Hemel Hempstead began brightly under Lee Allinson as they were 3-0 winners at our expense on Saturday at Huish Park.
The hosts did not play like a team who had lost their previous nine consecutive games as they began an onslaught after half-time.
Brandon Barzey’s double within the second half’s first 10 minutes ultimately put them in comfortable control, before Samuel Adenola scored on his debut 17 minutes before stoppage time.
We had our opportunities, particularly in the first half when Brandon Goodship came the closest for us, though they weren’t enough to prevent us slipping back to the foot of the National League South table.
Though it was certainly a disappointing end to the week following our historic FA-Trophy victory away to our biggest rivals Yeovil Town, yesterday’s announcement of new gaffer Warren Feeny sparks a new era and exciting times ahead for us.
FIRST-HALF FLOW
Jason Matthews told us before the game that it was important not to let The Tudors “take advantage” of having a new manager and retrieve their crown.
With his words in mind, he looked to name a strong side as Will Buse and Charlie Rowan returned to the line-up.
Our defence stood strong within the opening quarter-of-an-hour, first through a Calvin Brooks clearance in the 10th minute after Allinson’s side sent a cross into the six-yard box, before Ricardo German then looked to bend the ball to the far-post as it ended straight into Busey’s grasp.
Jordon Thompson would then thump another dangerous ball clear two minutes on, although we wouldn’t have to wait long to strike ourselves.
Jaiden Bartolo then pounced on a mistake from the hosts almost immediately after German’s chance, before picking out Goody in the box, only for newcomer Brad House to make a save.
But, as is often the case in this league, Hemel soon struck back in true end-to-end fashion.
20 minutes had gone when Barzey stood to take a free-kick right on the edge of the box, an opportunity which nearly gave the hosts the lead after the ball hit the bar.
German then missed a header from close range, as The Tudors came close twice inside four minutes.
The game then petered out for approx.10 minutes, before Busey lofted a ball over every player on the pitch, with the exception of Goody and House, the former firing just wide with a volley.
Malachi Linton then went down inside the box shortly afterwards, only for nothing to be awarded by the referee.
Another case of official leniency would be displayed three minutes before added time, although on this occasion it would be us who were the fortunate side.
After a delivery from the opposition, Busey collided with centre-back Chris Smith inside the box.
While both players were receiving treatment, the referee decided that there was not enough in the collision to award a penalty to the hosts.
The call appeared a somewhat unfortunate one, as both sides headed down the tunnel having yet to convert their chances in a goalless game so far.
BARZEY BRILLIANCE
If we were handed a stroke of luck at the end of the first half, things would prove the exact opposite as the second began.
Barzey was fouled by JT, who was booked for his challenge, approx. 25 yards from goal as he was presented with a chance to improve on his woodwork strike before the break.
The Montserrat international did just that, sending the ball to the right of Busey to give his side the lead just four minutes into the second half.
If that wasn’t damaging enough for our players, Barzey volleyed past Buse for his second of the game just three minutes later after a long-ball caught out our defence.
After heading into the changing room still in the game, we found ourselves two goals down by the 52nd minute.
Put simply, we had a very steep mountain to climb.
Hemel, to their credit, played their part in restricting chances for us to redeem ourselves, as shown shortly after the hour-mark when he attempted to take the ball round House, only for the debutant to push the ball away.
Then, with 20 minutes of regular time remaining, the Hertfordshire side arguably should have scored a third when Alfie Cerulli missed what looked to be an open goal.
Though it wouldn’t take long for Allinson’s side to make up for their miss when Cerulli’s deflected shot hit the side netting three minutes later.
The subsequent corner resulted in a goal-mouth scramble which Adenola took advantage of.
The defender, who had played under Allinson at lower-league Hendon, poked up to extend Hemel’s lead to three goals.
We nearly clawed one back almost immediately when substitute Keelan O’Connell hit the post, before Jaiden fired over the bar with a half-volley.
Though ultimately the hosts saw out their 3-0 win fairly comfortably, their first in the league since September.
