FOUR GOALS from Sam Donnelly helped the Great Notley Rams to a three-goal 'half time' lead in the semi finals of the Osea Division League Cup, as they ran out four-one winners over Dunmow United Hawks on Notley Green on Sunday.
Donnelly was rampant in front of goal, and while he helped himself to four, he was denied even more by some good goalkeeping by the Hawks' custodian.
The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a back two from Jamie McNeilly, Tom Hunt and Emma Root, midfield from Jonathan Stoneman, Matthew Littlejohn and Olivia Hales, with Donnelly, George Morris and Ben Rodley up front.
And in a close first half, it was clear that both teams had their eye on the prize of a place in the cup final, as they fought equally for the ball in midfield, and both had chances in front of goal.
In fact Donnelly had already hit the post when he opened his account with a fine shot after six minutes, and then he extended the lead shortly before half time when another shot just squeezed past the keeper and into the net.
As the Rams had seen in recent weeks though, this Dunmow side does not give up, and they took advantage of some slack defending to grab a goal back as the second half opened up.
However there was not to be a return to the previous game where the Hawks grabbed three in the second half, as Donnelly completed his hat trick and then added one more for luck to give the Rams the advantage going into next Sunday's second leg.
Rams boss John Stoneman said: "We know that this is only half time, and on Dunmow's pitch which is slightly smaller than are own, they are certainly going to enjoy home pitch advantage, so we will have to make sure that we start the next game forgetting the fact that we are in the lead."
Donnelly was rampant in front of goal, and while he helped himself to four, he was denied even more by some good goalkeeping by the Hawks' custodian.
The Rams lined up with Tom McInerney in goal, a back two from Jamie McNeilly, Tom Hunt and Emma Root, midfield from Jonathan Stoneman, Matthew Littlejohn and Olivia Hales, with Donnelly, George Morris and Ben Rodley up front.
And in a close first half, it was clear that both teams had their eye on the prize of a place in the cup final, as they fought equally for the ball in midfield, and both had chances in front of goal.
In fact Donnelly had already hit the post when he opened his account with a fine shot after six minutes, and then he extended the lead shortly before half time when another shot just squeezed past the keeper and into the net.
As the Rams had seen in recent weeks though, this Dunmow side does not give up, and they took advantage of some slack defending to grab a goal back as the second half opened up.
However there was not to be a return to the previous game where the Hawks grabbed three in the second half, as Donnelly completed his hat trick and then added one more for luck to give the Rams the advantage going into next Sunday's second leg.
Rams boss John Stoneman said: "We know that this is only half time, and on Dunmow's pitch which is slightly smaller than are own, they are certainly going to enjoy home pitch advantage, so we will have to make sure that we start the next game forgetting the fact that we are in the lead."
