Magpies brush aside Kingsbury London Tigers in Premier Division Cup

Premier Division Cup Quarter-Final

Colney Heath 3 Kingsbury London Tigers 1

A WONDER goal from Kevin Ashwood helped Colney Heath book their place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals after a dogged win over ten-man Kingsbury London Tigers.

Ashwood’s long distance effort was the champagne moment for a Magpies side that was made to work hard for their victory by a Kingsbury side who looked after the ball well despite rarely threatening Tom Blackman in the home goal.

The victory looked like it would be a fairly straightforward one when Carl Ashton hit an eighth minute opener for the home side. The Magpies felt they should have had a penalty when Kingsbury goalkeeper Justinas Gausianas spilled a cross and appeared to bundle Phil Turner over but the referee only awarded a corner. From the set piece Steve Barker’s goalbound header was blocked on the line but despite the combination of an acute angle and an array of bodies Ashton made light work of the finish firing across Gausianas and inside the far post from tight to the byline.

Despite the early advantage Heath never got into gear and the visitors began to drag themselves back into the contest.

Hardy Pinto Moreria probably should have done better after latching onto captain Edson Cata’s flick on but the midfielder shot wide of Blackman’s near post.

Scott Lacey and Wes Awad’s side had their moments too with Ashwood volleying over the bar after an exquisite cross from Jamie Eames and Simon Ellis seeing his header cleared off the line.

However midway through the half Kingsbury drew level. Artiom Barinovas gained possession on Heath’s left flank and jinked his way into the Magpies’ penalty area. The attacker’s shot hit Barker on the hand and flew into Blackman’s net and despite the linesman flagging for a penalty the referee allowed the goal to stand.

Heath were handed a real opportunity to stamp their authority on the game five minutes into the second half when Abdullah Hassan was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Ashwood.

Heath set about making their numerical advantage count and could have regained the lead when Barker beat Gausianas to Ashwood’s pass only to fire wide of the target.

Ashwood looked a menace to the Kingsbury defence all night and the Magpies’ top scorer produced a moment of brilliance to put the home side back in front just before the hour mark. With the ball bouncing around in midfield Ashwood pounced on the loose ball and let fly from around 30 yards out. The fiercely struck shot had enough height on it to take it over stopper Gausianas but dipped viciously under the crossbar to spark wild celebrations from Ashwood’s teammates.

The visitors continued to enjoy plenty of possession but were unable to work the ball into dangerous areas in Heath territory.

The icing on the cake came in added time with a third goal from substitute Stewart King. It was another replacement, Paul Taylor, who won back possession inside the Magpies’ own half and his clever pass was latched onto by Ashwood. The former Hoddesdon Town man advanced into the box and drew the ‘keeper before slipping the ball to King who was left with the simple task of rolling the ball into the unguarded net.

Heath: Blackman; Teasdale, Draper, Barker �, Corran; Eames, Ellis (Taylor), Williams, Ashton, Ashwood; Turner (King).

Subs not used: Brown, I Cooper.