TOPO Take Out MKS... The Challenge Cup saw some first round action on Sunday, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

The Old Post Office enjoyed the only ‘shock’ as they dumped out MKS Carpentry from two divisions above. Theo Griffith (two), Barry Plummer, Karl Rickaby and Jason Smith were on target. Neil Roskilly (two) and Craig Turner replied. Their reward is a game with Nirankari Timebridge.

Bedwell Rangers progressed to a last 16 meeting with Rileys Athletic in an entertaining game. Both sides played some nice passing football in the first twenty minutes or so with Bedwell missing the chance to go in front when the ‘keeper saved well from Ross Murphy when through on goal and the same player hitting the post a few minutes later. The deadlock was broken after the half-hour when a James Reeves corner fell to Murphy, who duly slotted home. Old Barclayvians pushed forward but just could not find the final ball due to some excellent defending. Just before half-time, a Jamie Morriss free-kick was finished with a superb bicycle-kick by Murphy. He grabbed his hat-trick goal just before the end when he sprung the offside trap and slotted past the ‘keeper.

ABC Taxis should’ve taken the lead when Karl Cleverdon shot wide when clean through. They were punished just after the half-hour mark when Charlie Lawson skipped past a number of tackles and finished well from just inside the box for FC Mallard. ABC made a valiant effort to get back on terms, firstly Neal Watson hit the post and shortly afterwards John Saunders blazed over when it was easier to score. Mallard defended resolutely, while continuing to pose a threat on the counter. With moment left, Marc Dunn made a great save from a Saunders header to see them through to a meeting with Broadhall.

Broadhall Athletic put up a good fight against Arena-Group, eventually going down 4-1. Hadley Grazette nicked their goal, but goals from Elliott Bunn, Joel Clarke, Marc Holmes and an own goal saw the Premier boys through to a meeting with Broadhall Icon.

Dun Cow breezed past AJS Tyres Broadhall 8-0. Adam Furness (four), Glenn Lamacraft (two), Lee Noble and Ian Thorne. They’ll now meet TC United.

Real Stevenage hammered Coopers United 8-0. Sam Bickerstaff, Les Chappell and Rich Fahey each netted a brace. Rob Verdia and Dan Walsh also chipped in to put them through to a tie with Almond Tree United.

In the sole Premier Division match, Almond Tree United completed the double over MBDA. They had most of the possession from the start, converting two rare chances through Alex King and Nicky Collins. MBDA were back in the game before half-time when Si George scored with a beautiful shot. A scrappy second-half saw both teams gift each other chances, however it was the Tree that took advantage with a good turn and finish by Collins and one by Carl Lingwood made the final score 4-1.

The Division One form book was thrown out of the window as TC United and Odyssey scrapped out a draw. It was the latter, the league's bottom side who took the lead courtesy of a penalty from Louis Gilbert after Luke Brackenbury’s foul. TC weren't behind for long as Dan Carroll cut the ball back to the edge of the area and Terry Lock smashed in an effort via the post to equalise. Carroll had two shots come back off the underside of the bar in the first-half and the second half saw both sides create chances but neither could capitalise and they shared the points as TC’s title hopes took a severe dent.

In Division Two, Chequers hammered Crooked Billet Boro 5-0 in their pursuit of the title. They were on the score sheet through Gary Gibson (two), Steve Koop, Steve Teale and Jon Threader.

Nirankari Timebridge just about did enough to keep the pressure as Dave Pateman netted the only goal of the game to beat Hartham Press.

Pear Tree pulled away in fourth from Emperors Head after beating them in a nine-goal-thriller. Andrew Davison (two), Paul Eddy (two) and Dean Chadderton were on target, whilst Ben Collins, Lewis Essam, Mark Pickard and Joe Whittaker responded.

It’s really tight at the bottom, one point separates the bottom four as A1 Trophies grabbed a vital win. The game started at a good tempo with plenty of good football from both sides. The breakthrough came when veteran striker Lee Clark rounded the ‘keeper to slot home his fourth goal in five games, after a simple lay-off from Tallem Dennis. The second shortly followed when the ball fell to Greg Bradbury, who tapped home. Just before half-time, A1 seemed to have made the game safe when a good run from Bradbury saw him drag the ball back for Si Longman to net. A1 became sloppy after the break and Rileys Athletic pulled one back after a ball over the top. They then scored a second with a 25-yard effort which left Matt Stanton stranded. This gave A1 a rude awakening and good work between Clark and Dennis led to the ball landed at the feet of Tom Oram, who managed to squeeze the ball under the ‘keeper. A third for Rileys set up a frantic final ten minutes before Longman burst through the midfield and finished a fine solo effort to make it 5-3.

The Division Three title could be over soon as Broadhall Icon won a pivotal game. Roebuck Gate took an early lead through Danny Bacon, but Icon deservedly levelled soon after when Dan Gregory's cross was met by Michael Bunker, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Aaron Penfound ran through and outmuscled the defence to put them in front before he tapped in his second of the game, thanks to some excellent work from Steve Skinner to make it 3-1 at the break. Gate got back into the game and equalised with ten minutes to go after another Bacon goal and one from Kieran James. The Bunker brothers combined to nick it at the end, older brother Michael doing the hard work, crossing it to Chris Bunker, who mis-hit the ball into the back of the net.

Granby’s hopes took a huge dent after they lost 2-0 to Proverbial United, Josh Stock and Liam Elmes netting.

TC Wanderers began a delayed game with just nine men and Stevenage Old Town took advantage. Firstly, Gary Linehan controlled the ball on the edge of the area and fired the ball into the net. Good work from Ben Gumble saw Keith Bell slice his attempted clearance and Callum Kendrick controlled and hit a shot on the turn past a helpless ‘keeper before Linehan fired a free-kick into the top corner for 3-0. Daniel Papp pulled one back for TC as they were now up to a full quota before the ball broke for Paul Smith to run onto and hit it first time into the bottom corner for 4-1 at the break. A dubious penalty saw Papp score the only goal of the second-half.

In the Frank Neville Memorial Cup, St Nicholas did well to reverse a 2-0 handicap deficit to beat Breachwood Lions 6-5 overall thanks to two late goals. A Neil Henderson hat-trick did most of the job, Charlie Barnett, Danny Halliday and Barry Mullaney also scored. The reply came from Dan Jeffries (two) and Iaian Turkentine.