Cow Champions After Two Trophy-less Seasons... Dun Cow became champions for the first time in three years on Sunday without kicking a ball, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

Ross Connolly (four), Ricky Bridge (three), Leon Gutzmore and Jahmell Mullings were on target as FC Nirankari set up a second round CSSFL Challenge Cup tie with MBDA. Jamie Burbury scored a consolation for Hartham Press in the 9-1 rout.

The Premier Division saw Dun Cow finally lay their hands on silverware again when they were handed the points by Real Stevenage, who forfeited the game due to a player shortage.

After losing to the same opponents the previous week in the Premier Division Cup, Almond Tree United responded with a well deserved victory in a well contested game. They took their chances well, beginning with Carl Lingwood’s somewhat lucky opener as he deflected in his brother Danny’s effort. St Nicholas had their chances, but couldn’t convert and Bradley Vooght went on to score from a defensive mix-up. The second-half saw more of the same as Vooght grabbed his second with a neat finish and Dave Holmes kept his composure after being put clean through to make it 4-0 and sets them up for a pop at the runners-up spot.

With the Division One champions decided, the race is on for the runners-up spot. TC United may end up finishing there, despite being on the wrong end of an incredible game where they stormed to a first-half four goal lead. Jimmy Lock nipped in to score after confusion between ‘keeper Dave Barker and Ray Downes and Dan Carroll also chipped in after Barker was slow off his line before James Sawyer inexplicably tapped the ball into the path of Terry Lock to slot home a third. The fourth saw Terry Lock waltz past four defenders without a tackle and Barker made the finish easy by staying on his line. MKS Carpentry woke up and Josh Dance should’ve pulled one back before Lee Metselaar did with a customary six-yard box finish before the break. They had another back on the hour when Dalziel Geary controlled the ball with his chest and smacked home an unstoppable volley into the top corner. However, Rickie Nash brought down Terry Lock in the box and he slotted home the penalty for 5-2. Again, it looked all over. However, with fifteen minutes left, it was the Josh Dance Show. Some poor defending let him in, then he calmly lobbed the ‘keeper before he was released again and slotted home. Moments later he completed his quick-fire hat-trick and it looked like he’d salvaged a draw. However, TC panicked from a long ball from Mark Roskilly and Dance ran through and bravely out-jumped the ‘keeper to head an incredible winner. There was still time for Barker in the MKS goal to atone for previous errors with a great low save.

Another amazing game took place and AJS Tyres Broadhall took an early lead when a deft pass by Michael Emmings sent Jordan Tyrell through and he sent a good finish into the bottom corner. FC Mallard struck back almost immediately when Daz Wilson converted a spot-kick after a foul on Rob Barton. Wilson then brilliantly re-directed a cross up and over the ‘keeper with his head into the far corner for 2-1. AJS kept going and were level from the spot through Emmings after Tom Gallego had brought him down. He netted again with a terrific shot after Matt Henning's defence splitting pass. Barton then finished well with a poked effort to level again before Gav Bowler gave Mallard a 4-3 half-time lead. The ball was fed to him and he chipped the ‘keeper by stabbing at the ball into the ground for a great finish. The only goal after the break saw Tyrrell leave Bowler for dead on the half-way line, dribble past a number of players, pass to Paul Hancock, who played a delightful return pass to Tyrrell, who fired his shot into the top corner for 4-4.

Chequers still head Division Two, with two games left. In a first-half of missed chances, Steve Teale went closest when a header was cleared off the line. Jon Threader then calmly slotted home for the lead and Crooked Billet Boro would rue a couple of missed chances as good work from Marcus Morton and Steve Koop released Ollie Barnett to put the game to bed.

Back from his holidays in Oz, Joel Mason hit two to take him to 28 for the season as Nirankari Timebridge beat Emperors Head 3-0. Dan Downham also netted.

Breachwood Lions confirmed a top three berth and took the lead when a James Mason corner was headed in by Richard Wharton. They added a second after some neat play by Adam Jefferies saw him release Dan Jefferies for a one-on-one with the ‘keeper before he scored again for 3-0 after the break for his 19th of the season. Richard Taaffe was finally on the score sheet with yet another brace, the first a great solo effort and his second capitalising on an awkward back pass with a shot that the ‘keeper couldn't keep out of the net. He moved onto 25 goals in his first season in the CSSFL. Jefferies nailed his hat-trick before Wharton also got his second with a low shot. Captain Iaian Turkentine capped a great performance with a shot on the turn high into the A1 Trophies net for 8-0.

Broadhall Icon’s penultimate game has put them in a great shot of the title. The ten-man leaders were in front when Steve Skinner converted from Dan O’Brien’s long ball forward with a side-foot volley. Aaron Penfound’s diagonal pass found Dave Clements, whose looping header made it 2-0. Nathan Searle lost Skinner at the near post to pull one back for TC Wanderers before Lee Kitching rose to head home a third. TC defender Perry Hunt diverted the ball home for a fourth. Tony Waters and Dean Waller really should’ve extended the lead.

Basement side View Point Wanderers started the game with ten men and fell a Gary Haze goal down to third-placed Granby. Once up to their full quota, Gaz Baker levelled before the break. They were on top now and Baker rode two tackles before firing them in front. A poor clearance then fell to Scott Taylor, who hit a thumping volley home from twenty-five yards. Baker dashed clear again to complete his hat-trick before Matt White’s consolation didn’t prevent VPW’s third win in four.

John Saunders (two), Gary Henderson and Carl Simmonds netted in ABC Taxis’ 4-2 win over Stevenage Old Town. Gary Linehan and Billy Reedman replied.

Shaun Skutela (two) and Dean Auburn saw Roebuck Gate to a 3-0 win over The Old Post Office.

In the Frank Neville Memorial Cup, five goals without reply saw Arena-Group to a 5-3 victory overall against Proverbial United. Scorers were Marc Holmes (two), Jack Evans, Piers Le-Grand and Ian Woodfield.

Broadhall Athletic won on the day, regardless of their handicap over Bedwell Rangers. Garry Smith and Alex Elmes were on the mark, Ben Swain replied.

Pear Tree also beat a higher division side in Putterills, Andy Davison’s goal making it 2-0 overall.