Cow Squander Two-Goal Lead…

Dun Cow were up against Oakview for a place in the Herts Senior Cup Final, but couldn’t hold on, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Their opponents had already accounted for Premier Division leaders Bottles in the last sixteen and are the current holders. However, Adam Furness and Sam Gittings put Cow two up after twenty minutes. The wheels then fell off as the scores were level at the break and despite starting well after it, Glen Draper headed into his own net. The away side went on to score three more for a flattering score-line to send them through. Cow will now look to climb the league and go for the Premier Division Cup.

In the KLM Challenge Cup, Probuild Reserves were fancied by many to turn over Bedwell Athletic, despite the two division difference. A highly competitive first-half saw Ned Wickham sent-off following an altercation with Ian Woodfield, who also saw red as he picked up his second booking. This seemed to spur Bedwell on as shortly after they took the lead through a Joel Mason penalty. They doubled their lead after the break with an unbelievable Richard McGregor lob. Despite Elliott Bunn pulling one back, the game was killed off with further goals from Mason and one slid in by Dean Wylie as they went through to a quarter-final meeting with Athletico Peartree.

The other tie was hotly-anticipated, but Unity Nirankari comfortably set up an interesting tie with runaway Division Four leaders Coopers. Russell Bull (two), Leeroy Williams, Ben Bouchnak and an own goal saw off Dun Cow Reserves. James Dillnutt and Mark Phillips replied.

The sole Premier Division encounter saw a bare eleven of Mallard thrash the nine players of Probuild. Glen Lamacraft (four), Andy Pilgrim (two), Craig Reynolds, Tim Smith, Gary Paulus and Lee Noble netted. Probuild had decided to go for it with a 3-2-3 formation and whilst two down, pulled one back from the spot through Josh Dance after he was brought down. Ricky Case scored their second with a twenty yard lob. Stand-in ‘keeper Dean Greenough made some excellent saves to keep it down. Clearly some division at the club when the first-team are short and the reserves had a whole host of players to pick from.

An under-strength King Pin United effectively gifted the Division One league title to Dun Cow Reserves thanks to a poor performance. Despite having been two goals down inside fifteen minutes, they fought back to hit four before half-time courtesy of a James Wyatt hat-trick and Carl Lingwood past stand-in ‘keeper Dave Johnston. Shephall Artois had taken an early lead with a well worked goal from debutant Ricky Banks and quickly added a second when some lovely skill from Alex Welch gave himself space to curl the ball into the top corner. Johnston then went on pitch with an injured Nick Barkley going between the sticks and Shephall took control of the game with goals from Carl Gunning - tapping in from a corner, Banks from a good quick break and Johnston hitting one into the top corner from the edge of the box. A great win.

Broadhall did their promotion hopes no harm at all in taking all six points in their double-header against Putterills. Wayne Bell hit the only goal in the first game, whilst John Johnston (two) and Michael Wells netted in the second one-hour encounter, Jimmy Anderson replied for the basement side.

Despite ProCladd taking an early lead thanks to James Tyrer, goals from Josh Bartlett and Kieran Hufford put Stevenage Colts Old Boys in front at half-time. Paul Ricketts levelled early after the break before Peter Lane restored the lead. Substitute Nicky Swaine scored a screamer to level the game again before Ricketts won it late on.

The big game in Division Two saw a first meeting of the season between the top two from the third division last season. Although Stevenage Fencing had gone up as champions, they wanted to avenge their only two defeats, both by MBDA. It was the latter who led early on when Sam Harwood’s near-post corner came off two defenders and flew past Kyal Currey. A keenly-contested game then saw Craig Gilbert glance a header past Andy Gibb for a deserved equaliser with a quarter of the game left for the leaders. Currey and Gibb each made terrific saves to preserve the point.

Marquis of Lorne nipped into second place with a double-header stroll over Hartham Press. Sam Spencer (two), Shaun Grainger, Dan Reid and Tony Malocco netted in the first game, although Hartham lost Graeme Hulstrom at centre-half early on. Andy Black was injured early in match two, but they were out muscled and out passed and were second best again as Lorne took the points through another brace from Spencer aswell as a Frazer Triggs strike.

