Lee Bircham is hoping more players from Bovingdon’s reserves step up and stake their claim for a first-team berth in the future after the Green Lane side beat Sun Sports Reserves 5-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Aubrey Cup.

Following a disappointing Anagram Records Trophy quarter-final defeat at the hands of Wormley Rovers last time out, the Herts Senior County League leaders ensured they progressed on another cup front in a game that was switched to the all-weather surface at Parmiter’s School after Bovingdon’s pitch was delcared waterlogged on Saturday morning.

The goals were shared around between five different players but the Bovingdon boss was particularly pleased by those who stepped up from the club’s second side and contributed positively to the victory with his squad “stretched”.

Bircham said: “The lads that came in did great and have now given me a healthy headache when the more ‘regular’ names return this week.

“I know you always hear it’s a ‘squad game’ but generally with my lot this season it really is. The whole squad of 20-plus are contributing.

“It was great to see the lads from within our reserve-team set-up – Harry Slade, Joe Slade and George Mitchell-Gears – all featuring and playing more than just cameo roles. This is what I would like to see the club do in the future.”

The ‘home’ side were quickly out of the blocks and took the lead after just five minutes when Lewis Pritchard turned in a Connor Deadman delivery.

Despite having further chances with Deadman hitting the post just before half-time, Sun had their opportunities as well and remained just one down at the interval.

“I felt Sun gave a really good account of themselves and have clearly got some excellent players within their team,” Bircham said. “Five-nil looks easy but it wasn’t that way at all. This was a proper game and Sun were more than still in it until we scored the second goal.”

That key moment arrived after 65 minutes when centre-back Jack Maynard won a tackle and continued his run into the box to latch onto a lovely chipped through ball from Will Summerfield and fire home.

Not to be outdone, Maynard’s central defensive partner Ed Canham made it 3-0 with an audacious back-heeled finish.

Courtney Massay continued his goalscoring run with the fourth from a Luis Fernandes cross, before Harry Slade set up Summerfield for the late fifth.

Bushey Sports Club were unable to join their Premier Division rivals in the last-four after they were beaten 4-2 at home by Letchworth Garden City Eagles.

Chipperfield Corinthians are Bovingdon’s next opponents in the league on Saturday and they head into the fixture after drawing 0-0 at home to Sandridge Rovers.

Evergreen were beaten 3-0 at home to Ware Sports, who moved up to within six points of the leaders as a result, but having played four games more.

The weather also affected the Division One schedule but Sarratt did beat the downpours to overcome Lemsford 3-0 thanks to goals from Ollie Lawford, Marcus Sawyer and Louis Smith.