Plenty of Cup Drama!

We got a full programme in on Sunday, and there’s plenty of cup drama to write about, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Despite Unity Nirankari’s FA National Sunday Cup hopes seemingly being ended against Wycombe Town last week, they were successful in an appeal concerning an underage Assistant Referee and replayed the game. James Taylor and Ricky Case were on target, but they were hit by double-figures this time.

Dun Cow made the semi-finals of the Herts Senior Cup. Adam Furness opened the scoring before 17-year-old ‘keeper Wayne Simpson was finally beaten in a one-on-one after producing two good saves. An Andy Brosnan throw clipped a defender and ended up in the net for the winner, although Marc Holmes claimed a touch. They were under pressure towards the end, but played well overall and a solid ‘keeper and defence ensured they went through to face holders Oakview.

MBDA were involved in a cracking tie against Flamstead End. The visitors are unbeaten in Division One of the Waltham League, and were a good passing side. The home side took the lead when Kyle Watson prodded home after good work from Ashley Kersey. Flamstead equalised on the hour to force extra-time. Substitute Gary Hodgson lashed home from an angle to restore the lead, but a low shot from 20 yards forced a penalty shoot-out. The first six for each side were despatched before captain Louis Hare had his kick saved. In his first match in three months after an ankle injury, Andy Gibb saved to keep our side in it. Player/manager Darren Jones placed his kick into the bottom corner before Gibb saved again to send MBDA through to a quarter-final meeting at Thames Albion or Phoenix.

The KLM Challenge Cup saw three shock score-lines. Premier Division leaders Bottles were dumped out despite starting the brighter. The best chance however fell to Division Two side Probuild Reserves’ Elliott Bunn, who whipped a ball in which almost deceived the ‘keeper. The first chance of the second-half fell to Bottles’ Rob Yates, but it was superbly saved by Stu Howard. Left-back Chris Hinch played the ball to Aaron Penfound, who squared the ball for man of the match Craig Braine to jink past a few defenders, before being brought down. Captain Matt Lockyear stepped up the smash the ball home into the bottom corner for the only goal from the spot.

Dean Chadderton and Leslie Chappell each netted a brace as SCS beat Division One side Shephall Artois. Dave Waugh and Colin Field replied for the side that started with ten and had Nick Barkley sent-off.

We can’t confirm the result of the other game until the Herts FA has sat, but an explosive game saw Division Three side Athletico Peartree potentially caused a major shock when they came from behind to beat Premier Division side MH Goldsmith. Alec Thomas gave the favourites a 20th minute lead, but Chris Benton equalised when he nodded in Richard Allder's angled free-kick with 20 minutes remaining. Substitute Terry Lock then netted in spectacular fashion when he drove at the defence, riding three challenges before finding a gap to curl the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box with barely five minutes to play. However, the referee abandoned the game after the ensuing protests following the sending-off of Goldsmiths’ John Hughes’.

Danny Lane (two), Andy Lane and Steve Bannister netted for Division One leaders Dun Cow Reserves, who surprisingly dropped their first two points thanks to John Vooght (two), Simon Vooght and Nick Wellings goals for Highview.

Despite taking the lead through Carl Lingwood, second-placed King Pin United found themselves behind when Danny Hillard firstly levelled for AFC Crooked Billet ten minutes before the break with a superb curling free-kick from just outside the box, then went in front shortly after with a brilliant counter attack, Matt Arlick supplying the final ball for Tom Bradshaw to slot home. Unfortunately, they lost their ‘keeper to injury and Rob Cooper had a torrid time as replacement. There was still time for Lingwood’s second to restore parity at the break. It was still level on the hour when Billet lost their captain Martin Barrett through injury. The floodgates opened and Pin won with ease as they displayed some excellent passing and movement. Lingwood got his hat-trick, James Wyatt got a brace an own goal sandwiched strikes from Dale Chester and skipper Danny Lingwood as they closed the gap at the top to one point.

Despite Jake Banton being sent-off after only ten minutes, ProCladd led 3-1 at the break through Paul Ricketts (two) and one from evergreen right-back George Rowe. Ricketts took his tally to four after the break and a late goal from Dan Manning made it six. Putterills replied through Allan Johnston (two) and Jon Pace.

Joe Delasalle (two), Danny Delasalle and Craig Gilbert made it 10-outta-10 for Stevenage Fencing at the top of Division Two. Laurie Bambridge netted the sole reply for Fox.

