Plenty of Cup Drama On A Muddy Sunday

Nirankari Sports Sabha joined Dun Cow and J.A.P. Builders in the last 16 of the Herts Senior Cup with a comfortable win. Home side The Marne had taken the lead before being pegged back by half-time. Graham Austin (two), Rory Spencer and Mark Yearwood were on target as Bobby Dhillon held the central-midfield together! Nirankari also missed a penalty aswell but go forward to meet the Queens Head from Sandridge six days into the new year.

The start of our divisional cup competitions saw Broadhall well beaten by Bedwell Athletic in the Premier Division Cup. Steve Underwood, Paul Underwood, Alex Headington and a Tony Wells 30 yard screamer into the top corner saw them through to a quarter-final meeting with Bottles.

In the Division One Cup, Peartree failed to score a goal for the third time this season against Breachwood Lions. However, they could be forgiven as they fielded just nine men and gave it a real go, hitting the post twice and only being killed off with two goals in the last ten minutes. George Harrison gave Lions the lead when he nodded home a Wayne Gardner corner. Having earlier struck a post, Danny Jefferies finished off a great midfield move early in the second-half, before netting again from a free-kick. Gardner then crossed for Ian Canning to shoot low into the corner to finish the tie and set up one with Emperors Head.

The winners of the preliminary round games in the following three divisions meet eachother in the quarter-finals. In the Division Two Cup, Dun Cow Reserves fell one short of twenty against SCS. Yet another defeat which makes you applaud them for continuing to this point. Mark Phillips (six), Scott Walters (hat-trick), Jason Drackford (two), Danny Huggins (two), Andy Lane (two), James Dillnut, Peter Bannister and Gareth Scrivens added to an own goal. They are actually querying whether they actually did get twenty as we go to press.

Gary Henniker, Kevin Ward, Michael Oakes, Matt Arlick and Richard Veness saw Fox through against Aston Athletic, who replied through Barry Bing and Jason Sell.

An amazing game in the Division Three Cup saw MBDA go two-up as excellent team goals saw both Ashley Kersey and Kyle Watson fire low past Matt Stanton. However, high-flying A1 Trophies got back in the game through Greg Bradbury and Kev Stafford’s own goal. Louis Hare restored the lead with a wonderful volley on the turn before Craig Sutherill broke from midfield to head home Watson’s cross to restore the two-goal cushion. Craig Longman and Paul Tully’s late strike forced extra-time. A1 led for the first time through Bradbury cool one-on-one finish. An own goal levelled matters again before Sutherill’s magnificent strike from Steve Stapleton’s cut-back with one minute left sent MBDA through.

King Pin United made light work of their game when Robbie Duckworth scored the first of his seven goals early on. The extended the lead when Carl Lingwood struck from the edge of the box. Rapidsource netted through Ben Coles and Simon Moore, sandwiching another Duckworth strike. Danny Lingwood could’ve had a quick-fire hat-trick, but had a penalty saved, before netting one, these were followed by the goal of the game when the keeper's goal-kick was volleyed back past him from 40 yards.

In the Division Four Cup, Russell Bull inspired Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves to victory as the big two met for second successive week. He and Dean Allen put them in front before Alan Widdows’ free-kick brought Stevenage Fencing back in it. Bull struck again before Garry Smith brought them to within a goal again. Marvin Hall was sent-off for Fencing.

After their mass points deduction, Athletico Timebridge were looking to the divisional cup for glory, and all was looking rosy as Sam Delasalle and James Hamilton netted early on. A handball in the box let North Herts Celtic back in as Darren Curry tucked away. The were level when a quick break from the back saw Max Howard beat two defenders and nick the ball past the ‘keeper just before half-time. Celtic continued where they left off, they forced a couple of saves, Howard hit the post before a back post header from a corner by Trevor Cunningham put them in front. Ross Skipper levelled the scores again. Howard headed home before he won a penalty, which Currey converted after a re-take. Delasalle netted another as did Howard to complete his hat-trick. The final goal saw Richard Allder score a beauty from 20 yards into the top corner after his original shot came back to him off the referee. All in all a pulsating cup tie.

