Match Report: 7VEN 3-1 Stanhope Sports & Social

7VEN into the round of 32 of the County Cup thanks to a Michael Connolly goal and a Harrison Smith brace in a 3-1 win over Stanhope.

7VEN got into rhythm straight away with the opening goal in the fifth minute, Smith played a great ball over the top of the defence to Michael Snowdon. He found Connolly on the edge of the area and he curled it home to an early lead.

Three minutes later, Stanhope nearly equalised as Adam Linsel made a mistake that fell to a Stanhope forward, luckily John Sutherland was there to block it on the line.

However, 7VEN heads did not drop and the Terracers found themselves 2-0 up in the 27th minute. Smith was played through, his initial effort was saved by the keeper but he managed to get in the rebound.

In the 53rd minute, it was 3-0, Aiden Lamb played a ball into the box, which found Smith at the back post and he headed it home, with some help from a defender.

Stanhope did put the ball into the back of the net in the 58th minute, Linsel made an initial save and the rebound was fired home. But the referee deemed it came from an offside position.

The travelling side did find a way through in the 84th minute as a cross was headed home, but it was too little too late and 7VEN saw out the remaining moments with some defensive changes.

Heatwave Tanning MOTM was awarded to Harrison Smith, two goals on the day and played a big part in the opener. UT7.

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