Lowestoft Town 3 Hemel Hempstead Town 0

In blazing sunshine the Trawlerboys dominated the first period and it was just a matter of time before they moved ahead.

The all important first goal came in the 10th minute. There seemed little danger as Matt Nolan kept possession of the ball but was moving away from the goal when he was needlessly brought down by Scott Fitzgerald. Lowestoft had failed from the spot on the last 6 occasions with the responsibilty passed to Joe Francis who confidently despatched the ball low to the right of Nick Bussey.

Hemel Hempstead were guilty of conceding free kicks around their penalty area and they were punished again in the 16th minute. Adam Smith floated in a free kick from the left and Matt Nolan was left unmarked to send a header past the stranded keeper. Joe Francis took a return pass from Nolan to send a shot screaming across the face of the goal and just wide of the far post.

Lowestoft effectively sealed their victory with a 3rd goal in the 38th minute. Michael Frew threaded a pass through to Nolan who let fly with a rocket that screamed into the top corner of the net

The Trawlerbys were unable to reproduce the same dominance in the second half with the visitors putting up a spirited display. However they were unable to penetrate the Lowestoft defence with a Ryan Blake heading which looped onto the roof of the net and a David Pearce volley tipped over the bar by Andy Reynolds being the closest they came to reducing the arrears,

Star man: Matt Nolan

Entertainment ****