Mixed Bag In County Cup... Three through, three out in the County Cup ties on Sunday, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info).

Herts Junior Cup Second Round:
Brackas took the lead inside five minutes when the ‘keeper gifted Mark Brennan with the ball, and he finished. He doubled the lead two minutes later from a super Sean Gumble cross. Hilltop Taxis pulled one back before Brendan Moulton burst through to restore the two goal lead. He also bagged his second to make it 4-1 at the break. Brennan completed his hat-trick in fine style, plucking the ball out the air and tip-toeing through the defence, rounding the ‘keeper to slot home. Brennan again beat the defence and rounded the ‘keeper, only for Nathan Baker to snatch a tap-in on the line to get on the score sheet. The game was all over at 6-1, but a terrific Hilltop fighback saw the score finish 6-5.

Almond Tree took no time getting settled in St Albans, going in front when Stephen Clibbon headed down a throw-in to Rhys Flavell, who buried the ball in the net. They continued to press the game and their second chance came when a loose ball fell outside the box and Clibbon smashed it off the post and out. Cottonmill had a chance, but Scott Taylor's fantastic save kept them ahead. Taylor pulled off more outstanding saves at the start of the second-half, before he was finally beaten with a header from six yards out. Tree went on the attack and Rich Stewart’s header put them back in front. Flavell’s ball over the top was met by Stewart’ who walked it round the ‘keeper for his second. Flavell then drilled a free-kick into the bottom corner and the rout was completed when Darren Gray broke down the wing and played a perfect ball into the centre, where Dan Conboy finished through the ‘keepers legs for a comfortable 5-1 victory.

The visiting AFC Bushey Reserves started the game better, but just before half-time, Dan Downham bamboozled the ‘keeper when he hit a free-kick straight down the middle of the goal to put LeisureLeagues.com in front. A deserved equaliser came, but Andy Parrish restored the lead when he came out with the ball after the ‘keeper failed to take it. Dave Mower hit the post, but then sewed up a 3-1 win with a strike from outside the box into the bottom corner.

Goals from Tallem Dennis and Toby Willis weren’t enough as A1 Trophies went down 3-2 to Hadham Villa.

2Dry were beaten 3-0 by the visiting Hadley Green.

Louis Gilbert scored in Benington’s 5-1 defeat at Broxbourne Rangers Old Boys.

CSSFL Challenge Cup First Round:
Dun Cow avenged last season’s defeat at the same stage by comfortably seeing off MBDA 5-2. Adam Furness (2), Dave Kiddie, Piers Le-Grand and Billy-Joe Sewell. Ross Walker’s brace was mere consolation.

Premier Division:
Broadhall might’ve turned the corner. After a cup win last week, they won their first league game when Grant Sullivan’s brace gave them a 2-1 success in Baldock against Lifestyles. Rhys Ratcliffe replied.

Four goals from Tony Steele were in vain as Stevenage Outsiders were beaten 6-4 by Bedwell Rangers as they still await their first point. Luke Smith and Alex Willcocks scored a brace apiece, whilst Jacob Dawson and Ethan Draper also netted.

Division One:
Corey Cooper (2), Lee Bounsall, Shawn Comber, John Dance and Neil Roskilly netted as leaders MKS Carpentry beat Renz Rangers 6-2. Chris Mandall replied with both.

AP Construction are second after Frazer Triggs hit a hat-trick to move him onto ten for the season in a 6-1 hammering of Broadhall Athletic. Danny Hillard (2) and Louis Bullock grabbed the others, whilst Mark Chalkey replied.

After two consecutive Cup defeats, AJS Tyres Broadhall returned to league action and comprehensively defeated Coopers United. Within the first minute of the game, Joe Lee’s great run and cross was expertly tucked away by Dean Allen for a dream start. They went on to play some good football and doubled their lead ten minutes before the break when a great passing move finished with Liam Castle's defence splitting pass to Rob Stevenson, who crashed the ball into the far corner. Paul Hancock's through-ball on the hour to Allen saw a low shot past the ‘keeper for three before Lee powered in a header from Stevenson's corner to make it 4-0. Coopers did rattle the woodwork a couple of times in search of a consolation.

Danny Russell and Tom Rydeheard hit two each as JML Plumbing & Heating beat Old Barclavians 6-1. Matt Evans and Joe Lucy were also on target.

Division Two:
Leaders Bank were beaten for the first time this season by an impressive Kingdom Athletic, for whom it was a first win in adult football. They took the lead into the break with a composed finish from Sam Jamieson after Kieran Ellis’ shot was parried by the ‘keeper. Bank got back on level terms when Ryan Gregory's cross found Josh Bartlett, who finished superbly. That was as good as it got for them though as Kingdom went back in front through an excellent finish from Ellis, his seventh of the season. A Lee Hillard corner was headed in at the far post by Brad Ashby to make it 3-1.

Results (Sunday 13th October):

Herts Junior Cup Second Round: 2Dry 0 Hadley Green 3, A1 Trophies 2 Hadham Villa 3, Brackas 6 Hilltop Taxis 5, Broxbourne Rangers OB 5 Benington 1, Cottonmill 1 Almond Tree 5, LeisureLeagues.com 3 AFC Bushey Res 1.
CSSFL Challenge Cup First Round: Dun Cow 5 MBDA 2.
Premier Division: Bedwell R 6 Stev Outsiders 4, Lifestyles 1 Broadhall 2.
Division One: Broadhall Ath 1 AP Construction 6, Coopers Utd 0 AJS Tyres Broadhall 4, JML Plumbing & H 6 Old Barclavians 1, Renz R 2 MKS Carpentry 6.
Division Two: Kingdom Athletic 3 Bank 1.

Fixtures (Sunday 20th October):

FA National Cup First Round: Nirankari v Two Touch (Hitchin Town).
Herts Intermediate Cup Second Round: Broadhall Ath v Rosedale (Shephalbury), Bull Ath v AP Construction, Coopers Utd v Rifle Volunteer (Canterbury), Lea Sports PSG Res v JML Plumbing & H, MKS Carpentry v Old Fullerians (Canterbury), Oxhey Park Mangans v Old Barclavians, Wheathampstead Icarus v Marquis of Lorne Sth.
Herts Junior Cup Second Round: Kingdom Ath v West Herts (King George).
Premier Division: Breachwood L v Bedwell R (Breachwood), MBDA v Lifestyles (Barclay), Stev Outsiders v Broadhall (King George).
Division One: AJS Tyres Broadhall v Renz R (Shephalbury).
Division Two: 2Dry v Brackas (Alleynes), Almond Tree v Benington (Canterbury), Bank v A1 Trophies (Aston).