Herts Senior Cup St Albans City 3 (O.G. 5, Munday 59, Seeby 89) Barnet 0 James Ronayne at Clarence Park ST ALBANS progressed to the second round of the Herts Senior Cup after recording a comfortable win over Barnet. The Saints lined up with a mixture of

Herts Senior Cup

St Albans City 3 (O.G. 5, Munday 59, Seeby 89)

Barnet 0

James Ronayne at Clarence Park

ST ALBANS progressed to the second round of the Herts Senior Cup after recording a comfortable win over Barnet.

The Saints lined up with a mixture of players on the fringe of the first team and youngsters. Ryan Frater led the side that also included Adam Everitt, Sam Hurrell and James Quilter from the squad that played Hayes & Yeading on Saturday.

Barnet, who were knocked out of the FA Cup by Rochdale the night before, named several first-team squad players in their young line up with boss Paul Fairclough casting a watchful eye over proceedings from the stands.

City took the game to their hosts from the off, with Paul Semakula's 20-yard effort crashing back off the post after just two minutes.

City didn't have to wait long for the opener though, with Barnet gifting their hosts a calamitous own goal.

Frater headed a long ball over the top of the defence which looked unlikely to cause the Bees defence any problems but a communication breakdown between French defender Jeremy De Magalhaes and Israeli goalkeeper Ran Kadoch saw the Frenchman head the ball over his 'keeper and into the empty net.

The youthful Barnet side struck back but Ryan Burge's header was saved by Austin Byfield and Elliott Charles' 20-yard shot drifted wide.

The Bees continued to press the Saints defence and Byfield had to be alert to keep out Danny Hart's low effort.

St Albans created chances themselves with Quilter wasting the best of them when he headed over, following good work from Dean Regis.

Barnet made two changes at the break and as a result started the second half a lot livelier. Hart cut inside from the right but saw his shot saved and the winger was unlucky not to get a touch on Chris Doyle's delightful centre.

Saints rode out the storm and extended their lead just before the hour. Everitt sent a free kick to the far post and Jon Munday looped his header over replacement 'keeper Rob Beckwith and inside the far post.

Saints boss for the night Andy Edwards withdrew Frater and Quilter with Saturday in mind and the game began to stagnate.

Barnet had several chances to reduce the deficit but Byfield was never really troubled in the Saints goal. Nicky Nicolau hit a deep cross to the far post but Hart's header went wide when he was well placed to score.

With eleven minutes, remaining De Magalhaes struck a long ball over the Saints defence but it just wouldn't come down for young Bees striker Charles and Byfield easily gathered it up.

St Albans capped off the evening with a third goal when Chris Seeby bundled Munday's knock down over the line from close range. It was a good win for St Albans who will now travel to St Margaretsbury in the second round. The game is due to take place on Tuesday, December 2, with a 7.45pm kick off.

St Albans: Austin Byfield, Seeby, Munday, Frater (c) (Oham-Strachan 62), Everitt; Sulaiman, Semakula, Quilter (Mortimer 62), Hurrell; Regis, Effiong (James 69). Unused Subs: Broux, Aiden Byfield..

Barnet: Kandoch (Beckwith 46); Taj, Rose, De Magalhaes, Mabbett (Doyle 46); Hart, Burge, Carew (c) (St Aimee 30), Nicolau; Charles, Birchall. Unused Sub: Broom.

Ref: Mark Mellor (Hemel Hempstead).

Att: 134.