Cow Into KLM Final Again

A lot to catch up on over the past week as they weather has been kind at last!

Sunday saw Dun Cow reach yet another KLM Challenge Cup Final as they overcame Stevenage Leisure. Sam Gittings was the hero again with a hat-trick, whilst Shaun Marshall, Scott Mahoney and Ryan Jenner also netted. Chris Tillbrook had earlier equalised for the third division side who battled well for the entire game.

In the Premier Division Cup semi-final, Lee Horsley rounded off a good move involving Dean Horsley and Dean McCullagh to put Bottles in front before Andy Yates’ half-volley from 20 yards restored the lead after Probuild had levelled through Barry Greenway. They did so again through Lee Allinson to force extra time before Rich Hall gave them the lead for the first time. However, Bottles responded immediately as the energetic Piers Le-Grand was rewarded for his effort as he chased down a loose back-pass. In the second period, with legs beginning to tire, Probuild pressure failed to pay off and Le-Grand won it.

Nirankari Sports Sabha edged out J.A.P. Builders on penalties after two hours of score-less football.

The top two will meet in the Division One final. Champions-elect Pied Piper saw top scorer Steve Teale smack an early penalty off the crossbar. He did, however, give them the half-time lead. He completed a hat-trick after the break, whilst Luke Mitchell, Lee Kitching and Kologo Richards also scored. Adam Burnage crossed for George Harrison to head home a late consolation for Breachwood Lions.

John Johnston and Ryan Chilcott each netted a brace as Pig and Whistle made it through with a win over Putterills (Sam Harte and an own goal).

Dun Cow Reserves’ perfect season continued as they saw off Marquis of Lorne in the Division Two semi’s despite a Jason Lovelock brace. James Dillnutt (two), Pete Brewster, Danny McIver, Jason Drackford and Mark Phillips were on the mark for the whites.

Bryan Every and Dave Pateman gave Royal Oak a two-goal lead. However, Old Social were unfortunate not to force extra-time despite pressure being rewarded when Stuart Archer netted his 25th goal of the season.

In Division One action, Times Club stunned their opponents by taking a two-goal lead at the break. A great flick on from Rich Neville saw Martin Griffin run on and shoot, it was a poor shot that hit a divot and bounced over the diving ‘keeper. Griffin then doubled the lead with a diving header. However, obviously uncomfortable in this position, captain Matt Freeman put through his own net from Chris Goodyear’s ball into the box to give Emperors Head a lifeline. Club Captain Tom Bradshaw grabbed the equaliser with a great individual effort on the hour. Sam Archer and Anthony Charles were brought on with ten minutes remaining, which proved to be inspired substitutions as they combined for the late winner. Archer sent a great cross to Charles at the far post, who headed across goal into the top corner.

Adam Stevens (six), Paul Ryan (two), Dave Baldwin, Sean Soards, Graham Kear and Rob Allen were on target for Pin Green against Stevenage Colts Old Boys (Oliver Wisker).

In the sole Division Two game, Bottles Reserves (Chas Bailey) shared the points with Fox (Gary Henniker).

King Pin United were looking to push for second-place in Division Three and got the breakthrough after 15 minutes when Dave Holmes converted to become the Club’s joint-top scorer with James Wyatt. Carl Lingwood's mazy run was brought to an abrupt end in the box and Danny Lingwood stepped up to slot home from the spot to double the lead. A couple of slips at the back allowed Lingwood to convert his second and Adam Bannister to score. Hogshead managed consolation goals through Calvert Garnes and Dan O'Brien.

A1 Trophies slipped up in their quest for promotion as they dropped two points against bogey-side MBDA. Ashley Kersey gave the latter the lead as he converted one of his three one-on-ones in the first ten minutes. Greg Bradbury toe-poked the equaliser past Andy Gibb from a long-ball forward before Rob Barton restored the lead with a bobbler before the break. Bradbury netted again to share the spoils, but there were plenty of other chances. Sam Harwood and Dave Pyke hit the woodwork for MBDA, whilst Si Longman and Bradbury each put over from three yards for A1.

In Division Four, Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves were handed three points against Rileys, who failed to field a side.

This meant Stevenage Fencing had to win to stay top, this they did…just! Gaz Smith toe-poked home after an Arin Fehmi corner for the opener before another one fell to brother Kev Fehmi to curl home. He completed a hat-trick of assists which saw Neil Roskilly chest home. Kev Fehmi then grabbed his second with a cross-shot. Joe Whittaker completed a hat-trick with two late goals for Yorkshire Grey to add to his earlier goal.

