McGregor Dents Mallard’s Charge

Nirankari Sports Sabha reached round two of the National Sunday Cup. Their opponents Partizan are currently top of the Bedford Premier League were a good side, they battled well, kept their shape and were disciplined in the match at Biggleswade United FC. However, NSS had missed some good chances before Ricky Case opened the scoring from 25 yards into the top corner. They should’ve made the game safe, but hit a post with a penalty. They were punished as Partizan equalised with a couple of minutes left. However, in stoppage-time, NSS were awarded another spot-kick and Russell Bull slotted home the winner. They now fly off to a venue near Gatwick on November 4.

In the Herts Junior Cup, Nirankari Sports Sabha Res were biggest winners, scoring most of the twenty goals against Colne Valley Royals. Russell Bull netted five times in this morning game before shooting off to Biggleswade. Lee Wilson (four), Dean Allen (hat-trick), Sam Spencer, Martin Wilson, Liam Castle, Reece Tyrer, Pete Duffy and Craig Gilbert grabbed the rest.

Sandridge Sports Res were no match for Stevenage Fencing. Neil Roskilly opened the scoring with a deflected shot before he doubled the lead after Alan Widdows’ shot was parried. Garry Smith then netted after Roskilly had a shot saved, the latter completed his hat-trick shortly after the break and went on to get another. Tom Bowgett scored a brace and also tee’d up Chris Tilbury for one. Karl Bradley scored the pick of the goals, driving home from 25 yards.

Ben Coles (four) and Gary Pitts (two) were on target as Rapidsource saw off Phoenix A.

In the all-Stevenage encounter, Division Three leaders ProCladd won through. They went in front before Rob Smith levelled when finishing calmy from a Jason Aldridge through ball. Disaster struck when the Foxes ‘keeper dislocated his finger in a vain attempt to save the second goal and went off to hospital. They were down to ten men. Aldridge netted another at four-one before he too had to go off injured to leave them with nine! Stand-in ‘keeper Leslie Chappell was beaten three times despite his heroics. ProCladd’s goals came from Neil Henderson (two), James Tyrer, Jack Floyd, George Rowe, Carl Fletcher and Barry Mullaney.

MC Racing crushed the AC Grapes within the first ten minutes. Firstly, a good run by Nik Tribe on the left resulted in him finishing well in a one-on-one. Steve Koop soon followed with a lob from near the corner flag somehow ending up in the goal. Ross Taylor was bought on ten minutes into the second-half and got his debut goal, chesting home a Richard O'Donovan cross. AC pulled two back late on, before a quality low diving save from Phil O'Rourke prevented extra-time in the dying seconds.

King Pin United went in front inside ten minutes when Dave Holmes struck a low shot as Hexton Res failed to clear their back-line. He then made it two just before the break. The opponents replied early after the break but a Carl Lingwood shot crept under the ‘keeper to secure the win despite a late rally and another goal from the side from near Luton.

Onto the sides going out. A Carl Thompson brace wasn’t enough for Chequers at Veralum Arms.

Coach and Horses lost at a canter to Markyate.

Despite goals from Laurie Bambridge (two) and Steve Parker, Woolmer Green Foxes were hammered at Operation Swordfish.

MBDA were two-down at the break to Bushey Rangers. Louis Hare’s volley brought them back, before he was fouled for a penalty-kick. However, Kyle Watson’s effort was saved and they went out.

Rileys were beaten at AMG United, Dean Haskins and Sam Cooper on target.

Paul Davies’ strike wasn’t enough as Oakwood as Stevenage Leisure also fell.

North Herts Celtic were eliminated after one of their players was deemed ineligible from a couple of years ago, owing money to a Club in another league. The Herts FA have only just been made aware of it. Woodside Reserves were the beneficiaries in a cruel blow for Celtic.

In the Premier Division, Mallard tasted defeat for the first time this season. It seemed like plain sailing as Andy Pilgrim put them in front just before half-time, but despite numerous chances, they couldn’t add to it. A battling Bedwell Athletic were level on the stroke of half-time. A cross from the right found Richard "Zorro" McGregor, who netted with a bullet header. There were chances for both sides in the second half which was fiercely contested, Mallard pressed, but found ‘keeper Aaron Springham a real stumbling block. With twenty minutes to go, Steve Underwood robbed the centre-back and rolled in McGregor, who calmly slotted home to send the travelling fans wild. Despite their opponents hitting the post, Paul Underwood picked the ball up on the left, looked up and tried to lob the keeper from 35 yards, although he scuffed it with his weaker left foot along the ground, it clearly fooled the ‘keeper as it managed to find it's way into the bottom corner to seal the win for Bedwell, who are up to third.

