Fifth Premier Side Fold... The Premier Division turned into farce as Billet became the fifth side to fold, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

Just four teams remain and an emergency meeting was held on Monday night. Many options were discussed, but although there was some dismay at how it’s turned out, the division will continue with the previous amendment of three games against each other. Whilst an attempt to play all league games before any cup semi-finals will also be made, to assist players to qualify.

Back to on the pitch matters, we suffered an awful day in the County Cup, with all five remaining teams outside of the top division falling.

MBDA suffered their first defeat of the season, Ashley Kersey’s strike not enough in the last 32 of the Herts Intermediate Cup as they went down 3-1 at Black Berry Jack in St Albans.

Striving to reach the last 32, Hartham Press lost 5-1 at Doves United, with Dan Curtin netting, whilst JML Plumbing and Heating Athletic lost 4-1 to Bradmore Rovers, Callum Russell on target.

In the third round of the Herts Junior Cup, Proverbial United were beaten 3-1 by Hertford Northend, despite a Dave Pateman goal. Whilst Almond Tree La Coruna went down 4-0 at an impressive Nicholas Breakspear Old Boys Reserves.

The game of the day came in the Premier Division as the top two met, and it didn't disappoint. Olympic Nirankari raced into a 3-0 lead within the opening twenty minutes with goals from Danny Payne, Josh Dance and Joel Mason. Some of the spectators on the sidelines may have thought the game was over, but Dun Cow are a side you can never write off, and they pulled themselves back into it with a cool finish from their talisman Adam Furness on the stroke of half-time. Cow came out all guns blazing and pulled another one back from the spot through Ryan Butler. Nirankari soaked up the pressure and simply hit Cow time and time again on the break. Dance scored two more to complete his hat-trick, but some woeful, wasteful finishing by others kept the score down to 5-2.

In Division One, second placed Bedwell Rangers took advantage of leaders MBDA being in cup action and closed the gap to seven points, with a game against them this week giving them a chance to claw them back still further. However, both they and Coach and Horses started with nine players before the latter had a tenth arrive with ten minutes on the clock. By half-time, in a game full of incident, Luke Smith had added another brace to his goal tally to give Bedwell a 2-0 lead. The second-half was a tight affair with Coach beginning to make the extra man count, but found the Rangers defence in fine form. With ten minutes to go, Tony Steele swung in a dangerous free-kick, which glanced the head of captain Jacob Dawson and went in for 2-1. At the other end, Smith was fouled in the box, but with a hat-trick at his mercy, he fired the ball over the bar. Coach were then dramatically awarded a penalty as Dawson mistimed a challenge, however, a poorly struck effort only found the previous game’s goal hero Aaron Austin, who gathered the ball to confirm the points.

Lifestyles took the lead from a header from a long throw long, but AJS Tyres Broadhall soon bounced back when a long shot was deflected into the path of Matt Steer, who kept his cool for a good finish. Ryan Ellis restored Lifestyles' lead with a very well taken goal. Just on half-time, Liam Castle's thunderbolt of a free-kick looked to be heading into the bottom corner for a deserved leveller, only for Lifestyles ‘keeper Dan Barrett to pull off an amazing save low down. The second-half started in similar fashion and Michael Carter was guilty of a close range blaze over for the second time and they were punished as they went 3-1 down shortly after. With just over fifteen minutes to go came the deciding moment of the game. With Ellis yards offside, he lifted both arms to indicate he was aware of being offside, but inactive. He then changed his mind, got the ball and was brought down on the edge of the box. AJS were incensed that a free-kick was given, which then resulted in a goal. Two more on the break saw them go into an unassailable 6-1 lead, the further goals came from Kieran Ellis, Stewart Smith, Jack Worbey, Joe Chilton and Matt Sharp. A good move late on finished with Castle's flick-on finding Andy Lee, who produced a good finish for AJS’ second.

Chequers took the lead early on via a flick-on, however debutant Martin Rees equalised for Breachwood Lions after going round the ‘keeper. Dan Dye was the midfield dynamo that got Lions firing on all cylinders at the beginning of the second-half and it paid off when Rees scored his second and Richard Taaffe made it three. Chequers fought back to 3-3, Carl Thompson (two) and Jon Threader were their scorers. James Drury also saved a stinging shot from Thompson. However, Taaffe pounced on a loose ball from Ant Koop, picked out the perfect pass to Brendan Hanson on the wing, he chested the ball down before a slide rule pass enabled Rees to complete his hat-trick and give the Lions a 4-3 win.

Michael Bunker fired a hat-trick as Broadhall Icon maintained their lead at the top of Division Two. Lee Kitching scored the other in the 4-2 win over Benington. Will Cubitt and Ross Smith replied.

Callum Rowe put Old Barclavians ahead with a low strike from twenty yards that beat the ‘keeper, before Emperors Head equalised shortly after as another low strike beat opposing ‘keeper Warren Schmidt. Handball on the line from Michael Schmidt saw him dismissed to leave OBs with ten men and a penalty to face, which they conceded to go 2-1 down at the break. OB were awarded a penalty themselves for handball, Lee Falanga scored at the second time of asking as his initial effort was saved. Nick Wellings then put them 3-2 ahead midway through the second-half from close range. The game turned again as Emperors netted twice in succession to retake the lead with fifteen minutes to go (Dan Healy, two, Lewis Essam and Mark Pickard were on target). Falanga netted emphatically from another penalty to bring the game level once more at 4-4 with minutes remaining. Josh Watson missed a great chance in injury time as the ten men of OBs almost snatched it, but his header was just wide.

Paul Jevon was on target for Crooked Billet Boro, who also put through their own net to give Roebuck Gate a 1-1 draw.

Division Three leaders Broadhall Athletic beat Stevenage Old Town 7-1 thanks to Craig Gilbert, Garry Smith, Hadley Grazzette, two Mark Chalkley penalties and two own goals.

Rob Duckworth and Tallem Dennis were the scorers as A1 Trophies moved into second place by beating ABC Taxis 2-0.