AJS Bow Out...We lost our third side in successive weeks in county cup action this season, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info).

Herts Senior Cup:
A little harsh on AJS Tyres Broadhall having to play in the top competition, this was due to their original ‘promotion’ to the Premier Division, before a re-structuring allowed them to stay in Division One after Billet FC folded. It was an under-strength side that travelled to Cheshunt, although the 4-0 scoreline flattered East Herts, in what was a very close game until late on. After falling behind, Rowan Hedley's 25 yard effort was brilliantly tipped over by the ‘keeper. The game turned around the hour mark, whilst AJS were having their best spell. Firstly, the referee over-ruled to give the hosts a throw-in, leading to their second goal. Minutes later, Hedley was chopped down for a penalty, but Dean Allen's spot-kick was well saved, followed by an even better save from Tim Chesworth's follow up shot. Two late strikes killed them off.

Premier Division:
The ‘big two’ have still not dropped a point. Nirankari beat Broadhall 5-2 thanks to David Iwediuno (2), Andrew Iwediuno, Scott Orphanou and Richard Hall. The reply came from Ryan Chilcott and Ross Gormer.

Dun Cow halted the excellent form of Breachwood Lions with a 6-0 hammering. John Vooght (2), Ryan Butler, Carl Fletcher, Adam Furness and Ian Thorne on target.

Lifestyles continued their good start to the season with a comfortable win over Stevenage Outsiders. The breakthrough was made when James Tizard converted Allan Prescott's cross, this was followed up when Ryan Ellis converted a penalty. A consolation came just before half-time from Tony Steele. The impressive Carl Lingwood made it three and Rhys Ratcliffe made it 4-1.

MBDA bounced back from two defeats with a 5-2 win over Bedwell Rangers. Luke Smith put Rangers in front, and also scored late on, but Ashley Kersey (2), Craig Sutherill, Ross Walker and Andy Yates netted for MBDA.

Division One:
A magnificent performance from Marquis of Lorne South saw them to three unlikely points. Starting the game with just nine men, then were solid in the back four, whilst the midfield three looked to feed sole striker Dave Hailey when they could. At the half-hour mark, with Lorne up to ten men, Josh Watson robbed Garry Smith of the ball just inside the penalty area and smashed home. At the break, Lorne went back to nine men, as a player had to leave due to a prior engagement. They’d worked tirelessly for each other, so it was going to be hard. However, on the hour mark, they doubled their lead when Watson’s long goal-kick found Hailey running on, who finished well. Craig Gilbert grabbed Broadhall Athletic a lifeline with ten minutes to go when he volleyed home. Lorne weren’t to be denied, a tremendous 40-yard pass from Gary Linehan found Hailey, who kept his nerve for his second to make it 3-1.

Despite Coopers United having the better of the early play, forcing Rickie Nash into a couple of smart saves, MKS Carpentry turned it on and won at a canter to stay top. Neil Roskilly set up Cory Cooper, who volleyed home nicely from 12 yards out, before a Lee Metselaar corner was turned into the net by a defender. After the break, Ade Barry set Josh Dance away, who stroked home with his favoured left-foot. Roskilly then crossed for Dance to head home his second. Josh Timmins smashed a great goal into the top corner after a 30 yard run before the sixth and final goal completed a ‘perfect hat-trick’ for Dance. Barry’s trademark back flick over a defender sent him away, before he side-stepped the final defender before finishing with his right foot, one that some Coopers played suggested he didn’t have.

AP Construction are second after a 3-1 win over Old Barclavians. Gary Hillard, Louis Bullock and Jason Drackford on target. Brendon Nwayebvu replied.

Division Two:
The Bank maintained their 100 perfect record after a crucial win over title-rivals 2Dry. It wasn’t until after the break when the deadlock was broken. Some great play forced Richard Pomroy into a save, but he could only parry the ball to Josh Bartlett, who snapped it up. They went to three men at the back, and it paid off as Tony Phelan struck from distance to make it 2-0.

Daryl Fairbairn, Darren Gray and Rich Stewart were on the mark as Almond Tree dropped to second after a 3-3 draw with A1 Trophies. Tallem Dennis, Si Longman and Toby Willis replied for A1.

Brackas took the lead after a scuffed shot at the edge of the box found Mark Brennan, who poked home. Kingdom Athletic equalised on the stroke of half-time after a kick from ‘keeper Dan Skelton bounced all the way to Lee Hillard, who headed in. Some Kingdom pressure resulted in them taking the lead through Kieran Ellis after a goalmouth scramble. However, Brackas grabbed a deserved point in the last five minutes though Theo Griffith for 2-2.

Results (Sunday 29th September):
Herts Senior Cup First Round: East Herts 4 AJS Tyres Broadhall 0.
Premier Division: Bedwell R 2 MBDA 5, Dun Cow 6 Breachwood L 0, Nirankari 5 Broadhall 2, Stev Outsiders 1 Lifestyles 4.
Division One: Broadhall Ath 1 Marquis of Lorne Sth 3, MKS Carpentry 6 Coopers Utd 0, Old Barclavians 1 AP Construction 3.
Division Two: 2Dry 0 Bank 2, A1 Trophies 3 Almond Tree 3, Brackas 2 Kingdom Ath 2.

Fixtures (Sunday 6th October):

CSSFL Challenge Cup First Round: 2Dry v MKS Carpentry (Alleynes), A1 Trophies v Bedwell R (Shephalbury), AJS Tyres Broadhall v AP Construction (Peartree), Bank v Almond Tree (Aston), Benington v Nirankari (Benington), Broadhall Ath v Lifestyles (Shephalbury), JML Plumbing & H v Old Barclavians (King George), Kingdom Ath v Broadhall (Canterbury).
Premier Division: Stev Outsiders v Breachwood L (King George).
Division One: Marquis of Lorne Sth v Coopers United (King George).