County Cup Quarter Final AC Royals 2 Phoenix 0 AC ROYALS advanced to the semi-final of the County Cup with a hard-fought win over league rival Phoenix.

Both teams played some good football in difficult conditions due to a heavy downpour just before kick-off.

Phoenix made the better start, putting The Royals under some early pressure but never really threatened Clive Phillips in goal.

The Royals came close to opening the scoring when Ben Smith's header from Nick Trew's corner hit the bar and the rebound was cleared of the line.

Both keepers were in fine from as they denied the opposition's forwards with some good saves. The Phoenix keeper could do little to prevent the opening goal; a free-kick some 25 yards from goal was played square to Chris Roberts to smash his shot into the bottom corner.

C Roberts added the second five minutes before half time, some neat play found him free inside the area and he placed his shot into the far corner of the goal.

The second half was a war of attrition as the pitch deteriorated and both side struggled in the heavy conditions.

Phoenix pushed players forward in an attempt to get a goal but The Royals' defence and midfield battled every second of the game to keep Phoenix out.

Dave McCallum had a shot well saved and Andy Carpenter's 20-yard effort went just wide.

With time running out Phoenix somehow managed to miss a virtually open goal as their player missed from six yards that would have set up a very tense last few minutes. The Royals hung on to clinch a semi-final place which is away to Tewkesbury Rovers.

Thanks to referee C Ward for the way he handled the game in difficult conditions.