Job Done By Mallard’s Bare XI

Despite treacherous conditions at most venues, there’s plenty to talk about and it was a good day for our big boys in County Cup action, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

A depleted Mallard side saw a bare eleven travel to Bishop Stortford. They sewed up the game in the first-half with goals from Andy Pilgrim (two) and Craig Reynolds.

An excellent start from Probuild saw them take the lead after a good move was finished by Tel Pateman. They looked in control until ‘keeper Graham Wraight misjudged his opposite number’s goal-kick and it bounced over his head for an equaliser for AC Finchley B. Joy turned to pain for the visiting stopper though as he was sent-off for abusive language towards the referee. Kaan Fehmi, Rich Hall and Lee Allinson wrapped the game up for a well deserved victory.

David Iweduino (two), Andrew Iweduino and Luke Croll were on target as Unity Nirankari hammered Inter.

Bottles were already through after White Hart Hemel’s forfeit some weeks ago.

Steve Teale and John Hughes were on the mark for MH Goldsmith, but AC Daniels spoiled the party to win by the odd goal in five.

Dun Cow’s game in St Albans against Vision was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. They’ll have to try again this week.

Five more KLM Challenge Cup first round games were played and two Division Three sides were beaten by sides from the bottom division.

Mallard Old Boys were rocked by a second defeat in as many weeks. They even took the lead when Tom Younger combined with Jamie Campany for the latter to poke his shot past the ‘keeper. Despite several chances to extend the lead, they were caught out on the hour mark with an equaliser by Coopers as Dan Bowey hit a superb 20 yard volley home. Gav Bowler’s cross was diverted home by a defender to restore the Old Boys’ lead before a second equaliser by Ben Smith from three yards. With extra-time beckoning, Richard Emery put Coopers through.

After a close and physical first-half, Dave Pateman broke the deadlock on the hour for Highwayman when his endless running was rewarded with a cool finish. Substitute Ben Gumble doubled the lead, Pateman the provider. Scott Waters was solid between the sticks and kept Chequers out before the goal of the game came from Dan Downham, a 35-yard screamer that was top corner bound as soon as it left his boot.

Sam Bickerstaff hit a hat-trick for the second week running as SCS overran Crooked Billet Boro. Leslie Chappell, Ricky Kielkowski, Dean Chadderton and Jason Aldridge were also on target. Marvin Miller hit a consolation.

Danny Lane bagged four as Dun Cow Reserves went through. Pete Brewster, James Dillnutt and Mick Simpson also scored, whilst Highview replied through Simon Vooght (two) and John Vooght.

David Banks went better than anybody on the day, bagging five for Putterills. Peter Morrison (two), Karl Williamson, James Anderson and Louis Bullock meant they reached double-figures. Emperors Head bagged five in reply through Lewis Essam (two), James Batchelor (two) and Lewis Sealy.

Bottles went top of the Premier Division after their brighter start was rewarded when Leigh Sutton flicked on a Justin Brown free-kick for Piers Le-Grand to volley home. In the second-half, Bedwell Athletic levelled the scores when a low cross skipped off the surface ricocheting to Andy Kelly, who calmly slotted home. The winner came with ten minutes to go when Le-Grand played a one-two with Jason O’Sullivan before curling a shot with the outside of his foot past the ‘keeper.

Broadhall are third in Division One after John Johnston’s equaliser on the hour. AFC Crooked Billet took the lead just after half-time when Gary Hillard neatly finished a Christian Goodyear through-ball. A string of fine saves by man of the match Sam Archer kept Billet in with a chance, despite Chrissie Chalat’s absence.

Colin Field won a battle with his marker to finish well to put Shephall Artois in front on the half-hour. ProCladd equalised before Alex Welch restored the lead from Field’s pass. The scores were level again from the spot despite stand-in ‘keeper Dave Johnston almost saving with his broken foot. Late in the game, Field struck the winner for Shephall’s first win since re-formation.

Marquis of Lorne had the better of the early exchanges and Jason Lovelock gave them the lead. However, Division Two leaders Stevenage Fencing then kicked into gear and it was top scorer Joe Delasalle who swivelled on the edge of the box and hit a skidding shot into the bottom corner. Delasalle then laid the ball back for Paul Harvey to hit from 25 yards on the byline, which the ‘keeper let spill over the line. Karl Bradley’s corner saw the ‘keeper once again spill the ball over the line, this time a definite own goal as Fencing stretched their lead. Liam McQueen then curled a free-kick home via a slight deflection. Lorne played some nice football and Jamie Robertson pulled back a consolation.

