COLNEY Heath boss Scott Lacey was delighted with his under-strength side as they came from behind to hold Zamaretto League Division One Midlands side Hitchin Town to a 2-2 draw last week. The Magpies were missing 10 players but boss Lacey was delighted wi

COLNEY Heath boss Scott Lacey was delighted with his under-strength side as they came from behind to hold Zamaretto League Division One Midlands side Hitchin Town to a 2-2 draw last week.

The Magpies were missing 10 players but boss Lacey was delighted with how their replacements raised their game.

Lacey said: "The lads stepped up to the challenge. We were very under strength. We had 10 missing because of holidays and work commitments and we came away with a 2-2 draw."

"We gave them a bit too much respect in the first half and were 2-0 down and we should have been. At that level one mistake will be punished. We told them at half time not to panic and that they had nothing to lose."

Lacey revealed that he and joint-manager Wes Awad had told their players to show Hitchin no respect and the players did exactly that in the second half to earn a creditable draw.

"They showed that in the second half and they steamrollered them. We limited them to a few crosses and a few headers that went wide. They deserved to win the second half 2-0. They are a team from the league above and it was extremely positive."

Summer signing Matt Corbould made an impressive start to his Magpies career with a tidy display at centre half and Phil Jackman bagged his second goal in as many games.

"Matt Corbould made his debut at centre half and was very impressive as we expected him to be," said Lacey. "Phil Jackman scored his second goal in two games and was very lively and strong in the air.

"We just want to get into the season now." Heath were came out on the wrong end of two seven-goal thrillers as they went down 4-3 to Cranfield United on Saturday and Enfield Town on Tuesday.

Colney Heath will begin their Spartan South Midlands Premier Division campaign with a trip to Brimsdown Rovers on Saturday, August 8.

The Magpies then host Broxbourne Borough on Tuesday, August 11 before turning their attentions to the FA Cup where they will travel to Tiptree United.