Cup Action...

KLM Challenge Cup Round 2:
Scott Durham’s hat-trick saw Broadhall on their way to a comfortable victory and a quarter-final meeting with Nirankari Stevenage. Kyle Colley (two) and Declan McMahon were also on target. Highview replied through Steve Gibbons and John Vooght.

Stevenage Colts took the lead through Adam Hewitt, but Stevenage Old Town levelled when Paul Smith smashed home into an empty net after Gary Linehan’s shot came back off the post. Danny Liversidge restored the Colts lead before half-time despite a suspicion of offside. SOT were level again when Kerise Powell burst down the wing from centre-back and squared a ball across the six-yard box for Jack Roderick to slot home. It took a dubious penalty award for the Colts winner, Rich Stewart was adjudged to have fouled Sam Stephenson, who got up and slotted home past Michael Townhill to put them through to a last eight meeting with Hermit of Redcoats.

Division 3 Cup Preliminary Round:
In a 12-goal thriller that saw everything it was Stevenage Colts Reserves who took the early advantage with a strike from Ryan Bareham. A Chequers equaliser came by way of a Carl Thompson penalty ten minutes later before Luke Hardy restored the lead with a deft strike from the edge of the box. Thompson headed in at the back post to restore parity again. A defensive mix-up allowed Jamie Hucker to knock in from close range to give Colts the lead for the third time before that man Thompson completed his hat-trick with a calm volley into the bottom corner. They then went in front for the first time through Steve Koop before extra-time was to be played out thanks to Josh Watson scoring direct from a free-kick from 40 yards. Before the whistle, Colts’ Lee Falanga was sent-off in injury-time for a second yellow card after handling a through ball. Koop put Chequers in front again, but an incredible fifth equaliser of the game came when Jimmy Draper headed home from ten yards after a pin point free-kick from Watson found him. However, with a man down, Chequers strode on to win the classic cup fixture thanks to a Marcus Morton brace. They’ll now play Emperors Head in the quarters.

Division 3 Cup Quarter-Final:
Despite having to make two early substitutions due to injury and having a player sent-off after half-an-hour for an horrific challenge on Matt Jackson, Rileys Athletic were the better side in a closely-contested first-half, with Will Harris of Broadhall 'A' being the busier ‘keeper. In only the third minute of the second-half, Broadhall made the breakthrough. Phil Stevens' well struck shot was saved and rebounded to Andy Lee, who controlled his drive into the far corner. They largely controlled the second-half, but the passage to a semi-final meeting with Chequers or Emperors Head was only secured in injury-time as Gary Hillard ran on to Rob Stevenson's long pass to tuck under the ‘keeper.

Playing with the slope at Benington, ABC Taxis started the brighter and had the bulk of the chances in the first-half, the best being a missed spot-kick on the half-hour mark. Odyssey made an immediate impact at the start of the second-half when a ball over the left-back found Matt Arlick in space, who fired an unstoppable early shot that flew past the ABC ‘keeper. They grew in confidence but where unable to convert their pressure into another goal. ABC regrouped and just after the hour they drew level with a well worked goal finished off by John Saunders. They were now seeing the bulk of the play and took a well deserved lead with fifteen minutes left. The ‘keeper made a great initial save and although he made a valiant effort was unable to keep out Carl Simmonds following up from 12 yards for the winner.

Bedwell Rangers will now play ABC in the semi-final after Ross Murphy, Nick Thomas and Daryl Thorpe netted in their win over Timebridge AFC Reserves (Tony Waters).

Division 4 Cup Quarter-Final:
Crooked Billet Boro dug out victory with a Christian Goodyear strike five minutes from time against Roebuck Gate. They will face Stevenage Old Town for a place in the final.

Breachwood Lions made the trip to Woolmer Green and saw Proverbial take the lead after fifteen minutes from a corner, headed home by Michael Hebbs. Shortly before half-time, Lions equalised when an Iaian Turkentine throw-in went over the head of the ‘keeper and allowed Ali Collins to head home. The closest to a goal in extra-time saw the home side hit the crossbar from a free-kick before the away side hit the base of the post with a Turkentine header. After two saves from stand-in ‘keeper George Harrison in the penalty shoot-out, it was left to Rob Pearson to score the Lions fourth kick to put them through.

Lee Kitching and Kieran James gave Walkern Construction a two goal lead, but an Anthony Lloyd penalty, after Carl Albon was fouled and a superb Ben Lennon free-kick levelled matters. Mark Woods and Marc Stobart again restored the two-goal cushion before half-time, but once again, Icon Onederers stormed back. Firstly, Albon volleyed them back into the game from a Lennon cross and David Thomas restored parity again when centre-back Paul Hodgson's goal-kick eluded the ‘keeper via a nutmeg and was tapped home. The Icon winner came when Nick Christodoulou whipped an in-swinging corner that went straight in at the far post. They now meet Lions in the semis.

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