The big clash was between two 100 percent sides. Probuild Reserves took advantage of the wind and rain advantage to take an early two-goal lead. Firstly, Ian Woodfield’s corner swung straight in, assisted by the defending Ross Walker’s glancing header. Woodfield doubled the lead when Andy Gibb’s kick went straight to him, and he drilled low from the edge of the box. MBDA pulled one back with Ashley Kersey’s excellent low curling finish round Stu Howard. The lead was two again when Elliott Bunn’s tantilising cross was turned home by Liam Boon for an own goal. In the second-half, Kersey headed home his second before Kyle Watson also benefitted by netting direct from a corner to level the scores. An un-marked Dean Allen then finished well into the bottom corner for the winner. MBDA deserved a point and substitute Phil Fisher should’ve netted from one of his four good chances.

Times Club had the better of the early exchanges and took an early lead through Karl Rickaby, only for Stevenage Leisure Ltd to reply through Chris McCarthy. The lead was re-established when Rickaby lobbed the ‘keeper only for McCarthy to notch again before completing his hat-trick after the break. Dan Herdman made it four before a late Times surge saw Craig Mitchell’s goal set up a tense finish.

Craig Longman gave A1 Trophies the lead. However, Fox gained their first win over the season thanks to Tom Robbins (two), Theo Griffith and Rob Fletcher, Robbins’ second was an absolute peach.

North Herts Celtic took the lead in a scrappy Division Three game when Richard Minnis' backpass was intercepted by Darren Curry, who rounded Richard Edwards. The teams went in level at the break though, after a solo run from Athletico Peartree’s Terry Lock, he saw his effort bounce back off the post but Den Crook was on hand to slot home the rebound. Celtic went back in front midway through the second-half after a free header from a corner from Curry and could’ve wrapped the game up from the penalty spot but the kick was blazed over. Peartree capitalised in the final five minutes when Lock went clean through and was brought down inside the box. The last man saw red and Lock converted as the teams shared the points.

Roebuck Gate picked up their first league win of the season at Breachwood Lions. Ben Broadbent scored as many goals in this game as the whole of last season, sneaking in on a short backpass to score the opener and driving a 20 yard shot into the far corner for his second after collecting a weak clearance. They sandwiched Mark Hollis' goal from Mark Edwards' cross for a three-goal half-time lead and Hollis notched again, putting away a loose ball from six yards after a melee. The clean sheet was their first in 18 months.

Broadhall 'A' kept top position in Division Four after a hard earned win. However, Marquis Rangers took the lead after 15 minutes through Jason Butler with their first real chance. The rest of the first-half was scrappy and the leaders started the second superbly and a good team move was finished with Jordan Tyrrell firing home his first goal of the season. Tyrrell then turned provider as his cross was turned in by Michael Emmings to give them the lead. Instead of killing off the killing off the game, they allowed Rangers a foothold in the game and it then became a tale of two own goals. A fierce shot from Anthony Rowe cannoned back off the bar and hit the unfortunate Cameron Bridger to level the scores with 20 minutes remaining. The winner for Broadhall 'A' came when Phil Stevens' cross was turned past his own keeper by a defender.

Sam Delasalle opened the scoring for AFC Chells before Stevenage Old Town were further undone by Michael Brittain, Dave Herbert and Rob Barton.

There were some encouraging signs from Fairlands this week, despite another relatively one-sided affair. Bedwell Rangers netted through Nick Thomas (two), Darryl Cimini, Jacob Dawson and Danny Bacon.

In the Frank Neville Memorial Cup, Hartham Press started slowly and as a result found themselves three-down overall due to Matthew Woods’ shot for White Lion Walkern taking an unfortunate deflection. They persisted and thanks to Dan Curtin and Nathan Bowden free-kicks, they went in at the break just one down. They won with ease thanks to a beautiful shot from outside of the box from Paul Orchard, a slight of foot from Aldo Chiapetta and a well taken finish from James Khakpour-Smith.

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