In overcoming a talented Royston side in a tense penalty shoot-out, the Lilywhites claimed the Hertfordshire Senior Trophy for a [b]FOURTH time, equalling the record held by London Lions. It took a total of 26 penalties, though, to decide this final in the favour of the Lilywhites and they will probably argue that they just about deserved it.[/b]

Hoddesdon set a new record with this game, becoming eight time finalists in the competition and had their sights set on lifting the famous old trophy once again right from the start.

The first five minutes found the Lilywhites under pressure and Royston created two half-chances that they failed to take and the game then turned decisively against them. Harrison Cage went close to finding the target in the seventh minute when he had a good effort deflected for a corner and then, only a minute later, Jack Riddle found space in the box to head home Connor Bolton’s free-kick from out on the right. It is a routine we have seen bare fruit time and time again this season and Manager Simon Riddle punched the air in delight as the set piece routine once again proved successful.

This opening goal threatened to be the springboard for a few more as the Lilywhites ran all over their opponents, creating a number of opportunities that they really should have capitalised upon. Harrison Cage was picked out by a superb pass from Dion Laughton in the 10th minute, but his first touch let him down. Then, in the 14th minute, Bailey Eden had a good strike deflected narrowly over the bar for a corner and maybe the best chance of adding a second goal came shortly afterwards when Jack Gibbs should have scored with a header when he was unmarked at a right-wing corner.

A further good chance fell to Kyle Roberts but he shot narrowly wide when well-placed mid-way through the half.

Given their domination in this opening half-hour, the Lilywhites should really have had the result sewn up but all the had to show for their play was a slender lead that was always likely to leave the outcome open to doubt.

The Lilywhites took their single-goal advantage into the half-time break and less than four minutes into the second period Dion Laughton’s superb 20-yard effort looked destined for the top corner of the goal but a superb flying save from the Royston tipped the ball away for a corner, keeping his team still in with a chance.

At this point the tide began to change and Royston gradually began to offer more of a threat and came as no surprise when they found an equaliser with eight minutes remaining. It took a superb goal from substitute Jack Davis to bring his side back into the contest, however, when he picked up a long ball out to the left , cut inside and gave Liam Nugent, in the Lilywhites’ goal, no chance with a fierce 25-yard strike into the far top-corner.

The game ended with the Lilywhites putting pressure on the Royston goal, but to no avail and the final whistle signalled that the tie would be decided on penalties.

The Lilywhites went first and after Conor Bolton and Callum Bennison had been successful with their kicks, Royston missed their second, opening the door for the Lilywhites. Kyle Roberts made the score 3-1 but after Royston has scored with their third, Bailey Eden saw his kicked saved and the scores were soon level again. Arnis Lala, Blue Gallagher, George Rankin, Jack Riddle, Nazrii Krutko, Jack Gibbs, Liam Nugent and Conor Bolton, for a second time, took the score to 11-10 at which point, Liam Nugent pulled out a magnificent save to win the Trophy for the Lilywhites.

After a difficult start to the season, this was a just reward for the hard work that the Lilywhites have been putting in to turn their season around. On the down side, however, it was discovered after the game that Nazrii Krutko had broken his hand during the game and would be out for the remaining nine league games.

Man-of-the Match: Bailey Eden

Team: Liam Nugent, Nazarii Krutko, Conor Bolton, Jack Riddle, Jack Gibbs, George Rankin, Harrison Cage (Arnis Lala 85’), Blue Gallagher, Dion Laughton (Callum Bennison 66’), Bailey Eden & Kyle Roberts.

Unused subs: Syd Barker, Tobi Prentice & Sam Cross.