Kings Langley took time off from the stresses of continuing their quest to survive in the Southern League Premier Division to beat Bushey Sports Club 3-1 in the first round (quarter-final) of the invitation only West Herts St Mary’s Cup.

Paul Hobbs’ side had to come from behind after Sean Sonner gave the visitors a first-half lead in magnificent fashion, but Richard Platt equalised five minutes after the restart before Jerry Amoo came off the bench to score twice in eight minutes to set up a semi-final with Sun Sports.

The Kings boss utilised the occasion to ring the changes, lining up with three at the back, in which new signing 19-year-old Sam Tring made his debut at centre back, while Lewis Lavender was handed his first start.

Platt, moving forward to the right side of midfield, gave Bushey an early scare when his run and cross found Lewis Toomey, but the striker’s shot was cleared.

A goalmouth melee saw successive shots cleared off the visitors’ line, but it was Bushey who struck the first blow after 26 minutes with a stunning 35-yard free-kick by Sonner that flew in to the top corner of the net.

They could have inflicted further damage ten minutes later when a lucky ricochet left Gavin Chatterpaul in a good position, but his shot was weak and gathered by Xavi Comas.

Kings saw a Platt pass put Toomey through, but he put his shot wide and the half closed with the home side looking short on confidence.

The interval team talk clearly made an impression as the visitors were forced to clear off the line again in the first minute and then a diagonal lofted cross saw Lavender’s glancing header finished off by the incoming Platt to draw Kings level.

Sam Styles did well to deny Michael King in a one-on-one situation and Jack Waldren’s 25-yard speculative shot was only just over as the home side began to assert their authority.

Amoo was introduced for Toomey on 64 minutes and within a quarter-of-an-hour his two goals had settled the tie.

A raking diagonal free-kick from the left was met firmly by Michal King and his goalbound header was helped over the line by Amoo.

If that owed a little to the selflessness of King in agreeing that it was credited to his partner, there was no doubt about Amoo’s second as, receiving the ball on the left, he worked his way into position and found the smallest of gaps to beat Styles at the left-hand post.

Kings Langley: Comas; Johnson (Ward 50), Tring, Balogun; Platt, Lavender, Cox, Plowright, Waldren; Toomey (Amoo 64), King (Verney 79). Subs not used: Pattison and Bush.

Bushey Sports Club: Styles; Luther, Brown, Hurst, Benning (Offong 79), Williams, Shorto (Morais 77), Chatterpaul, Lawrence, Sonner (Forkin 80), Archer. Subs not used: Seabrook and Salami.