Seven Into Round Three...

It was a good day in the County Cup on Sunday as seven of our ten teams in action went through, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Herts Intermediate Cup 2nd Round:
TC United secured an emphatic win over Apsley Villa in Hemel Hempstead. Jimmy Lock got them off to the perfect start when he converted from close range inside five minutes. Lewis White got on the scoresheet and two goals from Terry Lock put them four up at the break and he completed his hat-trick after it. Dan Carroll lobbed the 'keeper with almost his first touch and Ben Sheldrake completed the rout with a strike that made up for his penalty miss.

Nirankari Stevenage Reserves came away from Hitchin with a comfortable victory in which home side Bedford Arms failed to get a shot on target. Nirankari took the lead early when a Steve Teale bent a free-kick around the wall and after it came off the post, Tel Pateman smashed the ball home. Good play between Ricky Phillips and Gary Pomfret led to Pateman’s second and he completed his hat-trick from Rich Hall’s through-ball. Barry Mullaney hit the final goal via two deflections. Goalkeeper Kyal Currey even had a stint on pitch and almost managed to net.

Hermit of Redcoats got off to a good start when Lee Bounsall scored from close range. Home side Midland applied the pressure, but some good defending meant that when Lee Metselaar played in emergency striker Olly Rice, they led by two. At half-time, top scorer Josh Dance made an appearance, but they conceded before James Sawyer netted with a header from Jacks Wynn’s corner. Incredibly, three goals without reply saw Midland storm in front, but the introduction of Dave Barker after injury and a top save from Sam Archer saw them cling on. Right at the death, a free-kick was flicked on by Trevor Hoyte and Sawyer knocked it home to take the game into extra-time. Dance sparked into life and hit a game-winning hat-trick and Wynn rounded it off with a well-taken volley.

Six different scorers saw Stevenage Leisure Limited through against Sawbridgeworth Town Reserves. Darren Bickell, Chris McCarthy, Carl Smith, Stewart Smith, James Tizard and Tom Wisson were on the mark.

Robbie Freeman (two), Kieran Hufford and Paul King just saw Stevenage Colts through at Warners End.

A Billy-Joe Sewell brace and one from Dave Hailey put Stevenage Fencing through at Colney Heath Rangers by the odd goal in five.

It looked bleak at half-time with Timebridge AFC trailing by two despite Tony Waters putting them in front. Waters netted again before Tom Younger and Dave Pateman put them in front. However, late on, FC Rosemill equalised and forced extra-time. Penalties it was and Timebridge’s Darren Cooper saved low down to win it.

An injury ravaged Hartham Press lost at Northmet. They had players playing with injury and gave it a real go but unfortunately went out of a third cup in as many weeks.

Coopers were beaten at Hertsmere despite a Richard Griffiths hat-trick and a Danny Auld strike.

Marquis of Lorne found themselves three down at the break before deciding to play. Some excellent saves from the ASCO ‘keeper kept them from closing the gap before a late consolation from Martin Rees made the scoreline a little more respectable.