Back to news

League News

Statto's Report (18 Sep' 11) - Part 2/2

  • 20/09/11
  • By Darren "Statto" Jones
Football image

Neil Henderson, winner for the spot for St Nicholas...

League action...

Premier Division:
Dun Cow are the only side with a 100 percent record after an easy win over MBDA. Ryan Jenner opened the scoring, slotting home after a good run from Jim Bywater and it was a surprise that it was only one-nil at the break. Ross Kane made it two before a turn and left-foot strike from Adam Furness for another. A great cross from Dave Kiddie found substitute Shaun Marshall to head home a fourth.

Arena-Group’s decent start continued as they shared the spoils in a lively six-goal thriller. Russell Cox (two) and Piers Le-Grand netted. Broadhall’s reply came from Kologo Richards, John Johnston and Rikki Banks.

Ricky Case (two) and David Iwediuno finally gave FC Nirankari their first points, beating a Real Stevenage side who’d won their opening two games. Lez Chappell grabbed the consolation.

Stevenage Leisure Limited, without top scorer Carl Smith, were twice behind to Dan Manning and James Tyrer goals for St Nicholas, but Joe Chilton twice equalised, including a well curled free-kick. Chris McCarthy also went close for SLL, hitting the inside of a post with a long-range free-kick. With chances limited for both teams in the second-half, St Nics got the winning goal from the penalty spot with 15 minutes remaining through Neil Henderson.

Division 1:
In a game of good counter-attacking football, AJS Tyres Broadhall claimed all three points, but not before their ‘keeper Perry Thompson continued his outstanding early season form with a great save The deadlock was broken on the hour through a terrific controlled volley from Matt Henning as the ball came down out of the sky. They got a second, created by a tremendous run by Tom Finch, who laid off to Michael Emmings to put in Paul Hancock, who smashed his shot in off the underside of the bar. TC United were back in the game when Terry Lock's flicked header was sliced in to his own net by a defender before they restored their two goal advantage ten minutes from time through Matt Dimond. A trademark surge out of defence, he played a one-two with Matt Jackson before curling a terrific shot home. The TC ‘keeper saved well from Matt Jackson's free-kick before Thompson pulled off a brilliant save from a Lock free-kick.

Coopers United were involved in a ten-goal deadlock. Ben Weldon tapped home an equaliser before MKS Carpentry went 3-1 up. Danny Hillard pulled one back before Steve Harris levelled, heading home Craig Vincent’s cross. Two more for MKS saw them pull away again as Josh Dance (hat-trick), Russell Ayles and Adrian Barry were on target. However, Matt Arlick found the bottom corner from a free-kick. Then, with just five minutes left, substitute Michael Prater found Callum Newbury, who slotted home another equaliser. Newbury could’ve even won it, but it finished all-square.

Putterills maintained their unbeaten start by coming from behind twice. Odyssey went in front through Ryan Palmer, the defence caught flat-footed with a long ball over the top early on that was well finished. Dave Banks equalised shortly before half-time in fine style when his curling free-kick found the top corner. Despite having a huge amount of set-pieces around the opposition box, Putterills couldn't find a breakthrough and they were undone at a set-piece themselves, when only half clearing a corner the ball was forced back into the net by Louis Gilbert. Allan Johnston then scored his first of the season when heading home from close range to give them a point.

Bedwell Rangers beat FC Mallard 3-0.

Division 2:
Arlesey Town striker Joel Mason was a morning signing and ran the show for Nirankari Timebridge, who have made some strong signings in recent weeks. He scored a brace in their 5-3 win over Rileys Athletic. Dave Pateman, Tyler Wickens and an Adam Pennington penalty completed their scoring. Tom Bowgett (two) and Callum Russell responded.

Chequers made the early running but went behind by two goals through some sloppy defending. A1 Trophies’ scorers were Greg Bradbury and James Harrod. They replied after the break through a Steve Teale brace, the first from a free-kick. With only seven minutes to go, Teale won a penalty but could not complete his hat-trick due to an injury, so it was left to stand-in ‘keeper Carl Thompson to trot up and calmly slot home the winner.

Breachwood Lions took the lead midway through the first-half, Dan Jefferies and Richard Taaffe won tackles in midfield to put the ball through to Ali Collins, who shook off two defenders before firing low into the net. Emperors Head pushed for an equaliser before half-time but were frustrated with some solid defending. However, soon after the break, they equalised when Ash Sealy found space from a knock down and was able to fire a low shot into the corner of George Harrison's goal. Collins lifted a free-kick over the wall and under the bar to re-instate the Lions lead and it was game over when Taaffe scored in his third game in a row with a header. Dan Jefferies dribbled into the box and slotted the ball home for 4-1.

Division 3:
Granby took the lead through Gary Haze. However, TC Wanderers stayed unbeaten after a Keith Bell super strike from fully 25 yards. Another good team performance from TC in a game they could’ve won if they’d taken their chances.

In a dominant and organised display it was Old Barclavians who took the lead midway through the first-half as Pat Owen sent a through ball to Callum Gardiner, who finished well. A second was scored by Joe Marshall-Zeal after an excellent passing move saw him latch on and finish precisely. Proverbial United struck back with a goal either side of half time to level. Barclavians began to move through the gears with the introduction of Callum Rowe and were rewarded when debutant Bradley Vooght scored a great individual strike to give them the lead again. The game was killed off as Gardiner struck superbly. A very late offside flag prevented Lee Falanga heading home a fifth but they had their first win since formation.