Cow Second String Into Another County Final

Sunday morning saw the belated semi-final shoot-out between Cheshunt Corinthians and Dun Cow Res in the County Cup. In a game played at Royston Town, our boys set up a final appearance with AC Finchley Select B on Sunday 4th May at Letchworth’s Herts FA Heaquarters. James Dillnutt scored the opener, whilst he and other old campaigner Adam Paine set up Pete Brewster’s winner. In a double-celebration, they became league champions due to a result back in Stevenage.

The most exciting domestic semi-final by far saw Simon Keehne become the hero for King Pin United as he saved two penalties in a shoot-out. United were three-up inside half-an-hour and seemed to be cruising thanks to a double from Robbie Duckworth and a James Wyatt free-kick. However, Chequers hit back with two quick-fire Carl Thompson goals. Wyatt extended the lead, but John Patrick and Jason Smith forced extra-time. With the momentum, Chequers took the lead for the first time in extra-time through big John Mikiel. However, with ten minutes to go, Nick Collins nodded home when the defence failed to clear. It came down to the lottery and Keehne stepped up to the plate.

They will play the final against Stevenage Leisure this coming Sunday after the fitness side lived up to their name and showed real character. Dave Coates and James Cox put MC Racing two-up, but they couldn’t hold on. Ben Field pulled one back before the break. Carl Smith grabbed a brace before Jamie Drackford took over. The long-haired striker netted four times, the best being a lob.

The Division Four semi’s were one-sided, Lee Wilson (two), Dean Allen (two), Russell Bull and Reece Tyrer netted as Nirankari Sports Sabha Res saw off Yorkshire Grey (James Whittaker).

Roebuck Gate made it through to a cup final in their first season and held out for their eighth clean sheet of the season, all credited to Richard Pomroy between the sticks. They cruised to a three-goal half-time lead against Coach and Horses after Daniel Swales' deflection in the area wormed its way across the line, and headers from Mark Edwards and Ian Levy provided the early cushion. More of the same after the beak saw Edwards create room in the area from Warren Radcliffe's clever pull back across the area to fire into the roof of the net. Stuart Rowe netted from the penalty spot after Matt Jackson was hauled down before Edwards claimed his hat-trick goal. Radcliffe rounded things off by firing in a shot from the edge of the area. They won’t fulfil their dream of playing at Broadhall Way though due to a commitment to the sponsors Landkom in Ukraine.

In league action, Nirankari Sports Sabha continue to make hard work of their catch-up on Mallard as another double-header saw their downfall. They’re not happy about playing them as it’s less match time, but countless requested weeks off, entry into the National Cup, aswell as bad weather has made them necessary. They gained four points over Bottles. With Bedwell Athletic forfeiting Tuesday night, Nirankari Sports Sabha effectively need four points from the double-header against DC Out Bar at Alleynes School on 4th May for the title.

In the other double-header, the first game was a particularly tight affair with Steve Underwood grabbing the winner midway through the first-half for Bedwell Athletic. All round hard work was the key as J.A.P. Builders couldn’t break them down. In match two, the Bedwell Athletic walking wounded put in another good performance to clinch third position in the league as J.A.P. Builders failed to score on the day. This means they've now finished in the top four for each of the last five seasons…without ever really recruiting any superstars. Gary Hewlett opened the scoring with a scorcher from the edge of the box, but soon turned from hero to villain by getting himself sent-off. Despite playing the majority of the game with ten, the outcome was never in doubt with both Steve Underwood and Paul Underwood on target.

The league game of the day saw Pig and Whistle needing to end Division One leaders Pied Piper’s 100 percent record to take the competition to the final day. Good teamwork and management, along with vociferous support saw John Johnston and Richard Griffiths net in opposition to Steven Teale and Chris Bunker as the game was locked at two-two. However, Piper’s second had been scored past stand-in ‘keeper Johnston as Luke Turner had to come off after colliding with a post! Substitute Scott Durham slotted home a dramatic winner for Pig to take it to the final day this Sunday. It also put the cat amongst the pigeons before their cup final meeting on 9th May.

James Howe, Adam Stevens, Dave Baldwin and Sean Soards netted inside half-an-hour in Pin Green’s win over Breachwood Lions. George Harrison netted a consolation before the break. Tuesday night saw Pin Green beaten this time by Peartree.

