Cow Dent Mallard Hopes

Despite National Cup and County Cup elimination, Nirankari Sports Sabha remain on for the ‘domestic treble’ as they became the final side through to a divisional cup semi-final. In the Premier Division version, they scored two in each half against DC Out Bar through Scott Orphanou (two), Andrew Levy and David Iwedino.

In the Premier Division itself, Mallard’s title-hopes took a slight dent as they were held by second-placed Dun Cow, for whom Sam Gittings opened the scoring. The leaders equalised through Craig Reynolds after the break, and although they missed chances themselves, they could’ve lost had Rikki Doyle not missed a great chance late on.

The second-half certainly had all the action as third-placed Bedwell Athletic’s Aaron Springham topped off a rare appearance on pitch with a quite memorable goal, he cut in from the left-wing and hit a thunderbolt from twenty-five yards, which dipped and swerved before almost bursting the back of the net. The second followed soon after, a flowing team move was finished off by Richard McGregor. Another good strike saw Tony Wells bring the ball out of the sky with a delicate touch in the centre-circle, then delivered a thirty-yard ball over the last defender for Dean Wylie to send a sublime lob over the ‘keeper. Broadhall got their well deserved goal after a defensive lapse from Chris Matthews on the edge of his own box presented Roger Pulham with the ball and he calmly slotted home. They could’ve got closer, but for some fine saves from stand-in ‘keeper Jimmy Blythe. On a sad note, this result mathematically relegated Broadhall, which could end the long time presence of this great club in the top flight. However, with re-structuring due to teams folding and new teams forming, this won’t be confirmed until late May.

Great performances by defender Steve Skinner, striker Rich Hall and debutant Karl Radband ensured Probuild took all three points. Both sides started well, playing some neat football and the opener came when Dave Clements raced through the J.A.P. Builders defence to coolly slot the ball under the ‘keeper. Their opponents started to pile on the pressure and were level when Negus Johnson netted from Michael Hatch’s cross back from the bye-line. They continued the second-half on top, but found Lee Allinson in excellent form between the sticks. A long ball upfield from Gary Pomfret was met by Hall, who coolly headed the ball over the ‘keeper, much to his delight as he completed a ‘double’ over brother Danny this season.

After recently signing from Pin Green, Richard Griffiths hit five for Pig and Whistle in their comfortable win over Stevenage Colts Old Boys as they turned up the heat in the title-race with Pied Piper. John Johnson (two) and Ricky Lawrence were also on target.

Breachwood Lions set the ball rolling for their fourth win over the same opponents this season when Adam Burnage whipped in a cross for George Harrison, but it was the centre-back that made the connection for an own goal. Burnage himself fired in from just inside the box to double the lead before adding a third from Danny Jefferies’ assist. Peartree were reduced to shooting from distance, but managed their first goal against Lions this season when a Dan Curtin corner went in off captain Danny Dye, Curtin claimed the strike.

Times Club were quite happy with their start, and created some chances, but a mad fifteen minutes saw Pin Green net through Adam Stevens, Sean Soards and Dave Baldwin. Despite going down to ten men, Kenny Liggett broke through to slide the ball past the on-rushing ‘keeper for a late consolation as Times won the second-half.

Dun Cow Reserves showed their class in Division Two as they put Fox to the sword. Despite having the diminutive Danny Lane in goal, they got off to a flyer when a crossfield pass to Darren Downes at right-back saw him stride forward and strike his first goal for the club from twenty yards out inside the first minute. James Dillnutt then collected the ball, beat an opponent and struck home low. An own goal followed with still only ten minutes played. A rare chance for Fox saw Simon Flecknell net after the ball came back off the crossbar. Mark Phillips then restored the three-goal lead with a cross-shot. Jason Drackford headed home following after great team move before he added another, and Fox again put through their own net as Phillips went off injured with half-an-hour remaining, leaving Cow with ten.

Morecambe Wanderers remain top, but now only four clear of Cow and having played five more after being held. New signing Riki Dance glanced home a good cross from Simon Lewis to give them the lead. However, Chas Bailey equalised from thirty yards for Bottles Reserves and John Saunders turned the game around after he robbed a dribbling Anthony Lanni of the ball on his own six-yard box. Stephen Hayes belted the ball home to level again for Wanderers.

