ANDREW McGILL andrew.mcgill@archant.co.uk FA Vase Third Round Replay Romford 2 St Ives Town 4 A SUPERB hat-trick from Scott Fielding fired St Ives into the last 32 of the FA Vase — four ties away from Wembley. Town joint-manager Jez Hall said he was more

ANDREW McGILL

andrew.mcgill@archant.co.uk

FA Vase Third Round Replay

Romford 2 St Ives Town 4

A SUPERB hat-trick from Scott Fielding fired St Ives into the last 32 of the FA Vase - four ties away from Wembley.

Town joint-manager Jez Hall said he was more than surprised to see his side go 4-0 up inside 50 minutes after they had set out merely to contain the home side.

"Romford are a really good side," said Hall. "We went into the game playing 4-5-1 looking to snatch one from a set piece but Scott [Fielding] decided he was going to win it for us on his own - his performance was a bit special."

Romford struck the outside of the St Ives post on five minutes when Bradley Jones sent in a volleyed effort from 20 yards but the visitors stood firm.

Fielding's first arrived on 22 minutes when he lashed a first-time volley from 30 yards that left home goalkeeper Wayne Martin helpless.

Town began playing with renewed confidence and Fielding doubled his tally with a magnificent 25-yard lob on 40 minutes following a through ball from Graeme Thackray.

And the game was all-but sealed just before the break when Fielding saw his shot blocked and Lloyd Howard nodded over Martin to make it three.

The incredible pattern of play continued after the break when Fielding completed his hat-trick on 50 minutes following more good work from Thackray.

A fine goal for the home side's Scott Walsh three minutes later stirred the home supporters and an improbable comeback drew a step nearer on 66 minutes when Jones scrambled in a free-kick to make it 4-2.

However, St Ives impressively killed the game with the home fans baying and Rob Mackney was only seriously tested once more - and the Huntingdonshire team could have added more goals of their own at the other end.

The victory sets up a home clash with Western League side Bitton AFC on January 19 and Hall said he believes his side can progress.

"Bitton will be tough but if we can contain [player-manager] Michael Meaker then hopefully we will have enough.

"Wazza [fellow joint-manager Warren Everdell] is convinced we are going to win the cup but we have got a lot of tough games in the league between now and the next round.

"Having said that, the way we have been playing in the competition so far we have to be in with a shout."

n More football reports - Page 46.