JJ Treble Sends Broadhall Through

Another hard frost saw half of Sunday’s programme wiped out, but there was still come crucial action, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Senior Cup 3rd Round:
John Johnston’s hat-trick fired Broadhall into a last 16 meeting with either The Park or PJ Hitchin. After a good start to the game from both teams, captain Kologo Richards’ determination saw him close down the goalkeeper and slide the ball home. Johnston made it two before the break with a delicate touch. Horse & Groom started a little brighter in the second-half before Charlie Pirie extended the lead with a brilliant volley. Richards was involved again as he won a penalty, which Johnston duly converted. Minutes later he grabbed his third after chasing down a brilliant pass from Jay Milburn, coolly rounded the ‘keeper, before walking the ball up to the line, getting on his hands and knees and knocking it over the line with his head, just to rub salt into the wounds.

We still have five sides attempting to join them, Almond Tree United, Bottles, Dun Cow, MBDA and Nirankari Stevenage.

Intermediate Cup 4th Round:
Nirankari Stevenage Res fielded a strong attacking line-up, paying dividends by creating a lot of chances throughout the match. Their bench consisted of household names Ricky Case, Terry Pateman, Steve Underwood, David Iweduino and Andrew Iweduino. They took the lead early when a Ricky Phillips through-ball put Joel Mason clear, who fired the ball past the ‘keeper. A Lee Allinson corner led to Mason's second as he slotted home from close range. The third came after some fine passing from the back found the strikers, where Kaan Fehmi found himself in plenty of space, he chose to take it early and hit an unstoppable volley from the edge of the box. The stunned visitors, Footy Pants pulled one back on the stroke of half-time. Allinson chipped the ‘keeper from 40 yards before Mason completed his hat-trick on the hour with another powerful drive from outside the box. Substitute Pateman completed the rout with a traditional two yard tap-in. They now await the visit of Hadley Green in the fifth round.

Dean McCullagh and Joe Chilton netted, but Stevenage Leisure Ltd were hit for double-figures at Herald.

We also have Stevenage Fencing remaining in the competition, but they still await their opponents.

Junior Cup 4th Round:
Sam Bickerstaff’s hat-trick helped Granby through. His big pal Chris Lyle (two) and a Jaiden Irish penalty saw them win a ten-goal thriller against Queens Head. They now travel to FC Hedgehog 2010.

Bedwell Rangers travelled to Hemel Hempstead to take on Bull Athletic, who bagged the only goal of the first-half. A Luke Smith brace turned the game in Rangers’ favour until an equaliser with just five minutes remaining forced extra-time. In the second period, Smith bagged another two to take them to a home tie against PSV Shades.

Walkern Construction made it a clean-sweep for our teams as John Warner were beaten by goals from Marc Stobart (two), Asa Common and Michael Bunker. They now travel to Carefree Athletic.

Division 1:
Gary Chambers banged in six goals as Coopers hit double-figures against Broadhall Res (Mark Chalkley). Ben Smith (two), Adam Stevens and Sean Soards completed the hammering.

Division 2:
TC United continued their winning run and consolidated their position at the top as Terry Lock opened the scoring with a glancing header which went in via the far post for the only goal of the first-half. Dan Carroll netted a brace, one with each foot to put the game beyond doubt. A1 Trophies briefly narrowed the deficit when the ball was converted by Greg Bradbury from close range even after a superb Richard Edwards tip on to the crossbar. Lock went on to complete his hat trick with a couple more to take his tally to 26 for the season and A1 completed the scoring late on with a Paul Tully free-kick.

Division 3:
ABC Taxis started marginally better and took the lead midway through the first-half with a clinical finish from Neal Watson. Emperors Head began to find their feet and started to apply a lot more pressure and when a near post cross was not dealt with, Lewis Sealy gladly slammed the ball home to square things up going into half-time. They came out of the traps quickly and a great cross from the left was met on the full by Sealy. ABC managed to keep themselves in the game through dogged defending and a great save by Paul Saunders from close range. A five minute purple patch swung the game. Firstly, John Saunders coolly finishing with his head at the far post to equalise and then Phil Wallis showed great composure to latch onto Alan Widows’ through-ball and lift the ball over the approaching ‘keeper. ABC jumped three places into second, only trailing on goal difference.

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