Herts Senior Centenary Trophy final Hatfield Town 1 Hoddesdon Town 1 (aet) Hoddesdon win 5-3 on penalties IN a game full of tension and drama at the County Ground, Letchworth, Hatfield Town fell at the final hurdle as they lost to Hoddesdon Town in the H

Herts Senior Centenary Trophy final

Hatfield Town 1 Hoddesdon Town 1 (aet) Hoddesdon win 5-3 on penalties

IN a game full of tension and drama at the County Ground, Letchworth, Hatfield Town fell at the final hurdle as they lost to Hoddesdon Town in the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy.

However, the two teams could not be separated in the 90 minutes, nor extra-time, which ultimately meant penalty shoot-out heartbreak for Trevor Lloyd's troops.

What's more, the Blueboys had to go into the spot-kicks without a recognised keeper after custodian Sam Lacey was stretchered off with a nasty leg injury and Martin Standen donned the keeper's jersey.

With terrific support from the travelling Hatfield fans, the Herns Lane-based club conceded a penalty only six minutes in when Trevor Golder handballed in the area.

However, Lacey made an early name for himself with a stunning double save from Hoddesdon's Lee Tombs to keep the score at 0-0.

The opener came on 18 minutes when Hatfield captain Martin Standen picked up the ball some 20-yards out, and drilled a well-placed shot past Hoddesdon number one Dave Lovell.

Yet only three minutes later a defensive error gifted Hoddesdon a way back into the game.

Lilywhites captain Steve Magona lumped a ball forward which appeared food and drink for Hatfield full-back Neil Doctor to deal with.

But the long-serving defender's header back to his keeper Lacey was too weak, and Colin Metivier nipped in to poke the ball past the on-rushing custodian.

The rest of the first-half, and in fact the whole game, saw Trevor Lloyd's side dominate the play without ever really looking like they could get that killer second goal.

On 34 minutes Martin Standen, again leading by example, picked up the ball just outside the box, dribbled into the danger area, and squared but nobody had gambled and the ball was cleared.

The half ended rather feisty with Standen and Jason Beck picking up bookings for silly fouls.

Four minutes after the restart the Lowfield club had a superb opportunity to take the lead.

The dangerous Colin Metivier flighted in a superb ball from the right which found Tombs in acres of space in the penalty area, but his header was poorly executed and flew over Lacey's crossbar.

Jason Caswell replaced Lewis Field in the 65th minute, and three minutes later he made a run into the box, laid the ball back for Beck who fizzed an effort which all-ends-up looked to be going in.

However, Lovell had other ideas and made a terrific palm-save to deny the Blueboys hitman.

Neither side could find that elusive second goal and extra-time dawned.

The introductions of Jack Evans and Daryl Smith provided Hatfield with more impetus going forward, and despite some superb crosses into the box from Smith, no Hatfield player could get their boot on the ball.

Then came what was perhaps the game-defining moment.

In the fourth minute of the second period, Sam Lacey made a brave save at the feet of Hoddesdon hitman Jason Sorial.

Lacey stayed down after the accidental coming together and it was clear he had suffered a bad injury.

The stretcher was called and Lacey was taken off the field of play with a deep cut to his leg - which in fact had exposed the bone.

Courageous captain Standen donned the goalie gloves, and was thrust into action in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.

Rhys Lawrence missed his, and the first Hatfield spot-kick as Lovell got down well to save.

This gave the advantage to Hoddesdon, and they took it, going on to score all five of their penalties, with Steve Magona blasting the fifth past stand-in Standen to seal Trophy glory.

The result was harsh on Hatfield, with the general consensus being that the better side had lost.

Hoddesdon however stuck to their strengths with Magona putting in a man-of-the-match performance along with keeper Lovell to win in the final for the second year running.

Penalties

Hatfield Town - Rhys Lawrence missed, Neil Doctor scored, Lewis Owen scored, Jack Evans scored.

Hoddesdon Town - Jason Sorial scored, Mark Dawson scored, Matthew Spiers scored, Chris Newell scored, Steve Magona scored.