Comets Kill Off Final Comet Challenge...

The last of our sides went out of the County Cup on Sunday, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

We’ve had a good record in recent seasons in the County Cups, but our last representative went out as Comets Sports Club completed a double in the Herts Senior Cup Quarter-Final. A week earlier, they came to town and beat FC Nirankari 3-0. This time, they returned and led by the same score at half-time against Dun Cow. They’d dominated the first-half and deserved what they had. However, early in the second-half, Lee Noble missed a close ranger header then they hit the post through Scott Mahoney and crossbar through Glenn Draper. Shaun Marshall came on as a substitute and had a penalty saved before Mahoney did pull one back, but it wasn’t enough.

The Division Two Cup is wide open after the top three were beaten in the Quarter-Finals.

Chequers were beaten on penalties. Gary Gibson (two) and Steve Teale were on target in the 3-3 draw with Rileys Athletic,who go through to play Emperors Head in the semi-finals.

Nirankari Timebridge were also surprisingly eliminated. Broadhall Athletic went in front through Hadley Grazette before Dave Pateman equalised before half-time. Broadhall then stormed to a 3-1 lead thanks to Alex Elmes and Mark Chalkley. Bryan Chalice pulled one back, but Broadhall went though to face Pear Tree.

A stunning first-half performance saw Emperors Head do enough to get through. Having started the game with only ten men, they had to defend numerous attacks, Richard Taaffe coming closest for Breachwood Lions, his header hit the bar. Once they got their full quota, they showed their authority and a flowing move saw Lewis Essam finish calmly after the initial shot had rebounded off the post. A second followed as Damian Hadlow picked up a loose ball and let fly from twenty yards, which goalkeeper George Harrison could only parry into the net. Essam then powered in a header from a corner for 3-0. Lions pulled one back when a great run and pass from James Mason put Taaffe in to slot the ball into the bottom corner. Emperors weren’t to be denied and promptly went back on the attack and Elliot Harvey-Manning fired in a fourth. With conditions worsening in the second-half, there was no further scoring, but Mason was sent-off in the final minutes for a tackle from behind.

Pear Tree beat Crooked Billet Boro 3-0 thanks to Reece Munford (two) and Adam Rush.

League Action to follow...