Tudors March On In Trophy - Hemel Hempstead Town vs. Concord Rangers

Concord Rangers fans take their position in the first half

This weekend I had a choice between Hemel Hempstead versus Concord Rangers in The FA Trophy or Risborough Rangers against Welwyn Garden City in The Spartan South Midlands League. The prospects seemed better for Hemel so I headed up to Hertfordshire and my choice was vindicated when on the train, I saw on Twitter that the Risborough game was postponed. Both sides were in The Conference South and had meet once already at Vauxhall Road which ended in a 2-1 win for Concord Rangers. Both sides were in mid table and were only separated by three points in the league. I had seen a lot of Concord Rangers in the past and when I visited Thames Road it was in another FA Trophy tie against Harlow Town. On that day, Concord lost 3-2 after being two nil up at half and I was hoping for an equally exciting game this time round. 

Kick off at Vauxhall Road

The Hemel keeper is tested early on when the Hemel defence don't fully stop a Concord attack and he makes a great save from a stinging half volley. The save is followed by a succession of Concord corners which come to nothing. Hemel's first sight of goal comes as a great cross finds the Hemel player free at the back post but he is unable to keep his header down. The referee then almost sets up a Concord goal as he gets hit by the ball and Concord break forward. Luckily, the long range effort goes just wide. It is then Hemel's turn to have a low drilled effort saved as the Concord keeper makes his first real save of the match. Hemel now have a spell of pressure and the Concord defence is just about able to cut out the danger. The Concord defence is almost caught napping from a quick free kick but Hemel fail to take full advantage. Hemel take the lead when a ball to the back post is headed back across goal and the ball is scrambled in from close range. Neither side create any more chances and the home side go in to the break one up.

Long Hemel throw

Hemel have an early chance to increase their lead but the shot is dragged wide. They are made to rue that miss as Concord equalise shortly afterwards. In a near copy of the Hemel goal, a corner isn't fully cleared and when the ball is put back into the box, it is forced in from very close range. Hemel don't rue the earlier miss for long though. Straight from the restart, they break up field and the cross the ball for the Hemel player to head his side back into the lead! Concord believe they have a second equaliser but the goal from a corner is disallowed for pushing in the area. The Concord keeper then makes a great save from a powerful effort to keep his side in the tie. They have a better chance to extend their lead when the forward is played in, but the ball bobbles at the last minute and the chance is wasted. Concord almost gift Hemel a third as the full back is robbed close to goal and the keeper has to be alert to save his blushes. In the closing stages, Hemel do get the killer third goal. As Concord push forward for the equaliser, Hemel are able to break and the winger squares the ball to his unmarked team mate who makes no mistake.

First half action in front of the seated accommodation.

Hemel Hempstead is very easy to get to from London. Regular trains run from Euston and the journey takes about half an hour. Close to the station is The Post Office Arms which the best pub I visited in Hemel and in all honesty I should have had another drink there. The Swan was perfectly fine and had a good view down towards The River Bulbourne, but it was more of a gastropub. The walk to Vauxhall Road completely bypasses the town centre and so I didn't see too much of the town itself. The walk was one of the more punishing ones this season with a least a mile of the journey up a steep hill. It took close to forty five minutes and I saw several bus stops so I presume there is a bus from the station. The clubhouse had the usual selection of drinks and had both Sky and BT Sports on the big screen. The soup from the burger was tasty and was essential in keeping warm in the strong wintry winds.  

Vauxhall Road at dusk