Intermediate Success...

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

Herts Intermediate Cup 1st Round:
Biggest winners were FC Mallard, seeing off Headstone Lions 6-0. Charlie Lawson (two), brother George Lawson, Rob Barton, Si Parnell and Dan Welch notched.

Biggest win away from home was by Old Barclayvians, who hit VFC for five without reply. Despite being up against it, a free-kick just inside the oppositions half by Lee Falanga flew into the top corner. Minutes later it was two as a high ball caused confusion and Josh Watson nipped in with a close range header. The home side went down to ten men before half-time and just after, Callum Gardiner took full advantage as he smashed a low drive into the corner. Dave Pateman was assured in goal at the other end. Gardiner grabbed his second, completing a well-worked passage of play starting from the back four. Joe Marshall-Zeal caused problems for the defence, who could only clear the ball to Dean Page, who side-footed number five from the edge of the box.

Odyssey won 4-0 at Ashwell. Louis Gilbert (two), Dave Sell and Richard Veness on target.

After a stint in the Hitchin League, Russell Ayles has settled back into the CSSFL after his debut goal last week, grabbing a brace early on in MKS Carpentry’s comfortable away win. The opener saw him chip the ‘keeper first time, whilst he went round him the second. Substitute Christian Capon bundled another in whilst he grabbed his second from a James Sawyer cross. AFC Spartans were a decent side and caused problems, but Dave Barker pulled off a number of outstanding saves and was only beaten by a late penalty.

Nirankari Timebridge kicked off the game well aware this could be a tricky tie as CK Guild were unbeaten and put pressure on from the off. However, as mistake allowed Joel Mason in to score from just inside the visitors half with a cool finish. The second-half saw Timebridge rally and gain territorial advantage and Dave Pateman snuck in with a well worked goal to seal the tie.

Jamie Campany and Martin Rees netted as Marquis of Lorne went through 2-1 against Northmet.

After going behind to Thorley Saints, Michael Emmings finished well to level for AJS Tyres Broadhall. Phil Stevens scored a second equaliser before Saints netted twice more. Matt Jackson's corner went straight in off the far post to reduce it to 4-3 before the ‘keeper then pulled off an incredible save to deny Stevens making it 4-4 at the break. Matt Dimond then diverted a header past his own ‘keeper before Matt Henning fired into the corner from a good pass from Jon Myers and then a great team move finished with a terrific cross from Rob Stevenson for Stevens to power his header in for 5-5. Saints were then gifted a late winner.

The Old Post Office travelled to Potters Bar and were 3-0 down to Northaw within the first 20 minutes, one a penalty conceded by Karl Rickaby. Some awful defending saw two more conceded after the break before Rickaby’s pass found Tom Robbins to pull one back. They conceded a late sixth.

Coopers United were hit for six without reply at Reed Rangers.

Premier Division:
Dun Cow are still 100% at the top after hitting four yet again. Jim Bywater, Ross Kane, Glen Lamacraft and Scott Mahoney on target. Real Stevenage replied through Lez Chappell.

With Stevenage Leisure Limited continuing to struggle for players, they lost again to a well organised side. Arena-Group took the lead after a ‘keeper error before a quick second. Leisure pulled one back when Stewart Smith's deflected shot found the back of the net. Joe Chilton bundled the ball in to make it 3-2. But Arena hit seven thanks to Piers Le-Grand (hat-trick), Russell Cox (two), Sam Jones and Ian Woodfield.

FC Nirankari comfortably won a physical encounter against St Nicholas, where both sides were reduced to ten men. Andrew Iwediuno hit a hat-trick, Theo Swaine scored a well-worked team goal, whilst Ricky Bridge and Jahrome Mullings also netted.

MBDA missed a hatful of first-half chances and were shown how to finish as Almond Tree United went in at the break 2-0 up. Alex King set them on their way when he struck a sublime shot from 25 yards over Andy Gibb inside ten minutes before Ricky Lawrance ran through, rounded the ‘keeper and netted the second. Lawrance got his second minutes after the break, before Carl Lingwood put the game to bed with a rasping shot.

Division 1:
TC United fought back from being a Nick Thomas goal down to Bedwell Rangers at half-time. The equaliser was a half-volley into the top corner by Terry Lock, who then put his side in front with a fine solo goal, beating three defenders and slotting past the ‘keeper. Ben Sheldrake wrapped up the points with another stunning goal, a thirty yard free-kick into the top right corner.

Division 2:
Ollie Barnett (two), Steve Teale (two) and Alan Collins netted in Chequers’ entertaining 5-3 win over Emperors Head. They replied through Lewis Essam, Dave Hannaway and Lewis Sealy.

Another 5-3 game saw Rileys Athletic take the points. Callum Russell bagged a hat-trick, whilst Matt Roworth and Myles Marshall were also on the mark. A1 Trophies’ scorers were Tallem Dennis, James Harrod and Si Longman.

Hotshot Richard Taafe was at it against with another two for Breachwood Lions as they beat Hartham Press (James Khakpour-Smith). Dan Jeffries got the other in the 3-1 win.

Gaz Baker hit another two as Pear Tree stayed unbeaten. He smashed home their opener before the break. However, Crooked Billet Boro were gifted a goal after a mix up let in Dan Hartland. With a point looking likely, Dean Chadderton put a through ball to Baker, who turned the defender and fired home the winner.

Division 3:
Michael Bunker, Dan Gregory, Lee Kitching and Steve Skinner scored in Broadhall Icon’s comfortable 4-0 win over Proverbial United as they remained the only side with a 100% record.

Granby stormed into a three-nil lead. The first saw Jaiden Irish converting a penalty he’d won before he slotted home another. A corner then dropped to Rhys Flavell 30 yards out, and he hit a screamer into the back of the net. Ross Taylor forced a defender into a late own goal. Stevenage Old Town were unfortunate to hit the woodwork twice, but eventually replied from the penalty spot through Gary Linehan.

ABC Taxis battered View Point Wanderers 9-1 thanks to Billy-Joe Sewell (two), Chas Bailey (two), Karl Cleverdon, Gary Henderson, Lewis McClean, John Saunders and Carl Simmonds. Mike Coombes scored the consolation.

TC Wanderers and Roebuck Gate played out a goalless draw.

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