Challenge Cup Underway... No shocks in round one of the blue riband event, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info).

CSSFL Challenge Cup First Round:
There was a potential banana-skin for big boys Broadhall. Just one point from their first five Premier Division games, taking on new boys to the league, the youthful Kingdom Athletic. The shock was on when Kingdom went in front through Kieran Ellis, who cut in from the wing and slotted home, before a Connor Byrne half-volley from the edge of the box made it 2-0. Broadhall brought it back level with two Ryan Chilcott headers, before taking the lead with his hat-trick goal after the break. The scores were level again when a long throw-in was knocked in by a defender. Quality showed in the end as Broadhall pulled away for a 6-3 win, Chilcott’s total was five, Scott Durham netted the other.

Even closer to a win for a team against higher-league opposition were 2Dry. Their Division One opponents MKS Carpentry used the game to give the squad a game, and almost come unstuck. Lee Metselaar hit the crossbar for MKS and Neil Roskilly could’ve done better with a couple of opportunities. 2Dry went in front with a fantastic overhead-kick from Collins Nwanazia and the lead was doubled when confusion in the MKS defence saw a Ray Downes header mis-read by stand-in ‘keeper Rickie Nash and it looped over him and into the net. With twenty minutes left, Ade Barry's cross was headed in by Downes to pull a goal back. Downes’ eventful day continued when he saved the game after blocking a shot on the line with his face. Nash then also made a good save to keep MKS in it, then, just a couple of minutes were remaining when they got a life-line. Josh Timmins’ shot was handled and that man Downes dispatched the penalty and extra-time looked imminent. However, MKS saved the move of the match until injury-time, which culminated in Timmins laying the ball off for Cory Cooper, who finished well for a dramatic winner.

Last season's runners-up AJS Tyres Broadhall met fellow Division One high-flyers AP Construction. The AJS goal lived a charmed life in the first-half as AP hit the woodwork three times before taking a deserved lead just before the break through Dan Reid. The second-half was very different as AJS dominated possession and looked likely to equalise; their best chance was Joe Lee's diving header from Rob Stevenson's corner which somehow went over the bar from close range. AP wrapped up the win with a last minute clincher from Frazer Triggs.

The top two in Division Two met and Almond Tree went in front when a lob into the box from James Douglas was tipped onto the crossbar by Reece Beauchamp, but over the line. Going with three men up front, The Bank forced the issue when an injury saw Tree go down to ten men and The Bank levelled with twenty minutes. Vince Kernaghan floated in a free-kick to Terry Lock, who headed home, despite a claim for offside. Kernaghan then hit the bar, but it was that man Lock again who was the match-winner late on. Receiving the ball on the half-way line, he danced past three defenders, before sliding the ball into the corner to put them through.

Benington did what many teams wouldn’t, they decided against handing Nirankari the win, despite only having nine men. They got a Marvin Miller consolation as reward, but the dozen they conceded came courtesy of Ryhs Hoenes (3), Andrew Iwediuno (2), Phil Smales (2), David Iwediuno, Scott Orphanou, Sam Stephenson, plus extremely rare strikes from Dean Greenough and Bobby Dhillon.

A high-scoring match saw Lifestyles take the lead on a number of occasions in the first-half, only to be pegged back from headers from corners. Ben Field, Carl Lingwood, Chris McCarthy a spectacular Stew Smith strike and a first-ever Andrew Nash goal gave them a 5-4 lead. After the break, Smith and McCarthy each grabbed a second and a James Tizard goal, with a hint of an own goal about it, saw them run out 8-5 winners. Broadhall Athletic replied through Mark Chalkey, Luke Deards, Jake Mongston, Steve Schumann and Garry Smith.

Chris Hinch and Danny Russell were on target in JML Plumbing & Heating’s 2-1 win over Old Barclavians, who replied through Lee Falanga.

Josh Bronti netted twice as Bedwell Rangers saw off A1 Trophies 4-2. Sam Bickerstaff and Luke Smith also netted. Simon Longman scored a brace in reply.

Premier Division:
Richard Taaffe netted five times as Breachwood Lions hammered Stevenage Outsiders 10-2. Danny Jeffries and Oli Mason hit two apiece, Iaian Turkentine the other. Dejon Mullings and Jamie Steele scored for Outsiders.

Division One:
Marquis of Lorne South failed to join the leaders at the top after being held to a 3-3 draw by Coopers United. New signing Gary Baker hit two for Coopers, Steve Harris the other. Gary Linehan (2) and Kyle Colley were on target for Lorne.

Results (Sunday 6th October):

CSSFL Challenge Cup First Round: 2Dry 2 MKS Carpentry 3, A1 Trophies 2 Bedwell R 4, AJS Tyres Broadhall 0 AP Construction 2, Bank 2 Almond Tree 1, Benington 1 Nirankari 12, Broadhall Ath 5 Lifestyles 8, JML Plumbing & H 2 Old Barclavians 1, Kingdom Ath 3 Broadhall 6.
Premier Division: Stev Outsiders 2 Breachwood L 10.
Division One: Marquis of Lorne Sth 3 Coopers United 3.

Fixtures (Sunday 13th October):

Herts Junior Cup Second Round: 2Dry v Hadley Green (Canterbury), A1 Trophies v Hadham Villa (Shephalbury), Brackas v Hilltop Taxis (Peartree), Broxbourne Rangers Old Boys v Benington, Cottonmill v Almond Tree, LeisureLeagues.com v AFC Bushey Res (Peartree).
CSSFL Challenge Cup First Round: Dun Cow v MBDA (Meadway).
Premier Division: Bedwell R v Stev Outsiders (Ridlins), Lifestyles v Broadhall (Knights Templar).
Division One: Broadhall Ath v AP Construction (Shephalbury), Coopers Utd v AJS Tyres Broadhall (Canterbury), JML Plumbing & H v Old Barclavians (King George), Renz R v MKS Carpentry (King George).
Division Two: Kingdom Athletic v Bank (Canterbury).