Bad County Cup Day...It was a generally poor day in the County Cup, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

A fourth side has folded. It was with great surprise that Pin Green pulled the plug this week, considering their unbeaten start to Division Two. This follows three teams in the Premier Division, which has resulted in a five-one in favour vote from the remaining Clubs to play each other three times. It also prompted the allowance to use a ruling which allows other teams to sign up to two players from folded Clubs.

In the Herts Senior Cup last 32, Olympic Nirankari travelled to Radlett to face former winners Belstone. The away side came out of the traps with a very attacking 4-2-4 formation and had several chances in the opening quarter. They thought they were in front when Karl Radband delightfully slipped Joel Mason in, he skipped round the last defender and smashed home, only to have the referee to rule it out. Frustrations boiled over and what they claim was a petty referee then booked three Nirankari players before moments later, sending-off David Iwediuno for a committed challenge to leave them with ten men. Belstone took advantage of this, scoring twice before the break, whilst the away side earned two more names in the referee’s book. Despite the situation, Nirankari rallied after a fiery and passionate team-talk at the break and the toe of Leeroy Williams was on the end of a Mason cross to bring one back, before minutes later, Mason himself was on the end of Josh Dance’s defence-splitting pass to lob the ‘keeper and sensationally level the tie. The Belstone ‘keeper made some fine saves late on, before they won it with a late penalty to go through 3-2. Dun Cow are our sole survivors and play The Marne this weekend.

We were in a no lose situation in one of the Herts Intermediate Cup ties as two of our sides met. MBDA were well on top in the first half-an-hour, but couldn’t turn the advantage it into goals until they did finally break the deadlock when a long Alan Kenney free-kick saw Louis Hare get the slightest touch past Dan Barrett. Ryan Ellis levelled matters for Lifestyles before the break and Joe Chilton’s effort put them in front just after it. However, Kyle Watson levelled when he beat Barrett to a through-ball before he netted from a free-kick to put MBDA through 3-2 and a trip to St Albans in the last 32 against Black Berry Jack.

Broadhall Icon were roundly beaten 4-1 by PSV, Lee Kitching scoring.

Old Barclavians were dumped out 6-2 by Wellington Arms Reserves, Joe Marshall-Zeal and Nick Wellings netting.

We do have two other remaining sides, Hartham Press face Doves United this Sunday, whilst a date is still to be arranged for JML Plumbing & Heating Athletic to play Bradmore Rovers. The game has been delayed after Rovers’ 31 year old Paul Jevon died shortly after leaving the pitch with chest pains last week.

The Division One Cup Preliminary Round tie saw a tight opening twenty minutes, before Chequers took the lead after some persistence. The first shot was blocked the second saw James Sawyer make a good save, Richard Wilson then scuffed a clearance off the line before John Threader crossed for Steve Koop to lose Mick Sandford and head into the bottom corner. MKS Carpentry should’ve drawn level through Ray Downes, but did so before half-time when a ball over the top from Lee Bounsall put Russell Ayles through, who squared for Neil Roskilly to finish. The winner came from Threader before the hour mark. Downes had slipped and Sawyer saved his first effort, before he rolled the rebound into an empty net. Chequers went through to a quarter-final meeting with Breachwood Lions after some good defending towards the end, including hacking a goal bound Olly Rice header off the line.

Roebuck Gate went through to a Division Two Cup quarter-final clash with Crooked Billet Boro after a dramatic win over Emperors Head. Danny Bacon (two), Dave Morton (two) and Shaun Skutela netted, the winner coming in the last minute. Lewis Essam took a hat-trick of penalties for Emperors, he scored the first two and followed up to net from the third after his kick was saved. Ben Collins also scored, but it wasn’t enough.

Theo Griffith hit a hat-trick as Brackas set up a last eight meeting with Almond Tree La Coruna in the Division Three Cup. However, that only tells half the story. View Point Wanderers had numerous chances and lost a man, and their rags. It was Wanderers who went in front when Scott Taylor whipped in a corner and ‘keeper Rich Edwards was blocked off by one of his own defenders and the ball went straight in. They had three chances to extend the lead, and then ballooned a penalty over the crossbar. Out of nothing, Brackas levelled when Griffith slotted home, but Gaz Baker restored the lead with a twenty yard volley into the top corner after the full-back was robbed of the ball thrown out to him by Edwards. The turning point was the sending-off of Rich Marvell for what Wanderers describe as ‘handbags’, but was awarded for a punch aimed at Ryan Treavish. Brackas then forced extra-time when Griffith curled a free-kick home from the edge of the box. Wanderers then claimed the next goal from Luke Smith was offside as they went behind for the first time. The extra man really paid off as Griffith netted his third following a scramble and a chip over the ‘keeper by Tom Robbins made it 5-2.