MBDA Take First Silverware Of Season... Sunday saw the first award of the season, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info).

Division One:
The crowning of MBDA as champions finally came, the club’s first-ever league title in their 23 years in existence. Having won all previous games, it was lucky thirteen as Bedwell Rangers were swept aside 5-1. Ashley Kersey went a long way to claiming the Golden Boot with another hat-trick, taking him to 37 for the season and 176 in 136 appearances for the club. Charlie Lawson and Sam Harwood were also on target. Daryl Thorpe replied for Rangers late on.

Lifestyles consolidated their position in second with a 4-2 win over Coopers United. Stewart Smith (two), Ryan Ellis and Jack Worbey netting, whilst Dave Brown netted a brace in response.

Last week’s cup hero John Chitondo was on target again with two goals - the first a deflected effort, followed by a penalty - in the first twenty minutes for Coach and Horses against MKS Carpentry, who were playing with nine men. Ade Wright made it 3-0 with MKS now up to ten players, before Chitondo scored another penalty for his hat-trick. MKS started to get into the game, Rich Wilson somehow putting wide from a yard out. His reward - with them now up to a full quota - was having to goal in goal as James Sawyer had to play on pitch due to a dislocated finger. They pulled one back through Rickie Nash, then another courtesy of a Mick Sandford penalty. They pushed for an amazing comeback, but for the centre-back partnership of Kenny Liggett and Liam Perricone. At the other end, Scott Ross hit a post, but Coach ran out 4-2 winners and look good for a top four finish.

After an uneventful first-half, Mark Brennan netted after a suspicion of handball from strike partner Paul Osborne to put Chequers in front. Breachwood Lions had a chance to equalise, but Carl Thompson pulled off an outstanding save to deny them, Lions themselves lost their goalkeeper George Harrison, who broke a finger making a save, this took them down to ten men and soon after, Brennan netted again to make it 2-0. Brendan Hansen pulled one back for the Lions from a failed clearance from Thompson, but it finished 2-1.

Division Two:
Broadhall Icon went a long way to the title, beating second-place Old Barclavians 1-0. They rested main marksman Piers Le Grand and were lucky to come away with the points. Dan Gregory was the difference in the first half, after Icon had wasted many good opportunities, he burst through the defence, taking on four players and was brought down. He got up and sent the ball straight down the middle from the spot. More wasteful finishing from Icon could’ve been costly, but although Dan O'Brien had nothing to do in goal, he could only watch as a late shot struck a post.

Division Three:
Broadhall Athletic just about leapt back to the top of the table with a narrow win over Almond Tree La Coruna. The latter started the stronger and Tony Bailey narrowly missed with a diving header. From the next attack, Athletic broke and Mark Chalkley put them in front before Craig Gilbert made it 2-0. The Tree started to play in the second-half and Stephen Clibbon played in Darren Gray, who missed his third good chance. However, it was Gray that did net when a through ball from Jaiden Irish put him through. They pushed for an equaliser, which gave Broadhall a chance to increase the lead, but Scott Taylor denied them on several occasions. Clibbon could’ve equalised, but his volley was well saved by Michael Wells. Broadhall were even afforded a late penalty miss as they won 2-1.

Dave Pateman bagged a hat-trick and Bryan Challice also netted as Proverbial United beat A1 Trophies 4-2. They still hover in third place, unbeaten. Si Longman and Toby Willis were on target for A1.

Stevenage Old Town were beaten by a nine-goal margin for the second successive week. TC Wanderers took the lead through a Jimmy Lock header before top scorer Mike Phelan smashed home from the edge of the area. The third was a pull back from Mark McKeown for Sam Poulton before Lock was on target again after taking on several defenders. Poulton and Lock both went on to complete hat-tricks. McKeown got on the score sheet, as did Tony Phelan, who bent the ball around the advancing defence, he don't score many but when he does they are a bit special, Tony Friggieri returned from injury to nick the last goal in the 10-1 victory.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup (League Phase):
Crooked Billet Boro built on their 1-0 handicap lead to beat AJS Tyres Broadhall. Despite AJS pressure, the only goal of the first-half came from a rare attack for Billet after half-an-hour with a superb curling shot from Rob Smith. Billet then got physical and there was an awful lunge on Matt Dimond by their captain, punished only by a yellow card. Mike Emmings fired in a great free-kick off the underside of the bar on the hour, only for Billet to retake the lead within a minute with another well taken goal, this time by Tom Younger. AJS continued to press and Joe Lee made it level on the day, but Billet took the points 3-2.

Results (Sunday 17th March):

Herts Senior Cup Quarter-Final: Verulam Arms P Olympic Nirankari P.
Division One: Chequers 2 Breachwood Lions 1, Coopers United 2 Lifestyles 4, MBDA 5 Bedwell Rangers 1, MKS Carpentry 2 Coach & Horses 4.
Division Two: Broadhall Icon 1 Old Barclavians 0, Emperors Head P JML Plumbing & Heating P, Roebuck Gate P Benington P.
Division Three: A1 Trophies 2 Proverbial United 4, Brackas P ABC Taxis P, Broadhall Athletic 2 Almond Tree La Coruna 1, Stevenage Old Town 1 TC Wanderers 10.
Frank Neville Memorial Cup (League Phase): AJS Tyres Broadhall 2 Crooked Billet Boro 3.

Fixtures (Sunday 24th March):

Herts Senior Cup Quarter-Final: Verulam Arms v Olympic Nirankari.
Premier Division Cup Quarter-Final: King Pin United v Dun Cow (King George).
Division One Cup Quarter-Final: Bedwell Rangers v Lifestyles (Peartree), Breachwood Lions v MBDA (Breachwood).
Division Three Cup Quarter-Final: Almond Tree La Coruna v TC Wanderers (Shephalbury), Proverbial United v Broadhall Athletic (King George).
Division One: Coopers United v Chequers (Chells), MKS Carpentry v AJS Tyres Broadhall (Shephalbury).
Division Two: Crooked Billet Boro v Roebuck Gate (Meadway), Hartham Press v Emperors Head (Peartree), JML Plumbing & Heating Athletic v Broadhall Icon (Meadway).
Division Three: Brackas v A1 Trophies (Peartree), Stevenage Old Town v View Point Wanderers (King George).
Frank Neville Memorial Cup (League Phase): ABC Taxis (1v0) Old Barclavians (Shephalbury).