Challenge Cup Underway...

Sunday saw the opening games in the CSSFL Challenge Cup, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

Dun Cow were the first side through to the first round as Breachwood Lions were unable to raise a side.

There were 36 goals in the 5 games that were played.

The honour of playing Cow went to AJS Tyres Broadhall after a win over plucky TC Wanderers. After a goalless first-half, Rob Stevenson's long distance effort crashed against the bar before Michael Carter fired in a great shot from twenty yards out which flew in just before the hour mark. Wanderers turned the tie on its head by scoring twice in three minutes through Perry Hunt and Nathan Searle to take an unlikely lead. The scores were level again as Carter headed in Brad Westall's long throw-in. The winner came in the last quarter when Stevenson latched on to Matt Henning's pass to smash an unstoppable shot into the far corner from the edge of the box. To their credit, Wanderers produced a late rally, which forced AJS ‘keeper Perry Thompson to make two excellent saves to prevent the game from going into extra-time.

Biggest scorers were MKS Carpentry with seven, coming by way of Josh Dance (four), Anthony Lanni, Neil Roskilly and a Richard Wilson penalty. Ben Gumble and Callum Kendrick replied for Stevenage Old Town.

Proverbial United were looking for a tie with MKS and took the lead after twenty minutes. However, The Old Post Office equalised through a Karl Rickaby shot into the bottom corner after two defenders collided. The lead was restored before Jay Smith restored parity again. Steve Riley’s cross for Ant Alcock saw him slot TOPO in front for the first time before Proverbial levelled again, Sam Stephenson (two) and Josh Stock were on target for them. Theo Griffith took of three defenders and smashed the ball home for the TOPO winner.

TC United were comfortable winners over fellow Division One side, Odyssey. Terry Lock (two), Danny Bowey, Dan Carroll, Vince Kernaghan and Sam Oppong netted. Reply came from Will Cubitt and Ryan Palmer.

Lewis Collins hit a hat-trick for Roebuck Gate, but couldn’t prevent them going out to Emperors Head. Lewis Sealy (two), Ben Collins and Joe Whittaker set up a tie with TC.

St Nicholas moved up to second place in the Premier Division after back-to-back wins over MBDA. Carl Fletcher, Dan Manning and James Tyrer were on the mark. The consolation came from Ross Walker.

Arena-Group slipped to third after a hamstring injury to top scorer Russell Cow in the first few minutes left them to play the rest of the game with ten men. Credit to Real Stevenage for taking advantage though. Rob Verdia (two), Sam Bickerstaff, Lez Chappell and Ricky Goddard put them 5-0 up at the break. Arena bounced back in the second-half to net through Marc Holmes and a Piers Le-Grand penalty.

Adam McKenzie headed Almond Tree United in front from a Carl Lingwood corner halfway through the first-half before FC Nirankari equalised midway through the second-half when Andrew Levy tapped home from another corner. With the game hanging in the balance, Nick Collins was upended in the box by Ricky Bridge and Lingwood stepped up to stroke home the winner.

Broadhall are looking at making up ground on the teams above them and helped their cause when John Johnston (two) and an own goal saw them to a 3-0 win over basement side Stevenage Leisure Limited.

Joe Delasalle’s hat-trick saw Division One leaders Marquis of Lorne consolidate their position with a 4-2 victory. Frazer Triggs also netted, whilst Bedwell Rangers replied through Ethan Draper and Jamie Morriss.

Dave Banks, Tim Chesworth, Allan Johnston and Lee McCarthy scored as Putterills beat Coopers United by the odd goal in seven. Christian Goodyear, Steve Harris and Danny Hillard replied.

Despite falling behind to a James Khakpour-Smith strike for Hartham Press, the Division Two leaders Chequers stormed back to win in style. Jon Threader equaliser before Ollie Barnett put them in front, both scored again for a 4-1 lead at the break. Two more from Threader and another from David Sells saw them hit seven.

Nirankari Timebridge are still behind on goal difference only, Dave Pateman (two) and Rich Hall netting in their 3-1 win over Crooked Billet Boro. Adam Buckingham scored the consolation.

Tallem Dennis scored for A1 Trophies, but Pear Tree ran out comfortable 5-1 winners.

Hadley Grazette and a Mark Chalkley penalty helped Broadhall Athletic to their second point of the season. Rileys Athletic replied through Callum Russell and an own goal.

Old Barclavians moved into second place in Division Three after a 3-0 win over View Point Wanderers thanks to James French, Nick Wellings and an own goal.

Granby avenged a cup defeat by the same opponents a week earlier and were in front inside a minute. Dan Carter slotting home from a corner. ABC Taxis equalised before half time when Carl Simmonds fired home a terrific shot from the edge of the box. Jaiden Irish grabbed the Granby winner with a free-kick, looping it over the ‘keeper and into the far top corner.