Report

St Augustines sealed their place in the ESCFL Division Two Cup semi-finals after a comfortable victory over Eyehurst Eagles.

The visitors were in control here as soon as Chris Heron gave them the lead with a well-executed strike into the bottom corner of the net, after being put through by Tommy Neil on the fifteen minute mark.

However, Eagles did find themselves back on level terms soon after; they gained possession just inside the Saints half and work the ball to the feet of their striker inside the box who tucked the ball home.

However, the visitors continued to impress all over the pitch and it came as little surprise when they took the lead for the second time. Heron, having collected the ball all alone in the 18 yard box from another through pass by Neil, hit a shot that snuck past the diving hand of the Eagles’ goalkeeper and into the bottom corner.

The Saints then grabbed a third just before half time with Heron this time providing the assist for Tommy Neil. After Neil had dispossessed the Eagles player on the edge of the 18 yard box, Heron then backheeled the ball into Neil’s path before the Saints’ number 8 applied the finish at the second attempt.

The Second half provided more of the same and the visitors were in full control of this Division Two Cup quarter-final.

It wasn’t long before the game was put out of reach for Eyehurst Eagles; Dean Correia collected the ball before laying Heron through for a one-on-one which the striker kept his cool to finish off calmly and claim his hat-trick.

The Saints continued to press throughout the second half and came close on several occasions to extending their lead with Mark Chinnery, Gareth Moore and John Sullivan all going close.

Substitute, Laurence Cross finally put the final nail in the Eagles’ coffin as he directed Lee Murray’s shot past the keeper from close range with five minutes to go.

The Saints now move into the semi-finals against league leaders Valiant with both sides knowing they are only 90 minutes away from the final.