. He tackled keeper Tristan Masson in the Ambers goal, nearly finding the back of the net in the process. They went close again as substitute Riley Carr was played in behind and had an effort saved, moments later, Louie Carr’s powerful effort was palmed out by Tristan Masson.
Cheshunt started to click into another attacking gear in search of two goals to keep them in the competition, substitute Jaydon Cover rolled a shot just wide of the near post. However, this meant the Ambers were now more open at the back. Finn Lynch was denied a hattrick by Masson in the Ambers net as his hard driven effort was well saved. Riley Carr also found himself through on goal again, but he was met by Masson on the edge of his area who saved well with his foot.
The Blues made it three in additional time as they bundled the ball into the back of the net from a cross, giving the scoreline a perhaps one sided look to a good competitive and entertaining tie, although Hertford Town did have the overall edge, Congratulations & Good Luck to the Blues in the next round.
FT: Cheshunt 0-3 Hertford Town