Dun Cow Res’ championship win was confirmed as another day for missed opportunities for Morecambe Wanderers saw the inevitable outcome. Russell Ayles did give them the lead halfway through the second-half, but Gary Henniker, Dave Dawe and Matt Arlick turned the game in Fox’s favour before Ayles pulled one back.

Old Social had a hard fought win over the side that beat them in the divisional cup semi-final seven days earlier. Despite finding themselves behind to Royal Oak at the break courtesy of Carl Pearson’s strike, they hit back in the second-half. A cool finish after rounding the ‘keeper by Michael Potter and a Dave Stroomer header from a corner saw them win all three points.

In game that summed up Morecambe Wanderers’ season on Tuesday, three players dropped out on the day and phone calls where made up until six to find 11. They went down to Royal Oak early after dominating the game even though they started with ten. Simon Lewis got them back in it with a sweet strike, but they fell behind again. Lewis levelled it for a second time but despite plenty of the ball Morecambe couldn't find the back of the net. To hang onto second they need fourth-placed Old Social to beat third-placed Fox.

Dun Cow Res celebrated their title win with another stroll as Danny Lane, Andy Lane, Mark Phillips, Pete Brewster and Danny McIver grabbed the goals against Old Social (Michael Potter).

In the sole Division Three game, MBDA looked to continue a good week and jump another place. Twin Foxes were in front with an excellent finish from the impressive Leslie Chapple. However, Ashley Kersey smashed home an equaliser before Tony Davies diverted Craig Sutherill’s free-kick past Barry Aldridge to put them behind. Daz Jones’ back-header from a long throw-in inadvertently fell for Rikki Kielkowski to slot home the equaliser before Davies atoned for his earlier error to all but sew up fourth-place past Andy Gibb. The ‘keeper had lost a contact lens moments earlier, he was replaced immediately after the goal by Steve Stapleton. Not to be outdone and to stay unbeaten away from home in the league, Liam Boon returned to the MBDA side as substitute after four months out with a magnificent 30-yard equaliser.

Nirankari Sports Sabha Res set up a mouth-watering shoot-out for the Division Four title with Stevenage Fencing at Alleynes School this Sunday. They hammered North Herts Celtic thanks to a hat-trick apiece from Russell Bull and Lee Wilson, plus strikes from Pete Duffy and Dean Allen. It was eighteen conceded in three days for Celtic!

In the other game, Coach and Horses edged out Rileys (Dave Waugh) thanks to strikes from Steve Cornwell and Marvin Miller.

The Invitation Cup semi-finals take place tonight at Shephalbury Park. Terry Lock added a brace to the already four-goal start for Athletico Timebridge, it was too much for Premier Division side J.A.P. Builders, whose win on the night thanks to Fabian Mullings, Negus Johnson and Ross Pateman wasn’t enough. They’ll play King Pin United in the last four.

Bedwell Athletic celebrated their 10th anniversary a week ago with a last minute victory to take them through. As ten years ago, they were captained by Paul Coxall and the team included Paul Underwood and Steve Underwood as the sole remaining members from their first ever game. They took the lead early with a strike from Joel Mason. Morecambe Wanderers needed victory to make it through themselves, and immediately restored the two-goal lead. This was short-lived as Mason grabbed his second with a lob just five minutes in. Steve Underwood netted with a trademark header as they looked clear favourites at half-time with the scores level. However, Morecambe had other ideas, coming out after the break with more belief and managed to score on the counter-attack to give them the advantage and then immediately doubled it following an uncharacteristic mistake by Bedwell ‘keeper Aaron Springham. With half-an-hour remaining, Bedwell needed three to progress. Mason got the first, before their chances looked to have suffered as they went down to ten men due to injury. However, Mason scored his fourth in the last minute to tie the scores, then in injury time Tony Wells scored with an exquisite finish into the top corner to send them through.

On Sunday, Probuild completed the line-up and a meeting with Bedwell after crushing North Herts Celtic. Terry Pateman (hat-trick), Adam MacKenzie (two), Tony Lister (two), Dan Gregory, Rich Hall and Lee Allinson (penalty) did the damage. Daniel Burley, Max Howard and Darren Curry replied.

Cup Finals will be confirmed after Sundays big KLM Challenge Cup semi-final as some teams could be in multiple finals.