Webb Spins Rangers Into Round Two

Six through and six out in a mixed day for our lower-ranked teams in the first County Cup action of the season, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

After going behind early on at Verulam, it looked like Marquis Rangers could be in for an early exit, however they soon took control with some fine team goals score by Philip Francis, Jason Butler and Danny Jones before the break. Then it was all about Kieran Webb, who finished off his hat-trick with a blistering 35-yard strike. Danny Quirk rounded off the scoring with a fine solo effort.

Coopers scored five goals in the first-half through Ben Smith, Dan Bowey, Adam Stevens and Gary Chambers (two). The pick came from Chambers, with a brilliant lob from the corner of the box as they saw off QEII Rangers Res.

Dan Hartland’s double saw Crooked Billet Boro locked with De Havilland Comets to force extra-time. Tom Glading won it with a great strike.

Mallard Old Boys won a tough encounter with Tudor Arms. Jamie Campany ran onto a long ball and finished well for the only goal half-way through the second-half.

Leslie Chappell and Jason Aldridge netted a brace apiece as SCS saw sent St Albans Royals home packing.

Emperors Head also progressed as Acorn had folded.

Ten-man North Herts Celtic were always going to find it hard, they were further hampered as two more played on injured. They did create a couple of chances but Gade took the lead halfway through the first-half. They doubled it before a stout Celtic put on a good spell, two more were conceded before a reply through a back post header by Steve Pateman.

Jacob Dawson netted a consolation as Bedwell Rangers went down at Greyhound.

Despite the score-line, Fairlands played well, scoring their first goal of the season through Keir Chettleburgh. Seven were conceded by half-time and after that had to use a substitute ‘keeper, another half-a-dozen followed.

Rhys Legate turned and hit the ball on a half-volley past the ‘keeper to give Stevenage Old Town the lead after five minutes. Finchley Utd levelled before a poor shot from Michael Hebbs feel kindly at the feet of Scott Bartaby, who had an easy tap-in to restore the lead. Another leveller from the away side took it to extra-time. They led for a third time when a corner was met by a powerful header from Mark Phipps before Finchley again levelled, then won the tie on penalties after netting all three kicks, Old Town missed all three.

White Lion Walkern were looking the much brighter team for the first fifteen minutes, but two balls over the top saw AFC Saints in front by two. The deserved reply came thanks to a Mark Woods cross, which Ian Bromham headed in off the post. They were unable to equalise and Saints hit them with two more late on.

Kyle Davidson netted in AFC Chells’ defeat at Kings Head.

Jason Smith’s brace wasn’t enough as Chequers went down at Sandon.

The Premier Division once again saw some top action. The scoreline doesn’t tell the full story of the match as Unity Nirankari took the lead following a long throw-in. Bedwell Athletic mounted pressure and just before half time a Joel Mason free-kick hit the underside of the bar. Nirankari upped their game after the break, but it was Bedwell who equalised on the hour through a Mason penalty. The lead was restored with a couple of quick goals, before they took full advantage in the last ten minutes when they hit another four past a deflated defence. Leeroy Williams (hat-trick), Andrew Iwediuno (two), Billy-Joe Sewell and Danny Hall netted.

On their return to the top flight, Bottles put a penalty over the bar before MH Goldsmith sewed up the points through Ricky Lawrence and Tom Montague.

In Division One, Herts Fencing handed five debuts and at half-time they were only one down. Tired legs kicked-in and they failed to keep up with the pacy forwards and lack of fitness as Broadhall absolutely routed them thanks to Russell Bull (hat-trick), Ray Antcliff (hat-trick), Michael Wells, Kevin Patterson and Martin Wilson.

Dun Cow Res also dished out a harsh lesson to new boys Highview. Gareth Clarke and an own goal came as scant consolation. Mark Phillips (two), Andy Lane (two), James Dillnutt (two), Nick Wellings and Shaun Marshall were on the mark.

