Borehamwood 2000 U14s reached the Herts County Cup final with a team performance well beyond their age, at a wind-swept Royston.

Borehamwood extended their record of not conceding a goal in 2002, as they restricted a quick, strong Royston attack to long-range efforts. Going against a strong wind in the first half, Wood's defenders Pelling, Cadmore and Barker coped well with a series of long balls thrown at them, and fed the midfield to create many counter attacks.

From one such attack, Gourgel fed Fitzgerald wide on the left, and his low cross was met by the alert Jamie Hazell, who steered the ball into the corner of the net to give himself a 14th birthday present.

Aggressive front-play from Cain Davey created two other openings before half-time one saved by the Royston keeper, from Hazell, and the other fired home by Gourgel, only to be ruled offside.

The second-half saw Borehamwood attack with the wind behind them, and good approach play from Haylock gave the alert strikers Wells and Woodstock much of the ball.

One such move, that even had the watching Ipswich scout applauding, resulted in Gourgel being fed in the penalty area, where he was brought down by a desperate Royston defender.

Penalty-taker Ross Hanley's penalty was superbly saved by the Royston keeper, only for Wood striker Woodcock to steer the rebound back into the path of Hanley, who made no mistake at the second attempt.

Royston lofted a couple of long balls into the Borehamwood area, but these were coped with admirably by Sam Hazell and, with five minutes to go, his throw found Molo, whose trickery released Hanley out wide, and his cross was powered home by Denis Paratosie.

Borehamwood 2000 now play either Garston Boys or Garston Juniors in the final.

Royston Town U14s 0

Borehamwood 2000 U14s 3

Herts County Cup semi-final