Colney Heath beat Hoddesdon Town last night (Tuesday) to reach the final of the Herts Charity Shield.

Both clubs are in the top five of the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division so a close contest was expected. And the teams duly delivered.

The Magpies started sharply and grabbed the initiative with an early goal as David Parkinson headed home from a pin-point Jay Welsh cross.

Kevin Ashwood doubled the lead with a fine strike into the bottom corner and Elliot Bailey, who scored his first for to the club after joining on loan from St Albans City, made it 3-0 from the edge of the box.

The tie was effectively over as the Magpies, on a good run of form, tore the Hoddesdon defence apart in the first half.

The second half, as expected, was tighter but Beck finished off the game with a strike from 25 yards. Hoddesdon scored a consolation with five minutes to go but the night belonged to Colney Heath.