One Step From The Final... A few sides set themselves up with a semi-final slot on Sunday, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

FC Nirankari will take on St Nicholas in a Premier Division Cup semi-final after a resounding 5-1 win over Arena-Group. Ross Connolly (two), Theo Swaine (two) and David Iweduino were on the mark.

MBDA hit a baker’s dozen against Stevenage Leisure Limited. Ten down at half-time, SLL fought much harder in the second-half. Ross Walker and Kyle Watson bagged four apiece, Ashley Kersey turned in a hat-trick performance to take him to 28 for the season and Louis Hare was also on target in the 13-0 stroll. They will now play Dun Cow or Broadhall.

Champions Marquis of Lorne made it through to the last four of the Division One Cup with a 6-1 win over Bedwell Rangers. Joe Delasalle (two), Reece Arbon, Jamie Campany, Tom Hillard and Frazer Triggs netted for the Lorne, Nick Thomas scored a consolation.

Putterills will face Lorne after a terrific game saw Dave Banks net a winner deep into stoppage-time. A mistake in defence saw them go in front thanks to Louis Bullock. However, AJS Tyres Broadhall cancelled it out with a Joe Lee header from Matt Jackson's corner. Putterills re-took the lead when Banks tapped home after a terrific move, before a slightly-deflected strike into the top corner from Warren Ratcliffe levelled matters again. Ratcliffe's reverse pass was clinically finished by Michael Emmings as AJS led 3-2 at the break. Centre-back Allan Johnston restored parity when he headed home and Tim Chesworth put them in front when he drilled home after some quick inter-play. The game got niggly and Putterills had five players booked, AJS had one. Andy Lee's opportunism saw AJS equalise after Charlie Anderson’s attempted turn and backpass sold the ‘keeper short. However, as extra-time loomed, Banks won it when ten players piled into the box and he expertly turned and hit the ball home.

FC Mallard went in front when Alex Lawrence latched onto a through-ball and poked his shot under Rob Cooper as he came out. Christian Goodyear levelled for Coopers United with a glancing header. However, the lead was restored when Rob Barton unselfishly squared for Charlie Lawson, who took his time and curled a finish into the top corner. The goal of the game followed when Mallard captain Daz Wilson controlled a clearance outside the box and hit an unstoppable half-volley which flew inside the post for 3-1. Chris Chalat broke free and finished from just inside the box at Dan Welch's near post to bring Coopers back to 3-2. However, crucially, a response came within a minute when a great lofted finish from Lawrence gave Cooper no chance. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Barton burst through the middle and lofted a tidy finish home for 5-2. Welch made a fantastic point-blank stop from Goodyear, they also hit the woodwork, but he was beaten when he helped Chalat’s free-kick into the roof of the net. They now face TC United or MKS Carpentry.

League leaders Broadhall Icon set up a Division Three Cup semi-final with ABC Taxis or Old Barclavians after a close-fought game. It was a tail of two goalkeepers. Roebuck Gate took the lead through Danny Bacon, but Broadhall responded through Tony Waters, who lobbed the ‘keeper from an acute angle. Broadhall restored the lead early in the second-half through Aaron Penfound before Gate replied when a long throw-in saw the ‘keeper push in his own net. Captain Chris Bunker netted twice to make it 4-2 before a terrific goal from Adam Bannister brought one back, but it wasn’t enough.

Almond Tree United made themselves favourites for the runners-up spot in the Premier Division when they overcame Real Stevenage. Hard work, strong tackles and quality passing from both teams made for a fairly even game, but Tree went in at half-time 2-0 up thanks to Nick Collins and Gareth Clarke. However, Real responded through Lez Chappell and Chris Lyle before centre-back Alex Cox popped up with a match-winning header to make it 3-2.

In Division Two, Hartham Press gave it a good go and were level at half-time against Nirankari Timebridge. However, the presence of Joel Mason was too much and once Hartham’s 47 year-old right-back had been exposed, they went on to be comfortable 5-2 winners. Mason’s hat-trick took him to 31 for the season, despite a recent adventure down under. Terry Pateman and Michael Travis also netted as they moved ominously to within a point of Chequers with a game in hand. Jamie Burbury scored two superbly-taken goals for Hartham, including a volley from outside of the area to continue some good scoring form against good sides in recent weeks.

Breachwood Lions confirmed a third-placed finish. Adam Jefferies scored his first goal of the season for the lead before Crooked Billet Boro found an outlet with a deep goal-kick for Collins Nwanazia to run onto and lift the ball over Max Anderson. Lions re-took the lead when Iaian Turkentine whipped in a cross for James Mason to arrive at the far post to fire the ball home before Anderson’s clearance hit Dan Thurgood and went into the empty net to level the scores again at 2-2. From a free-kick on the edge of the box, Tom Edwards gave Boro the lead for the first time. This rattled Lions and Dan Jefferies squared the ball to Ollie Mason at the far post to rifle home before they won it ten minutes from time when hotshot Richard Taaffe swept the ball home for 4-3.

There were three games in the Frank Neville Memorial Cup League Phase as teams look to book a semi-final place.

Broadhall had to reverse a 3-0 handicap against The Old Post Office. John Johnston (two), Kyle Colley, Scott Durham, Grant Sullivan and an own goal saw them end up 6-4 winners. Karl Rickaby responded for the Division Three side.

Broadhall Athletic wiped out a 1-0 handicap to win 6-4 overall against Stevenage Old Town. Lee Stokes (two), Alex Elmes, Dale Griffiths, Andy McCracken and Garry Smith scored in the win. Gary Linehan (two) and Callum Kendrick replied.

Pear Tree also started 1-0 down, but had no trouble in seeing off TC Wanderers 7-2 overall. Scorers were Adam Rush (two), Ryan Angell, Aaron Collins, George Collins and Reece Munford. TC’s goal on the day came from Nathan Searle.