A competitive match saw promoted King Pin United wrap up another three points. James Wyatt struck the first blow with a curling free-kick into the top corner. ProCladd - who’d just lost key striker Neil Henderson to injury - equalised minutes later when George Rowe’s effort was well saved by Andrew Palfreyman, but it fell at the feet of Darren Krogh. Carl Lingwood beat the offside trap to blast home from the edge of the box to restore the lead with ten minutes left and Dave Holmes made the points secure when he tapped home into an empty net after the ‘keeper and defender collided as they tried to clear the same ball. Palfreyman then pulled off a stunning one-handed save with the clock ticking away to ensure there was no last gasp push.

Putterills found themselves in front in the opening minute after a needless handball gifted them a penalty, which Jimmy Anderson duly despatched. Stevenage Colts OB came back into the game with a goal either side of half-time through Kieran Hufford and Adam Wisker. The equaliser came with seconds left on the clock when Jack Mitchell powered home a Kris McMahon corner.

AFC Crooked Billet dominated the first half against a physical Shephall Artois side. Kev Fehmi opened the scoring with a neat finish from a Gary Hillard cross before the latter doubled the lead when Martin Barrett delivered a pin point free-kick to him, he brought it down, jinked past two players and smashed the ball into the net. Shephall pulled one back just before half-time via a deflection. The second-half saw Billet ‘keeper Christian Goodyear concede a penalty for the leveller. But they again took the lead with less than ten minutes left when a Matt Arlick throw-in was nodded home by Steve Harris. The equaliser came at the death, a free-kick was delivered into the danger area and Colin Field knocked it home, rumoured to be with his hand.

Stevenage Fencing got their Division Two campaign off and running with last season’s Golden Boot winner Joe Delasalle hitting seven against Old Town Wetherspoons. Liam McQueen (hat-trick) and Declan McMahon added the others after a recent move from the folding Roebuck Scaffolding. Michael Coombes and Gary Baker replied.

Ian Woodfield (two), Gary Pomfret and Chris Simpson were on target as Probuild Res beat A1 Trophies by the odd goal in seven. Craig Longman, James Harrod and Tallem Dennis replied.

Despite a missed penalty by Jason Drackford, he, Carl Smith and Chris McCarthy netted in the first-half as Stevenage Leisure Ltd beat Times Club.

Hartham Press were strengthened by two new signings and edged the points. Andy Parrish (two), Nath Bowden and an own goal did the trick. Fox’s double reply came from Theo Griffith, whilst the game was soured when their ‘keeper unfortunately Tom Rance broke his collar-bone.

In Division Three, Leeroy Odd opened the scoring for Athletico Peartree when he dinked the ball over Richard Pomroy, he then went through again just before the break and made it two with a sublime finish as he lofted the ball in off the back post. In the second-half, Roebuck Gate came out strongest and clawed one back after a long throw was put away from close range by Mark Hollis. They equalised through a Daniel Swales penalty and completed a remarkable comeback when Hollis rifled a shot into the top corner past Richard Edwards. However, the points were shared when Andy Hall handled in the area and Terry Lock netted from the spot.

In a game that was fairly open throughout, the scoring started early Broadhall Reserves went two-up through Steve Fahey and Tom Kelly. Stevenage Colts OB Res struck back with a fortunate deflected goal from frontman Dean Page. The two-goal lead was restored by Fahey, his fifth in two games. Colts fought back again with a headed effort from Barry Hazelton and even though Broadhall were reduced to ten men they hung on.

After last week's flying start, Broadhall 'A' faced a true adult football test. In a tight game, they took the lead after twenty minutes when Paul Hancock's flicked header was superbly finished by strike partner Michael Emmings, giving veteran ‘keeper Martin Gorton no chance. The favour was returned just before the break when an excellent cross was turned in by Hancock. The game had a tense finish when, after some great football and a good finish from Dave Pateman, Highwayman replied with just under ten minutes left.

The place to be for a league supporter this Sunday is Shephalbury Park, where four of our sides takes on teams from out of town.

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