Freeman Treble Sees Colts Through

It was another mixed day for our teams in the County Cup on Sunday, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Biggest winners were ProCladd, although it was unfortunately against fellow-CSSFL side Old Town Weatherspoons, for whom Matt Keane and Ryan Hodgkiss replied. Paul Ricketts (two), Dan Manning (two), Barry Mullaney (two) and James Tyrer were on target for the St Nicks-based side.

Hartham Press travelled with a bare eleven to Aylesbury to face Landrover Reserves on an extremely well maintained ground with impressive facilities. The game itself was frantic but saw them victorious with James Khakpour-Smith and Nathan Bowden grabbing one each, but it was new signing Tony Webb who was the star of the show as he scored five, including a spectacular strike from outside of the box.

A solid team performance saw Marquis of Lorne progress after an early goal from Lewis Coward and second added by talented midfielder Dan Reid by half-time. After sustaining some heavy Thunbridge Utd pressure early in the second-half and conceding at a set piece the Lorne turned the screw when Jamie Robertson and Reid added further goals.

An excellent second-half performance saw Stevenage Colts Old Boys go through at the expense of Hatfield-based Hog’s Head. They opened the scoring in the first few minutes, a long throw found Josh Bartlett completely unmarked allowing him a simple header. The scores were level via a penalty and they were turned around ten minutes before half-time with a strike that left Colts ‘keeper Adrian Lee very little chance. A shuffle of positions saw them grasp a foothold on the game and they were soon on level terms with Robbie Freeman latching on to a through ball from Jack Rhodes-Winsor. Freeman then outpaced the Hogs backline after a sixty-yard pass from Kieran Hufford and he coolly lifted the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper. He completed his hat-trick when a mazy saw him keep his feet and finish clinically.

Putterills showed a hard-fought victory over East Herts based Haileybury. Both sides hit the woodwork early on before ace marksman Dave Banks capitalised on a speculative Jon Pace clearance. After an equaliser, Dean Mtumbi restored the lead from distance for his first of the season. The scores were level again when stand-in ‘keeper Charlie Anderson let the ball squirm through his fingers. However, that man Banks grabbed the winner when latching onto a long Graeme Duff header, smartly finishing from the edge of the box.

Highview went through as Dave Morbin netted early against Real Potters Bar. Steve Gibbons added a lovely free-kick before their opponents pulled one back from the penalty spot. Gibbons’ second ended matters.

Probuild Reserves were handed the tie as FC Sherman failed to field a side.

Strikes from James Harrod, Daniel Pinkerton and a Paul Tully penalty were not enough as A1 Trophies lost to Greenacres II.

Herts Fencing gifted Eight Bells 2005 three early goals after a very sloppy start. Paul Hannington did force a ‘keeper mistake to convert a consolation by half-time.

Jason Drackford was on the mark in Stevenage Leisure Ltd’s defeat at Mokoko.

Karl Rickaby scored his first goal since re-signing for Times Club, but it was scant consolation at White Hart.

In the Premier Division, three matches with plenty of talking points. MH Goldsmith destroyed Unity Nirankari, Richard Griffiths (two), Alec Thomas, Ricky Lawrance, Steve Teale and John Hughes on target.

A classic battling performance saw Bedwell Athletic grab their first point of the season. Up against the reigning champions, they looked up against it after going one down early on to a Lee Wilson strike. However, they hung in and got their reward when a flowing move down the right flank saw Steve Underwood tap home. Despite continued Dun Cow pressure the defence remained firm until half-time and they took the lead through a Joel Mason thunderbolt on the hour. Cow turned the game around, firstly Ian Thorne finished well before they took the lead fortuitously with the ball taking a couple of deflections and finally being knocked in via Thorne’s stomach. Some fine goalkeeping by Paul Underwood helped Bedwell and they managed an equaliser through Ned Wickham, capping a fine man of the match display in the centre of the park. Bedwell: “The game was well refereed by John Hopkins.”

Bottles earned their first points back in the top-flight with a spirited team performance. They took the lead when Jason O'Sullivan chased a hopeful ball and deflected the ‘keepers clearance into the goal. Mallard then began to play and scored two headed goals from set-pieces through Lee Noble and Bobby Dance to hold a half-time lead. Piers Le-Grand levelled the scores when he converted a low cross from Dean McCullagh. Soon after, McCullagh’s shot was blocked and Le-Grand smashed home the rebound from the edge of the box to put Bottles ahead. He then secured his hat-trick after racing past the defence and coolly slotting home. Mallard state “Darren Knox did well in the middle”.

Dun Cow Reserves took the lead when Danny Lane who found the net with an easy header after just five minutes for the only goal. AFC Crooked Billet dominated throughout and were unlucky to come away with nothing.