Paulus Rolls Back The Years

Mallard were one of two sides in action in the Herts Senior Cup, and went through with ease, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

It was a good result considering they had a bare eleven men, but they went two-up early on against Berkhamsted Tornadoes. Andy Pilgrim deflected in a Perry Phillips shot and a neat finish from Craig Reynolds doubled the lead. Despite losing a man, a good team move resulted in the experienced play-maker Gary Paulus sliding home from eight yards out to put Mallard into the last 32.

Dun Cow also went through despite falling two behind to Hollybush Characters inside twenty minutes. Ryan Skeggs pulled one back with a great 20-yard strike before Adam Furness levelled at the break before putting them in front by heading home Sam Gittings’ cross. He completed his hat-trick before Dave Kiddie’s deflected shot made it five.

Bottles, Probuild and Unity Nirakari’s ties were off. The latter’s FA Sunday Cup game was also postponed for the third time, they’ll try again tonight (Thursday).

In the KLM Challenge Cup, Hartham Press only started with nine men and promptly fell two behind. They conceded again when they got their full quota, but then made a much better game of it and a Nath Bowden brace brought them right back in it. Bedwell Athletic extended the lead again, Joel Mason (two), Dean Wylie and Andy Kelly were on target for them, before a consolation at the end from Andy Parrish.

Revised 2nd Round Draw: MH Goldsmith v Ath Peartree, Probuild Res or Bottles v Bedwell Ath, ProCladd or Mallard v Probuild, King Pin Utd v MBDA, Putterills v Coopers, Unity Nirankari v Dun Cow Res, SCS v Shephall Artois, Highwayman v Fox.

Dun Cow Reserves had another easy win at the top of Division One. The game was all over in the first quarter-of-an-hour due to two debatable strikes and another Kevin Childs own goal in the AFC Crooked Billet goal. Mark Phillips (five), Peter Brewster and James Dillnut netted as they hit eight without reply.

A double strike from Adam Bannister, including a great curling shot from the edge of the box into the top corner was enough to see second-placed King Pin Utd's second win in a week against Stevenage Colts Old Boys.

A looping header from the edge of the box from Alex Welch gave Shephall Artois the lead before Putterills levelled through Tim Chesworth. However, they had a man sent-off before Shephall went back in front immediately as the second-half kicked off when Welch’s great pass found Gary Haze to net. Greg Collins levelled the scores, but Dean Waller’s great cross found Colin Field, who buried the chance for a Shephall win.

Broadhall conceded against ProCladd due to a player shortage.

Division Two once again saw the top three coasting to easy victories.

Leaders Stevenage Fencing hit a dozen against Times Club. Dave Hailey (four), Craig Gilbert (hat-trick), Barry Stapleton (two), Tom Hillard, Liam McQueen and Garry Smith on target.

A man of the match performance by debutant Tom Bilton inspired Probuild Reserves to victory. They took the lead when Chris Hinch’s cross was diverted into the net by A1 Trophies skipper Craig Longman. Lee Gribben played a neat one-two with Ian Woodfield to smash home the second. Lee Kitching then jinked past three defenders to send a curling effort into the corner before they completed the scoring when the prolific Woodfield fired home after a neat pass from Daryl Phillips.

MBDA kept up the pressure and Kyle Watson ended a superb team move to curl home inside two minutes for the opener. An own goal followed before Ashley Kersey got his first before half-time. Kersey’s 20th of the season and Watson’s 15th were followed by an opportunist finish for Kersey for his hat-trick. Three substitutes were made at this point, one of which Phil Fisher grabbed the goal of the game by hitting a rocket from 20 yards after a jinking run. In between, Stevenage Leisure Ltd had capitalised on some pressure to grab one through Stewart Smith and grabbed the last goal of the game when stand-in ‘keeper Liam Boon palmed Chris McCarthy’s corner into his own net.

Old Town Wetherspoons were involved in yet another high-scoring match as they notched up their third win in a row. They raced into a four-goal lead in the opening half hour thanks to Rich Marvell, a header from Tony Davies, a strike from the edge of the box from Scott Taylor and Gaz Baker’s good finish. Just before the break, Fox pulled one back through Ryan Palmer and after coming out fighting in the second-half, were rewarded with Theo Griffith’s goal. However, an amazing fifty yard run from centre-half Matt Keane set up Baker for his second. There was still time for Simon Flecknell to scramble home a last minute consolation.

Tom Younger (two), Jamie Campany and Si Jervis helped Mallard Old Boys bounce back against Roebuck Gate to head Division Three once again.

Athletico Peartree beat the previous leaders in impressive fashion. Jimmy Lock opened the scoring from close range early on with a neat finish but Emperors Head levelled through James Batchelor. Just before the break, Terry Lock ran the ball from the halfway-line and finished with a low drive in off the post to put his side in front. It was one way traffic from then on, Terry went on to complete his hat-trick and Scot Overy scored his second in as many games when he headed home from a corner to round off a great result.

A Darren Curry goal in each half earnt North Herts Celtic the points. The first came after just 24 seconds. Despite the early set back Breachwood Lions raised their game and had drawn level from a composed shot from James Mason.

Jason Smith and John Mikiel gave Chequers the points against Stevenage Colts Old Boys Reserves and their first league win.

Steven Fahey (four), Ben Collins, Mark Chalkley and Richard Fahey netted in Broadhall Reserves’ thrilling win over SCS. Leslie Chappell (two) and Sam Bickerstaff replied.

Broadhall 'A' kept top spot Division Four thanks initially to Jordan Tyrell’s third minute opportunistic strike from the edge of the box. Despite chances to increase the lead, it was AFC Chells who equalised after twenty minutes through Dave Herbert. Shortly after, Phil Stevens wasted a great opportunity to retake the lead when he blazed his penalty kick over. However, he made amends when his tidy finish from Jon Myers' great knock down put them back in front with fifteen minutes to play. Chells equalised again within a minute through Elliott Manning but with a minute left, Brad Westall's long throw was flicked on by Terry Lee for Stevens to appear from nowhere to head in the winner for Broadhall.

Nicky Thomas (two), Luke Smith (two), James Reeves, Daryl Thorpe and Danny Bacon netted as Bedwell Rangers saw off Fairlands to stay second. Alex Goodson and a terrific solo Dan Kilbey goal were mere consolation.

Stevenage Old Town opened the scoring through Michael Hebbs after he got on the end of a through-ball from Callum Kendrick. A Dave Pateman double put Highwayman in front before Dan Downham grabbed another. SOT pulled one back through a quality strike from Paul Smith from just outside the area before Anthony Ambrose put it beyond doubt.

Hat-tricks from John Vooght and Simon Vooght, plus strikes from Phil O'Rourke and Alex Cox saw Highview take the points in the Frank Neville Memorial Cup. Anthony Rowe‘s brace wasn’t enough despite Marquis Rangers’ three-goal lead.

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