A HAT-TRICK from Bertie Squires-Adam saw Hertfordshire knock Worcestershire out of FA County Youth Cup with a 3-1 victory at Letchworth.
After a quiet opening 20 minutes visiting keeper Matt Jones saved smartly from Jack Evans and then saw a Ricky Young shot flash across the face of his goal.
At the other end a long range effort from Sam Beasley was comfortably saved by Sam Booth.
After Matt Poyner had missed a great chance to put Worcestershire ahead, play switched to the other end.
Squires-Adam was given room on the edge of the penalty area he drilled a low shot past Jones in the 33rd minute.
Worcestershire picked up the pace in an effort to find an equaliser.
A fine move from Philip Harris forced a good save from Booth and as the half drew to a close, Poyner headed inches wide of the Herts post.
Worcestershire lost the energetic Harris to injury early in the second period.
On 57 minutes Worcestershire equalised when Matt Williams rose high to head home a corner.
Beasley came close to putting the visitors ahead as they continued to dominate the opening 15 minutes of the second-half.
Hertfordshire regained the lead against the run of play when Danny Brumwell broke down the left and fired in a low cross for Squires-Adam to tap home from close range.
Worcestershire battled hard to restore parity and Ben Wallace, substitute Ollie Smith and Beasley all went close, but with three minutes remaining the result was put beyond Worcestershire's reach. Another break down the left saw Squires-Adams complete his hat-trick.
Hertfordshire entertain last season's runners-up Suffolk in round two of the FA County Youth Cup.
Worcestershire now turn their attentions to the Midlands Counties Youth Football Championships after this early exit from the competition.
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