TC Wander Into Next Round...

Two of our three sides made it through to the fourth round of the Herts Junior Cup, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

Nathan Searle opened the scoring after two minutes before Casey De-Vall doubled the lead before the break as TC Wanderers were coasting at Inter Hemel in the Herts Junior Cup Third Round. Mark Gentleman, Daniel Papp and Jason Smith made it a 5-0 romp.

Roebuck Gate also progressed, Lewis Collins (two), Paul Ingram-Tedd and Shane McGuire netting in a 4-3 win at Palace.

ABC Taxis’ run came to a grinding halt. Both sides seemed to lack any real composure from the outset but Hatfield Cricket Club went ahead when a speculative shot from distance was lost in the sun by the ‘keeper. They hit a second inside twenty minutes. ABC started to get back into the game after the break and a header seemed to be handled on the line, the game could’ve changed had they been awarded a spot-kick and Hatfield would’ve been down to ten men. The visitors made it 3-0 with a header from a free-kick.

Premier Division leaders Dun Cow continued their 100 percent start and took an eighth minute lead through Adam Furness before Nick Collins equalised for Almond Tree United on fifteen, having rounded the ‘keeper. Cow upped their performance and Furness got his second from a free-kick and moments later completed his hat-trick. In the dying moments of the first-half a Cow goal-kick saw a route one move and Ian Thorne calmly slotted home. Tree scored the only goal after the break, skipper Danny Lingwood bringing it back to 4-2.

MBDA moved back to mid-table after a 9-0 win over Stevenage Leisure Limited, who are still looking for their first point. Ashley Kersey (four), Kyle Watson (hat-trick), Ryan Stewart and Sam Harwood were on target.

Scott Durham, Jay Milburn and John Johnston were on target as Broadhall beat Real Stevenage 3-1 to move up a couple of places. Lez Chappell replied.

Marquis of Lorne have a four point lead at the top of Division One after a comfortable 5-0 win over Coopers United. Joe Delasalle (two), Ross Jackson, Jamie Robertson and Frazer Triggs netted.

Putterills made it back to back wins with defender Allan Johnston heading a first-half brace to take his tally for the season to seven. The second-half saw MKS Carpentry rally, but despite having large amounts of possession, failed to produce a shot on target.

FC Mallard continue to turn their season around and the diminutive Steve Welch headed home his first goal in four years before Odyssey made it 1-1 at the break. Charlie Lawson netted to reward his second-half performance before Dave Hollands clinched it despite a late goal conceded to make it 3-2.

The return encounter between long-standing rivals AJS Tyres Broadhall and Bedwell Rangers produced an eventful game. In a strange twist, Bedwell gained revenge for their undeserved opening day defeat with a very fortunate win. They took the lead on twelve minutes before an equaliser came as Joe Lee rose high to head home Phil Stevens' corner for a 1-1 at half time score. After conceding, Lee equalised again. However, Bedwell made the most of two breaks, firstly, a shot somehow got past 56-year-old stand in ‘keeper Dave Allaway from a long range free-kick then a freak goal as the wind held the ball up from an aimless cross and it hit a Bedwell player on the knee and into the net. Lee completed his hat-trick to no avail from a close-range header to set up a tense finish, but it finished 4-3 to Bedwell, who scored through Ethan Draper, Chris Kennet, Jamie Morriss and Nick Thomas.

Nirankari Timebridge went top of Division Two after a 9-1 mauling of Broadhall Athletic. Joel Mason (five), Dave Pateman (two) and Terry Pateman (two) grabbed their goals. Hadley Grazette scored the consolation.

Chequers slipped off the top despite taking the lead through Ollie Barnett and then having two glorious chances to put the game to bed. Ricky Hill cleared the ball off the line to prevent another before ‘keeper Max Anderson tipped a penalty over the bar. Breachwood Lions were then level when hotshot Richard Taaffe found the space to turn and tuck the ball in the corner. On his debut, Ed Wharton's long throw-in was dropped by the ‘keeper at the feet of brother Richard Wharton, who netted for Lions. Chequers levelled at the break through Gary Gibson and Carl Thompson converted a penalty to put them in front. Richard Wharton’s header was then handled on the line and a third penalty of the game saw Dan Jefferies earn Lions a point.

Pear Tree are still going well as Gaz Baker (hat-trick), Charley Blackham and Andrew Davison were on target in their 5-0 win over Rileys Athletic.

James Marshall (two) and Mark Hemmings were on target in Crooked Billet Boro’s 3-2 win over A1 Trophies. Garry Brown and Tallem Dennis responded.

Emperors Head still sit fifth after a 5-2 victory over Hartham Press. Damian Hadlow, Dave Hannaway, Ashley Sealy, Lewis Sealy and Joe Whittaker were the scorers, whilst Dave Mower replied with a brace.

Broadhall Icon are still 100 percent in Division Three despite playing with ten men. They overcame bottom side View Point Wanderers with a good team performance. Michael Bunker saw a penalty saved before Matthew Lawless curled a shot from thirty yards out into the bottom corner. Dan Gregory then made it 2-0 with a fine goal after good play by Bunker and Dean Waller, he beat three players and rounded the ‘keeper. The game was sealed when Dave Clemence took on two players and was fouled in the box, however everyone stopped, but the referee played the advantage and Gary Pomfret smashed the ball home into the top corner for 3-1.

Granby are second, but have real work to do to catch the leaders. Tony Bailey (two), Joe Chilton, Jaiden Irish and Toby Willis were on the mark against Proverbial United. Regular scorers Sam Stephenson and Josh Stock replied.

Stevenage Old Town grabbed the points thanks to a solitary Sean Gumble goal on thirty-five minutes when he slid the ball past the on-rushing ‘keeper. The Old Post Office attempted to get back into the game, but Karl Rickaby sliced the ball wide and with their only shot on target, Haydn Essam shot goalwards off his shin, but it hit team-mate Scott Fielder in the privates to sum up their day.