FA Carlsberg Vase First Round Qualifying London Colney 5 Hatfield Town 2 David Brawn at Cotlandswick JERMAINE Davey struck twice as London Colney won a thrilling clash against Hatfield Town in the FA Carlsberg Vase at Cotlandswick on Saturday.

FA Carlsberg Vase First Round Qualifying

London Colney 5 Hatfield Town 2

David Brawn at Cotlandswick

JERMAINE Davey struck twice as London Colney won a thrilling clash against Hatfield Town in the FA Carlsberg Vase at Cotlandswick on Saturday.

Visitors Hatfield started brightly and winger Lewis Field forced debutant Colney goalkeeper Herve Soulard into a fine save at the near post on five minutes.

Town looked to have the beating of the hosts in wide areas and Soulard gathered a free kick in from Lewis Owen before Colney against the run of play took the lead on 14 minutes. A simple forward pass unlocked the Hatfield defence and Russell Gallagher raced clear to strike a precise left foot shot across goalkeeper Nethanel Elraz into the far corner.

The goal lifted the hosts and after good work from Davey and full back Shaun Murphy, Gallagher crossed only for Paul Danslow to see his shot saved by Elraz when he should have made it 2-0.

Field spurned a great chance to pull Hatfield level on 22 minutes when he cracked a shot across the goal and wide of the far post. Hatfield midfielder Louie Evans then had penalty appeals waved away by the referee after he went down in the box.

Hatfield looked certain to equalise in the 43rd minute when Evans surged clear of the vacant Colney defence but lacked composure and lashed his shot high over the cross bar.

Colney made Hatfield pay in first half injury time. Danny Fitzgerald raced clear on the right and crossed for Danslow who managed to retrieve possession and turn before finding Gallagher to sweep the ball home.

The 2-0 deficit was harsh on Hatfield but they were in no mood to dwell on their misfortune. Ruffled Colney defender Tom Dickie was penalised twice early in the second half with the second offence, holding in the box, presenting Hatfield with a chance to score from penalty spot. Full back Dave Reade stepped up to send Soulard the wrong way and reduce the deficit on 50 minutes.

Colney were suddenly in disarray and Hatfield capitalised with a second goal on 53 minutes. Rugged striker Daniel Staples shrugged off the attentions of John Beschizza and crossed to the back post, where after two players slipped on the sodden surface, Rhys Lawrence coolly fired into the net.

The Colney support was just coming to terms with the shock when Davey burst clear of the Hatfield defence in the 54th minute and brilliantly placed his shot around Elraz and into the net to restore the lead.

The Hatfield Town bench felt the wrath of the officials just after the hour mark with manager Trevor Lloyd and substitute striker Matt Standen shown red cards for foul and abusive language.

Things got worse for the visitors as Colney increased their lead on 67 minutes with a moment of sheer brilliance. Danslow hooked the ball forward and Davey, running away from goal with goalkeeper Elraz in pursuit, executed a sensational back flick which bamboozled the goalkeeper and nestled into the net. It was a truly remarkable piece of skill from the talented forward.

Davey looked set to complete a hat trick in 20 minutes when he broke clear to pick up a through ball from the excellent Greg Shaw. Elraz again came off his line and was beaten again as Davey bundled his way forward only to see Reade block his shot on the line. Unfortunately for Hatfield, the ball cruelly ricocheted off former Colney defender Neil Doctor and landed in the net for 5-2.

Jermaine Davey was immediately replaced by brother Cain and rampant Colney continued their pursuit of further goals. Danslow saw his header saved and Gallagher shot high over the top. Fitzgerald and Cain Davey were guilty of missing from good positions but the job was done.

Colney will host Daventry, 6-1 winners at Welwyn Garden City in the next round at Cotlandswick on Saturday, September 20.

London Colney: Soulard, Benning, Murphy, Gorrell, Dickie, Shaw, Fitzgerald, Beschizza, Danslow, Davey, Gallagher. Subs: Humbert for Beschizza (73), C. Davey for J. Davey (75), Corran for Gallagher (87). Unused subs: Butcher, Bindley.

Hatfield Town: Elraz, Reade, Owen, Martin Standen, Cooke, Doctor, Lawrence, Golder, Staples, Evans, Field. Subs: Caswell for Field (73), Evans for Lawrence (77). Unused subs: Matt Standen, Ansell, Lloyd.

Referee: Mr M. Engelbretson.