Billet Champions

Crooked Billet Boro have defied any pre-season odds and become champions of the Comet Stevenage Sunday Football League Division Four, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Division 1 Cup Semi-Final:
There were no surprises as a hotly-anticipated final was set up.
Kaan Fehmi bagged a hat-trick for Nirankari Stevenage Reserves, whilst Terry Pateman and a Gareth Hopkins penalty also saw off Stevenage Colts, who replied through Sam Stephenson.

In a very well balanced first-half, Marquis of Lorne had their chances, but Craig Braine in goal was assured. Stevenage Fencing then went ahead with a comical goal. Karl Bradley hit a free-kick 15 yards inside their own half, before a mix up between defender and ‘keeper saw the ball roll home with no further touch. The second came via another Bradley free-kick after the break, he found Luke Gumble, who rose to nod home. With Lorne now pushing up, Dave Hailey exploited the space to go one-on-one with the ‘keeper for a third.

Premier Division:
Champions Nirankari Stevenage dropped their first points of the season as Scott Durham bagged a hat-trick for Broadhall. Martin Young, Russell Bull had put them two in front and Andrew Iweduino on a third occasion.

Dave Holmes set Almond Tree United on their way latching onto Danny Lingwood's through-ball. Carl Lingwood soon made it two with a neat finish after some good inter-play from defence to attack. With a comfortable lead and further chances, they were left to rue those missed chances as MBDA came out a different side for the second-half after a stern talking to from yours truly, levelling the game inside ten minutes. Sam Harwood struck the first from close-range before the same player levelled the game from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Andrew Palfreyman had upended Aaron Kersey. In confident mood, they built on this and won it through two excellent strikes from Kersey. The first was a neat turn and hard low shot, the second a run through the middle and a neat touch under an advancing Palfreyman from just outside the box. Carl Lingwood got his second to reduce the deficit and set up a tense final few minutes of the game, but it wasn’t enough.

Highview failed to field a side and forfeited against Dun Cow.

Division 2:
In a match that could have seen Hermit of Redcoats win the title with a victory, they took the lead against the run of play in first-half when a great passing move set Josh Dance free on the wing and his cross was met by Graham Akers, who headed past Dan Barrett. Stevenage Leisure Limited equalised through a Chris McCarthy header before the break. The second-half was dominated by Leisure and they got a break when Joe Chilton's shot crept in at the near post via a deflection. A header by Ryan Ellis via Paul Howard’s mis-hit clearance made it comfortable before Ellis curled home to seal the win and set them up for a great chance of taking the title, requiring just a point from their last two games.

TC United scored the first and last goals of the game but were beaten again to make it seven straight defeats in all competitions. Terry Lock got the first when he headed in a long Ben Sheldrake throw-in. Putterills then turned up the heat and seemed to score on every attack. Three before the break and two after made the game all over. Jack Mitchell (two), Tim Chesworth (two) and Dave Banks the beneficiaries. Alan Gifford scored a late consolation for the depleted United when he reacted quickest to a parried shot from the 'keeper.

In a one-sided first-half, FC Squirrel managed to net twice when both Ryan Hodgkiss and Gaz Baker got on the end of good crosses. Timebridge AFC began the second-half better and Anthony Ambrose pulled one back with a good header. The lead was extended again when Richard Marvell fired into the top corner from just inside the box before a calamitous own goal and a last minute Baker strike made it five.

Division 3:
Broadhall ‘A’ moved to within a win of clinching the title with a hard fought win. The first-half was closely contested and they created the first real chance just before the half hour when Phil Stevens' brilliant lob over the onrushing ‘keeper bounced up off the rock hard pitch and crashed against the bar and away. A minute later, Chequers’ Alan Collins made no mistake with his lob over Will Harris to give them the lead. Five minutes before the break, a great run and pass from Matt Henning set up Michael Emmings to smash in a dipping shot from 25 yards out to see the sides level at half-time. The second-half continued in a similar vein and the decisive moment came just before the hour as Emmings collected Andy Lee's pass, teed the ball up and volleyed in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area for a goal fit to win any game.

Odyssey kept their slim hopes alive thanks to a hammering of ABC Taxis, for whom John Saunders netted twice. Dave Sell (two), Will Cubitt (two), Ryan Palmer, Matt Arlick and Richard Veness on target.

Bedwell Rangers warmed up for their County Cup Final this Sunday by also keeping any lingering hopes of the title dangling. Luke Smith bagged another four (38 for the season now), whilst Ross Murphy, Ben Swain and an own goal finished off bottom side Timebridge AFC Reserves, who replied through Josh Stock and Sean Gumble.

Lewis Osborne (two), Danny Russell and an own goal saw Rileys Athletic beat Emperors Head. Ashley Sealy replied with a brace.

Division 4:
Needing a point to be crowned champions, Crooked Billet Boro got off to a very nervy start and were happy to see the first-half end goalless. Dan Thurgood scored early in the second-half to set them on their way, but Walkern Construction levelled through Lee Kitching. It was Thurgood again who restored the lead with an absolute pile-driver and James Marshall sealed the three points and the league title with a near post header. Club Secretary Craig Snowden said: “A fantastic achievement considering where we have finished in recent seasons, and how we have managed to come out on top in so many tight games this season. Well done lads!”.

Granby hit Icon Onderers for six.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Theodore Griffith’s hat-trick saw Proverbial edge the points after a three goal start. SCS’ five on the day weren’t quite enough.

A1 Trophies pegged back their two-goal deficit through Greg Bradbury, before Stevenage Old Town equalised on the day with a glorious goal. Callum Kendrick played the ball over the defence and Jack Roderick latched on and hit a looping half-volley over the ‘keeper. Reece Munford scored again for A1, but Roderick then ran onto a long ball and hit a first-time cross for Billy Reedman to show good determination and composure to win the ball and slot it past the ‘keeper for a leveller on the day and a two goal win.

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.