Three more for Ashley Young's brother for Premier leaders...

Premier Division:
Leaders Nirankari Stevenage were gifted a penalty after a clumsy challenge and made it two before the break when they broke the off-side trap. Almond Tree United gave themselves a chance when Neil Henderson neatly turned inside the defender to smash the ball home. They were then left to rue some missed chances as another Nirankari strike and yet another disappointing challenge to gift them a second penalty in the dying moments sealed the win. Martin Young bagged a hat-trick and David Iwediuno was also on target.

After a disappointing season, Marquis United are starting to get it together. They opened the scoring through Barry Hazelton after a neat move. However, despite a good performance from the stopper, goals past stand-in ‘keeper Paul Fraser from James Dillnutt, Ian Thorne and Marc Holmes put Dun Cow in control by the hour. Marquis dug in and an excellent Theo Swaine brace levelled the scores before his great run culminated in a cross for Hazelton to net his 17th of the season for the winner late on.

Charlie Pirie, John Johnston and Kologo Richards were on the mark as Broadhall edged out Highview, for whom John Vooght bagged a brace.

Bottles failed to raise enough players and forfeited to MBDA.

Division 1:
Runaway leaders Nirankari Stevenage Res took an early lead when a cross in was fumbled by ‘keeper Ricky Robinson for Gary Pomfret to head home. The lead was soon doubled when Pomfret crossed for Rich Hall to smash home. Shephall Artois pulled one back when ‘keeper Kyal Currey fumbled a cross at the feet of Alex Headington, who tapped home. Hall added his second just before half-time. However, Liam McQueen rifled home for Artois, who then levelled courtesy of a Headington header. Hall’s hat-trick goal restored the lead again and Dan Gregory scored with a thunderous header from an angle. Headington completed his hat-trick before Hall’s fourth - a classy individual strike from an angle - ended a ten-goal thriller.

Stevenage Fencing are second after a Billy-Joe Sewell brace saw off Broadhall Res, for whom Paul Gasson netted.

Jamie Campany, Martin Rees and an own goal saw Marquis of Lorne grab the points. Dean Chadderton netted twice more for SCS in reply.

Simon Stephenson’s double kept Stevenage Colts in the hunt as they beat Coopers. Sean Soards replying.

Division 2:
Stevenage Leisure Limited soared to the top of the league as Carl Smith’s hat-trick took him to nineteen for the season. Chris McCarthy, Joe Chilton and Dean McCullagh were also on target. Hartham Press replied through Andy Parrish, Steve White and a 30th-birthday free-kick strike from Daniel Curtin.

First points of the season for A1 Trophies, for whom Greg Bradbury bagged a hat-trick in their win over Timebridge AFC. Dave Pateman’s brace was only consolation.

Division 3:
Louis Gilbert (two) and Will Cubitt netted in Odyssey’s win over Times Club as they moved to within goal difference of the lead. Craig Mitchell and Paul Dowse (penalty) replied.

Division 4:
Back to back victories against Roebuck Gate were achieved to see Crooked Billet Boro replace them at the top of the league. They got off to a great start when a Mark Hemmings pass was cleverly deflected over the ‘keeper from Steve Bush. The second wasn’t far behind after Terry Haynes ran the length of the pitch and picked out Bush to tap home. The scoring was complete when Gate pulled one back through Mark Blankley after a neat team move before half-time.

Stevenage Old Town were looking to enhance their promotion chances and went one up through Gary Linehan, heading home a deep cross from Billy Reedman. Ricky Lawrence doubled the lead when his cross from the by-line curled in via Phil O’Rourke. They were then stunned by the normally goal-shy Icon Onederers. Anthony Lloyd finished well into the far corner, the same lad equalised with a penalty before a cheeky dink from Rashid Choudhury put them in front before half-time. A penalty early in the second-half from a deliberate handball by Matt Fowler saw Linehan converted to level the scores.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
FC Squirrel were again involved in a high-scoring match and started well when Gaz Baker fired home in opening ten minutes. However, an excellent twenty minutes for ABC Taxis saw them take control as they bagged three, adding to their already one-goal start. A coolly taken penalty by Dave Stroomer reduced the lead before ABC netted again before the break. A rocket from 25 yards by Stroomer followed, substitute Dan Steel blasted a shot into the top corner and Baker latched on to a though-ball and placed it under the ‘keeper. But they were always playing catch-up and ABC won on the day thanks to Ned Wickham (two), Darren O'Brien, Aaron Watson, Alan Widdows and Phil Wallis.

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