Stevenage Leisure Ltd took the lead early on thanks to Darren Bickell’s shot from outside the box which found the top corner. The lead was extended when Carl Smith pounced on a loose ball and finished well. However in a closely fought match Old Town Wetherspoons got level before half-time through Scott Taylor and Chris McGrath. After the break, Smith scored an incredible solo effort only for Wethers to equalise again after a goal mouth scramble through Gaz Baker. Smith completed his hat-trick with the winning goal from a free-kick. Both sides hit the post in the final moments of an excellent match.

Division Three leaders Broadhall Reserves produced a stunning finale to show their championship mettle. A close first half-hour was broken when Gary Hillard gave them the lead. However, Breachwood Lions levelled when Ian Canning scored a superb individual goal, a great first touch helped him round a couple of players before tucking the ball inside the far post from eighteen yards. Recent acquisition Karl Milligan then calmly lobbed the Broadhall ‘keeper from just outside the centre-circle. The leaders stepped it up after the break after a flea in their ear from manager Bill Rowe, but didn’t level until the last minute through substitute Steve Fahey, the hitman went on to bang home two more in stoppage-time to complete his hat-trick.

Athletico Peartree secured a big three points and took the lead inside ten minutes. Terry Lock crossed for Ricky Kyle, who converted past Ian Mann with a diving header. Lock made it two from the spot mid-way through the half when he was brought down. Mallard Old boys reduced the deficit with twenty minutes to play when Richard Edwards was lobbed by Dave Hollands, but Peartree finished the game off when Lock bagged his second with a neat finish into the far corner.

Lethal marksmen Carl Thompson (Chequers) Darren Curry (North Herts Celtic) each netted a brace in the draw.

Richard Griffiths (four), Ricky Bridge, Adam Stevens and Gary Chambers netted for Division Four leaders Coopers against one of their closest challengers. Cory Cooper got Highwayman’s consolation.

Broadhall 'A' need to beat Coopers on Sunday or the title is effectively over. They completely overwhelmed Fairlands and they hit twice in similar fashion when Terry Lee set up Paul Hancock. Phil Stevens scored twice before Lee provided for Michael Emmings', whose excellent cross shot found the net before Rob Stevenson's thunderous drive completed the first-half scoring at six. Jon Myers' cross was turned in by Emmings before they doubled their tally of seven so far in the last seventeen minutes. Matt Dimond's curling shot, Matt Henning's good finish plus further goals from Myers, Jordan Tyrrell and Stevenson got them to a dozen before Hancock and then Emmings completed their respective hat-tricks.

Anthony Rowe (two), Albie Stafford and Gary Leask were on the mark as Marquis Rangers edged out Stevenage Old Town. Callum Kendrick, Voni Martins and Paul Smith replied.

White Lion Walkern closed the gap on their victims thanks to Kieran James, Paul Ingram-Tedd and Marc Stobart. AFC Chells replied through Mike Brittain and an own goal.

In the Frank Neville Memorial Cup, there was an absolute hatful of goals in the three matches.

MH Goldsmith effectively booked a semi-final place by hitting Stevenage Colts Old Boys Reserves for a baker’s dozen. Hat-tricks for Grant Sullivan, Callum Newbury and Ricky Lawrance did most of the damage. John Hughes and Scott Durham also weighed in with a brace apiece.

Matt Arlick (hat-trick), Michael Gwilliam (two), Chris Chalat and George Bradshaw netted as AFC Crooked Billet saw off A1 Trophies. Greg Bradbury (hat-trick), Martin Metcalf and Tallem Dennis replied as they came up one short, despite the goal start.

Highview started a goal down to Fox, and went three down overall. However, despite four goals from Ryan Palmer for the side from Woolmer Green, they just did enough to win it by one overall thanks to John Vooght (four), Nick Wellings and Dave Morbin.

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