No Finals At The Boro’?

With the potential of Stevenage FC reaching the in League Two Play-Offs looking quite good, the Club have indicated it’s unlikely we’ll have any Cup Finals down there this season, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

This will come as a massive blow for hundreds of players who strive to reach a Cup Final to play at The Lamex Stadium. Boro’s last home league game is two weeks later this season than last, on Saturday 7th May, the play-off semi-finals may not end until Friday 20th May. If the Club make the final in the last couple of days of May, they want the surface preserved for the players to train on to give them a better chance on the playing surface they’ll encounter at Old Trafford.

The best hope for the CSSFL is that the Club either continue their excellent run and gain automatic promotion, or the less-favoured option of capitulating out of the play-off hunt altogether.

The pitch itself is rumoured to be council-owned, with the stadium owned by the Club. The saga might yet run…

KLM Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals:
Joe Finn (two), Andrew Iweduino and Leeroy Williams were on target as Nirankari Stevenage beat Broadhall. The sole reply came from Kologo Richards. They meet Hermit of Redcoats in the semi-final after Stevenage Colts forfeited their tie.

Premier Division:
Almond Tree United grabbed fourth place in their first year in the top flight and they got off to a great start when Dave Holmes popped the ball home after some great work by Carl Lingwood. The lead was soon doubled when Adam Bannister rounded off a superb passing move, which he started in his own half. Highview pulled a goal back moments later from the penalty spot through John Vooght before Holmes got his second of the game following a cross from James Wyatt which he nonchalantly side-footed into the corner. Their opponents then broke quickly to outpace the tracking runners and Vooght got his second. In the second-half, United skipper Danny Lingwood's powerful half-volley found the back of the net for the only goal. With five minutes left, Vooght was sent-off for a second yellow card.

Division 3:
Paul Osborne (two), Marcus Morton and Steve Koop netted in Chequers’ win over Stevenage Colts Reserves. Josh Watson and Jamie Hucker replied.

Emperors Head failed to raise a side against Bedwell Rangers.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Broadhall A had a convincing win against Proverbial, wiping out the paltry one-goal disadvantage in quick time. The first-half was initially closely contested and they took the lead inside 20 minutes when Gary Hillard's excellent through-ball was calmly finished by Michael Carter. Hillard then struck twice in as many minutes just before half-time before Matt Jackson unleashed a 25 yard screamer in off the bar in stoppage-time. The second-half was one-way traffic as they enjoyed themselves in the sun. Glenn Heritage finished superbly on two occasions, with an Andy Lee effort sandwiched in between. The scoring was completed on 90 minutes with a cracking finish from Michael Emmings. The highlight of the day came with 20 minutes to play when Mark Lee came on to make his debut for Broadhall 'A'. It saw him fulfil an ambition as already on the pitch were his three sons, Terry, Joe and Andy. His cameo appearance was great and it was a shame that Andy did not finish off his Dad's superb headed pass.

Walkern Construction couldn’t get a side against TC United.

Applications for New Clubs for next season:
These should be requested via e-mail to the General Secretary, Tracey Currey on tracey@cssfl.info.

Match Reports can be sent to statto@cssfl.info. The league website can be found at www.cssfl.info.