Nirankari Through At Sixth Attempt

Unity Nirankari made it through to the next round of the FA National Sunday Cup after five postponements, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

A comfortable win over Club Lewsey thanks to Ricky Case (two), Ben L'honore and David Iweduino set up a visit to Wycombe Town this week in round three. Their run of no league games since September is likely to continue for another month. Twin Foxes remain the only Stevenage side to make the final, losing finalists in both 1980 and 1982.

Elsewhere, a few of our sides attempted to make the last 16 of the three County Cup competitions.

In the Herts Senior Cup, Bottles had a convincing display against a rather weak Bar Amigo side in Hitchin. Piers Le-Grand, James Selby and Rob Verdia all bagged two apiece, with Darren Welton and a Justin Brown penalty completing the scoring. They now travel to holders Oakview.

Probuild went a goal behind early on in their tie at Skew Bridge, but turned the tie on its head when when Rich Hall rounded the ‘keeper to slot home before striking again. Sam Spencer cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable 30 yard strike to put them further in front. Following a home goal, Spencer also netted his second after beating two men and lobbing the ‘keeper. They were reduced to ten men for the last quarter as substitute Michael Bunker was sent-off. Despite another consolation, club captain Adam MacKenzie - making his comeback after two months out injured - finished the game off after bringing down a long ball from Hall and calmly slotting home. They’ll host S&N Fairway in round four.

Unity Nirankari are the other side remaining, their tie with Welwyn Peartree is in the new year for the right to play St Josephs (South Oxhey).

The Herts Intermediate Cup saw Dun Cow Reserves come away from Wanderers victorious thanks to a Danny Huggins brace. They now host Onnett.

A tight game turned for MBDA shortly before half-time when Enfield side Apoel Reserves had a man sent-off for handling Kyle Watson’s shot on the line. Alan Kenney tucked away the penalty and there was only one side in it from then. Sam Harwood put away number two before the break. The away side pulled one back when deputising ‘keeper Liam Boon repeated his trick of a week earlier, palming a cross into the net. He did make up for it tipping a low shot onto the post. Ross Walker capped a man of the match display by lashing home off the crossbar, Harwood grabbed his second, Ashley Kersey headed home and Craig Sutherill scored with an outrageous 40-yard lob. They’ll host Flamstead End.

An excellent double strike from Dale Chester and a 90th minute equaliser from Danny Lingwood brought King Pin United level against Green Dragon. However, with extra-time looming, straight from the kick-off, a Dragon player produced a magnificent solo run, beating four players before releasing the ball for their striker to deliver the killer blow.

Stevenage Fencing were eliminated as the Herts FA suspended them for administration reasons, so their tie at Miami Penguins didn’t go ahead.

Athletico Peartree made it through in the Herts Junior Cup with a solid win over Black Boy from Hemel Hempstead. It took until the hour mark for the deadlock to be broken as Terry Lock beat two players and fired in at the near post. He sealed the victory ten minutes from time, sending the 'keeper the wrong way from the spot after being brought down. The defence was solid throughout and the midfield muscle of Ben Sheldrake and Chris Benton ensured they didn't concede. They now travel to King Harry/Hare and Hounds, which is one side.

SCS made it through, Dean Chadderton (two), Sam Bickerstaff, Jonros Perren and an own goal saw them victorious at Hedgehog. They’ll host Oaks Reserves.

Coopers were hammered at FC Potters Bar. They were up against a very good team that scored four before the break and bettered it by one after.

The penultimate KLM Challenge Cup first round tie saw a comfortable win for Mallard as they set up a crunch clash with Probuild. Andy Pilgrim (four), Jim Bywater, Glen Lamacraft and Bobby Dance were on target against ProCladd. George Rowe netted from a corner, whilst the other consolation came courtesy of Darren Krogh from outside the area.

In league action, the only unbeaten side in the Premier Division moved up to second place as Dun Cow won with ease against MH Goldsmith. Shaun Marshall (hat-trick), Ian Thorne and Ryan Butler were on the mark. Goldsmith’s played a man light and had a further two sent-off, finishing with eight.

Highview were awarded an incredible four penalties, but netted only once, and lost by a goal! David Morbin, Adam Wombwell and John Vooght were on target, but Stevenage Colts Old Boys took the points thanks to Peter Lane (two), Robbie Freeman and Luke Bennett.

