CHESHAM United were dumped out of the FA Trophy, in the third round replay on Tuesday, despite putting up a spirited display against Conference side Hereford United.

The 4-0 scoreline was tough on The Generals, who should have won Saturday's first game at The Meadow, but paid the price for wayward finishing.

United continued to trouble their lofty opponents at Edgar Street on Tuesday but failed to convert their possession into chances and were made to pay by Hereford's full-timers.

To compound their misery, Chesham had Victor Boyle-Renner sent off for shoving referee Gary Chapman and keeper Delroy Preddie collected a leg injury which looks set to keep him out of tomorrow's Ryman Premier Division match at Heybridge.

It might have been different had Chesham been awarded a penalty after ten minutes when David Pratt was felled in the area but the referee pointed for a goal kick instead of a spot-kick.

It was a turning point in the tie. Five minutes later, the Bulls scored when Ian Rodgerson crossed from the right. James Quiggin attempted an overhead kick but only managed to distract the defence, enabling Phil Robinson to ghost in, control the ball and emphatically score with a bicycle kick.

It could have been 2-0 four minutes later but for a great double save by Delroy Preddie, first from Gavin Williams, who had been played through, and then by Quiggin on the follow-up.

Chesham could have been over-run at this point but they came back into the game and started dominating, without creating any real clear-cut chances.

Fitz Hall was a powerhouse in midfield while up-front, Paul Fewings had an excellent game against his old club.

But it was strike partner Wayne Andrews who had the best chance when he was put through by Hall, but Andrews scuffed his shot wide under pressure from goalkeeper Matt Baker.

Andrews had a subdued game as he expertly marked by Tony James and captain Ian Wright.

Chesham's Richard Graham also had a quiet first half but came alive in the second and skinned his marker on a number of occasions.

Chesham began the second period as they left the first, by dominating the game but when a goal came, it was Hereford who scored on 55 minutes when Paul Parry cut in past Lee Kersey before slotting it right-footed past Preddie.

Chesham tried to rally but failed to grab a goal back and on 71 minutes, Gavin Williams made it 3-0 after a series of mistakes in the Chesham defence.

From a corner, Preddie fumbled and Williams shot. It was blocked but the ball came back to Williams who chipped the ball past Preddie and two defenders on the line.

Three became four on 81 minutes, when substitute Steve Piearce got away with a handball and a foul en-route to goal.

Boyle-Renner, showed his frustrations and pushed the referee in the chest, giving the official no option but to show the winger the red card.

Boss Bob Dowie was disappointed with the scoreline and Renner.

He said: "For the first 15 minutes, Hereford were well worth their 1-0 lead but then in the rest of the half, we looked more comfortable. We had the chances but didn't take them.

"They scored an appalling goal from our point of view and at 2-0, the game's over."

Chesham will now be looking to get back on track with tomorrow's away match at Heybridge Swifts, who are fourth from bottom.

Miracle Nick gets England call up

RGS old boy Nick Duncombe has been called into the England A squad for their match against Scotland A, just two years after breaking his neck.

The former Royal Grammar School scrum half came within a whisker of death when he broke his neck captaining England Schoolboys against Wales.

RGS coach Colin Tattersall said: "He could well have died and if it hadn't been for the excellent medical care he received on the pitch and the work of the surgeons at Oswestry Hospital he probably would have done.

"His verterbrae shattered like a windscreen but fortunately for him it stayed in situe."

Duncombe has rebuilt his life and his career. He has forced his way into Zurich Premiership side Harlequins first team squad, played for England Sevens and now been called up for England A in a glittering last 12 months.

Tattersall said: "It's a brilliant achievement. He's a boy of great resilience and everyone at the school is very proud of him. He's so full of life and he's now reaping the rewards.

"It's England A now and the way he is going I wouldn't be too surprised if it is the full England side one day."

Duncombe, who played in four Daily Mail Cup finals for the RGS at Twickenham, is following in the footsteps of Grammar School old boys Matt Dawson and Nick Beal, who have since played regularly for England.

And there was more good news for the school this week when Tom Rees and full back Jonathan Hammond were chosen for the final England Under 18 trial at Nottingham this weekend in advanace of the international against New Zealand on January 30.

January 17, 2002 14:30