Mallard Steam Past Bedwell

Bottles set up a mouth-watering KLM Challenge Cup tie with Dun Cow Reserves this Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals after a comfortable-looking win over Emperors Head. Just two-up at the break thanks to a back-header and a wickedly deflected second, Bottles only sewed the game up late on after Emperors had a good spell. Three players shared the goals, Leeroy Odd (hat-trick), Dan Hartland (two) and Dean McCullagh (two).

An Adam Stevens hat-trick was the key factor in Pin Green’s advance to the last eight. Brothers Sean Soards and Steve Soards also netted. Putterills replied through Dave Banks, Steve Smith and an own goal in an eight-goal feast.

J.A.P Builders are through following a convincing victory against Yorkshire Grey. The game was put beyond any doubt by half-time thanks to a superb hat-trick by Leon Palma, two of them 20 yard strikes. Greg Philip made it four as his shot flew into the top corner after a neat one-two exchange with Mandell Mullings, before the latter was on the scoresheet as he latched onto the end of a defence splitting 40-yard pass from Palma. The rout was completed by Negus Johnson with a sublime volley.

Nirankari Sports Sabha made it through to the quarter-finals without kicking a ball as it’d seem Woolmer Green Foxes just didn’t fancy it and pulled out of the tie on Saturday.

Dun Cow Reserves became the first side to make it through to a semi-final when they saw off Fox with ease in the Division Two Cup. Goals came courtesy of Pete Brewster, Mark Phillips, James Dillnutt, Adam Paine and an own goal.

Premier Division leaders Mallard had an absolute stroll against Bedwell Athletic to take them five points clear. They were six-up by half-time. A hat-trick from Craig Reynolds, two Barry Hazelton headers and goals from Ian Baker, Andy Pilgrim and Tim Smith rounded off a cracking team display.

A great defensive display by Ricky Phillips inspired Probuild to a well earned point. They had chances to take the lead too; Gary Pomfret hit the post with a free-kick before Ash Mawer saved well when faced one-on-one with Jamie Campany. The same player lobbed just wide before goalkeeper Lee Allinson struck the bar with a free-kick. Dun Cow were stung into action and substitute Adam Furness saw an effort well saved by Allinson. It was Furness who then set up James Ougham to put them in front at the far post. However, in the last minute, Probuild were awarded a penalty when Campany was fouled and Allinson came up to level from the spot.

In the solitary Division One game, Pig and Whistle kept up their chase on leaders Pied Piper with a tight win. Ryan Chilcott (two) and Scott Durham (two) grabbed the goals. Peartree replied through a Michael Bunker penalty after James Khakpour-Smith was brought down, and Gary Baker.

After being held to an incredible 5-5 draw by SCS earlier in the season for the latter’s only point, Division Two leaders Morecambe Wanderers won with ease this time. Another Russell Ayles hat-trick, Simon Lewis, Stephen Hayes and Paul Hannington saw them home.

Old Social won a nine-goal-thriller thanks to a brace from veteran Dave Stroomer, plus two from the prolific Stuart Archer and a first of the season for Mike Coombes. Royal Oak replied through Dave Pateman (two), Bryan Every and an own goal.

Division Three leaders ProCladd were beaten for the second time in three games. MBDA thoroughly deserved the win as the only shot on target at goalkeeper Andy Gibb was cleared by Ashley Kersey. Craig Sutherill and Kyle Watson had hit the post after the break and it was Sutherill who struck a terrific solitary goal just over ten minutes from time.

Due to the importance of the game between two sides with title-ambitions, it started out very cautiously with most of the football being played in the midfield and both defences dealing with anything that managed to get through. The second-half saw A1 Trophies take the lead after James Harrod cut in and drilled home a low, hard shot. Some pressure paid dividends when Garry Brown pulled the ball across the box and Daniel Pinkerton side-footed into the back of the net for a second. Twin Foxes finally got the bit between the teeth in the last quarter and once Leslie Chappell struck to get them back in the game, it was a very exciting finish. The A1 defence was just that and they held out for a terrific win.

Bottom-placed Chequers had their first win of the season against the team directly above them. Carl Thompson (four) hit half of the goals; Paul Osborne (two), Jason Smith and Lee Wilson were also on the mark. Gary Smith and Dan O'Brien replied for Hogshead.

The proverbial game-of-two-halves took place at Hampson Park where King Pin United roared into an un-assailable lead. Dave Holmes opened the scoring after five minutes with a poachers strike before Danny Lingwood extended the lead further as he swept home a half-volley from James Wyatt's corner from the edge of the box. He got his second from the spot before Robbie Duckworth scored the goal of the game with a 20 yard strike into the top right hand corner. MC Racing came to life and incredibly levelled the game with still twenty minutes to spare. Nik Tribe, Stephen Koop, Darren Pitch and James Cox grabbed the goals. Both sides could’ve won it but they prevented eachother from making a charge on the top five.

Despite their fifteen-point deduction, Athletico Timebridge have shown tremendous spirit to keep going, and were rewarded with a terrific win on Sunday. North Herts Celtic had only lost once all season in the league, but found themselves behind to a Sam Dellasalle strike. Max Howard did equalise for Celtic as they put some good pressure on. However, despite a couple of misses, the skilful Terry Lock took the ball on his own, skipped past the defence and slotted home the winner for Timebridge.

Despite goals from Neil Roskilly and Alan Widdows, an under-strengthed Stevenage Fencing were no match for Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves. Another hat-trick from Russell Bull set them on their way. Lee Wilson, Pete Duffy, Mark Outram, Sam Spencer and substitute Sam Bickerstaff also netted.

Coach and Horses (Danny Owers) shared the spoils with Broadhall Reserves (Mark Chalkley).

Good luck to Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves this Sunday as the first of three of our sides look for a semi-final County Cup place in successive weeks.