Molten Spartan South Midlands League Division One Cup Cheshunt Reserves 0 Harpenden Town 1 HARPENDEN Town made the most of a surprise opportunity when they booked a place in the semi finals of the Division One Cup on Tuesday at Cheshunt Reserves. An own

Molten Spartan South Midlands League Division One Cup

Cheshunt Reserves 0

Harpenden Town 1

HARPENDEN Town made the most of a surprise opportunity when they booked a place in the semi finals of the Division One Cup on Tuesday at Cheshunt Reserves.

An own goal settled the contest in the second half, in favour of Harps and manager Steve Cornwell said: "We lost to Stony Stratford in the previous round but we were informed that they are no longer in the competition and the match has been award to us as a walkover.

"We didn't find out we were playing the game until Sunday. We managed to put out the XI from the previous game with five subs but it was a rush to do it. I don't like missing games but I had made other arrangements so I couldn't be there.

"At 12noon we thought the game was off but they had a pitch inspection at 4pm and the pitch had obviously drained better than they thought it would. It was difficult conditions but when you are given an opportunity like that you don't complain."

The clean sheet provides a boost for Harps ahead of their fixture away at Bovingdon on Saturday in the quarter finals of the Herts Senior Centenary Trophy. Kick off is 2pm. Bovingdon have said the match is subject to pitch inspections on Saturday and Cornwell said: "By all accounts we defended very well on Tuesday and didn't give away anything for the last half hour after the own goal. We had some chances of our own. Now we have a chance to make it a real good week and reach two semi finals. The results recently have been good, with the exception of Royston in the league. We are focussed on achieving as high a position as possible in the league to stabilise the club and attract players for next season. In the cups we now have the opportunity to reach two finals, there are only so many trophies and to be in with a shout in two of them is good.

"Bovingdon have got a pitch inspection booked for 10am and 11am on Saturday morning. We want to get on and play it but that shows it must be in doubt.