Some Good Senior Moments...

It was satisfying day for our sides in the Herts Senior Cup, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

Herts Senior Cup:
Dun Cow were biggest winners, hitting double-figures without reply in the second-half alone. Colne Valley Blues had made a game of it before then, trailing only 3-1 at the break. Adam Furness grabbed the first, then added a penalty. Lee Noble gave away a needless penalty as the Blues got back in the game. Furness was on fire, bagging four in total, he was replaced by Glenn Lamacraft, who then helped himself to a hat-trick. The best move of the game saw Noble make amends for his earlier clanger with a rasping shot from distance. Further goals came from Dave Kiddie, Scott Mahoney, Ross Kane, Ryan Butler and an own goal in a good team performance.

Marc Holmes and Piers Le-Grand each hit a hat-trick as Arena-Group hammered Inter. Sam Jones, Guy Warman and Ian Woodfield also netted in the 9-0 rout.

Ricky Lawrance hit a hat-trick as Almond Tree United won the all-Stevenage tie 5-2 against Real Stevenage. Ryan Butler and Alex King were also on target. Lez Chappell hit a brace in return.

Hitchin side Stevenage Outsiders were beaten at home by FC Nirankari. David Iwediuno (hat-trick) and Theo Swaine (two) grabbed the goals between them.

Stevenage Leisure Limited were the only side to go out, Old Elizabethans came to town and won 6-1. Matt Sharp’s goal was scant consolation.

Division 1 Cup Preliminary Round:
Rob Barton, Si Jervis and Charlie Lawson netted as FC Mallard went through 3-0 against Odyssey to set up a quarter-final with Coopers.

Division 2 Cup Preliminary Round:
Callum Russell (two), Myles Marshall and Matt Roworth bagged the goals as Rileys Athletic comfortably knocked out A1 Trophies 4-0.

James Khakpour-Smith, Andy Parrish netted in Hartham Press’ 3-2 defeat by Chequers. Jon Threader, Darren Churchill and Steve Teale were on target as the latter now face Rileys.

Division 3 Cup Preliminary Round:
Paul Hodgson and Lewis McClean netted in ABC Taxis’ win over View Point Wanderers.

The temperature remained high throughout this ‘local derby’. Whilst the football was not pretty, Old Barclavians were prepared for a tough battle and took the lead with a well worked corner. Josh Watson placed the ball to the near post where Carl Swendell converted with a well angled header. Stevenage Old Town were then awarded a penalty, from which Gary Linehan levelled before Ben Gumble put them in front against the run of play. Michael Schmidt scored a powerful volley from close range to tie the game at 2-2. Joe Marshall-Zeal then latched onto a through-ball to put OB in front for the first time, then hit the winner with his second of the day and they now face ABC despite a late Linehan goal to bring it back to 4-3.

Premier Division:
Rhys Hoenes and John Johnston bagged the goals as Broadhall reversed defeat two weeks earlier by St Nicholas. Grant Sullivan also missed a penalty, which didn’t affect the game as they won 2-0 for their first win of the season.

Division 1:
Putterills went top of the table after a thrilling 4-3 win. Jimmy Anderson, Tim Chesworth, Allan Johnston and a strike from substitute Greg Muir saw them home. Bedwell Rangers replied through Jamie Morriss, Luke Smith and Nick Thomas.

Marquis of Lorne also won 4-3, Sean Soards (two), Martin Rees and Ben Smith were their marksmen. MKS Carpentry’s goals came from Mark Roskilly (two) and Josh Timmins.

Coopers took the lead when Ben Weldon netted with a header before TC United levelled things up with a terrific Richard Minnis finish from the edge of the box. A replica of the opener saw Weldon restore the lead. They almost extended their lead after the break when a fine half-volley from Matt Arlick came back off Chris Benton's crossbar. With twenty minutes left, Terry Lock made it 2-2 after latching on to Jon Dunne's through-ball.

Division 2:
Leaders Breachwood Lions clung onto their berth after a 1-1 draw. Ali Collins grabbed yet another goal, as did Crooked Billet Boro hotshot James Marshall.

Pear Tree stunned the division by turning over Nirankari Timebridge. They took the lead when great work by Gaz Baker and Ben Collins saw the latter head past the ‘keeper. Their defence dealt well with their opponents’ efforts. They started the second-half the better and the clincher came when Collins pounced after a howler from the ‘keeper. Timebridge pulled one back with five minutes to go to set up a tense finish. Sadly, Timebridge’s Dan Downham broke an ankle.

Emperors Head hammered Broadhall Athletic 9-2. Stuart Smillie (two), Ashley Sealy (two), Damian Hadlow, Elliot Harvey-Manning, Lewis Sealy and Joe Whittaker did the damage. Alex Elmes and Dale Griffiths replied.

Division 3:
Broadhall Icon are top with four-from-four after a narrow 2-1 win over TC Wanderers. Steve Skinner and Tony Waters grabbed their goals.

Lewis Collins and Dave Morton saw Roebuck Gate to a 2-0 win over Granby.

The Old Post Office led 2-1 at half-time through a Matt Jefferies header and Jay Smith. Tom Robbins made it three from a Karl Rickaby pass. However, Proverbial United stormed back to level the game, Josh Stock, Anthony Ambrose and Sam Stephenson on target for them. TOPO won it in the last few minutes when a throw-in by Theo Griffith was turned in via a good header from Haydn Essam. Their linesman Terry Marchant then tripped over his own laces to give everyone a laugh.

See the league website for results and fixtures at www.cssfl.info