KLM Challenge Cup & League Round-Up...

KLM Challenge Cup Round 1:
We almost saw the shock to end all shocks when Rileys Athletic led through a first-minute Tom Rydeheard goal against runaway Premier Division leaders Nirankari Stevenage. Martin Young replied before they led through an own goal. Another from Rydeheard saw the game go to extra-time and it was only another two from Young and a Michael Ettienne goal which saw them home.

There was an upset as a committed display from Stevenage Colts Reserves thoroughly deserved knocking out their opponents from two divisions above. Dave James scored with a low drive after Callum Gardiner’s hard work dispossessed the back four. Josh Watson scored an excellent header after good work from Gardiner out wide before James put them three-up with a far post header from a Carl Green cross. Gardiner added the last two, the second a stunning 30 yard strike to kill the tie off after Marquis of Lorne had hit back through Martin Rees and Tony Malocco.

Two quick goals mid-way through the second half pretty much secured the win for Highview in an all-Premier Division tie. Stand-in ‘keeper Mick Vooght kept them in the tie following a number of excellent saves in the first-half to deny Almond Tree United. Nick Wellings grabbed two and John Vooght the other.

KLM Challenge Cup Round 2:
Two more Premier Division sides avoided a giant-killing by Division Three opponents. Last week’s County Cup heroes Bedwell Rangers led 3-1 with 20 minutes to go thanks to Luke Smith, James Reeves and Nick Thomas. Dun Cow won thanks to Shaun Marshall (two), Scott Mahoney and Ian Thorne. It needed a magnificent save from Scott Waters to avoid them being taken to extra-time. They now face TC United in an intriguing quarter-final.

MBDA grabbed an early lead through Gary Hodgson. However, ABC Taxis were level when some good play culminated in John Saunders firing past Andy Gibb. Kyle Watson restored the lead after a defensive mix-up, but Gary Henderson levelled the scores again at the break with an arrowed shot into the far corner. Eaton Johnson’s towering header past Stan Matthews put MBDA in front for a third time. A third equaliser wasn’t forthcoming despite Neal Watson’s terrific shot from 25 yards smacking the bar. Substitute Ashley Kersey grabbed the fourth before Johnson added his second as they set up a last eight meeting with Broadhall Res. Henderson scored again for a late consolation.

Division 2 Cup Quarter-Finals:
Stevenage Leisure Limited started slowly against a spirited FC Squirrel. After few openings early on, it was a route one goal that broke the deadlock, Carl Smith produced a neat turn and finished before he floated in a free-kick for a second before the break. Gaz Baker pulled a goal back before Dean McCullagh followed up his own shot that had come back off the bar to net. Joe Chilton grabbed one before Stewart Smith controlled a cross and fired home from the edge of the box.

Putterills were on their way when Steve Harris notched in the mud bath, before Dave Banks drilled home a free-kick from 20 yards after being hauled down. The second-half saw A1 Trophies up their work rate and they took advantage of some poor organisation from a corner to pull a goal back through Paul Tully before equalising through Greg Bradbury. Allan Johnston bundled home a corner for Putterills in the dying minutes to prevent extra-time.

Hermit of Redcoats set up a semi-final against Putterills after Neil Roskilly’s solitary strike beat Timebridge AFC.

Division 1:
Leon Draper, Alfa Waititu and an own goal saw SCS beat the team they pipped to last season’s Division Three title, Broadhall Res, for whom Lee Stokes hit a brace as they bottom two met.

Division 3:
Broadhall A continued their great start to 2011 with an emphatic win over Emperors Head. The first 20 minutes was quite even, but the floodgates opened as they scored three goals in under ten minutes. The first was created by some good play and a fine cross from Phil Stevens to Andy Lee, who scored his first goal for the club from close range. Lee struck again after a good set up from Gary Hillard before Phil Stevens fired the ball under the keeper's body for a third. After the break, the game was finally killed off as Michael Carter fed the ball to Matt Henning to finish. Carter's pass found Jon Myers for a composed finish before Carter was brought down in injury-time to allow Andy Lee to fire home the penalty to complete his hat-trick.

Chequers took the lead midway through the first-half with a dubious penalty, calmly slotted home by Carl Thompson, who then doubled the lead ten minutes later with a header. Steve Koop slotted home their third. Just before half-time, Timebridge AFC Res pulled one back through Benn Evans. Just one goal after the break, Thompson providing Koop for his second after some good work by Alan Collins.

Division 4:
Crooked Billet Boro are still top of the pile and yet again it was Rob Smith and James Marshall who struck, as they held on despite Theo Griffith’s strike for Proverbial.

Breachwood Lions were looking to avenge a seven-goal drubbing from Roebuck Gate earlier in the season. They got off to a flying start after five minutes, Dan Jefferies bursting through the defence to put the ball high over the ‘keeper and into the top corner. Jefferies turned provider for Ali Collins and Ollie Mason scored their third with the game only fifteen minutes old. Collins sealed a man of the match performance with a second-half hat-trick for a stunning win.

Chris Lyle (hat-trick), Gary Haze, Tony Bailey, Sam Bickerstaff and Jaiden Irish saw Granby to a comfortable win over Icon Onederers (Nick Christodoulou).

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Hartham Press put an end to a long losing streak by winning on the day, but a draw overall is never a good sign for either side in this competition. Two from James Khakpour-Smith, playing back up front, one from strike partner David Mower and a Steve White goal were replied by John Wilson, Jack Payne and Martin Griffin for Times Club.

TC United got three points after overcoming a spirited Stevenage Old Town. The first-half was a tight affair and they only turned the screw after a few substitutions as they chased the two goal handicap. Joe Lucy's shot was turned in to his own goal by a defender to pull one back. Terry Lock headed in the equaliser before Dan Carroll netted the winner with a terrific piece of improvisation, scoring an overhead kick at the far post from Lucy's cross.


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