Three Into Senior Last 16... Three of our sides are set for a showdown in the Herts Senior Cup after hitting five goals each, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

Dun Cow won 5-0 at AC Finchley ‘B’ thanks to Scott Mahoney (two), Ian Thorne (two) and Shaun Marshall.

MBDA were involved in a ding-dong of a game against Finchley United ‘A’. The let a two-goal lead slip and were then 3-2 down on the hour. However, a spirited display saw them come back to win 5-3. Ross Walker (two), Gary Hodgson, Ryan Stewart and Kyle Watson grabbed the goals to set up their first ‘away’ trip, a last 16 encounter with Dun Cow.

FC Nirankari beat Shamrock Rovers 5-1, Ricky Bridge, David Iwediuno, Charlie Pirie, Rory Spencer and Theo Swaine hit the goals. They now face Comet Sports Club for a place in the quarter-finals, where they’ll play the winners of the Dun Cow v MBDA tie.

We only lost one side and that took extra-time. Almond Tree United were in Lemsford to take on FC Rangers and after a lacklustre goalless first-half, both sides improved and it was 2-2 at 90 minutes as Dave Holmes and Danny Lingwood netted for Tree. Two goals for the home side saw them lead 4-2 before big centre-half Steve Buckley was pushed up front and he responded with well taken goal to bring it within a goal. The final moments saw Steve Gibbons almost force penalties, but his lob went just wide. It was long-servant Kieran Bowden’s final appearance as he heads for warmer climes.

In the Premier Division, Ryan Skeggs and Jason Drackford netted for second placed Arena-Group. However, Broadhall won 3-2 thanks to Scott Durham, John Johnston and Tom Montague. They have a further boost that a defeat against St Nicholas saw the result reversed due to an ineligible player.

St Nicholas won a 6-3 thriller against Stevenage Leisure Limited. Dan Manning (hat-trick), Scott Grant (two) and Grant Siggery on target. Jake Banton was also sent-off. Darren Bickell, Kieran Ellis and Chris McCarthy netted for SLL.

Marquis of Lorne still lead Division One after a hard-fought victory over AJS Tyres Broadhall. Their ‘keeper was far the busier in the first-half, which remained goalless. A freak goal just after the hour mark gave them the lead as a Sean Soards corner caught the wind and went straight in. The clincher saw a poor defensive mistake pounced on by Tom Younger, who could hardly miss.

Putterills are still second after just about edging bottom side Odyssey 3-2. Dave Banks (two) and Pete Morrison were on the mark. Martin Miller and Rich Veness responded.

FC Mallard’s excellent form continued as they made if five league wins on the spin. They took the lead when Si Parnell hit home sweetly from the corner of the penalty area. They almost doubled their lead when a defender sliced the ball onto his own post. Bedwell Rangers woke up in the second-half and equalised when Luke Smith lost his marker and headed home, although Marc Dunn got a hand to it. He was then forced into two excellent saves, one with his feet as Smith went for goal from a tight angle. They were on top for a good spell but a challenge on the edge of the box lead to a free-kick which Gav Bowler struck on target, the ‘keeper spilled it and Parnell (35 last Friday) reacted quickest to grab his second of the game to make it 2-1.

Coopers United took a half-time lead when ‘keeper Dave Barker called for a high ball but failed to collect and Danny Hillard headed into an open net. The second-half belonged to MKS Carpentry. They equalised when Josh Dance threaded Russ Ayles through and Dance netted from the spot to put them in front before he added another. He once again put in Ayles to make it 4-1 and close the gap on their victims.

Nirankari Timebridge still head Division Two after a 3-0 win over Rileys Athletic. Joel Mason and Andy Kelly netted, as did Dave Pateman who celebrated his 34th birthday the day before.

Chequers are two points behind after beating A1 Trophies 4-1. Gary Gibson (two), Steve Teale and Steve Koop did the damage. Dan Pinkerton scored the consolation.

Breachwood Lions scooped three points after a 4-0 win over Hartham Press. Dan Jefferies squared the ball to captain Iaian Turkentine to rifle a shot into the net after 15 minutes before Richard Wharton smashed home the second from six yards. In the second-half, a sweeping pass from Adam Jefferies found Ollie Mason, who converted into the far corner. Wharton headed home his second and Lions’ fourth.

Lewis Essam scored twice for Emperors Head, but they were beaten 4-2 by Crooked Billet Boro thanks to Rob Smith (two), Collins Nwanazia and an own goal.

Broadhall Athletic are still looking for their first win, but are showing signs of improvement after a goalless draw with Pear Tree. The latter’s landlord and former ’keeper preserved it with a last minute save.

The shock result of the day came in Division Three. The early signs were quite the contrary as 100 percent leaders Broadhall Icon went in front after five minutes when Dave Clements pounced on a mis-placed back-pass to net. Roebuck Gate equalised courtesy of a jinking run past a couple of players and a good finish by Dave Morton. They went in front courtesy of a fine free-kick from young Lewis Collins, curling the ball from the edge of the box through a crowd of players to put them 2-1 up at half-time. A superb cross from Kieran James was eventually bundled over the line by Shaun Skutela, who is continuing his knack of being in the right place at the right time and the final nail in the coffin came when Mark Blankley did well to hold off his marker before crossing for George Bradshaw to tap in from two yards.

Granby consolidated their position of closest challengers to Icon as Toby Willis hit four goals in an 8-1 stroll over Stevenage Old Town. Joe Chilton also chipped in with a hat-trick and Glen Begley got the other.

Old Barclavians are now the only unbeaten side despite ABC Taxis striking first through a deflected strike from Neal Watson that beat Dave Pateman. Barclavians levelled up within five minutes as a neat passing move saw Dean Page score from close range before Pateman made a great save to keep it level. Barclavians clinched it when James French scored two similar free-kicks in quick succession from 25 yards out.

A Sam Stephenson brace saw Proverbial United jump a place into fifth after they beat TC Wanderers 2-0.