Marquis of Lorne gained revenge for a week earlier when Dan Reid, Paul Summers and Ross Jackson were on target against Old Town Wetherspoons. Scott Taylor and Gary Baker replied.

Greg Bradbury (two), Lewis Benn and Paul Tully saw A1 Trophies to a rare win against Stevenage Leisure Ltd.

Times Club’s breakthrough came mid-way through the first-half when goalkeeper Aaron Austin hit a big kick upfield and after the defender mis-judged the ball, Karl Rickaby kept his head to slot home. Some good defending from Martin Griffin twice saw him head off the line from James Khakpour-Smith. Another big kick from Austin saw Glenn Armitt score a carbon copy. With seconds to go Austin’s day was summed up when he saved a Hartham Press penalty, which also summed up the day of the taker, Khakpour-Smith.

In a hard fought, hard tackling game, with each team fighting to take control, some inspired football from Broadhall Reserves saw them hit the summit of Division Three and leapfrog Mallard Old Boys. A hat-trick from Steve Fahey and a cheeky goal from Ben Collins saw them home. Goalkeeper Craig Brooks also took a lot of the credit to keep a clean sheet against a good strike-force of Jamie Campany and Tom Younger.

Lewis Essam, Lewis Sealy and James Brooke netted for third-placed Emperors Head against Roebuck Gate. Steve Bland and Lewis McCulloch replied.

Stevenage Colts Old Boys Reserves won thanks to Daniel Lewis (two) and Paul King. Chequers’ Paul Osborne grabbed the consolation.

After an initial bright start from North Herts Celtic, Darren Curry opened the scoring with from six yards before he increased their lead from a corner before half-time. Breachwood Lions threw on Karl Milligan for his debut, however, Celtic went three up through Curry’s hat-trick after a mistake by ‘keeper Brian Routledge saw the ball slip between his legs. Dan Jefferies pulled a goal back when he finished a good run with a shot that found its way into the far post. Milligan netted before Aidy Cocks extended the lead. Ollie Mason’s penalty brought it back to one and supersub Ali Collins equalised from close range. Mike Turner put Celtic in front again but Lions grabbed a point in a pulsating game through Milligan.

Broadhall 'A' continued their impressive form to go nine points clear at the top of Division Four. The scoring started when Jordan Tyrrell ran on to Rob Stevenson's great pass to somehow beat the ‘keeper at the near post. Within ten minutes, centre-back Matt Dimond burst through to play a one-two with Phil Stevens to fire an unstoppable shot inside the post. Minutes later saw another unstoppable shot as right-back Joe Lee smashed in a 25 yarder high into the net. Paul Hancock laid off Brad Westall's long throw to Stevens to finish from close range before the break. Crooked Billet Boro reduced the deficit from the penalty spot on the hour through Rob Smith, but Hancock sewed it up on with 15 minutes remaining as he bundled in Stevenson's free-kick.

AFC Chells were strong from the off and cantered to victory over Stevenage Old Town with goals from Mike Brittain (four), Chris Stead (four), Rob Barton (hat-trick), Mike Prentice (two), Gary Broome, Tony Cook and Danny Back. New ‘keeper Steve “pee wee” Girling chipped in with an assist.

The first double-header of the season involved Coopers. They had a massive 13 league games to play and were still in two cups. Gary Chambers (two) and Danny Bowey were on target in the first game, White Lion Walkern replied through Marc Stobart. Chambers was on target again in the second match for Coopers, Adam Stevens grabbed the winner as Kieran James grabbed a consolation for White Lion Walkern.

Dave Pateman as the hero with four as Highwayman grabbed the points. Steve Stapleton was also on target. Marquis Rangers replied through Jason Tait (two), Kieran Webb and an own goal.

In the Frank Neville Memorial Cup, Bedwell Rangers incredibly ended the hopes of a faltering Bedwell Athletic with a huge win on the day thanks to five goals from Luke Smith. James Reeves was also on target, whilst the Premier Division boys netted through Steve Underwood (two) and Dean Wylie.

Fairlands battled well for the full game despite great pressure from Broadhall. The first-half ended with four goals turning around the deficit, but it could have been more but for a couple of good saves from ‘keeper Paul Ashby. John Johnston (four), Allan Widdows (four) and Martin Wilson (hat-trick) gave the greens a comfortable win on the day.

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