Finalists For First Three Cup Finals Determined... Of the six semi-finals played, only one was close, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

After being re-instated into the CSSFL Challenge Cup, MKS Carpentry then set about thumping Nirankari Timebridge to make it through to a quarter-final meeting with Dun Cow this week. The opener saw Lee Metselaar get his head on a long throw-in from Josh Dance before Neil Roskilly netted shortly after. Roskilly netted again after he was put through by a great pass by Josh Timmins before Rickie Nash converted after a shot was parried out to him by the ‘keeper, whom he rounded before slotting home for 4-0.

Two annihilations in the Premier Division Cup where two old rivals will now meet in the final at Hitchin Town on Sunday 6th May. Dun Cow hit a dozen. Adam Furness and Ian Thorne bagged hat-tricks, Shaun Marshall grabbed two. James Dillnutt, Dave Kiddie, Scott Mahoney and Lee Noble were also on target. MBDA replied through Ross Walker.

Ross Connolly hit four as FC Nirankari breezed past St Nicholas 10-2. Ricky Bridge and Liam Errington picked up a brace apiece, whilst Andrew Iwediuno and Andrew Levy also scored. Neil Henderson replied with both.

Marquis of Lorne are still on for ‘the double’ as they progressed to the Division One Cup Final with a 6-1 drubbing of Putterills. Tom Younger (two), Jamie Campany, Joe Delasalle, Tom Hillard and Frazer Triggs grabbed the goals. Louis Bullock scored a consolation.

TC United reached the final after a fine team performance against FC Mallard. Vince Kernaghan got them off to a great start with a header at the back post. Jimmy Lock doubled the lead when he prodded home the rebound after the 'keeper spilled brother Terry Lock's effort. The latter then scored a goal of his own to effectively kill the game off before the break. The contest was a lot tighter afterwards, but TC made it 4-0 with twenty minutes to play when Terry Lock's cross was pushed in to net by the ‘keeper. The Final will be at Hitchin Town on Sunday 29th April.

Old Barclavians put their disappointment of league points deduction behind them to make it through to the Division Three Cup Final after wins in successive weeks. However, league champions Broadhall Icon will rue some early missed chances, none more so than from Michael Bunker, who somehow headed over the bar from almost on the goal-line. Barclay ‘keeper Dave Pateman was excellent throughout to keep the scores level before they took the lead when Nick Wellings latched onto a perfectly weighted through-ball from Jamie Hucker to coolly slot home past Stuart Howard from the edge of the area. The second-half saw them pin Broadhall back for long periods, but it wasn’t until twenty minutes left when captain Lee Falanga’s spot-kick made it 2-0 despite Howard getting a good hand on it. A late cross from substitute Gary Pomfret caused confusion and an unmarked Steve Skinner tapped home from a yard out. This set up for a frantic last few minutes, but Barclavians held out to go to a cup final in their first season.

After a goalless first-half, Proverbial United raised the tempo and took the lead in some style when Sam Stephenson swerved a free-kick from 35 yards into the top corner. They continued to push forward and he got his second with a tap-in after the keeper saved from Josh Stock. Stock himself got in on the act when he slotted past the ‘keeper from just inside the area. TC Wanderers pulled one back from the penalty spot before Stephenson completed his hat-trick after the ‘keeper again parried Stock’s shot. Proverbial also through to a final in their first season and manager Darren Cooper is confident he can bring home the trophy and is proud of all the squad for digging in through an injury hit few weeks. The Final will be at Hitchin Town on Friday 11th May.

In Division Two, third-placed Breachwood Lions beat second-bottom Rileys Athletic 4-3. Richard Taaffe’s early double-strike took him to 28 for the season. Rileys were back in it when their quick centre-forward managed to the get to the ball before goalkeeping debutant Pete Murrell to slide home for 2-1. James Mason’s corner then found Dan Dye to head home his first of the season at the far post. It became 3-2 before Ollie Mason re-instated the two-goal cushion when he broke clear and hit a low shot across the ‘keeper and in off the far post. Rileys pulled another goal back with five minutes remaining, with a low shot through a crowd of players and their goals came from Paul Brickell, Danny Russell and Joe Lucy.

Broadhall Athletic gave themselves a chance of avoiding the relegation places when Steve Fahey hit four in their 5-2 win over bottom side A1 Trophies. Mark Chalkley’s penalty completed their scoring and A1 replied through Si Longman and an own goal.

Roebuck Gate snatched runners-up spot in Division Three thanks to a 3-2 win over Stevenage Old Town. Dean Auburn, Shaun Skutela and Lewis Collins did the damage. Michael Hebbs and Mark Phipps netted for SOT.

As the Frank Neville Memorial Cup League Phase nears the end, teams are vying for enough points for a semi-final spot.

View Point Wanderers sit at the top of the table after a magnificent win. The three-goal ‘handicap’ against Arena-Group was academic as they won on the day. They were forced to do a lot of defending and Arena did manage to pull one back through Dave Locke. Poor defending at the other end let in whippet Gaz Baker to fire home his 23rd of the season. Lee Hollingsworth then pushed away an Arena spot-kick to all but end their chances before Scott Taylor pounced on a ‘keepers clearance and sent a half-volley over him from his own half for a fantastic goal. Leigh Mardlin then hit home a thumping strike from the edge of the box.

Real Stevenage wiped out the 3-0 deficit to ABC Taxis with a comfortable 6-3 overall success thanks to Ryan Ellis (hat-trick), Lez Chappell, James Selby and Chris Lyle.

Jamie Burbury, Dan Curtin and Andy Parrish were on target in Hartham Press’ 3-1 win over Granby, who didn’t score on the day.