Magpies progress in Challenge Trophy

Challenge Trophy Third Round

Broxbourne Borough 1 Colney Heath 4

COLNEY Heath manager Scott Lacey was delighted with his side’s performance as they thumped in-form Broxbourne Borough in the Challenge Trophy.

Broxbourne had won four games on the bounce going into Tuesday night’s game but once captain Steve Barker had got the ball rolling the visitors never looked back.

“We played really well,” Lacey told the Herts Advertiser.

“They’re not a bad side. They started a lot better than us and Tom’s (Blackman) made a good save but after 10 minutes we got into the game and went on to dominate the rest of the half.

“I’m not sure many people would have picked a 4-1 win away at Broxbourne before the game.”

Barker put Heath on their way reacting quickest to fire home after the Boro stopper had kept out the defender’s original header. The goal was the centre-half’s fourth goal this season, a return that has pleased boss Lacey.

He said: “Steve’s done really well in his first season at the club and he’s got himself a few goals too which has been a bonus.”

Strikes from Kevin Ashwood and Stewart King further increased the Magpies’ lead before Jamie Eames netted number four, converting from the penalty spot after Ian Cooper’s effort had been handled by a defender. A Bradley Drisdale penalty late on was the only blot on the night for the Magpies.

The win extended Heath’s unbeaten run to six games and Lacey admits his returning stars will have a tough task ahead of them to get back into the side.

“We put Stewart King in for Phil Turner that was the only change (last night). Stewart’s a very, very good prospect for the club.

“Kev’s (Ashwood) been on fire since we moved him into central midfield. He’s got real quality and he’s really taken to the role, he’s come into his own. Our midfield three was Josh Humbert, Jack Coombs and Paul Armstrong but it’ll be really hard for us to take Kev out and stick him back on the wing.”

Lacey says the challenge for his side now is to maintain their high standards as the club pushes to finish the season with some silverware.

The Magpies are already into the semi-finals of the Premier Division Cup and Tuesday night’s victory puts them in the draw for the quarter-finals of the Challenge Trophy with Lacey also keen on seeing his side achieve a new highest league finish for the club.

“We’ve got to keep it going now,” said Lacey.

“We’ve got to keep the lads’ feet on the ground and not get carried away.

“We got a little bit over-confident last night (at Broxbourne) which I didn’t like, we can’t underestimate our opponents.

“However the lads are enjoying their football and there is a good buzz around the club. Things are focussed, we’re in the semis of one cup and the quarters of another cup and we’re pushing hard in the league. We’ve still got Ian Cooper to come back into the fold and players like Kev Cooper, Josh (Humbert), Jack Coombs and Paul Armstrong who are all quality players.”