Lifestyles Leave It Late Against Lions...

Wet pitches saw their last Sunday action of 2012, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info. Website: www.cssfl.info).

A keenly contested game in the Premier Division and pure perseverance saw Broadhall net what looked like the winner with just five minutes left. Some magnificent defending kept the first three efforts out, but Scott Durham slammed home the loose ball for the opening goal. With just two minutes left, Olympic Nirankari won a throw-in, Josh Dance launched it right on the six-yard line, where the ‘keeper only managed to knock it behind him and into the net off the unfortunate defender, who is credited with an own goal.

Lifestyles moved into second in Division One courtesy of Allan Prescott’s winning goal with five minutes left. Breachwood Lions were under pressure for sustained periods in the first-half and they inevitably conceded. James Tizard intercepted Iaian Turkentine’s clearance and returned into the net with a curling effort from 18 yards, which goalkeeper Andy Fildes was unable to do much about. Lifestyles doubled their lead when a deep Darren Bickell free-kick was headed in at the back post by Ryan Ellis. Lions fought back either side of half-time. Adam Jefferies chipped a free-kick over the wall and a calm Dan Dye put the ball away. Both sides hit the bar before the equaliser arrived when Martin Rees held the ball up well, laid it off to Paul Lelliott, who’s low struck shot caught the ‘keeper off guard and he spilled it over the line. Both sides had their moments to win it, Lions looked more threatening from set pieces, but it was set piece that was the sucker punch at the other end when a corner was headed home by Prescott to make it 3-2.

Lewis Littlechild (two), Ricky Bruniges and John Chitondo netted as a ten-man Coach and Horses moved up to fourth place in the table with a 4-1 win over Coopers United. Danny Hillard netted the consolation.

MKS Carpentry beat Chequers 2-0 courtesy of Neil Roskilly and an own goal.

Emperors Head finally got back to winning ways after a hard fought victory, pushing them to within a point of the Division Two leaders Broadhall Icon. On a very heavy pitch, it was Roebuck Gate who made the better start netting early to go one up. Stuart Smillie equalised soon after with a smart volley from a corner kick, but Roebuck again took the lead, before Haydn Essam equalised again with a 30 yard stunner. Roebuck led for a third time, and were then awarded a penalty, which was well saved by ‘keeper Kevin Parrish. A third leveller came via Stephen Parker before half-time. Emperors flew out of the blocks after the break and led for the first time with a quick fire double through Joe Whittaker and Dan Healy. Another penalty was awarded to Roebuck to bring the score back to 5-4, but Emperors were not to be denied as first Gareth Lewis netted, before Healy netted twice more to complete his hat-trick and with it, a comprehensive 8-4 victory. Gate’s scorers were Shaun Skutela (two), Dean Auburn and Mark Blankley.

Tony Webb put away a last minute goal to give JML Plumbing & Heating Athletic a 1-0 win over Old Barclavians to close the gap on them in third.

A purple patch at the start of the game, which consisting of four goals in seven minutes, went a long way to Division Three leaders’ Broadhall Athletic claiming the points against their closest challengers. Hadley Grazette opened their account after seven minutes, followed by Craig Gilbert and skipper Mark Chalkley with two. A1 Trophies weren't without chances, but a combination of poor finishing and a virtually watertight defence saw the score remain 4-0 at half-time. More chances after the break for A1, who were playing for some pride, but it was Chalkley who netted next, completing his hat-trick before Tony Perkins bagged a consolation for A1. However, they were hit by a brace from Garry Smith, the first was smothered over the line, but his second was a wonderful bicycle kick from fully 18 yards that flew into the top corner for 7-1.

After nine defeats from nine, Gary Linehan (hat-trick), Rhys Legate, Laurie Bambridge and Scott Overy netted as Stevenage Old Town finally got some points by beating a nine-man ABC Taxis 6-3. Karl Cleverdon (two) and Adam Payne were on the mark for ABC.

Despite starting with a 2-0 deficit, King Pin United comfortably won the points in the first Frank Neville Memorial Cup game of the season against last year’s runners-up, Hartham Press. The scoring was opened when Luke Bennett broke away to score at the near post and this was quickly followed up by a tidy header from Carl Lingwood, who went on to secure a hat-trick. Bradley Vooght caused plenty of problems down the wing and converted his own penalty in the first-half. James Wyatt also chipped in with a goal before the defence decided they wanted to join in with Steve Buckley and Jamie Kellett also scoring. Hartham did manage a consolation goal through Paul Hewson, which made the result 8-3 overall.

Results (Sunday 16th December):

Herts Senior Cup 4th Round: Dun Cow P AFC Rangers P.
Premier Division: Broadhall 1 Olympic Nirankari 1.
Division One: Bedwell Rangers P MBDA P, Chequers 0 MKS Carpentry 2, Coach and Horses 4 Coopers United 1, Lifestyles 3 Breachwood Lions 2.
Division Two: Benington P Crooked Billet Boro P, Emperors Head 8 Roebuck Gate 4, Old Barclavians 0 JML Plumbing & Heating Athletic 1.
Division Three: ABC Taxis 3 Stevenage Old Town 6, Broadhall Athletic 7 A1 Trophies 1, TC Wanderers P Almond Tree La Coruna P, View Point Wanderers P Brackas P.
Frank Neville Memorial Cup (League Phase): King Pin United 8 Hartham Press 3.

All postponed games were due to a waterlogged pitch.

The next games are scheduled for 6th January 2013.