League action...

Premier Division:
Nine-man Marquis United were no match for leaders Nirankari Stevenage, who hit a baker’s dozen. Leon Palma (hat-trick), Martin Young (two), David Iweduino (two), Liam Errington (two), Jahrome Mullings, Mark Ducket, Joseph Finn and an own goal saw them breeze home.

Broadhall are still second after avenging their opening day defeat, despite MBDA taking the lead inside five minutes through Ashley Kersey. Charlie Pirie arrowed a super low shot past Andy Gibb to equalise before the same player struck again from the edge of the box. Michael Wells headed home a rare goal after the break before Kologo Richards rounded off a deserved win after side-stepping two defenders and the goalkeeper to fire in from an angle.

Dun Cow celebrated Mick Clements’ 54th birthday after Ryan Jenner struck a hat-trick in a ten-goal thriller. James Dillnutt, Scott Mahoney, Ryan Skeggs and Ryan Butler also netted. Highview replied through James Tyrer (two) and John Vooght.

A very close encounter saw Bottles take all the points when Lee Wilson struck with almost the last kick of the game. Having taken the lead inside ten minutes when Russell Bull fed Michael Davis to strike the first blow on his 22nd birthday, Almond Tree United fought back to go in at half-time in front following two corners which were headed home, first by Danny Lingwood then by Ricky Lawrance. However, Wilson's first of the game mid-way through the second half set-up a tense finish, in which he settled matters.

Division 1:
Michael Hennah struck twice as Shephall Artois stayed second. The Broadhall Reserves reply came by way of a Mark Chalkley penalty.

Adam Stevens and Richard Griffiths each netted a brace as Coopers won comfortably. Ben Smith, Ben Courtney and Danny Bowey also found the net. Marquis of Lorne replied through Martin Rees and Jamie Campany.

Division 2:
David Banks fired a hat-trick and Steve Harris netted twice as Putterills came from behind. Alan Johnston also netted. Mallard Old Boys’ scorers were Glen Storey and Si Parnell, his eleventh of the season.

In a dull match between the bottom two, FC Squirrel were the better side in the first-half before A1 Trophies took the lead early in the second when a mis-hit Greg Bradbury volley ended up in the back of the net. Dan Pinkerton doubled the lead when the defence failed to clear a free-kick before an interesting finish was set up when Dan Steel popped up with his second goal in successive weeks when he blasted the ball home from eight yards.

Division 3:
Just three points separate the top six and Broadhall A staked their claim with a good win. They took the lead when Gary Hillard headed in Terry Lee's flick on. However, against the run of play Odyssey equalised with a Louis Gilbert header from a free-kick before Lee restored the lead. Joe Lee made it three before Glen Durrant latched onto Matt Jackson's goalbound attempt to smash the ball into the net for another. Gilbert pulled another goal back with just under ten minutes to go before the goal of the game as Hillard thundered Andy Lee's cross into the top corner from twenty yards.

ABC Taxis continue to turn the corner and it was a hat-trick from 46-year-old Alan Widdows they had to thank. Joe Hayes, Paul Saunders and Gary Henderson also netted. Timebridge AFC Reserves’ reply came from Josh Stock and Ben Gumble.

Stevenage Colts Reserves won an enthralling encounter with ten men. Carl Green volleyed home from twenty yards after a Lee Falanga free-kick was knocked down and they doubled their advantage before the break through Ryan Bareham as he calmly slotted past the ‘keeper from the edge of the box. Bedwell Rangers scored early in the second-half through Jacob Dawson before Luke Hardy effectively netted the winner from a corner to establish the two-goal lead. An Ethan Draper goal set up a tense finish but Colts defended as they did the entire game, with composure and effort to take the points.

Ben Collins (two), Lewis Essam (two) and Stuart Smillie scored as Emperors Head beat Times Club, who replied through Brendan Moulton (two) and Paul Dowse.

Division 4:
Roebuck Gate consolidated their position at the top after successive defeats. Shaun Skutela, Mark Hollis, Lewis McCullagh and Mark Blankey were on target against Granby.

Stevenage Old Town are second on goal difference and went in front when Lee Kingham whipped in a corner that Gary Linehan controlled and smashed home to spark a celebration of his 21st birthday two days early. They doubled their money when the ball reached Callum Kendrick about thirty-five yards from goal and he found the top corner to leave the ‘keeper helpless. Crooked Billet Boro pulled one back through Steve Bush before good work down the wing by Jack Roderick and Dan Grouch led to a low cross which was turned home by a defender. The Billet ‘keeper then came rushing out to clear, but only found Paul Smith, who controlled and struck the ball on the half-volley into the empty net.

Breachwood Lions are a point off the lead after an amazing game where they went two-down early on in similar fashion as Walkern Construction struck the ball over ‘keeper Graham French’s head. An Ali Collins strike and a penalty from Dan Jefferies levelled the scores before half-time. They started the second-half the strongest and a well struck shot into the roof of the net from Collins and two more for Jefferies took him to his first hat-trick of the season. Two more for Walkern saw them fight back before Lions netted again from Andy Fildes’ free-kick. Another goal for the away side wasn’t enough as Lee Kitching – 29 the day before - netted twice, Michael Bunker, Asa Common and Paul Ingram-Tedd also scored.

Theo Griffith hit four to take him to sixteen for the season as Proverbial sit mid-table. Michael Gwilliams was also on target in the win. Icon Onederers replied through Richard O'Donovan and Jonathon Arshad.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Dean Chadderton hit five as SCS won with ease. Jason Aldridge was also back with two and Derick Lopez also struck. Hartham Press replied with a Dale Albridge brace and their one-goal handicap wasn’t much help.

cheers, Darren “Statto” Jones, statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info