...and the surrounding midweeks:

Nirankari Take More Silverware

It was a good week for Nirankari Stevenage as the Club took two more trophies, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Sunday saw a first-ever Cup Final for the League at Arlesey Town FC’s Armadillo Stadium. Nirankari Stevenage Reserves secured the Division One league and cup ‘double’ with ease. The opening ten minutes was a scrappy affair on a poor pitch with high winds before Joel Mason opened the scoring with a fine strike from distance, leaving Stevenage Fencing’s stand-in ‘keeper with no chance. Minutes later, a fine cross from Ricky Case was converted by Richard Hall, sliding in at the back stick. Hall went on to score again moments later with an identical goal before Lee Allinson got himself on the scoresheet with a cute top corner curler. Kaan Fehmi wasn't to miss out on the act and scored from the spot just before the break for number five. Case got in on the act before Mason added his second, both came from outside the box. Andy Kelly came off the bench and scored a tap-in after the Fencing ‘keeper spilled a tame effort from Dan Gregory.

An eagerly anticipated Premier Division Cup Final took place on Tuesday night at Hitchin Town FC. It produced a good game of football between two sides as, like their second-string, Nirankari Stevenage secured the league and cup ‘double’. It was Dun Cow who started the brighter of the two in the earlier stages of the game, but the closest anyone came saw Nirankari’s Darren Sarll rattle the crossbar from 30 yards and Martin Young narrowly missing out on converting the rebound. The deadlock was broken on the half-hour mark as Joe Finn finished his chance well. The second-half started as the first finished with both teams trying to impose their authority on the game. An exquisite chip from Finn put Andrew Iwediuno through on goal, he used his electric pace before calmly rounding the ‘keeper and slotting the ball home. Cow continued to put up a fight and hit the crossbar before Nirankari went on to seal a good victory when Finn capped a good display with his second goal and Ricky Bridge headed home from a Young corner.

Hitchin also hosted the clash of the two young high-flying teams on Monday in the Division Three Cup final. An unbelievable start saw Bedwell Rangers take the lead inside a minute-and-a-half with a freak goal. Matt Dimond's headed clearance from a Jamie Morriss free-kick cannoned into the back of an unsuspecting James Reeves and back over the line. Broadhall ‘A’ then took the game to their opponents and looked likely to equalise. However, with only their second chance of the game on 20 minutes, Luke Smith latched onto a long ball to finish well past Will Harris to score his 41st and Bedwell’s 119th goal of the season in all competitions. Shortly after, Harris made a great save which would’ve killed the game off. Bedwell's Alex Willcocks was possibly lucky to escape with the only yellow card of the game for a dangerous lunge on Gary Hillard. Broadhall could not make the breakthrough as Keith Dawson was in fine form in the Bedwell goal, then, when he was beaten, Reeves’ effort came back off the woodwork. Harris also made a terrific save late on from Ross Murphy. After nine minutes of injury-time, the referee blew the final whistle to signal a Divisional Three Cup win to sit alongside the Herts Junior Cup that Bedwell Rangers had won earlier this season.

Joint-Managers Stephen Swain and Craig Grieves said “This has been a season beyond our expectations. These guys have worked very, very hard for over a year and now getting the accolades they deserve. It hasn’t been easy by any stretch of the imagination but we cannot rate this team highly enough. It has become a very difficult task picking the squad for each game, let alone the starting eleven. No matter who we pick though, they play as a team and play football how it is supposed to be played.”

With two cups secured, all Bedwell Rangers could do is hope that Broadhall ‘A’ drop a point in their Wednesday night league game against Stevenage Colts Reserves, so that the final meeting of the cup finalists on Sunday becomes a title decider.

Last Thursday saw the Frank Neville Memorial Cup Semi-Finals played. Crooked Billet Boro made it to a second Cup Final despite a defeat on the night against Marquis of Lorne. Ben Snowden’s strike was crucial. Jamie Robertson (two penalties) and Ross Jackson netted in vain, despite plenty of second-half chances and more penalty appeals, Jamie Campany blazed wide one of the best chances.

Broadhall ‘A’ started well against a Times Club side, who also wanted to play good football. In the final 20 minutes of the first half, they really got into their stride. The first two goals scored were fit to grace any level of football. The first was a sweeping team move with the ball played to Gary Hillard, who sent a great pass out to Andy Lee on the wing; he then produced an unbelievable cross for Phil Stevens to come steaming in to powerfully head past the ‘keeper without having to break stride. Soon after, Hillard's flick-on was brilliantly fired over the ‘keeper and under the bar from 25 yards out by a sensational swerving, dipping volley from Lee. Times Club immediately struck back through Richard Griffiths, but the two-goal advantage was restored just before half-time as Rob Stevenson's free kick eluded everyone to go in at the far post. The second-half was quite low key. Lee grabbed a second goal, set up by brother Joe Lee's header.

In Division Two on the same night, Hartham Press pulled off what only looked a mathematical possibility at Christmas, by staying up thanks to a solitary goal win against Putterills. Andy Parrish grabbed it with ten minutes to go. but the praise should be heaped on a resolute defence that managed to keep a clean sheet for a second game in a row. It meant that for the third year in a row, Hartham won their last game of the season to avoid relegation.

Sunday saw the final Premier Division game of the season forfeited by Highview against champions Nirankari Stevenage, whilst Mallard Old Boys also forfeited their final Division Two game against Putterills, meaning the latter finished above them on goal difference in fourth.

The league website can be found at www.cssfl.info.