A good battling game saw Mallard stay top of the Premier Division as Ashley Daniels headed them in front. Negus Johnson equalised for J.A.P. Builders. Ian Baker struck late on to win the game as stand-in ‘keeper Tom Henry and centre back Drew Mclean were superb.

Rikki Doyle headed Dun Cow in front before a 40 yard effort from Alan Kenney pulled DC Out Bar level. However, straight from the ensuing kick-off, Adam Furness beat Kyal Currey as the ball was rolled to him. Not to be outdone, DC grabbed a point when Stuart MacKenzie half-volleyed home from 8 yards via Ade Barry's flag-kick.

John Johnston (two) and Alec Thomas were on target as Pig and Whistle beat Pin Green with ease as they keep the pressure on.

Putterills’ ten men put up a brave fight, keeping Division One leaders Pied Piper at bay until half-time. However, Steve Teale squared for Paul Harvey to drill home before Harvey doubled the lead when he lobbed the ‘keeper. Riyston Williams broke through the defence to slot home number three. Teale tried an audacious effort to beat the ‘keeper from 40 yards only to see it pushed over the bar. Not to be outdone, he soon got his reward and his 27th league goal when a chip from half the distance found the target.

In the battle-of-the-basement sides, Times Club ran out easy winners. Karl Rickaby (two), James Duggan, Stuart Littlechild, Stuart Cosham and Martin Griffin were on target. Stevenage Colts Old Boys replied through Neil Parker as it was a bad day for their ‘keeper Gary Swaine, signed from Times just days earlier!

In the sole Division Two game, Morecambe Wanderers led when the ‘keeper took out Russell Ayles for a penalty, who netted. White Horse levelled through Jason Lovelock after a scramble in the box before Simon Lewis and Paul Hannington put Wanderers in control. Same after the break as centre-back Anthony Lanni strode through a ruck of players and his shot rebounded to Simon Lewis, who netted. Ayles and Lovelock traded goals to complete the scoring.

Division Three leaders ProCladd just about held onto their 100 percent record as Twin Foxes took the lead when Paul Jones’ free-kick eluded everyone. Neil Henderson levelled before the break as Foxes threatened to restore the lead. Danny Halliday and Darren Fletcher struck as the leaders showed their mettle, but Sam Lawrence’s strike from the edge of the box set up a tense last 20 minutes.

Hogshead grabbed their first win of the season in style. Gary Smith started the rout with a superb effort from the edge of the box before Dan O’Brien doubled the lead from 30 yards. An own goal followed before Carl Robinson lobbed the advancing ‘keeper from 25 yards. Paul Dowse scored a hat-trick of simple tap-ins. After a good move, Gary Haze grabbed Chequers’ consolation as he knocked home at the near post.

Roebuck Gate now only trail Division Four leaders Stevenage Fencing on goal difference after racing into a three-goal lead after half-an-hour. Ian Levy opened the scoring from twelve yards before Warren Radcliffe opened his account for the season, finished neatly from Daniel Swales' back-heeled through-ball. Mark Hollis headed home from Matt Jackson’s cross for what looked like an unassailable lead. However, Yorkshire Grey showed great fight and were gifted an opener when Levy headed a cross into his own net shortly before half time. Within minutes of the second-half starting, Damian Hadlow’s 30 yard free-kick pulled another back before another Gate player put past his own ‘keeper, this time Jim McGarry with a sliced ‘clearance’. The winner came with just five minutes left when, after a sustained period of pressure, Swales bundled home from a few yards out.

Laurie Bambridge (two), Reece Butler and Kevin English netted as Woolmer Green Foxes netted against Coach and Horses, for whom a hat-trick for Marvin Miller was in vain.

Terry Pateman (hat-trick), Dean Greenough (two), Dan Kennoy, Dan Gregory, Ricky Phillips, Richard Hall, David Clements and an own goal saw Probuild home easily against Tom Tiddlers Tavern in the Invitation Cup.

The other game was abandoned due to Rileys stalwart Dave “Bunny” Warren suffering a bad injury in the first few minutes against Stevenage Leisure. Turns out it wasn’t broken as suspected.