Mixed Day In County Cup

A mixed day in the Herts Intermediate Cup saw a big win for Fox at North Herts Hatters. Gary Henniker (four), Kevin Ward (two), Ross Randall, David Dawe and Johnny Gardner bagged the goals.

Four different goalscorers saw Pig and Whistle return from Druids Bar with a comfortable victory. Callum Newbury, Grant Sullivan, Darren Bartlett and Jason Milburn done the job.

Breachwood Lions were beaten at last season’s Junior Cup semi-finalists Baldock Engine.

A lack of communication between stand-in ‘keeper Chris Goodyear and centre-half Daniel Moore saw the latter slip the ball through the former’s legs after 20 minutes to give Old Barge the lead. However, a Chris Chalat corner was deflected to Tom Hillard, who equalised for Emperors Head. Ten minutes before the break, Joe Chilton lifted a superb a ball over to Hillard, who beat the last defender and unleashed an unstoppable shot from twenty yards into the top right corner to take them through.

Peartree also made it through thanks to a fourth successive first round walkover at Waggon Athletic.

Aston Athletic had two sent-off as they were hammered at Swan. Rob Lucas grabbed their solitary reply.

Stevenage Colts Old Boys’ season got underway at last, and their brand new squad were well beaten at Three Tuns. But they were happy to have netted three times. Neil Parker was one of the players on the mark.

Times Club were comfortably turned over by West Herts.

Premier Division leaders Mallard continued their impressive start to the season against Marquis of Lorne. Andy Pilgrim and Tim Smith netted before the break. Their opponents battled well before Ian Baker finished them off as they were thankful to good performances from Tom Henry and debutant Ross Kane.

Champions Nirankari Sports Sabha won a tight game. Ricky Case opened the scoring from the spot before Terry Pateman’s instant equaliser for newly-promoted Probuild. Case repeated the trick from another penalty and completed his hat-trick from a free-kick. Adam MacKenzie scored a header in reply before Gabriel Follano also headed home from a corner to complete the scoring. Both teams had a man sent-off in a game of eight yellow cards in total.

Dun Cow got back to winning ways. Adam Furness (two) and Shaun Marshall were on target against Bedwell Athletic, who replied through Tony Wells and Dean Wylie.

Smiles, good sportsmanship and a Club which are the bed rock of the league is what awaits you when you play Broadhall. Unfortunately it was a one way affair from as Bottles had two early chances before Leeroy Odd began his haul of five goals with a fine 30 yard volley that flew into the top corner. Piers Le-Grand and Dean McCullagh scored two apiece and Tom Glading bagged one in a very impressive performance.

In the solitary Division One game, Steve Teale was the hero again bagging four goals for Pied Piper. John Hughes was also on target. Pin Green replied through Adam Stevens, Richard Griffiths and Paul Ryan.

After shipping a dozen a week earlier, SCS stunned everyone, including Division Two leaders Morecambe Wanderers by sharing ten goals in a pulsating match. Simon Lewis (two), Steve Hayes (two) and Ben Shannahan (penalty) scored for Wanderers. Jon Butler (two), Daniel Brown, Aaron Collins and Dean Chadderton replied for the side that jumped two places off the basement.

Dun Cow Reserves are the new leaders, seeing off Tom Tiddlers Tavern with ease. Danny McIver (two), Keith Coughlin, Gareth Scrivens and James Dillnutt amongst the goals.

Bottles Reserves started the brighter in this ‘battle of the oldies’. John Saunders going close with a thumping early effort, but it was strike-partner Robbie Freeman netted with a header. Early in the second half, Old Social equalised through Scott Taylor. David Locke restored the lead before a wonder strike from Glen Day with almost the last kick sewed it up.

White Horse are now bottom without a point from four games despite Andy Collier and Jason Lovelock’s goals. Royal Oak grabbed the points thanks to Dave Pateman (two), Tom Sharman and Elliot Bunn.

ProCladd are the only 100% side in an open Division Three after a comfortable win over A1 Trophies. Three up at half-time thanks to James Tyrer (two) and Jack Floyd, Neil Henderson grabbed another after the break. Stand-in ‘keeper Grant Smith kept the score down with some classy saves.

Stevenage Leisure are up to second after edging out MC Racing. Jamie Drackford and a hat-trick from Charlie Cook saw them home. Anthony Koop and Mark Phipps replied.

MBDA threw away a two-nil lead against Chequers for the third successive time. Kyle Watson and Ashley Kersey had both finished well after good moves, instrumented by Craig Sutherill. A header from a corner from John Mikiel and Carl Thompson’s blistering volley levelled the scores by the break. Thompson netted again, as did Kersey. Hayden Jones seemed to have won it for MBDA from a tight angle, but Thompson lashed home a deserved equaliser at the near post in added time.

Rapidsource got their first points on the board thanks to Simon Moore (two) and Ben Coles. King Pin United had a bare eleven and lost one to injury in the second-half. They performed well and Danny Lingwood struck a 20 yard free-kick to set-up a tense final ten minutes.

Twin Foxes are looking very useful. Sam Lawrence (five), Les Chapple (two) and Rob Smith’s goals saw them win with ease. Hogshead’s sole reply came from Calvert Garnes.

Division Four saw the three breakaway sides again register big wins. Athletico Timebridge were biggest scorers against Woolmer Green Foxes. Joe Delasalle (eight), Dave Herbert (hat-trick), Sam Delasalle, Ben Sheldrake and Danny Carroll netted. They scored seven in each half.

Stevenage Fencing beat Rileys thanks to Neil Roskilly (four), Marvin Hall (four), Alan Widdows, Kaan Fehmi and Tom Bowgett.

Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves do score plenty, but also leak them. Russell Bull (two), Lee Wilson, Pete Duffy, Bruce Bass and Reece Tyrer bagged the goals. Lewis Sealy and Damian Hadlow each netted a brace in reply for Yorkshire Grey.

Roebuck Gate earned their first clean sheet and first win of the season. They edged the first-half courtesy of two Ian Levy lobs. Daniel Swales grabbed the third by latching onto a through-ball and finishing into the corner. Despite Matt Jackson striking the crossbar twice and having two lobs cleared off the line, they did manage a further goal when Mark Hollis cut inside and curled an effort into the top corner to finish off Coach and Horses.

North Herts Celtic took the lead after 20 minutes with a lovely chipped goal from youngster Darren Curry before Broadhall Reserves levelled the half-time score. A dubious offside saw Leigh Pollard pounce to restore the lead before a low shot by striker Michael Atha extended it. Broadhall pulled one back from 20 yards, but with just five minutes remaining, left-back Craig Dean smashed home before Curry added another.

This Sunday sees a couple of huge County Cup games, none more so than Mallard’s clash with former champions Ashlyns United.