Three Cup Finals...

Last weekend saw the culmination of three cup competitions, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Unfortunately, our representatives in the Herts Intermediate Cup Final were beaten as Dun Cow Reserves went down to Mill End Sports.

A cracking Division Two Cup Final took place at The Lamex Stadium as Stevenage Fencing met Probuild Reserves. Craig Gilbert put the former in front before Dave Harvey flicked the ball over Stu Howard to double the lead. Elliott Bunn finished at the far post to give Probuild hope, but Gilbert’s smart turn and shot clinched it for Fencing as they repeated their Division Three Cup Final win over the same opponents from a year earlier.

An entertaining Division Four Cup Final saw favourites Coopers denied the ‘double’ as Highwayman triumphed with a solitary Dave Pateman goal.

Unity Nirankari went through to a first-ever CSSFL Cup Final on a synthetic pitch as they hammered Mallard in the Premier Division Cup. David Iweduino (hat-trick), Andrew Levy (two), Stephen Morrish and Andrew Iweduino were on target. Perry Phillips replied. The game is at The Arena in Baldock on Sunday 16th May as both sides are away from next week.

In Division One, AFC Crooked Billet’s resurgence continued as Matt Arlick (two), Danny Hillard, Kev Ward and Chris Chalat netted against King Pin United. Dave Holmes (two) and Danny Lingwood replied for the league runners-up. Putterills were handed a walkover against Shephall Artois. Last Wednesday saw ProCladd and Highview share six goals. The latter netted through Dave Morbin and an own goal.

Division Two saw MBDA fortunate to meet a nine-man Hartham Press and Ashley Kersey bagged six, whilst Ross Walker hit a second-successive hat-tick. Louis Hare returned after a long lay-off to head home thirty seconds after coming on, whilst Sam Harwood, Craig Sutherill and Kyle Watson finished it off as they hit a baker’s dozen. In reversed roles, Graeme Hulstrom latched onto a James Khakpour-Smith through-ball to delightfully lob over Andy Gibb for a consolation for a spirited Hartham.

The Division Three title is still up in the air. SCS won again as they got past Mallard Old Boys, who drew the positions from the hat in their final game of the season. Dean Chadderton (two), Leslie Chappell (two) and Derek Lopez netted, whilst Gav Bowler grabbed the consolation. SCS needed another win last night against Chequers and this Sunday against Breachwood Lions, along with an eight goal margin to take the title. Athletico Peartree had a convincing win over struggling Breachwood Lions. Terry Lock opened the scoring when he latched onto a Joe Lucy through-ball. Lock had a hand in the second when his cross was turned in by defender Ricky Hill for an own goal. Scot Overy made it three before half-time when he headed in at the near post. Defenders Richard Minnis and Alan Gifford rounded off the win with composed finishes inside the box.

Sunday saw fourth division Broadhall 'A' secure their place in the semi-final of the Frank Neville Memorial Cup with a fine display. They kept out, and then for long periods outplayed, Premier Division side Probuild with a draw on the day, but a comfortable win overall. Probuild dominated the early possession and got the opening goal on twenty minutes, an own goal at the near post. They threatened to add to it, but within a minute of the re-start, Jordan Tyrrell's mis-hit shot reached Michael Emmings, who equalised with a tidy finish into the bottom corner. They gained in confidence and their play throughout the second-half completely defied the divisional-difference between the sides. They meet another Premier Division side in MH Goldsmith in the semi-finals tonight at Shephalbury Park, whilst Highview tackle MBDA in the other game at the same venue.

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Sunday sees more Cup Finals: Dun Cow Reserves take on Highview at 10.30 in the Division One Cup Final and Chequers meet Emperors Head in the Division Three Cup Final at 2.30, both at Stevenage Borough’s ground, entry is £3 (adults) and £1 (OAPs and U-16s). The remaining three Finals have also been finalised and can be found on the league website.

Match Reports to stats@cssfl.co.uk, League Tables at www.cssfl.co.uk