Roebuck Have Defence To Saviour

Sunday saw Roebuck Gate gain their third-successive clean sheet as they cantered to victory at Ware Saviours in the Herts Junior Cup. All three goals came in the first-half. The first was gifted by the hosts when Matt Jackson's cross was turned into his own net before Jackson doubled their lead when he latched onto Andy Hall's through-ball and finished well from 18 yards. The win was sealed shortly before the break when Ian Levy headed home a rebound following Stuart Rowe's free-kick.

The remaining sides battle to join them this Sunday.

Six sides have a 100 percent winning record so far across the five divisions, who will crack first?

Premier Division leaders Mallard enjoyed another win when Ian Baker opened the scoring against J.A.P. Builders. A Perry Phillips brace followed, including a lovely team goal which started in their own half, involving up to six players, ending with Phillips driving the ball home. A good team performance for the boys from the Old Town.

Broadhall became the first team to fail to raise a side this season and handed Nirankari Sports Sabha three easy points, but the latter may rue the FA ruling which can allow no goals to be awarded.

Shaun Marshall gave Dun Cow the lead inside ten minutes. However, Marquis of Lorne where level when Josh Dance glanced home Gav Bowler’s free-kick. The newly-promoted side were undone when Adam Furness gave Cow all three points in the final minutes with a superb 20 yard effort past a full-stretched Kyal Currey.

A first for the season for last season’s Golden Boot winner Jamie Campany and one from Richard Hall saw Probuild in front after 20 minutes despite a Mark McCullagh strike for Bottles. Tom Glading and Leeroy Odd strikes won it as Campany missed a one-on-one chance in the last minute.

Nobody seems to be able to stop Division One leaders Pied Piper. Their latest victory came on the outskirts of Luton. They took the lead when Breachwood Lions defender Graham French got to the ball first under pressure from an opponent, but unfortunately his clearance lobbed ‘keeper Wayne Gardner from the 18 yard line. Piper had netted five by half-time. Their goals came from Kologo Richards (two) John Hughes (two), Steve Teale (two) and Andrew Davis. Iain Turkentine grabbed Lions’ second by heading home. It could’ve been more had it not been for Gardner.

Pig and Whistle slaughtered a hapless Times Club thanks to six from Ricky Lawrence. John Johnston chipped in with five for the second successive week. Also on the scoresheet were Jason Milburn (two), Ryan Chilcott (two) and Craig Joy.

Putterills won their third consecutive game with a comfortable victory over Stevenage Colts Old Boys. They took the initiative from the start and were ahead when Mark Bridge rounded the ‘keeper to score.  Dave Banks doubled the lead from close range before Colts pulled one back.  Banks immediately added another after good work by Greg Collins. In the second-half, Craig Dillnutt produced a fine finish from the outside the area before Collins scored twice, the second a thunderbolt from 20 yards after good work by Bridge down the right. Colts netted a late consolation.

A through-ball from Chris Goodyear found Joe Chilton, who slotted the ball past the ‘keeper after five mins to give Emperors Head the lead. Pin Green had good possession but couldn't capitalise. Mid-way through the first-half, Danny Wardell flicked home Kevin Childs’ long throw-in to double the lead. However, Pin Green showed great character and turned the game around. They levelled by the break and then cruised to victory in the second-half. Adam Stevens, Grant Hickford, Richard Griffiths, Steven Soards and Sean Soards were on target.

In Division Two, Dun Cow Reserves remained top, but it wasn’t without a fight in a ten-goal thriller. At four-down just before half-time, Stuart Archer gave Old Social a lifeline. Cow won out thanks to Peter Brewster, James Dillnutt, Danny McIver, Danny Huggins and two own goals. Social made it close through another from Archer, Scott Taylor and a screamer from Peter Bannister.

Fox dropped their first points despite Matt Arlick and Josh Watson being on the scoresheet again. Aston Athletic grabbed a point thanks to Danny Bowey and David Sell.

Goals from Glen Day and John Saunders weren’t enough for Bottles Reserves as they went down to high-flying Morecambe Wanderers. Scorers for the new boys were Paul Hannington, Russell Ayles and Ryan Eady.

