Cow & Lorne Complete ‘Double’...

Two sides completed their league and cup ‘double’ as our cup finals finally got underway after three postponements due to the rain, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

On Sunday morning, Premier Division champions Dun Cow took on probable runners-up FC Nirankari in the Premier Division Cup Final. They started the game well and after a couple of spurned chances, Jim Bywater’s cross saw Scott Mahoney half-volley them into the lead. Nirankari came back and Cow ‘keeper Wayne Simpson made an excellent save and Andy Brosnan had to twice clear off the line. The second came after the break when a great run from Ross Kane put Adam Furness through with a one-on-one to slot home. Glenn Lamacraft crossed foe Furness to cleverly dink his second over the ‘keeper. Nirankari had a man sent-off before Furness fired home his 44th goal of the season with a super shot from the edge of the box with his left foot to make it 4-0. The trophy, named “The Frank Neville Cup” was handed over by the League’s former General Secretary’s daughter, Elaine Wilson.
Dun Cow forfeited their Premier Division league game against FC Nirankari on Wednesday night.

Bank Holiday Monday afternoon saw Division One champions Marquis of Lorne tackle runners-up TC United in the Division One Cup Final. Joe Delasalle opened the scoring before having a penalty brilliantly saved by Chris Benton in the TC goal. It was costly as Richard Minnis popped up to force extra-time. Delasalle went on to complete a hat-trick and Tom Younger also netted as the Lorne won 4-1. “The Chairman’s Cup” was to be presented by John Batcheldor.

Monday evening was the Division Two Cup Final. Fourth-placed Pear Tree took on Rileys Athletic, who are ninth with a game remaining. Rileys took the lead halfway through the second-half of a poor game when Ben Warman’s long-range effort was spilled over the line by Steve Arno. However, Ben Collins headed past Chris Wiggins from a free-kick to level the scores. The spectators then witnessed sickening scenes as a reaction to a slightly-late challenge saw punches thrown and substitutes and spectators involved in various confrontations on the pitch. Wiggins was taken to hospital with blood pouring from an eye wound and it took some time for the officials to assess the situation. Three red cards followed, two for Pear Tree and one for Rileys. There’s no doubt that the Herts FA / The FA will be dealing with the events as it was an embarrassment to the CSSFL, with plenty of Hitchin Town FC staff as well as families present. The game continued and extra-time brought no further incident, so it was a penalty shoot-out. With Rileys missing their first kick, Pear Tree took advantage by scoring all five to take it 5-3, Dean Chadderton slotting home the winner. “The Cattell Memorial Cup” and medals were presented by Ken and Doreen Cattell’s daughter Lynne Jackson, and her daughter Carly.