Stevenage Side Guaranteed In Final!

A Comet Stevenage Sunday Football League side is guaranteed in the Herts Intermediate Cup Final at Herts FA HQ on 25th April, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Winners in 2008, Dun Cow Reserves, won 3-1 at The Welly. Danny McIver (2) and James Dillnutt did the damage.

MBDA’s route to these dizzy heights was far less straightforward. The young side don’t know when they’re beaten. They travelled to Wormley to face a rampant Thames Albion side, and found themselves 3-0 down inside 20 minutes. Two outrageous long-range strikes beat Andy Gibb, whilst an excellent free-kick also found the corner after captain Alan Kenney committed a foul. Top scorer Ashley Kersey reduced the arrears with a no-nonsense finish. However, Nigel Tingey glanced a header into his own net and it was 4-1 after half-an-hour. An unerring finish from Gary Hodgson brought them back to within two right on half-time. A stern team-talk by manager Darren Jones ensued and Hodgson netted again from Kersey’s long ball forward before the latter levelled the tie. Sam Harwood curled home a free-kick and Ross Walker latched onto substitute Louis Hare’s through-ball to shoot home via the post to make if five without reply after going 4-2 down. Albion scored again and it was a great save from Gibb and a clearance off the line from Kenney with saw them go through to a dream meeting of young ‘n’ old against Cow Reserves.

In the KLM Challenge Cup, Highwayman saw off Fox despite the two division difference. Dave Pateman (2), Steve Peary (2) and Steve Stapleton were on target. Theo Griffith (2) and Laurie Bambridge replied. They’ll now face SCS in the last eight.

Premier Division leaders Bottles took a two goal lead through Rob Verdia and an own goal. However, yet another spirited Mallard comeback produced a deserved three points. Craig Reynolds pulled one back with a nice left footed finish from 10 yards. Gary Paulus equalised after Reynolds pulled the ball back to him before Paulus delivered an exquisite through ball for Andy Pilgrim to coolly finish past the ‘keeper. The icing was on the cake when Simon Brooks began the move in his own half which ended with him jinking past a defender and producing a nonchalant finish.

Unity Nirankari’s first league game since September saw them enjoy a big win. David Iweduino (2), Leeroy Williams (2), Leon Palma, Russell Bull and Ben Bouchnak were on target, whilst Probuild replied through Sam Spencer and a Lee Allinson penalty.

A sweeping move inside 15 minutes got King Pin United on their way when Danny Lingwood slotted the ball home as they moved to within a point of the Division One leaders. However, Highview bounced back with a well taken John Vooght strike on the half hour. The lead was restored when John Godfrey struck from the edge of the box and skipper Lingwood grabbed the third before James Wyatt was brought down for a penalty, which Carl Lingwood despatched with ease for 4-1. A tense finish was set up when Vooght converted a dubious spot-kick before Nick Wellings nodded home from a corner.

Big John Johnston was back in the goals again as Broadhall’s promotion push continued. He bagged a hat-trick, whilst Mike Davies, Martin Wilson and Alan Collins also netted. A Kieran Hufford hat-trick wasn’t enough for Stevenage Colts Old Boys.

Division Two leaders Stevenage Fencing almost dropped some unlikely points against A1 Trophies. Joe Delasalle (2) and Tom Hillard (2) were on target, whilst Tanaka Chitate (2) and Garry Brown replied.

After losing to the same opponents last week, Stevenage Leisure Ltd produced their best team performance of the season. It was largely thanks to the return of Carl Smith, who bagged a hat-trick, the first of which was an incredible solo effort. The defence held out, led by Carl Booth as Marquis of Lorne couldn’t register.

Steven Fahey bagged all five goals as Broadhall Reserves stayed top of Division Three. Emperors Head replied through Lewis Sealy (2) and Joe Whittaker.

Mallard Old Boys were the quickest to adapt to the snowy conditions in Luton and quickly established a two goal lead. Breachwood Lions had a couple of chances, but it was five at the break thanks to Jamie Campany (2), Alex Lawrence, Glen Storey and Tom Younger. On the hour, the Lions grabbed a consolation through a coolly-taken Ollie Mason penalty. However, Dan Welch netted to take the Old Boys to a half-dozen.

Athletico Peartree continued their recent poor league form with a defeat against the basement side. Chequers took the lead in controversial fashion as Chris Benton seemed to be fouled as he cleared the ball to Lee Wilson, who found the net. That was the only goal until the final ten minutes when they scored what turned out to be the winning goal, a terrific run and finish by Jason Smith after he beat three men. Peartree clawed one back very late on through Richard Minnis who prodded home from close range but it was not enough.

A third successive double-header saw Coopers maintain their 100 percent record to hit the summit of Division Four as Fairlands were trounced twice. Gary Chambers (4), Paul Ryan (2), Adam Stevens, Phil Parker and Danny Bowey scored in the first game, whilst Michael Hemmings, Graham Kear, Ben Smith, Richard Emery, Stevens and Chambers netted in the second.

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