It’s Broadhall Day...All four teams playing under the Broadhall banner have done the Club proud, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info).

The league held its first finals on Sunday at Top Field Stadium, home of Hitchin Town FC.

Division Three Cup:
On a lovely sunny morning, Broadhall Athletic took on TC Wanderers. It was a very competitive affair and despite their mid-table position, TC took the game to their opponents and it was something of a shock when Athletic went in front courtesy of a Mark Chalkley penalty after Gary Hillard was brought down by the ‘keeper. Athletic then started to play some good football, with Tom Hillard and Ricky Reynolds winning their personal battles and the tireless Garry Smith holding everything together. However, TC rallied and created several chances of their own, but then found themselves two down. Athletic right-back Alex Elmes found himself some 25 yards from goal and left the ‘keeper rooted to the spot with a cracking strike into the net. TC were on the score-sheet when Jimmy Lock pounced after a rare error from Michael Wells in goal. An error by the TC ‘keeper then gifted Gary Hillard the simplest of goals for 3-1. TC weren’t going to lay down and really pressurised their opponents, setting up a grandstand finish when Michael Phelan scored. Athletic saw it out and won the cup 3-2.

Division Two Cup:
With the sun still shining, Broadhall Icon took on Crooked Billet Boro. It was a much tighter affair with very little action in the penalty areas. The 90th minute saw the best chance when substitute Piers Le-Grand pounced on a goalkeeping error, only to see a great recovery from the latter to block his attempt. The best chance in extra-time saw Ross Jackson’s stooping header from 12 yards smack the front of the Icon crossbar, whilst a game of pin-ball then ensued on the line, but somehow the ball stayed out. Just four minutes before a penalty shoot-out was necessary, Chris Bunker picked the ball up 20 yards out and arrowed a terrific strike into the bottom left-hand corner for the only goal of the game.
Icon took the cup 1-0 to complete a Broadhall double.

CSSFL Challenge Cup Semi-Final:
Fourth-placed Division Two side JML Plumbing & Heating Athletic would start as underdogs against the side sitting sixth in Division One, AJS Tyres Broadhall. The best early chance fell to AJS' Rob Stevenson, whose header came back off the crossbar. JML were the better side and only a brilliant fingertip save from AJS ‘keeper Perry Thompson kept the score sheet goalless. JML continued to look the most likely to score, but then an AJS attack saw Andy Lee’s pace allow him to get to the ball before the JML ‘keeper, who brought him down for a penalty. Mike Emmings confidently converted the kick for 1-0. As the game wore on, JML seemed to run out of ideas as Brad Westall superbly marshalled a solid AJS defence. JML had one last throw of the dice in injury-time, a well-flighted free-kick was bundled in by Lewis Osborne for a deserved equaliser. The closest to an extra-time goal saw AJS hit the post through Jon Myers, but after a 1-1 draw, penalties it was, which is just how both teams reached the last four. After seven successful kicks, it was the previous hero Osborne that missed JML’s fourth, allowing Michael Carter the responsibility of winning the game for the second week running, which he did. AJS through to their fourth cup final in four seasons, 5-3 on penalties.

Olympic Nirankari had no troubles with fellow Premier Division side King Pin United. Josh Dance (two), Richard Hall, Rhys Hoenes and David Iwediuno netting in the 5-0 victory.

- Olympic Nirankari v AJS Tyres Broadhall will take place at Stevenage FC’s Lamex Stadium on Sunday 5th May with a 10.30am kick-off.

Division One Cup:
A tight game on a poor pitch was competed between Bedwell Rangers and Lifestyles for a place in the final. The sides sit a point apart, in a race for the league runners-up spot. Chances were at a premium throughout the game for both sides and it took a moment of skill from Ryan Ellis, who controlled a long ball impeccably and won a penalty with the resulting run at goal. He then kept his composure for his 20th goal of the season. The second-half was much the same with neither ‘keeper having to make many saves, with Bedwell becoming more frustrated, the game was made safe with five minutes to go when Stew Smith’s cross shot went in off the far post and ‘keeper Aaron Austin to send Lifestyles through.

- MBDA v Lifestyles will take place at Hitchin Town FC on Friday 26th April with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Premier Division:
With a bare XI, and John Johnston reluctantly in goal, Broadhall couldn’t repeat last week’s win against the same opponents. Dun Cow ran out 3-2 winners thanks to Adam Furness, Dave Kiddie and Scott Mahoney. Broadhall replied through Andrew Davis and Rob Fitzgerald.

Division One:
Champions MBDA just about held on to their 100 percent record against a spirited Breachwood Lions side. MBDA missed a couple of chances to take the lead before a great lay off from Iaian Turkentine enabled Sam Canham to net with a great volley from the edge of the box to give the Lions the lead. Gary Hodgson was the scourge of the Lions once again, his hat-trick put them out of the cup a week earlier, and his brace, one either side of half-time saw MBDA claim a 2-1 victory. It could’ve been different though had Richard Taaffe’s effort not hit their post.

Division Two:
Emperors Head gave their runners-up chances a boost with a 3-0 win over basement side Hartham Press. Lewis Essam, Ieaun Lewis and Steve Whittaker were on target.

Benington and Roebuck Gate shared the spoils in both parts of their double-header. The first game ended 1-1, with Will Cubitt on the mark for Benington and Shaun Skutela replying from the penalty-spot. The second was a thrilling 3-3 draw, Ricky Kyle (two) and Stuart Rowe with the Gate’s goals, Louis Gilbert, Ryan Palmer and an own goal in reply.

Division Three:
Proverbial United gave their title chances a boost, but the 8-1 win over Almond Tree La Coruna only tells part of the story. Tree played with just the minimum seven players, and it took United 35 minutes to go in front. Dave Pateman (four), Sam Stephenson (two), Benn Evans and Steve Peary were on the mark. Darren Gray added to his goal tally for the season to slot home a consolation after a good one-two with Dan Webb. Scott Taylor also made some impressive saves to keep the score down to single figures.

Neil Holden and Toby Willis netted in A1 Trophies’ 2-1 win over Brackas to keep them third.