GOALS from Stuart Hendrie and Connor Doyle set Highgate United on their way to a second victory from two against Selston in midweek, ahead of Saturday’s (3pm) trip to Lichfield City in the FA Cup extra preliminary round.
The Gate’s first participation in this year’s competition pits manager Russell Dodd against his former club, but he will go into the encounter full of confidence to progress after Tuesday’s 2-0 win in midweek, courtesy of a second goal of the season for Hendrie.
Dodd named the same XI that won their Midlands Football League Premier Division opener against Romulus, with Highgate going close early on through Lei Brown’s strike that crashed against the foot of the post.
James Beeson had to be alert to keep out Selston’s Kenan Layton from a free kick, before getting down to snatch the ball from the feet of Klarke Glenham.
Selston should have been in the lead when Joe Butler fluffed a chance from ten-yards out as the game descended into an end-to-end affair, one which tipped in favour of the hosts when Hendrie smashed the ball home from Brown’s lay-off – picking out the top corner of the net with his effort.
The goal put the Gate in front at the break, a lead they almost added to in the second half through Corey Currither’s drive that was superbly kept out.
Connor Wright was next to go close when hitting the crossbar, before Doyle crashed home a shot from 20-yards out just after the hour mark to double the lead.
Gate had plenty of chances to add to their lead, but were denied once more by the upright after a Brown header, while Marco Adaggio’s goal bound shot was blocked by a Selston defender.
The referee displayed red cards to Currithers and Selston skipper Ben Moore after a tackle from behind by the former caused a bout of fisticuffs in the 86th minute.
Despite the blemish on a fine performance by Dodd’s men, Highgate saw the game out for a comfortable three points.
