Mallard Chuffed…With Victory Over Former Champs

The Herts Senior Cup saw form-team Mallard claim the scalp of former champions Ashlyns United. By all accounts it was a really good competitive cup game and the man in the middle, John Hopkins, controlled the game well. Ian Baker opened the scoring, Craig Reynolds netted from a free-kick, an audacious volley from Riki Dance and Jim Bywater’s finish after good work from Timothy Smith finished the job. Excellent performances from new signings Bywater and Barry Hazelton were a key factor. They now travel to Holywell on 28th October.

Also through after a tight one are J.A.P. Builders. The game had an extra edge to it as a number of their players are former players of their opponents, Red Star ICL. They came out of the blocks quickest with an own goal and a bullet header from Patrick Alcide. However, goals either side of the break from Ross Pateman and a great strike from James Campbell pulled the Hitchin side level. J.A.P. weren’t to be denied won the tie and Negus Johnson netted yet again with a composed finish that ignited some jubilant celebrations.

Also through are Probuild, whose opponents AC Daniels pulled out 24 hours earlier.

Two of our sides are unfortunately out. Broadhall were well beaten by Metropolitan Police (Bushey) OGB. Marquis of Lorne took the lead when Alan Kenney finished superbly from 20 yards from Gav Bowler’s flick-on. However, The Marne levelled with a deflected strike and added two more late on.

Premier Division champions Nirankari Sports Sabha just about made it three-out-of-three against the new-look Dun Cow (Marc Holmes and Shaun Marshall netted in defeat).

Leeroy Odd netted as Bottles were surprisingly beaten by Bedwell Athletic, whose goals came from Alex Headington, Paul Underwood and Steve Underwood.

In Division One, Pied Piper are still 100 percent after a brace apiece from Chris Bunker, Kologo Richards and Riyston Williams saw off Peartree.

Pig and Whistle are chasing them after banging in double-figures. John Johnston was back in the goals with five, Darren Bartlett (hat-trick), Declan McMahon, Jay Milburn and Alec Thomas also netted. Emperors Head replied through Chris Chalat’s goal from Steve Harris’ through-ball.

Mark Bridge hit a hat-trick and Dave Banks the other as Putterills beat Breachwood Lions (George Harrison headed home an equaliser from Iain Turkentine’s cross).

Another player with five goals to his name was Richard Griffiths for Pin Green. Sean Soards (hat-trick) and Gazzan Afana were also on the mark against new-boys Times Club.

The big clash in Division Two saw Bottles Reserves and Dun Cow Reserves lock horns in the battle of the second-strings. A brace apiece from Mark Phillips and Pete Brewster saw league leaders Cow home. Robbie Freeman had equalised with a great goal before Phillips restored the lead into the top corner direct from the resultant kick-off! Glen Day netted a consolation with almost the last kick.

Morecambe Wanderers are second after another win. Simon Lewis (two), Andrew Pearse, Ben Nichols and Russell Ayles netted against a weakened Tom Tiddlers Tavern (Callum Gardner, Clive Titmuss and Paul Morecambe).

Fox are 100 percent after another Gary Henniker-inspired win. He grabbed a hat-trick, whilst Matt Arlick and Josh Watson on his debut also netted. Royal Oak came within a goal thanks to Ben Downham, Dave Pateman and a brace from Bryan Every.

Robin Lucas (two), Danny Bowey and Darren Hicks gave Aston Athletic a tight victory over SCS.

Division Three leaders ProCladd maintained their perfect start. They took the lead with a terrific low strike from Neil Henderson, who doubled the lead ten seconds after the break with a clever side-footer from 12 yards. New signing James Tyrer made it three with a shot into the top corner before MBDA rallied through player-manager Nigel Tingey breaking from midfield to finish well from 20 yards. However, a clever header and a one-on-one finish saw Tyrer complete his hat-trick.

Stevenage Leisure are second after Jamie Drackford set them on their way with a 30 yard lob. James Batchelor added two more after good work with Charlie Cook. After the break, Rapidsource stemmed the tide and a loose ball saw Ben Coles break and net a consolation.

King Pin United are sitting second after an outrageous win over Twin Foxes, for whom Sam Lawrence will feel down after his four goals weren’t enough. James Wyatt netted Pin’s solitary first-half goal against two from Lawrence. They dominated the second-half with James Wyatt completing his hat-trick but being overshadowed by Carl Lingwood who became the third player to net five on the day. Adam Bannister was the other scorer.

A1 Trophies took an early lead via Simon Longman’s header, before Hogshead turned it around with a Gary Smith brace. A crisp strike from Si Longman levelled again before brother Craig Longman slotted home after some neat work by Paul Tully. Adam Lusby levelled the scores again before Craig grabbed his second with a looping shot. The game was made comfortable a poor kick from the Hogshead ‘keeper fell straight to Si, who calmly punished the ‘keeper to take his hat-trick. The final nail in the coffin came when Michael Forecast, on as a substitute at left-back, scored a lob from over 30 yards. Both teams also had a man sent-off.

Despite being goalless at the break, MC Racing had a comfortable win against Chequers. Confusion between the ‘keeper and a defender left James Cox on his own to prod home the opener. Nik Tribe then banged a lovely right foot shot from the edge of the box before Nick Christodoulou sewed it up with a half-volley from 18 yards.

The big clash in Division Four saw Stevenage Fencing take the points. Marvin Hall (hat-trick), Neil Roskilly (two) and Lee Hewitt put them six-one in front. Terry Lock (two), Dave Herbert and Danny Carroll were on the mark in Athletico Timebridge’s fightback. They lost Joe Delasalle in the final ten minutes, hoping the league’s stop scorer won’t be out for long.

The big shock saw Nirankari Sports Sabha Reserves beaten. With both their sides now playing at Peartree Park after an appeal to the decision to deny them playing on the synthetic surface at Baldock was turned down, they took an early lead. However, North Herts Celtic hit back through Darren Curry. Chances came thick and fast with another two from Curry and one headed in by Trevor Cunningham before half-time. Sabha grabbed another before Jamie Hatch netted with five minutes remaining to see Celtic home.

Roebuck Gate took a two-goal lead into half-time courtesy of Andy Hall's flicked header from a long throw-in and then, after Ben Broadbent sent Mark Hollis through on goal, the striker finished coolly into the top corner. It remained so until the last minute when Matt Jackson rose at the back post to head home from a corner to deflate Rileys.

Woolmer Green Foxes stopped the rot as Steve Parker (two), Tony Cook, Reece Butler and Michael McDaid gave them the points by the odd goal in nine against Broadhall Reserves (Alex Elmes, Mark Chalkley, Gareth Dray and Michael Petley).

In the Invitation Cup, Coach and Horses were glad to get away from the struggles of their league form. They took the lead through a Steve Buckley header midway through the first-half, which was technically a three-goal lead. Ryan Palmer replied for Old Social they were denied an equaliser from a penalty, which was magnificently saved by the stand-in ‘keeper Rob Gasson. Social did pull another back through Dave Stroomer, but Coach survived the final ten minutes onslaught to register their first victory.