Ten men Hertford Town confirmed their safety and another season in the Southern League Central Division One as they prevented Rovers from moving further away from FC Romania who sit just three points behind Barton
Barton Rovers had the game's first chance in the third minute as French centre-back Mathieu Racine headed the ball onto his defensive partner Lewis Thomas who just missed the target. However, it was Hertford who took the lead when winger Sendege executed an excellent piece of skill before firing his shot into the far top corner of the Rovers net. His strike came on the fifteen-minute mark and was well out of reach for Matt Boylan.
Although they were a goal ahead, Hertford would take a blow just minutes after taking the lead as the host's defender Gilzean was given his marching orders after appearing to hit Rovers midfielder, Max Ryan. Some ten minutes later Rovers found an equaliser against a ten-man Hertford as Max Ryan found the back of the net.
Both teams went in level at the interval and Rovers would have been expected to take the three points home due to having an extra man, but Hertford came out for the second period with the intent to play some attractive football as they attacked the Barton defence. Just five minutes into the second half, the home side retook the lead through Dontai Stewart and after getting a second they looked hungry for more.
In the seventieth minute, Barton Rovers introduced a homegrown talent onto the field as Cameron Saunders made his debut for the Blues after coming through the Reserve and youth system. Saunders made an impact after coming on as he provided service for the strikers, however, the frontmen, unfortunately, couldn't hit the target and his efforts weren't rewarded with an assist this week.
Hertford controlled the rest of the game well and went on to win the tie, the final whistle confirmed their safety but was another scare for the Rovers.
Full Time: Hertford Town 2-1 Barton Rovers
Next Match: Kempston Rovers - 18/4/23 7:45KO