In Division Three, a strong defensive performance from King Pin United enabled the forwards to inflict damage on a Hogshead side who are a little improved with new signings. James Wyatt produced three assists and a goal in a dazzling twenty-minute spell during the first-half. His corner was met with an excellent header by Jamie Kellett. Then, having played a one-two with Dave Holmes, he laid the ball into the path of Adam Bannister who rounded the on-rushing keeper to finish calmly. An exquisite passing move involving Kellett, Danny Lingwood and Holmes resulted in Wyatt feeding the ball across the six-yard box for Robbie Duckworth to score. Wyatt then scored one for himself with a twenty-yard shot which looped over the ‘keeper.

Carl Smith gave Stevenage Leisure the lead after ten minutes with a deflected shot. He then became provider, crossing for Jamie Drackford, whose volley was saved, only for the ball to fall to James Batchelor, who powered it through a ruck of bodies. From this point, a resurgent Chequers side woke up. John Patrick pulled one back, heading home from a free-kick, before they equalised in dramatic style. Goalkeeper Paul Griffiths punted the ball downfield from his hands, a strong wind produced a mix-up between the defence and the Leisure ‘keeper, the ball bounced between both and in!

ProCladd gained three points to extend their lead at the top as Twin Foxes failed to raise a side.

Craig Armstrong was on target for Rileys, who were no match for Stevenage Fencing, who go back of the Division Four summit. Lee Hewitt crossed for the opener for Neil Roskilly before Marv Hall pounced after a corner. Hall was fouled, seeing Alan Widdows net from the spot for number three before Widdows netted at the second attempt, then his corner was headed home by Roskilly. Tom Bowgett was the star of the remainder of the game, manager “Muttly” pushing him into left-midfield, and he had a huge impact. Firstly, he latched onto a Roskilly ball to finish, he grabbed his second when his sliced cross found the net. Hit hat-trick came before a fourth from Mark Roskilly’s wonderful cross-field pass.

Despite only being restricted to two one-hour back-to-back games, Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves still racked up two rugby scores against Woolmer Green Foxes. Russell Bull (twelve), Lee Wilson (seven), Craig Gilbert (three), Dean Allen (two), Richard Cookland (two), David Conyard, Mark Outram and Sam Spencer got the goals, apparently. The Committee may look into a strong claim that Bull only scored three on the day, but claimed more in his race to win the Golden Boot. Chris Jefferys netted the solitary reply, handed on a plate.

Lewis Sealy (two), Lewis Essam, Mark Pickard, Daniel Batt and Kevin Gay were on target as Yorkshire Grey beat North Herts Celtic, who netted thanks to Darren Curry (two), Sam Lemoir and an own goal.

Marquis of Lorne all-but booked a place in the Invitation Cup semi-finals as Jason Lovelock (two) and Mitch Conlan were on target with some clinical finishing against Bottles (Dean McCullagh, two and Piers Le-Grand).

With a two-goal head-start, Athletico Timebridge doubled the score through a Terry Lock brace as Royal Oak just weren’t at the races.

MBDA gave Ashley Kersey a first game up front, and he’d bagged a terrific hat-trick inside half-an-hour. The first, a good team move, the second a brave header which left him with a black eye and a bloody mouth, the third a terrific volley from twenty-five yards. He grabbed another later on and Rob Barton scored another from the spot after Kyle Watson was brought down. Emperors Head replied when Michael Gwilliam slid the ball though for Anthony Charles to finish neatly before Martin Barrett fed the ball to Christian Goodyear, who was upended in the box by Mike Quinlan. Tom Bradshaw scored from the spot in a game refereed by brother, and young Boro’ starlet Jack. Danny Wardell was fouled in the box by Dan Barrett for another penalty, Bradshaw netting again before Wardell volleyed from close range after a Chris Chalat corner was flicked on at the near post.

James Cox (hat-trick), Stephen Koop (two) and David New netted in MC Racing’s easy win over SCS.