New Boys Probuild Cull Cow

Probuild’s Premier Division status began with a tremendous win over the mighty Dun Cow to avenge last season’s KLM Cup Final defeat. Tony Lister put them in front from the penalty spot before the experienced Shaun Marshall levelled with his head. Dad-to-be Craig Hadley ran onto a Lee Allinson through-ball to put the Division One champions ahead and morning signing John Vooght finished matters. The other promoted side also began with a victory. Although it could not have started worse as Marquis of Lorne, formerly MBDA, gifted Broadhall’s Alan Collins a strike after just 30 seconds. However, Pete Gentle headed home an Alan Kenney corner to level and Gentle returned to favour to head on for Kenney to lob home. A defensive mix-up saw Collins net his second to level again. Kenney grabbed his second to make it three-two before Paul Gasson seemed to have earned Broadhall a point. New signing Luke Decker was the hero with the final say when he powerfully headed home from another corner. Champions Nirankari Sports Sabha began their defence with victory over Bedwell Athletic (Paul Herring).

Division One went goal-crazy. Newly-promoted Pied Piper won for the second successive week in a classic game. Chris Bunker opened the scoring with his head following a Lee Kitching free-kick. Steve Teale netted from the spot before grabbed his second. Teale joined him on a brace after rounding the ‘keeper. Putterills replied through James Anderson (two) and the lethal Dave Banks. Eight goals were evenly shared where Peartree took the lead through Michael Fortune. Danny Wardell hit their crossbar before a long throw-in from Daniel Curtin was flicked on at near post by Jordan Dineen and headed in by Michael Bunker. Steve Harris turned the game on its head, banging in a hat-trick for Emperors Head. Firstly he headed in Tom Hillard’s cross, he netting again after a 30 yard run and completed the treble at the second attempt from strike-partner Chris Goodyear’s flick-on. Barrie Curtin netted with a 35 yard free-kick to level again with 10 minutes left, but a Danny Hillard penalty put Emperors back in front. However, with just seconds remaining, a corner was eventually turned in by the goal poacher that is James Khakpour-Smith for a draw. Adam Stevens gave Pin Green the lead before Pig and Whistle’s Scott Durham turned the game around with a brace. Stevens levelled again before Ryan Chilcott won the game for Pig from 40 yards! Having registered as a replacement team, Times Club must’ve thought it was gonna be easy after a speculative lob from Ben Morris found it’s way to the net and Anthony Minnis doubled their lead five minutes later with a low shot. However, Breachwood Lions turned the screw in the second-half when Danny Jefferies steered his shot inside the post into the net to start the fightback. They hit the crossbar before Jefferies found George Harrison, who turned and fired home from the edge of the box. Adam Burnage unleashed a 20 yard strike into the net for the lead. Burnage turned provider twice to find Harrison inside the box for a hat-trick.

Royal Oak managed to stay top of Division Two despite a point after building on a double-figure win last week. Lee Dowsett and Dave Pateman scored their goals, but Carl Lewis and Paul Hannington gave new boys Morecambe Wanderers a share of the spoils as they also built on a good win last week. Fox took the lead after half an hour with a strike from Gary Henniker. However, Bottles Reserves equalised after the break after a rare mistake from centre-half Johnny Gardner allowed Dave Locke in. With the game ten minutes from a draw, a wonderful ball sent substitute Mike Oakes through, and he finished in style from 30 yards, curling the ball into the top right corner. Fox’s Sam Dance preserved the lead with some ample goalkeeping. White Horse’s miserable start continued, despite Frazer Triggs’ strike. Dun Cow Reserves won with ease thanks to Pete Brewster, Adam Pratt, James Erwood, Mark Phillips and an own goal. Old Social bounced back from their opening day defeat thanks mainly to a Scott Taylor hat-trick, the first coming after just 27 seconds. Further goals from Michael Potter, Ryan Palmer and a 20 yard screamer from Ray McGlone finished matters. SCS replied through Robert Herd, Dave Brown and Aaron Collins.

Division Three saw ProCladd rack up a big win. Two goals from Neil Henderson in the first-half were followed by two from new signing James Tyrer. A great solo effort from Carl Fletcher into the top corner from outside the area finished off King Pin United, who grabbed a late consolation through Perry Maranian. Sam Bickerstaff struck the post twice before giving MBDA a fortuitous lead with a cross-shot. However, Hogshead were level with a smart finish from Jay Elliott. Poor goalkeeping from stand-in Karl Donoghue allowed Kyle Watson to nip in and net his first MBDA goal before Gary Smith levelled again from the spot. Ashley Kersey broke from midfield to restore the lead with a cool finish before substitute and last season’s 20-goal man Steve Stapleton beautifully lobbed home a decisive fourth. Veteran Simon O'Reilly headed home from a throw-in to give Twin Foxes the lead before Steve Koop pulled MC Racing level following a corner. After losing Pete Duffy and Rob Smith, the new Foxes front two were enjoying their debut and combined well to enable Sam Lawrence to sprint clear of the defence and finish well. However, a routine catch from their ‘keeper was spilled in front of Koop, who made no mistake from close range for his second, and a point.

Scott Apps put Roebuck Gate in front against Division Four leaders Stevenage Fencing. They replied through Alan Widdows (two), Mick Sandford and Keven Fehmi. Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves began their season with a comfortable win over Coach and Horses. Lee Wilson (four), Russell Bull (two) and Pete Duffy grabbed their goals. Coach netted through Andrew Nash and Daniel Owers. Athletico Timebridge continued their good start after Matt Grima set them on their way from the spot. Good attacking play from North Herts Celtic led to a corner kick being whipped into the box for new signing Jamie Hatch to head home after the break. This woke up Timebridge, and they began to play well with Terry Lock behind things. A 25 yard shot was only parried into the path of the oncoming Dave Herbert, who coolly put the ball away. Celtic came back strong and levelled again with a superb strike from Michael Atha. However, Timebridge led for the third and final time when Sam Dellasale lobbed home from 25 yards. On a sad note, Celtic’s Daniel Burley suffered a broken ankle in a nothing challenge. Another super game saw Broadhall Reserves win by the odd goal in seven. Kyle Stevenson, Alex Elmes, Lee Stokes and Ben Collins netted. Rileys replied through Garyth Johnson and a Dean Haskins brace. Yorkshire Grey won their opener, Lewis Sealy (two), Daniel Batt and Adam Charles were on target. Woolmer Green Foxes were victims of the same score for the second successive week despite two goals from Steve Parker and an own goal.

The opening Invitation Cup tie saw JAP Builders win comfortably despite Stevenage Leisure’s Alex Lucy adding another to the already three-goal deficit. It was backs-to-the-wall stuff for the rest of the game and they succumbed to Negus Johnson (two; one a sublime lob), Mandell Mullings, Fabian Mullings, Greg Phillip and a 30 yard Dean Taylor strike for the Premier Division side.