Swiftly through to semis (From Western Telegraph)

Swiftly through to semis

senior cup quarter final

Monkton Swifts 3 Herbrandston 0

MONKTON Swifts eased into the semi-final of the Senior Cup with this comfortable three goal victory over gritty Herbrandston.

Unfortunately the gale-force wind made it very difficult for both sides to produce a flowing cup tie.

Swifts currently riding high at the top of the league were well on top, but Herbie will feel very disappointed that they didn't reproduce their heroic cup performance where they dumped cup holders Hakin Utd out of the competition in the previous round.

Dean Driscoll gave Monkton the lead in the 30th minute. The ever-alert striker toe-poked in a Paul Lowe corner.

Driscoll's co-striker Matthew Price put the high-flying Swifts two up. A neat build-up saw Price comprehensively beat his marker and instinctively drill his shot into the bottom corner.

Swifts went down to ten-men when they had their keeper Craig Reardon sent off in the 70th minute for what was termed a professional foul from outside the box. Defender Chris Manning put on the gloves and green jersey and also maintained a clean sheet. With just ten minutes remaining Dean Busby struck a sweet half volley from just inside the 18-yard area to settle this cup clash.

Benno Jones' Swifts will meet Gerald Hicks' Carew in the semi-final which is being staged on Wednesday (tonight) evening, at the Bridge Meadow.

MONKTON SWIFTS: Craig Reardon, Daniel Hart, James Archer, Paul Jarvis, Chris Manning, Dean Busby, Dai Patterson, Darren Shaw, Paul Lowe, Dean Driscoll, Matthew Price. SUBS: Lee Gilpin, Lee Jones, Mark Powell.

HERBRANDSTON: Gary Davies, Adam Galdo, Steve Batty, Paul Hood, Adrian Jenkins, Craig Hewer, Carlo Giannuzzi, Matthew Price, Tim Griffiths, Geraint James, Clive Marshallsay. SUBS: Jamie Boswell, Justin Goffin, Adrian Roberts.

REFEREE: Dai Barker.