Daleshead United 1 Steeple Morden 6 STEEPLE Morden cruised into the next round of the John Ablett Cup by sweeping aside Daleshead United with a magnificent performance on Saturday. Morden went in front after only 14 minutes when top scorer Frank Berry co

Daleshead United 1 Steeple Morden 6

STEEPLE Morden cruised into the next round of the John Ablett Cup by sweeping aside Daleshead United with a magnificent performance on Saturday.

Morden went in front after only 14 minutes when top scorer Frank Berry controlled a pass from Ben Holt and smashed a stinging volley past the despairing home keeper.

The home side drew level from the penalty spot after a rash challenge from Craig Richardson and the spot kick gave keeper Tim Tidey no chance.

Morden dominated the opening half with Dom Holt orchestrating a series of attacks but it was the home side that had the best chance but veteran Tidey saved well.

Morden finally restored their lead on the half hour when Berry was brought down in the area and skipper Holt comfortably dispatched the spot kick into the net.

Morden defender Laurence Harrision looked to have extended their lead but was denied by a fine save from the home keeper.

But with the interval approaching, Morden finally went further in front. Holt won the ball in midfield and fed Joe Morris who held off his marker and stroked the ball home.

It was more even in the second period but Martyn Lees was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet when he was twice denied by excellent saves from the United keeper.

With 15 minutes remaining the victory was finally wrapped up when Charlie Prothero won a midfield battle for the ball and released it to Holt who scored for the fourth consecutive game with an accomplished finish.

Assistant manager Karl Parr was brought on for his first appearance of the season and soon connected with a Morris flick and with his first touch drilled the ball into the bottom corner of the net to make it 5-1.

A sixth goal came in the game's dying moments. A flowing attack involving Morris, Parr and Holt was finished off with a sweet strike from Berry, for his seventh goal of the season.

Morden manager Keith Watters was delighted with his side's performance saying: "This was a game we needed to be focussed on to avoid an upset.

"I asked the boys to get the game won in the first half and they did that. It's great to have so many players scoring goals this season."

Morden have been drawn away in the Lower Junior Challenge Cup and travel to Great Shelford A on Saturday in the first round.

Steeple Morden: Tidey, Richardson, Jarman, Harrision, Collins (Oxenford), Berry, Holt, Prothero, Holt, Lees, (Parr), Morris.