Bottles’ Walk In The Park

Bottles made easy work against The Park in Hitchin, coming back with all bar one of the ten goals scored, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Darren Welton (two), Dean McCullagh (two), Piers Le-Grand (two), Reece Tyrer (two) and James Selby struck to give them Senior Cup progress.

Unity Nirankari came away with victory from FC Rangers. Leeroy Williams and Andrew Iwediuno each netting a brace.

Bedwell Athletic were eliminated after extra time at Oxhey Estates despite goals from Joel Mason (two), Andy Kelly and Carl McColm.

In a Junior Cup game brought forward, Breachwood Lions grabbed their first win in eighteen months as they overcame Sandridge & Harvester Sports Reserves. Ollie Mason converted the first two goals with neat finishes. Ricky Hill then made a great run to the back post to head home a beautifully flighted free kick from Graham French. Within a minute of the break, Mason was denied a hat-trick when he hit the post before Edison Jeffery scored the goal of the game with a rocket into the top corner. George Harrison made no mistake when the ‘keeper parried a shot from Mason.

The topsy-turvy start to the Premier Division continued as MH Goldsmith lost their 100 percent start and had Ricky Lawrance sent-off into the bargain. They started the better, but Craig Hadley headed home from a corner to give Probuild the lead, despite Luke Turner saving a Lee Allinson penalty moments earlier. Some fine saves from ‘keeper Graham Wraight made sure they kept the lead at half-time. They extended it when Sam Spencer slotted home after good work from Chris Bunker and Hadley. Goldsmith’s pulled one back through Steve Teale before the seal was put on the game when Allinson netted from the spot.

Dun Cow are the only unbeaten side as they sorted out Mallard (Andrew Pilgrim). On target were Shaun Marshall, Rikki Doyle, Ian Thorne and Marc Holmes.

In Division One, King Pin United moved up to third. A great passing move was finished off by Dale Chester with a low shot from just inside the box. They went two up as Carl Lingwood's twenty-five-yard shot looped into the top corner. Stevenage Colts Old Boys bounced back with a fine Kieran Hufford header. Lingwood's second stretched the lead before an own goal saw a clearance rebound off Steve Buckley's knee and into his own net.

ProCladd hit Putterills for a half-dozen. After a slow start, Paul Ricketts was on target from a Neil Henderson through ball. Henderson was again the provider as his cross was met by Toby Willis’ head. A quick free-kick from Barry Mullaney made it three at the break. Willis netted two more goals to complete his hat-trick before James Tyrer put Dan Manning though with a one-on-one and he beat the ‘keeper with a clever chip from twenty yards.

AFC Crooked Billet underestimated their opponents Highview, who deserved the point after three times putting the ball in the net to no avail early on. Kevin Childs picked up the ball with a superb bit of skill, threaded it to Danny Hillard who set up his brother Gary Hillard to bend the ball into the top corner to put Billet in front. They missed a host of chances before Hillard grabbed his second when the opposing substitute ‘keeper mis-kicked out to him. Highview got back in it from a scramble in the box with ten minutes left, John Vooght finishing. With just two minutes to go, a through-ball saw Christian Goodyear come off his line to close down Vooght, who finished again.

In Division Three, Marquis of Lorne led through a powerful Nikki Clements header. Ross Walker got MBDA on level terms after Ashley Kersey chased a lost cause and squared before Lorne had a chance to regain the lead. However, Andy Gibb made a terrific penalty-save, and spurred his team onto a comfortable victory in the end. Gary Hodgson volleyed home Kersey’s cross after a flowing move, Kyle Watson lashed in from twenty yards before substitute Phil Fisher bagged a late brace.

A great midfield display by Aiden Van Sertima and Lee Gribben inspired Probuild Reserves to victory. They fell behind early on but replied instantly when Lee Reece whipped in a ball for Gary Pomfret to control and send an overhead-kick into the top corner. Elliott Bunn squared for Ian Woodfield to score before the latter set up Pomfret for another. They set up eachother for another goal before combining again with six passes for number six to finish with a hat-trick apiece. Old Town Wetherspoons got a late consolation from the spot through Michael Coombes, after Gary Baker and Ryan Hodgkiss had netted earlier.

Hartham Press put in an extremely spirited and organised display to beat A1 Trophies with just nine men. They even went behind to a well taken Dan Pinkerton volley. After coming close just before the break, they levelled through a sublime header from centre-back Graeme Hulstrom. It became clear that A1 were struggling with the aerial ball, so Hartham capitalised and on-form Tony Webb reacted quickest to failed clearances to score twice.

Brendan Moulton’s hat-trick helped Times Club to their first win. Karl Rickaby (two), Arnie Parker and John Davidson were also on target. Fox replied through Theo Griffith and Rich Green.

Division Three leaders Broadhall Reserves (Steven Fahey (two) and Mark Chalkley) shared the points with Athletico Peartree (Richard Minnis, Terry Lock and Leeroy Odd).

Adrian Barry, Glen Storey and Jamie Campany netted as Mallard Old Boys beat North Herts Celtic, who’ve had a dreadful start.

Leslie Chappell (two) and Sam Bickerstaff were on target for SCS against Chequers (Ricky Wilson).

Stevenage Colts Old Boys Reserves dominated the first half-hour, Luke Hardy netted neatly before Danny Lewis doubled the lead from twenty-five yards via a small deflection. Barry Hazelton failed to convert a spot-kick early in the second-half before Emperors Head notched twice in quick succession through Chris Tillbrook and Gareth Lewis to level. Lee Falanga’s 20 yard effort restored Colts’ lead before Hardy added a fourth.

In Division Four, Broadhall 'A' lost for the first time after another great performance from Coopers. Ben Smith and Sean Soards gave the latter a two-goal lead at the break. Broadhall skipper Brad Westall flicked on Phil Stevens' long throw to set up Ash Edgar to score with a lovely controlled finish. Paul Ryan and Graeme Kear gave Coopers a three-goal cushion before Paul Hancock charged down a clearance to set up Phil Stevens' excellent strike into the far corner for a late consolation.

Alan Bellott (two), Chris Stead, Michael Brittain and Damien Paterson netted as the only other unbeaten side AFC Chells beat White Lion Walkern (Toby Star and Matt Woods).

A classic game had a sour note. Highwayman came out of the blocks and struck after ten minutes via a lovely solo effort from Bryan Challice. No sooner had the game restarted, Bedwell Rangers drew level through a good finish from Nick Thomas after ‘keeper Martin Gorton had stopped the first effort. Challice added a second after Dave Pateman’s great through-ball. Lee Callaghan was as strong as ever in the centre of the park for the Graveley outfit before Challice completed his hat-trick when he knocked home after Pateman’s penalty hit the bar. Bedwell pulled two back through Thomas and Danny Bacon before the match came to a halt after Challice was taken to hospital after breaking two bones in his leg. Once play restarted, Ant Young restored the lead from another Pateman pass before James Reeves levelled the game. Highwayman “A big thank you from the lads at our Club to the Bedwell skipper (Keith Dawson) for the help that he gave to Bryan whilst we were waiting for the paramedics to arrive, cheers fella”.

It was the Jason Tait show at Barclay School as Marquis Rangers went in front through a long range effort within ten minutes and hit a second from a deflected shot. He completed his hat-trick before the break. Fairlands then came into the game, but their ‘keeper Paul Ashby had to make a few saves before Tait’s fourth in the last ten minutes.

Dan Hartland grabbed the only goal of the game as Crooked Billet Boro beat Stevenage Old Town.

Darren “Statto” Jones, stats@cssfl.co.uk