Mildenhall Town 2 Hertford 0
Second half strikes from Josh Curry and Claudio Ofosu gave Mildenhall a much-needed first Bostik North league win in 16 attempts, backed by their biggest crowd of the season, writes Dave Meeson.
Manager Dean Greygoose made four changes to the side who suffered a disappointing home defeat to AFC Sudbury on Boxing Day, giving starts to youngsters Ben Nolan and Arron Smith.
Greygoose also pushed recent signing from Walsham, Tom Debenham into a centre forward role and he proved a constant menace to the visiting back line with his tireless running throughout the afternoon.
Hertford began well and Ricky Light’s swerving effort produced a flying stop from ‘Hall keeper Jacob Marsden.
Mildenhall skipper Gareth Simpson soon replied by drifting in a free kick which clipped the bar before Debenham got on the end of a Simpson cross with a powerful header straight at Charlie Mann in the visitors’ goal.
After a quiet period Hertford really should have taken the lead on 35 minutes when Charlie Cole raced clear but with only Marsden to beat he screwed his shot wide.
Back came ‘Hall and Joe Asensi hooked over from 10 yards out.
Right on half-time there was another scare for the hosts as Marsden slipped while making a clearance and Phil Lowen collected the loose ball before sending a 30-yard chip which came back of the bar.
Hertford had another chance immediately after the restart but Marsden denied Light again.
The introduction of Jake Chambers-Shaw from the bench added a bit more creativity to the home attack and he forced a fine stop from Mann with a curling 20 yard free kick. The deadlock was eventually broken midway through the half when Curry escaped his marker to side-foot home an inviting Chambers-Shaw corner.
Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Ofuso netted a sublime goal gliding past two defenders before calmly rolling his shot into the bottom corner.
Hertford pushed to get back into the game but the Mildenhall’s defence held firm to give the West Suffolk side their first three points since mid-October and send the majority of the 287 crowd home happy.
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