Aubrey Cup: Depleted Hatfield RBL Bow Out

Injury-hit Hatfield RBL fell to a 4-1 defeat to Premier Division side Letchworth Garden City Eagles at Roe Hill on Saturday. Missing 4 first-team regulars Hatfield got off to the worst possible start when they gave Letchworth too much room on the edge of the area allowing them a free shot which was deflected onto the post and in leaving Tommy Duke stranded. But Hatfield struck back almost immediately and four minutes later Joe Gash released James Upson down the right and his inviting low cross into the penalty area was turned into his own net by the Letchworth centre half under pressure from Jason Caswell. Hatfield then had the best of the first half without really testing the Letchworth keeper while Letchworth were being restricted to quick breakaways which Hatfield's reshuffled defence of Joe Brandon, Steve O'Boy, Stuart McDermott and Matt Johnson dealt with comfortably. The second half started with Hatfield again in the ascendency and they should have taken the lead in the 55th minute when Lewis Field's far post cross just evaded Upson's outstretched leg. But just as it looked as though Hatfield would force the breakthrough Letchworth broke clear and although Matt Johnson cleared the first goal-bound shot off the line he couldn't prevent the follow-up being struck home from close range to give Letchworth the lead against the run of play in the 75th minute. Hatfield almost equalised five minutes later when Trevor Golder's well-struck shot crashed against the crossbar with the keeper beaten. But from the clearance Letchworth repeated their breakaway trick, Tommy Duke producing an outstanding first save but he was powerless to prevent the rebound being tucked home to leave Hatfield wondering how they could be on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline. And two minutes from time Hatfield's misery was complete when Joe Brandon tripped a Letchworth on the edge of the box only for the referee to point to the spot to give Letchworth a soft penalty for a flattering 4-1 scoreline.