J.A.P. Builders produced a workmanlike performance to see off a ten man Broadhall (Ian Brown and Daryl Wiegand netted in reply). Mandell Mullins (four), Negus Johnson (hat-trick), James Brewster and a delightful chip from Michael Hatch saw them home.

Marquis of Lorne finally got one over their nemesis from last season. Probuild had beaten the former MBDA four times in all competitions, pipping them to the Division One title. Lee Metselaar went on a mazy run to put them in front from ten yards before Olly Rice headed home a Josh Dance free-kick to double the lead. Terry Pateman’s header was a consolation.

Bottles versus Dun Cow didn’t go ahead, a decision is to be made at a later stage.

In Division One, Pied Piper consolidated their position at the top after a trouncing of the fledglings of Stevenage Colts Old Boys. Steven Teale (five), Lee Kitching (hat-trick), Riyston Williams (two), Luke Mitchell, Steve Large, Tony Waters and Craig Mitchell. Craig Perry netted a brace in reply.

After a goalless first-half, it took a further ten minutes for Christian Goodyear to set the ball rolling when he finished Steve Harris’ cross to give Emperors Head the lead. Some good work from Danny Wardell found Danny Hillard, his first time cross found an unmarked Harris, who’s diving header found the bottom corner on the hour for a second. Putterills responded five minutes later through Peter Morrison. He then levelled from the spot, the ball squirming under stand-in ‘keeper Kevin Childs. They turned the game on its head when Jon Pace netted. But a penalty for Emperors for a foul on Harris saw Hillard net for a point apiece.

Pig and Whistle beat a nine-man Breachwood Lions, whose consolations came from Adam Burnage and Iain Turkentine. Ryan Murphy (two), Jason Milburn, Declan McMahon (hat-trick), John Johnston (two), Ryan Chilcott, Grant Sullivan (hat-trick), James Thomas and Ricky Lawrence saw the second-placed side home.

New boys Times Club netted through Stuart Cosham’s penalty. However, Peartree won thanks to a brace from Michael Fortune and a hat-trick from regular marksman James Khakpour-Smith.

In Division Two, nearest challengers Morecambe Wanderers (Simon Lewis) were no match for Dun Cow Res. The big boys were on the mark through Danny Lane (two), Jason Drackford (two), James Dillnutt, James Erwood and an own goal.

Despite a Frazer Triggs hat-trick, White Horse were back on the wrong end of a result as Aston Athletic really got in the groove. Sam Barnes (two), David Sell, Robin Lucas (two), Stuart Clarke (two) Danny Bowey and an own goal saw them home.

Royal Oak are third after a good win. Dan Downham, Dave Pateman, Tom Sharman and Elliott Bunn on the mark. Bottles Res’ replies came from Leeroy Odd and Robbie Freeman.

Old Social second win of the season came thanks largely to goals in the first-half from Dave Stroomer and Stuart Archer, despite Simon Flecknell’s brace for Fox. The clinched the points with a stunning strike from the edge of the box by Leigh Mardlin to end the Fox's unbeaten start.

Tom Tiddlers were back to winning ways despite a clutch of injuries. A one-sided game against SCS that created many chances saw goals at regular intervals. Mark Montague grabbed his first goal of the season scored early on and Dave Pateman doubled the lead. Jamie Hucker and then Dean Page’s fourth of the season extended the lead before Nikki Clements capped it.

The sole Division Three game saw Hogshead continue their recovery with a second-successive draw. It could’ve been better as they’d led at the break thanks to goals from Alan Green and Gary Smith. A stunned A1 Trophies came out battling and within ten minutes, Simon Longman scored with a tidy finish. Shortly after, the brother double-act struck again as Craig Longman netted with a powerful header from a corner. Hogshead stepped up a gear and went back in front through Carl Robinson. However, Martin Metcalf gave A1 a point directly from a corner.

One game in Division Four too. Joe Darby crossed from the left to Mark Pickard, who controlled well and dinked the ball over the ‘keeper to put Yorkshire Grey in front. Lewis Sealy beat two players, before supplying Pickard, who doubled the lead to stun their opponents. Athletico Timebridge finally woke up and Matt Grima struck a sweet shot, the ‘keeper pushed it away, but Dave “The Hitman” Herbert knocked the rebound in. Moments later, Terry Lock grabbed the ball and his control was magnificent as he took on five players and finished well to equalise. Herbert then fired Timebridge into the lead with less than ten minutes remaining. However, Sealy was assisting again, supplying Damian Hadlow, who chipped the ‘keeper to level again.Amazingly, Timebridge showed title credentials when Danny Delasalle’s sliced header hit Ben Sheldrake’s knee and went in, you need luck.

The other news from Division Four is that Stevenage Fencing registered an ineligible player and had the points from their 11-0 win over Rileys in September reversed. There was no attempt to cheat by Fencing, just an oversight.