Martin Wilson gave Broadhall a first minute lead before Shephall Artois levelled thanks to Carl Gunning from Dean Waller’s corner. Alan Widdows restored the lead before debutant Alan Ahmed levelled. However, regular hitmen Russell Bull and John Johnston gave Broadhall the points.

Hartham Press took the points thanks mainly to a brace from James Khakpour-Smith, his second was a neat curling finish into the bottom corner. Andrew Black marauded into box to net before the final goal from came from Graeme Hulstrom, a towering header from a corner. Aaron Reynolds hit a consolation for Stevenage Leisure Ltd.

A1 Trophies started very slow with no real urgency and found themselves two down to Marquis of Lorne thanks to a Frazer Triggs double. A spell of dominance paid dividends for A1 when a long kick from ‘keeper Matt Stanton caught the centre-backs out, allowing Richard Claydon to burst through and lob the ‘keeper. However, a minute before half-time a speculative cross was smashed into his own net by captain Craig Longman, his third own goal in as many games! A shot was fumbled and Martin Metcalf ran from his own half to chase down what seemed to be a lost cause, won the ball and slotted it from a tight angle for A1, this sandwiched a Jason Lovelock brace as Lorne took the points.

Karl Rickaby (two), Glenn Essam, Glenn Armitt and Perry Faulkner gave Times Club the three points against Old Town Wetherspoons. Tony Davies and Gary Baker replied.

Division Three leaders Mallard Old Boys took on basement side Breachwood Lions. The first of Tom Younger’s hat-trick gave them the lead, but the Lions replied when Ian Canning smashed home off the bar. Ricky Hill scored a second equaliser, before they went down by the odd goal in five at the break. Dave Byatt (two) and Dave Holland also netted for the Old Boys, whilst a Rob Pearson free-kick found the head of Canning, who put away his second.

A magnificent Steve Fahey hat-trick saw Broadhall Reserves to another three points and stay one off the pace. Hayden McColm also scored as they saw off Chequers, for whom Jason Smith replied.

Stevenage Colts Old Boys Reserves dominated their game, creating many chances throughout, experience showed as they passed effectively. Emperors Head scored twice in the last two minutes to make the score-line more respectable. Jamie Hucker and Barry Hazelton both scored to cap off impressive performances respectively. Luke Hardy also scored and there were was an own goal in each half. Consolation came by way of goals from Lewis Sealy (two) and Lewis Essam.

Roebuck Gate moved up to their highest league position in their short history with a victory over North Herts Celtic. Ben Broadbent grabbed his fifth of the season with a deflected effort that looped over the 'keeper after being set free down the wing by Steve Bland. Bland himself doubled the lead before half-time when Mark Edwards set him free on goal and he slotted home. Dan Amegatcher finished things off midway through the second-half after more neat interplay with Bland.

Broadhall A continued their winning run to keep top spot in Division Four going into Christmas. They took a fourth minute lead with an own goal. However, it was ten man White Lion Walkern who equalised with a well taken goal from Toby Starr ten minutes before the break. Despite being up against it, Paul Hancock's strike from an acute angle restored the lead and he settled the game with just under ten minutes to play as his looping header from Phil Stevens' cross found the net. He was unlucky not to notch a hat-trick as first the cross bar and then a brilliant goal line clearance denied him.

Bedwell Rangers kept up the pace and saw off AFC Chells (Rob Barton) thanks to a Luke Smith hat-trick and one from Jacob Dawson.

Alex Goodson gave Fairlands an unlikely lead with a great goal when he broke away to finish. The first of Dan Hartland’s two brought Crooked Billet Boro level before they fell behind again, they broke from their own penalty box and it culminated with Aaron Collins finishing. Billet were denied when Paul Ashby saved a penalty, but turned the game around to win thanks to Mark Hemmings and Steve Cornwell.

After good work by Stevenage Old Town’s Scott Bartaby, his shot found the net spinning in off the ‘keepers chest. Kieran Webb and debutant Albie Stafford turned the game in Marquis Rangers’ favour before Bartaby equalised. SOT pulled away when Callum Kendrick got his fifth goal in as many games in fortuitous fashion, after closing down the ‘keeper, he stuck out a foot to return the clearance into the net. New signing Anthony Alcock also netted after Michael Hebbs swung a ball into the box for Danny Conboy to nod down. Stafford netted a late consolation.

A Joel Mason hat-trick and two from Graeme Endersby saw Bedwell Athletic grab a draw against Highwayman in the Frank Neville Memorial Cup. Steve Peary grabbed the additional goal to the handicap of four.

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