Colney Heath Ladies warmed up for their big Herts County Cup derby clash with St Albans with a hard-earned and deserved 3-3 draw at Royston Town – although it could have been so much more.

Herts Advertiser: Samiara Khan of Colney Heath Ladies.Samiara Khan of Colney Heath Ladies. (Image: Archant)

The Royston equaliser came from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time, with frustration at the amount of time added landing manager Paul Gleeson with a red card.

Before that Samiara Khan had cancelled out a first-half strike for the hosts and though the Crows got their noses back in front, two more for Khan gave her the hat-trick and the Magpies the lead going into the last 10 minutes.

Gleeson said: "I want to apologise for my actions at the final whistle. It's not conduct becoming of me and I accept the punishment.

"What I want to concentrate on is just how proud of my team I am. They fought for every ball, every tackle and every header and played their best football this season.

Herts Advertiser: Sherree Oliver of Colney Heath Ladies.Sherree Oliver of Colney Heath Ladies. (Image: Archant)

"We were robbed of three points but that's football sometimes."