Shocking Day For Senior Sides

It was an awful day for our sides in the Herts Senior Cup as action returned for some teams after a 7 week break, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Herts Senior Cup:
Against former winners of the competition, Almond Tree United were unfortunate to lose just a minute away from a penalty shoot-out. Despite going in at half-time a goal down, second-half substitute Dave Holmes equalised before they found themselves conceding again. With minutes remaining and everyone pushing forward, Ricky Lawrance pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area to force extra-time. With both sides finding fitness a struggle having played no football for so long, it came down to the last minute when Queens Head Sandridge were fortunate to see a shot rebound off Lawrance and into his own goal.

Dun Cow lost by the same score as they hosted Victoria Vampires, Adam Furness and Marc Holmes scored in reply.

Andrew Iweduino’s strike wasn’t enough as Nirankari Stevenage were eliminated by Ashwell.

MBDA’s day went downhill once the referee decided an intercepted cross was a backpass, and with heads still down, IML capitalised with a second from distance past Andy Gibb. The tone was set and despite a Craig Sutherill goal, a red card for Paul Kersey compounded the day as they thankfully avoided conceding double-figures for the second successive game by just one.

Herts Intermediate Cup:
The shining light in County Cup action came from Stevenage Fencing. Green Dragon started well and they fed their fast lad up front, this provided two goals in the first 20 minutes. Fencing had a good team-talk at the break and after Garry Smith won a battle in midfield and put Dave Hailey in, he shrugged of a defender and lobbed the ‘keeper. A corner from Billy-Joe Sewell found Mark Chittenden at the back post to head home the leveller. Dragon had nothing left and when Sewell rolled the ball to Luke Gumble, running for a short corner, he hit it from 25 yards into the top corner.

KLM Challenge Cup:
TC United progressed with a four goal win over the battling Breachwood Lions. Terry Lock opened the scoring with a low drive after cutting in from the wing. Brother Jimmy Lock then doubled the lead from close range, pouncing on a loose ball. Dan Carroll also notched from outside the box as he drove a shot into the bottom corner and Scott Overy wrapped the game up in the second-half with another rasping drive.

Stevenage Leisure Limited went in front after 30 minutes in when a cross was headed in at the far post by Dean McCullagh. Sportsmanship award goes to Hermit of Redcoats striker Jack Wynn, telling the referee had hadn’t been brought down by Daniel Barrett in the box, with the referee then changing his mind after originally giving a penalty. The second-half saw Hermit find their feet and Anthony Lanni slotted home under the ‘keeper after good work from Neil Roskilly. McCullagh restored the lead from the spot after Dave Barker was beaten at the second attempt. Oliver Rice levelled for Hermit and they went in front through Roskilly, but Tom Wisson forced extra-time. Hermit then ran away with it as substitute Josh Dance put them in front with a great turn and shot after good work from Lee Metselaar. Lanni then headed in a Dance cross before completing his hat-trick with 10 minutes to go.

A suspension for Bottles saw them eliminated by Broadhall Reserves.

Division 2:
Mallard Old Boys beat Hartham Press (Steve White) thanks to strikes from Sean Lamacraft and Si Wagstaff.

Timebridge AFC saw off A1 Trophies courtesy of Daniel Corns, Tony Waters and Dave Pateman.

Division 3:
Matt Evans (two), Danny Russell and Myles Marshall were on target as Rileys Athletic comfortably beat ABC Taxis.

Luke Smith hit another hat-trick for Bedwell Rangers. James Reeves and an own goal completed the scoring. Emperors Head replied through a Lewis Essam penalty and Stuart Smillie.

Matt Jackson, Phil Stevens, Terry Lee and Paul Hancock netted as Broadhall 'A' beat Chequers.

Odyssey beat Timebridge AFC Reserves thanks to a solitary Richard Veness strike.

Division 4:
James Marshall and Rob Smith were on target in Crooked Billet Boro’s win over Granby.

Walkern Construction won a nine-goal thriller thanks to Michael Bunker (two), Lee Kitching, Callum Freeman and an own goal. Roebuck Gate replied through Lewis Collins (two), Dave Morton and Shaun Skutela.

Lorne Rangers suspension saw Proverbial handed the points.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Marquis of Lorne hammered Icon Onederers thanks to strikes from Jamie Campany (four), Tony Malocco and hat-tricks for both Martin Rees and Shaun Grainger.

Match Reports can be sent to statto@cssfl.info, otherwise details of your game cannot be included. The league website can be found at www.cssfl.info