Granby Enjoy A Leisure-ly Morning

Perennial challengers Dun Cow are in the last eight of the County Cup once more, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

In the Herts Senior Cup, Dun Cow were up against a ten-man MBDA in an all-CSSFL meeting. Ian Thorne (four), Adam Furness (three) and Shaun Marshall netted in the 8-1 win. Ross Walker replied. They’ll play the winner of the FC Nirankari v Comets Sports Club game, which was one of three to fall due to frozen pitches.

As usual, some interesting scores in the CSSFL Challenge Cup as the first Round got under way. Granby would always have fancied their chances against the Premier Division’s bottom side Stevenage Leisure Limited. The latter were done by a player who left them earlier in the season, Joe Chilton twice netting from long-range, also being denied a hat-trick by the post. Jaiden Irish bagged a penalty in the 3-2 victory, a Chris McCarthy brace wasn’t enough for SLL.

Division Four leaders Broadhall Icon also upset opposition from higher in the ladder as they beat the Division Three leaders. Icon started the game strongly and should’ve taken the lead with Dave Clements missing two great chances. However, it was Chequers who took the lead when ‘keeper Stu Howard mis-judged the flight of the ball from a corner and knocked into his own net. It was soon two as Gary Gibson nipped in on a short back pass. Tony Waters smashed the ball into the roof of the net to bring it back to 2-1, but Gibson soon restored the two goal lead. Dan Gregory was then brought down in the area, and stepped up himself to score and they drew level shortly after the break when Chris Bunker’s cross ended up in the back of the net as Chequers’ second-half ‘keeper Stephen Koop was blinded by the sun. Gregory scored his second of the game to put Icon ahead for the first time after a scramble in the area before Bunker then smashed the ball in the top corner from a tight angle for his second to make it 5-3.

The only all-Premier clash saw Broadhall overcome St Nicholas 4-2. Ryan Chilcott, John Johnston, Jason Milburn and Kologo Richards netted in victory. Carl Fletcher and Grant Siggery responded.

Richard Hall (two) and Dave Pateman netted in Nirankari Timebridge’s 3-1 win over Crooked Billet Boro, for whom Dan Hartland replied.

A1 Trophies were looking to avenge their disappointing performance against the same opposition the previous week. They started brightly and some clinical passing led to the first goal as veteran striker Lee Clarke made it three goals in as many games. Trevor Long was pulling the strings in midfield and he was involved in number two which culminated in a simple Simon Longman finish from Clarke’s cross. The ball was fired across the box for Greg Bradbury to slot home at the back post on the hour before Long found Bradbury again, who hit home from outside the area from an angle. With View Point Wanderers arguing amongst themselves, Bradbury completed his hat-trick when he drifted in un-noticed at the back post for a 5-0 scoreline.

TC United progressed after a scintillating first-half display saw them stretch clear of Emperors Head. Terry Lock headed home the opener from Ben Sheldrake's long throw-in and Dan Carroll doubled the lead with a stunning twenty yarder. Lock made it three just before the break when he also found the corner from long range. Their opponents rallied a little to make a game of it, but Carroll added his second when he rounded the 'keeper to kill off the tie. Chris Benton used his big frame to preserve the clean sheet from a late penalty.

A Callum Russell brace saw Rileys Athletic beat Pear Tree 2-0.

Marquis of Lorne failed to raise a side against Almond Tree United, whose passage to the next round is a formality.

In Division One, Putterills went in front after Rob Cooper’s save from a spot-kick fell back to Pete Morrison, who netted. In the second-half, Coopers United were back in it when Steve Harris gambled on a through ball which went through the ‘keepers legs, and he tapped home. They went in front after 70 minutes when substitute Matt Arlick turned and slotted the ball home. However, the scores were level when Dave Banks netted. Coopers won it in the last ten minutes when Christian Goodyear flicked home a header from a Craig Vincent throw-in to put them mid-table.

Charlie Lawson, Tony Webb and Dan Welch were on target as FC Mallard moved into fourth after a 3-0 win over basement side Odyssey.

The Old Post Office earned a 1-1 draw thanks to Karl Rickaby’s strike. They claim TC Wanderers’ goal to be a Scott Fielder own goal, but the latter are crediting Dan Papp.

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