Mallard Win Cup Thriller!

A second successive full programme was played on Sunday, and once again plenty of drama to go over, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Unity Nirankari’s County Cup adventure is over as they were comfortably beaten at St Josephs in South Oxhey. They’ll now play their first league game since September this Sunday!

In the KLM Challenge Cup, two keenly-anticipated ties at King George V. Division One side King Pin United were no match for their Division Two opponents, MBDA, who led through two Ashley Kersey strikes inside 20 minutes. The first was a glorious finish into the roof of the net from ten yards, before he smashed home from an angle after Gary Hodgson’s shot was saved. Unfortunately they lost Kyle Watson to a hamstring injury at the same time. Hodgson hit an absolute thunderbolt past Andrew Palfreyman before a rare goal from Paul Kersey, heading in off the crossbar, sewed up the tie with only a couple of minutes of the second-half played. James Wyatt pulled one back with a clever finish, but it was only a consolation against an excellent defensive line which was very difficult to break-down. They’d meet the winners of the tie on the adjoining pitch…

Probuild led 2-0, 3-2 and 5-3 before a terrific Mallard fightback saw them force extra-time. Probuild then led 7-5 as Arin Fehmi (5), Sam Spencer and Barry Greenway were on target. An unbelievable fourth comeback saw Mallard level thanks to Craig Reynolds (4) and Jim Bywater (3) and then win it with Perry Phillips strike with five minutes to spare. They’d shown tremendous character having played an hour with 10 men. It could’ve all been different as Mallard could’ve been down to nine men early on as Fehmi was brought down by the last defender, Adam Hazleton. This set up the only confirmed quarter-final.

In the Premier Division, leaders Bottles raced into an early two goal lead against Dun Cow courtesy of a Piers Le-Grand brace. The champions pulled a goal back before half-time through Adam Furness, but it wasn’t enough to avoid their first league defeat of the season.

Plenty of goals in Division One as usual. After three heavy defeats, AFC Crooked Billet needed to stop the rot. They dominated early on, Matt Arlick grabbed a well worked team goal on 15 minute before Steve Harris doubled the lead with a cool finish ten minutes later. Shephall Artois grabbed a lifeline with a fluke, a corner drifting straight in from Colin Field, before he went on to complete his hat-trick to put them in front, the leveller after a bit of magic from Dave Waugh. Billet responded with a fantastic strike into the top corner from Mark Montague to level the match.

Mark Phillips bagged a hat-trick as Division One leaders and reigning champions Dun Cow Reserves secured yet another three points. Peter Brewster, Jimmy Erwood and Danny Lane were also on target. ProCladd replied through Lee Harman and Neil Henderson.

Stevenage Colts Old Boys took the lead early on through Kieran Hufford before Dave Banks levelled from close range for Putterills after Pete Morrison ran half the length of the pitch. Banks again volleyed home before Colts turned it around through Josh Bartlett and Peter Lane. Injury reduced Putterills to ten men at half-time, but Banks headed home his hat-trick goal from a free-kick to make it three-each. Then they took the lead for the first time Jon Pace headed against the bar and Banks was on hand to bundle the ball in his fourth. Colts however restored parity through Sam Jones and missed a golden opportunity to win when denied one-on-one by a stunning save from Ian Woods.

The big game in Division Two saw the two 100 percent sides meet. The game was very tight, but Elliott Bunn didn’t help Probuild Reserves’ cause when he kicked out at Dave Hailey and saw red. However, they took the lead when Jason Drackford fired home after a corner pin-balled around. Drackford could’ve finished the game in the second-half, but Stevenage Fencing gradually forced their way back into the game. However, they too were reduced to ten men when Garry Smith was shown what both sides through was a harsh red card. Dave Hailey was pushed up front in the hope of getting something and they were rewarded when Danny Delasalle found Tom Hillard, who slid the ball into Hailey, who finished past Stu Howard to keep both sides unbeaten in the three-team race for the title.

Jason Lovelock (2), Ross Jackson, Dan Reid and Jamie Robertson netted as Marquis of Lorne beat Stevenage Leisure Ltd. Daniel Brawn, Alex Lucy and Daniel Herdman replied.

Ryan Palmer’s hat-trick was enough for the points for Fox. The Hartham Press reply came from James Khakpour-Smith on the volley and an Andy Parrish header.

Times Club beat A1 Trophies with a sole Glenn Armit strike.

In Division Three, Stevenage Colts Old Boys secured three points in a tight contest. They took the lead early on when Dean Page smashed home an excellent strike from the edge of the box. Terry Lock equalised for Athletico Peartree midway through the half with a neat low finish. Colts’ lead was restored when Danny Lewis connected well with a half volley from 25 yards, then after remaining solid defensively, they extended the lead after some lovely play through midfield saw Jamie Hucker finish from six yards with 20 minutes left. Peartree were constantly knocking on the door, but could only pull one back through a Richard Minnis lob.

Leslie Chappell (2) and Jason Aldridge gave SCS the points as they ended Broadhall Reserves’ unbeaten start. Steve Fahey moved through the 25-goal mark with a brace in reply.

Mallard Old Boys endured a disappointing result in their quest for promotion as they were beaten by North Herts Celtic. Darren Curry and Sean Woods netted to sandwich a goal from Jamie Campany.

Breachwood Lions were keen to build on recent performances and despite going behind to Roebuck Gate, a great pass from Ricky Hill found Ollie Mason on the edge of the box, who lobbed home the equaliser. Mason then netted his second with an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Minutes from time, supersub Ali Collins darted into the box to secure their first league win of the season with a well taken goal.

In Division Four, Coopers are coming up on the rails as they kept their 100 percent after their second double-header in three weeks. Five goals in the first-half saw off Stevenage Old Town courtesy of Gary Chambers (2), Adam Stevens, Ben Smith and a Dan Auld penalty. Rhys Legate won the second-half for SOT. In the second game, Stevenage Old Town took the lead through Voni Martins before Sean Soards (2) and leading scorer Chambers took the points for Coopers.

Luke Smith made it eight goals in two games as his hat-trick for Bedwell Rangers saw off Crooked Billet Boro. Darryl Cimini and Alex Willocks also scored, whilst Daniel Hartland replied.

Rob Barton’s fortuitous early strike past ’keeper Martin Gorton put AFC Chells in front. However, Highwayman gradually turned the screw, and after Dave Pateman levelled, the same man nicked the winner with five minutes remaining for the Graveley outfit.

Marc Stobart (2), Kieran James, Leeroy Green and Dan Robey netted in a ten goal thriller at White Lion Walkern. Jason Tait (3), Kieran Webb and Darren Athenis earned Marquis Rangers a share of the spoils.

Joe Tyler (4), Simon Vooght (3), Steve Gibbons and Bradley Vooght saw Highview to a second Frank Neville Memorial Cup win. They were six goals up against the enforced three-goal deficit by half-time. A good break resulted in Alex Goodson pulling one back for Fairlands.

In the other tie, Broadhall 'A' won comfortably as Rob Stevenson's free-kick reached Terry Lee in the area, who skilfully turned it home after only two minutes. The game was finally wrapped up with just over twenty minutes to go with a quite brilliant goal. Paul Hancock won the race with the defender to reach Michael Emmings' through ball and then curled a fantastic looping shot over the Chequers ‘keeper. This was in addition to an already one-goal lead.

Match Reports to stats@cssfl.co.uk, League Tables at www.cssfl.co.uk