CHESHUNT 3 WARE 0
Herts Senior Challenge Cup Quarter Final
Tuesday 20th January 2009
Harry England reports........
After the shock departure of manager Gordon Boateng in the week, Glynn Mason was promoted to manager, and took charge for the first time in Tuesday night's Herts Senior Cup game against Ware. Captain Glen Parry, the club's longest serving player, also made his 200th appearance in an Ambers shirt, whilst three ex-Ambers were in Ware's squad: Nick Christofi, Shaun Reece, and Shane Williams. Ashley Harris started in goal after Chris Goodchild's injury against Waltham Abbey, although it looks like he will be back to face Tilbury next Saturday.
The scoreline flattered the Ambers in what was a very dull game, with the only real chances being finished, and half-chances going nowhere near their desired destinations. But it took just sixty-eight seconds for the Ambers to cruise into the lead, with some link-up play down the left by Parry and Lee Roberts producing a brilliant cross. Clark Akers challenged the opposing 'keeper, and somehow got a touch on the ball, sending it goalbound, before watching it trickle over the line.
Ware never even got into the game, as Cheshunt dominated the first twenty-minutes, producing some good chances for the frontman Mervin Abraham. Kai Ramshaw got the next Ambers goal, with a weak effort from twenty-five yards. The midfielder hit it softly, but somehow Christofi could only flap his palm at it, and turn it into the net; a soft goal to concede from Ware's point of view.
The 105 spectators there were surely thinking the scoreline could be a repeat of the away league fixture just weeks earlier, which ended 4-1 to the Ambers.
The second half was much as dull as the first, with very few talking points. It took thirteen minutes of play to even produce a decent attempt, Lee Roberts ballooning Clark Akers' pass way over from fifteen yards. Four minutes later though, Cheshunt put the game to bed, as Ola Akinnawo fizzed a low drive towards the far post. Despite it looking as if it was going wide, it bounced off the unfortunate Jack Bradshaw and into the net for an own goal, and 3-0 to the home side.
The substitutions came thick and fast for Cheshunt, with all 3 named substitutes coming on: Gavin Taylor, Daniel Bradford, and Tom Tresadern, although none made a real impact on the game. Daniel Bradford had a chance ten minutes before time, after he was played in by Akinnawo, but Christofi made a brilliant save with his foot, and saw the ball loop over his crossbar, keeping the score down to just 3-0.
Cheshunt: Harris, Schillaci, Parry (c), Thorogood, Pelley, Harrison, Akinnawo, Ramshaw, Akers (Taylor 69'), Roberts (Tresadern 71'), Abraham (Bradford 77')
Not used: -
Ware: Christofi, Bradshaw, Reece, Sargent, Enderson (Sesay 28' (Lodge 61')), Ngongou (c), Severino, Ibrahim, Aylett (Kyprianou h/t), Peagram, Wilson
Not used: Agu, Williams
Attendance: 105