HEMEL HEMPSTEAD, having won only three of their 13 Ryman League games this season, enjoyed a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Chipperfield in the first round of the St Mary's Cup on Tuesday.

Hemel boss Gary Phillips fielded a number of new faces in an attempt to kick-start their season and they got off to flying start when a cross from one of the new boys, Chris Watters, drifted over the Chipperfield 'keeper and dropped into the back of the net.

The remainder of the half saw Greg Pegg's side contain a Hemel outfit that enjoyed a greater share of possession but failed to take their chances.

Chipperfield were also guilty of squandering opportunites, most notably when a fumble by the Hemel keeper was seized upon by Danny Tyson who rounded the keeper but saw his effort crash against the bar.

Hemel doubled their lead ten minutes into the second half when Jason Downey's corner curled straight in at the far post.

It could have been an interesting final ten minutes if the Hemel keeper had not pulled off an excellent save to deny Tyson, but with minutes remaining Darren Grieves, making his debut on loan from Maidenhead, hit the bar and the ball fell kindly into the path of Tom Meredith to hit home from close range and seal a comfortable win over a gallant and hard-working Chipperfield side.

Hemel will now face Bedmond at home in the next round on Wednesday, November 7, kick off 7.45pm.

October 31, 2001 19:05