Goal Glut In The KLM

There was drama as ever as the KLM Challenge Cup got underway with 111 goals in just 14 games, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Biggest preliminary round winners were Probuild. A very one-sided game against Old Town Wetherspoons saw Barry Greenaway and Tel Pateman hit four goals each. Lee Allinson bagged a hat-trick, whilst Rich Hall scored his first two of the season.

It was a good day for the club as Probuild Reserves hit a dozen against White Lion Walkern. The game was effectively over with three in the first five minutes. Ian Woodfield helped himself to four goals, Elliott Bunn and Aaron Penfound with a brace each, Matt Lockyear, Matt Jackson, Aiden Van Sertin and Lee Gribben completed the scoring with a goal each. White Lion’s cause was made worse when Darren Bates was sent-off for handball on the goal-line inside half-an-hour whilst they were four down. Some excellent goalkeeping from Jamie Storey kept the goal tally down.

Hartham Press hit double-figures against plucky Fairlands. Tony Webb (four), James Khakpour-Smith (hat-trick), Keith Swift, Nath Bowden and Mike Wenn were on target.

With AFC Chells putting up a good fight for the first twenty minutes they were undone when Barry Mullaney’s clever ball was met by Danny Halliday to score the first ProCladd goal. Paul Ricketts’ shot ricocheted off a couple of players before hitting the back of the net for an own goal. Toby Willis and Mullaney made it four by the break. Another own goal followed before strikes from Mullaney, James Tyrer and Carl Fletcher (two) finished the game.

Sam Gittings (four), Adam Furness (two), Scott Mahoney (two) and Rikki Doyle netted in Dun Cow’s stroll against Broadhall. John Johnston and Jake Monkston replied.

Ricky Lawrence (hat-trick), Steven Teale (hat-trick) and Richard Griffiths struck as MH Goldsmith strolled to victory over Stevenage Old Town.

Athletico Peartree had a convincing win over Bedwell Rangers. Terry Lock grabbed a hat-trick, Ricky Kyle, Ross Skipper and Lewis White also got on the scoresheet. The pick of the goals however came from Scott Overy, who rifled in a half-volley from the edge of the box. Darryl Cimini replied.

Carl Lingwood's flighted ball was met at the far post by Steve Buckley to get the King Pin United on their way. A Lingwood penalty followed before an Adam Bannister shot deflected home from just inside the box and substitute James Wyatt's return to fitness was rewarded with a goal. A consolation goal for Marquis of Lorne came from Daniel Reid before Buckley added a fifth.

Barry Hazleton bagged a hat-trick as Stevenage Colts Old Boys Reserves saw off Roebuck Gate. Adam McAndrews added another.

Kev Fehmi, Chris Chalat, Tom Bradshaw, Danny Hillard, Matt Arlick, Steven Harris and Gary Hillard were on target as AFC Crooked Billet won at Breachwood Lions. Ben Dye (two) and Ollie Mason replied in the ten-goal thriller.

Broadhall 'A' were a shade unlucky not to be in front in a scrappy first-half before MBDA hit them with a sucker punch right on the whistle when Ashley Kersey finished after a good run from Gary Hodgson. MBDA captain Louis Hare headed in a second before opposing captain Brad Westall headed spectacularly past his own ‘keeper for a third.

A solid defensive performance from Bottles saw them restrict high-scoring Stevenage Fencing to long-range efforts. Piers Le-Grand gave them the lead mid-way through the first-half with a stunning twenty-five-yard drive into the roof of the net. The game remained tight until around the hour-mark when Rob Verdia headed in a James Selby cross before Le-Grand drilled home low at the back post.

Bedwell Athletic needed a Steve Underwood hat-trick to see off Times Club. Dean Wylie also netted, whilst Craig Mitchell, Lewis Bull and a Nigel Richardson penalty wasn’t quite enough.

The closest tie saw Broadhall Reserves victorious via a penalty shoot-out. Steve Fahey (two), Calvert Garnes and Mark Chalkley were on the mark in normal-time. Marquis Rangers’ scorers were Kieran Webb (two), Anthony Rowe and Dan Quirk.

In Division One action, Highview took an early lead through Steve Gibbons before Putterills took control of the first-half, despite hitting the woodwork on three occasions, they only managed to find the net once via a Kris McMahon cross-cum-shot. Injury forced them down to ten men, but they took the lead through another McMahon strike. However, the numerical advantage told and the Vooght’s took over. Simon Vooght (two), John Vooght and Bradley Vooght gave Highview their first win of the season.

Colin Field’s shot was parried by the ‘keeper straight into the face of Dave Waugh, who claimed the lead for Shephall Artois. Neil Parker earned a point for Stevenage Colts Old Boys.

Stevenage Leisure Ltd were two-up at half-time thanks to Dan Herdman and Stew Smith. Fox came back into the game and after having the ball twice cleared off the line, they eventually got a goal back through Theo Griffith. Any hopes of getting a point were gone after a sweeping Leisure move saw Chris McCarthy produce a fine finish to kill off the game.

Mallard Old Boys were beaten for the first time in a real ding-dong of a game. With a make-shift defence, they decided to attack from the start and were three-up inside ten minutes. Daz Wilson from twenty-five yards, Si Parnell with the outside of his boot and Jamie Campany with a cracker on the run were the beneficiaries. Sam Bickerstaff smashed in twice across Ian Mann to get SCS’ comeback underway before they equalised through Chris Lyle. Olly Rice restored the lead by heading in Dave Byatt's corner before Bickerstaff had a penalty saved. An incredible first-half finished with Lyle’s second to level matters again. Bickerstaff completed his hat-trick and Dean Chadderton bagged a brace as SCS made it comfortable.

Lewis Sealy and Lewis Essam each hit a double as Emperors Head saw off North Herts Celtic, despite a Darren Curry goal.

In the Frank Neville Memorial Cup, Dave Pateman that broke the deadlock for Highwayman before Ant Young's cross-cum-shot went through a crowded penalty area to double the lead. A1 Trophies pulled one back through Greg Bradbury before the break. Pateman rounded the ‘keeper for his second before Lee Callaghan poached a fourth from Steve Stapleton’s goalbound effort. Tallem Dennis netted a further consolation before Callaghan’s glaring miss from two yards. It didn’t matter as they won well on the day, even without their two-goal lead.

Jason Smith hit four as Chequers grabbed the points. Gary Gibson, Ricky Wilson and John Mikiel were also on the mark. Crooked Billet Boro replied through Ben Snowden and Marvin Miller, which wasn’t enough, even with their two-goal advantage.

Match Reports to stats@cssfl.co.uk