MBDA lead The Way Into Last 64... A mixed day for our sides in the County Cups, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

Piers Le Grand and Russell Cox were on target as Billet’s adventure in the Herts Senior Cup was ended in the second Round by visitors AC Hertford to the tune of 4-2.

There were four all-CSSFL ties in the second round of the Herts Intermediate Cup. The much-anticipated tie between the sides with a 100 record in Division One and Two was a non-event as MBDA hit five without reply against Pin Green before the break. Ashley Kersey opened the scoring after rounding the ‘keeper, Louis Hare smashed in number two and Kersey tapped-in a third inside twenty minutes. Two more for the latter before the break and one after it took Kersey’s haul to five as they went through 6-0.

A depleted Chequers side took a lead into the break through Mark Brennan before the same lad completed his hat-trick to make it 3-0 but with twenty minutes left. That was just the start of the story. Lifestyles then rallied and scored two quick goals and with just over five minutes to go, forced an equaliser. However, Chequers seemed to have won it when Steve Teale netted from a free-kick with a couple of minutes left on the clock. Not to be, another equaliser forced extra-time. Lifestyles then seemed to have taken the game out of sight by netting three times for 7-4, their goals came via braces from Kieran Ellis, Carl Smith and Stewart Smith, plus one from Ben Field. It was Chequers’ time to rally this time as Carl Thompson netted before forcing an own goal with five minutes left, but Lifestyles held on for an amazing 7-6 victory and set up a clash with MBDA.

A Jamie Burbury hat-trick saw Hartham Press beat Benington 3-1 as they now visit Doves United in the next round. Louis Gilbert scored a consolation.

Matt Roworth and Callum Russell were on target as JML Plumbing & Heating Athletic beat Crooked Billet Boro 2-0.

In meetings against the rest of the county, we didn’t fare well…two through and seven out.

Old Barclavians set up a home tie with Wellington Arms Reserves after a 5-2 success at Wymondley Park Old Boys. Lee Falanga (two), Luke Hardy, Dave Hardwick and Tom Wellings were on the score sheet.

Broadhall Icon fell behind to De Havilland Comets courtesy of a great strike after fifteen minutes. Ricky Phillips was causing all kinds of trouble and missed a couple of good chances before Lee Kitching volleyed in with a wonder strike from the edge of the box to force extra-time. Icon went in front when Gary Pomfret’s free-kick evaded everyone and found its way into the corner of the net. Chris Bunker soon added another when racing clear and lobbing the ball over the ‘keeper before the scores were reduced to 3-2. Michael Bunker smashed home after being played through by Adam Stevens and Bunker then set up his younger brother Chris Bunker for his second to make it 5-2 and set up a home tie with PSV.

Bradmore Rovers came to town and were 2-0 up at half-time, which could’ve easily been five but for James Sawyer in goal. MKS Carpentry clawed back level with goals from Russell Ayles and Adam Pennington to force extra-time. MKS led for the first time through Ayles before Sawyer completely missed his kick on a back pass in the last seconds of the game and the forward sneaked in to equalise. Onto the lottery of a shoot-out and Sawyer had a kick to win it, but failed. Rickie Nash then missed his kick to send Rovers through to a visit to JML.

James Brooke, Dan Healy, Mark Prophet and Ashley Sealey netted in vain as Emperors Head went down 5-4 at AFC Letchworth.

Coopers United made a bright start and were rewarded after twenty minutes when a short Chris Chalat corner was given to Danny Hillard, who squared the ball to Steve Harris for his first of the season. They went close to doubling their lead when Dave Brown stuck a loose ball towards goal, but great goalkeeping kept it out. St Margaretsbury United then levelled. After the break, Coopers were the brighter of the sides and created more chances only to see them go begging. Christian Goodyear fluffed his lines when through on goal, he then had a header from a corner cleared off the line. Chalat then appeared to be bought down in the box, but no penalty was awarded. A massive slice of luck with five minutes remaining saw Coopers eliminated 2-1 when a goal bound effort was cleared off the line, only for Kenny Roberts’ attempted clearance to go in.

AJS Tyres Broadhall took the lead after four minutes when the ball broke to Daniel Marshall, who sent an exquisite chip into the far corner of the net. The Berkhamsted Tornadoes goal then led a charmed life as three great chances somehow stayed out. Then, with their first real chance, they equalised, before taking the lead before half-time. A mad couple of early second-half minutes saw the game out of sight at 4-1 before substitute Tim Chesworth was on hand to tuck away a good finish. The last 15 minutes saw AJS continue to create chances, but they couldn’t get what their play had deserved and went out 4-2.

A brace from Lewis Collins wasn’t enough as Roebuck Gate went out 4-2 at Sawbo Sovereign.

Bedwell Rangers were comfortably beaten 3-0 by visiting Hammer.

A makeshift Breachwood Lions team were able to contain the early threat of their visitors from the other side of the airport, Markyate, but only until they converted a loose ball halfway through the first-half for the lead. Lions levelled when an Ali Collins corner was poked home by Richard Taaffe before the break. Markyate were gifted a second through a poor back pass before they increased their lead through a deflected shot that went in off defender Graham French. Collins gave Lions hope when he dinked the ball over the ‘keeper to bring it back to 3-2. However, a weary home side were punished when trying to force extra-time and two in the last ten minutes finished them off 5-2 for a slightly flattering win for the visitors.