White Horse finally got their first points, and how. SCS have gone downhill again since a terrific draw with Morecambe, and only had Dan Brown and Chris Fletcher strikes to show for their efforts with ten men. Jason Lovelock (six), Darren Lovelock (two), Jay Butler (two), Lewis Coward (two), Frazer Triggs, Lee Pomroy, Gary Leask and Andy Collier were on target for the Division Three champions.

Another big winner was Royal Oak. They put Tom Tiddlers Tavern to the sword thanks to Dave Pateman (hat-trick) Steve Bush (hat-trick), Albie Stafford, James Marshall and Bryan Every.

ProCladd won again in Division Three, although Jason Haze stunned them when he opened the scoring for Chequers following a free-kick. Although they put them on the back foot, it took until the 75th minute until substitute Charlie Barnett levelled. Then, with just three minutes remaining, Paul Clarke scored from well outside the area for all three points. ProCladd continue to see their challengers beat each other.

Stevenage Leisure were hammered at Marriots School after going down to ten men early on. Twin Foxes missed the penalty, but Leslie Chapple did put them in front before the break. It was a relief for them when Simon O'Reilly headed in number two. Chappell and Paul Jones consolidated a hard fought win.

MBDA are up to fourth after a late show. Gary Pitts gave Rapidsource the lead with a close-range finish before Kyle Watson netted direct from a corner to level. Ben Coles’ clever turn and finish restored the lead. However, Watson replied in kind with a superb low finish before a brave header from Adam Priest in the final five minutes and Steve Stapleton’s solo effort at the death finished the job.

A1 Trophies took the lead ten minutes after the break when half-time substitute James Harrod crossed for Paul Cooper to slot in at the back post. Minutes later, Simon Longman fed Paul Tully to double the lead. King Pin United clawed themselves back into it when Perry Maranian slotted home after some good team play. However, as they pushed for the equaliser, they left themselves short at the back and A1 exploited it when substitute Greg Bradbury coolly finished with a volley. James Wyatt secured a late consolation in the dying moments.

MC Racing and Hogshead fought out an unlikely goalless draw for the latter’s first point. MC defender Dave Coates made his comeback from injury, and like defender brother Andy for Roebuck, also kept a clean sheet.

In Division Four, Stevenage Fencing continue to set the pace. Marvin Hall scored an absolute beauty by way of a 25 yard volley. A controversial second followed for Hall, before he completed a hat-trick just before the break. The second-half saw a much more organised North Herts Celtic, and they deservedly pulled one back when a whipped-in cross saw Trevor Cunningham climb highest to head home. Celebrations were short-lived when Alan Widdows scored with a looping header. The goal of the game came when Jamie Hatch pounced on a loose ball and after seeing the ‘keeper struggling, unleashed a 40 yard drive over him.

The two chasing sides were back to winning ways after defeats last week. Athletico Timebridge made hard work of basement boys Coach and Horses, who took the lead through Marvin Miller. Dave Herbert equalised before Terry Lock finally found a way through when he knocked the ball up and smashed it into the roof of the net for a first-half winner.

Rileys were no match for Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves. The oranges strolled to victory thanks to Russell Bull (four), Lee Wilson (two), Bruce Bass (two), Martin Wilson, Craig Gilbert, Roy Boon and Reece Tyrer.

In the other game, Lewis Sealy, Lewis Essam (penalty), Damian Hadlow and Mark Pickard scored in Yorkshire Grey’s win over Broadhall Reserves. Forty goals in the latter’s five games already.

Premier Division side Bedwell Athletic are clearly looking at the Invitation Cup as a chance of glory this season, as they absolutely battered Division One Peartree, despite being a goal down before kick-off. Steve Underwood (hat-trick), Tony Wells (two), Ned Wickham and Paul Herring were on the mark. Michael Fortune grabbed the reply.

Good luck to all Clubs this Sunday in County Cup action, and to Nirankari Sports Sabha in the Sunday Cup.