Bostik Blog: A Tale of Two...Towns

Despite the torrential rain which decimated the weekend’s Bostik fixtures, Recreation Way seemed to avoid much of the tumultuous weather, ensuring Mildenhall Town and Hertford Town would be able to play their last fixture of 2017. New Year may have been almost upon us, but the famous Mildenhall bar was still full of festive spirit and bonhomie- helped as usual by the impressive selection of ales on offer and the always guaranteed warm welcome. Home and away fans mixed before the match, discussing the game to come and the events of the season so far, and all had reason to feel fairly content with their lot. Ninety minutes later most of the contentment would be one way, yet still both newly promoted sides have made a positive impact on the North Division this season.

Mildenhall showcased their academy before the game- and during it. The club has a set up at Recreation Way which allows them to punch above their relative weight in Bostik League terms, and the Academy is a critical part of that- indeed there were two sixteen year olds in today’s squad. When you can’t afford to bring in ready made talent you need to grow your own, and The Hall are making a pretty good job of that at present.

Both Towns are new to the Bostik North this season. Mildenhall won the Thurlow Nunn League to gain promotion, and Hertford Town came up as runners-up in the Spartan South Midlands League, London Colney having turned down their place. Despite their new status both teams appeared to settle quickly, and both have found themselves in the top half at different times throughout the season. However recent form has seen them slide down the table, with only one win in the last six between them, and with Mildenhall’s winless streak stretching back until mid-October. Whilst the view from both Town’s would be that that the form table alone does them an injustice, injuries playing a major part and performances not matching results, both sides would have been anxious to pick up a much-needed three points and arrest their poor runs, providing a positive end to the year. All the ingredients were present for a real cracker of a match- something the two teams had already provided in their previous meeting this season- and a season high attendance of 287 awaited kick off.

The pitch was in grand condition- albeit sodden- which was a testament to the ground staff and the volunteers behind the scenes at Recreation Way, with their workload no doubt having increased twofold as a result of the recent weather conditions. From kick-off, the pitch appeared to have little negative effect on the match, with Hertford settling into the game earlier, working the ball around the pitch to good effect and fashioning the first chance in the seventh minute, Ricky Light swivelled in the Mildenhall area and forcing Jacob Marsden into a fine early save.

Despite Hertford’s early dominance, Mildenhall carried a threat on the break, with Tom Debenham’s size and strength causing problems, heading straight at Charlie Mann in Hertford’s goal on 15 minutes. The middle part of the first half was fought in a dense midfield area, with both teams vying to assert control on the game, rendering many of the creative players on show null and void. The best chance of the half so far came ten minutes before the interval. Mildenhall captain Gareth Simpson played a loose pass in the centre of the park, and this left Hertford striker Charlie Cole 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper, but much to anger of the small but loud contingent of cheery Hertford fans behind the goal, he blazed over when perfectly placed.

Cole’s miss seemed to spark the game into life, with numerous chances in the last 10 minutes of the half. Firstly, following a Mildenhall set piece, a Mildenhall player flicked over from 6 yards out, with a flurry of bodies in front preventing a clear sight at goal. On the stroke of half-time, a seemingly routine clearance by Marsden in the Mildenhall goal almost led to disaster, as he slipped badly and ended up watching helplessly as Phil Lowen’s first-time effort crashed off the bar.

At half time, the clubhouse began to fill up again, as both sets of fans quickly retreated from the cold. The general feeling on both sides was that this game was one they could win, rubberstamping their mid-table places within the division, banishing worries about relegation. As the whistle blew to restart the match, Mildenhall struggled to regain their shape and Hertford had the earlier chances, with Ricky Light once again forcing Marsden into a good save. A frantic start soon calmed, with a midfield battle ensuing as both Mildenhall and Hertford looked to gain the upper hand. With neither team able to dominate, it was inevitable a set piece would provide decisive. On 67 minutes, Josh Curry was able to ghost in unmarked 6 yards out from a corner, cleverly finishing, giving Mildenhall a 1-0 lead with a third of the game to play. The goal seemed to galvanise the home side, with Claudio Ofosu quickly doubling their lead on the 73rd minute. Ofosu had been dangerous all game, proving a headache for Hertford’s defenders, constantly using his pace and trickery to create space and chances for his team. On this occasion, he picked up the ball in Hertford’s half, carried it past two players, before finishing well across Charlie Mann. Within the space of 6 minutes, Mildenhall seemed to have taken control of an even game, much to the displeasure of Hertford and their supporters.

The last 15 minutes saw Mildenhall sit back and try to see out the game, with Hertford trying to push on in an attempt to salvage a point. Frustrations threatened to boil over shortly after the 2nd goal, with Hertford’s number 5, Michael Toner in the centre of a melee, but calm was quickly restored and the match finished 2-0 without further incident.

Mildenhall Town’s victory will perhaps give them the opportunity to begin looking up the table instead of down, and came directly as a result of their ability to supply a cutting edge that Hertford failed to provide. Their fans will be hoping this is a sign of things to come in 2018, following a memorable 2017 that recent form has failed to tarnish. In certain phases, Hertford Town more than played their part in a competitive encounter, showing the qualities that have cemented their mid-table position, providing positives to take into the new year despite only 1 win in 7. Their away fans remained in good spirits throughout the game, contributing massively to a friendly atmosphere within the ground.

On the day, Mildenhall claimed the 3 points, but both clubs have plenty of positives to draw upon approaching the new year, with both Town’s showing that they belong in the Bostik League.