In what was effectively a face-off for third place, Roebuck Gate were three-one to the good at half-time in the first of the double-header, from then on it went pear-shaped. Daniel Swales, Matt Jackson and Mark Hollis had netted, before North Herts Celtic pulled one back through Dan Burley. Leigh Pollard's driving run saw him unleash a sweet strike from fully 25 yards that left the keeper with no chance. Sam Le-Moir then levelled with a miss hit cross, just as Jackson had done. With only two minutes remaining, a free-kick saw young striker Darren Curry step up and knock it over the wall and into the top right hand corner for the points. Roebuck looked in disbelief at a game that had been ripped away from them in that fashion. The game was slightly tarnished when Celtic’s Pollard and Gate’s Andy Hall saw red for after a scuffle ensued. With both teams tiring, the second game was goalless.

Brad Harrison (six), Mark Chalkley (hat-trick), Craig Brooks, Nick Cosky, Ben Collins and Lee Stokes saw Broadhall Reserves annihilate Woolmer Green Foxes.

Bottles are in real danger of relegation from the Premier Division after James Blythe, Joel Mason and Richard McGregor gave Bedwell Athletic the points on Tuesday night.

Nirankari Sports Sabha beat Probuild to move closer to the title. A Ricky Case penalty and Ben L’Honore did the job.

ProCladd were crowned Division Three champions after Neil Henderson, Danny Halliday, James Tyrer and Charlie Barnett netted against Hogshead. It’s some achievement as they finished second-bottom in the previous two campaigns, and haven’t strengthened hugely, although Tyrer has been impressive.

It’s the one year Anniversary of Paul Saunders’ death this weekend, and in a fitting tribute to him, A1 Trophies grabbed promotion in the last minute under the dusky, rainy skies. Club Secretary Paul Metcalf says “most of the lads have said he has been the twelfth man”. They took the lead through Si Longman, but King Pin United were knocking at the door after hitting the crossbar twice and were denied from the spot by a terrific save from Matty Stanton. They equalised through Robbie Duckworth from Del McGivern’s flick after the break. Dave Holmes put them in front from an angle and it seemed the second guaranteed promotion slot was going down to the wire, but captain Craig Longman sent a looping shot over his own head and into the top corner with 30 seconds remaining.

James Brooke gave Stevenage Leisure the lead after a few minutes of sustained pressure. However, MBDA came out better after the break and Ashley Kersey poached two goals from close-range to give them the points. The winner came from a sublime tee-up from Rob Barton.

Mark Phillips (two), Danny Lane and Keith Coughlin gave Dun Cow Reserves yet another three points against Royal Oak on Tuesday night.

Division Four saw Yorkshire Grey thrash Rileys (Dave Waugh two, Dan Barnes and Chris Simpson). On the score-sheet were Ashley Sealy (hat-trick), Robbie Freeman (two), Lewis Essam, Damian Hadlow, Mark Pickard, Gareth Lewis and Joe Whittaker.

Last Thursday saw a couple of crucial Invitation Cup ties. Broadhall went two-thirds of the way towards a semi-final with a tremendous comeback. Division Four side Rileys started the game with nine men, a four-goal lead, and took a two-one half-time lead into the bargain. A crazy second-half saw them concede twelve! David Stevens (four), Alan Collins (two), Michael Wells (two), Roger Pulham (two), Paul Gasson (two) and Darren O’Brien. Dave Waugh grabbed all four for the bottom-division side.

Bedwell Athletic had a fairly comfortable win in a very good spirited game against Roebuck Gate, who were eliminated as a result. Paul Underwood opened the scoring with a neat volley after a corner was half cleared. Joel Mason then ran onto a poor attempted back pass and slotted past the helpless 'keeper before Gary Hewlett jinked his way down the wing and delivered a delightful cross for Steve Underwood to finish with a bullet header. Paul Underwood headed into the roof of the net to level before Mason hit his second with a nice finish, drilling into the bottom corner after a good team move to give them the overall lead. Finally, a long throw-in from Jimmy Blythe was flicked on by Steve Underwood at the near post and Mason sealed his hat-trick with an easy header.

On Sunday, Peartree were always chasing a lost cause a three down before kick-off. Jordan Dineen (two), Barrie Curtin and James Khakpour-Smith netted, but they were well beaten on the day by Athletico Timebridge. Dan Carroll (two), Alan Bellott (two), Terry Lock, Luke Brackenbury and Rich Minnis (penalty) netted.

DC Out Bar wiped out the three-goal deficit by half-time thanks to Lee Metselaar, Dave Byatt and Alan Kenney, but were still wasteful with their chances. MC Racing stormed back to earn a draw on the day thanks to James Cox (two) and a Darren Pitch header.

Morecambe Wanderers gave themselves a semi-final chance and eliminated Broadhall in the process. It was a close game, Russell Ayles scored a hat trick, Riki Dance and Stephen Hayes scored the others.  A super stop and Tony "the cat" Bruce in the dying moments meant defeated the Premier side on the day despite Michael Wells’ hat-trick and one from Roger Pulham.