League action...

Premier Division:
Despite Almond Tree United having most of the early chances, a mix-up between defender and goalkeeper saw Nirankari Stevenage gifted the lead on 25 minutes. This was consolidated further with another in the first-half and two early in the second. Callum Rowe struck a sweet half-volley from the edge of the box for a consolation but a penalty and another goal as the game got stretched late on saw a comfortable win for the champions-elect. Scott Orphanou (hat-trick), Liam Errington (two) and Martin Young were on the mark as it’d seem they need just a point to be crowned champions.

Marquis United fielded just nine men, but put up a good account of themselves. Grant Sullivan, Ryan Chillcott and Ean Brown put Broadhall three-up, but Theo Swaine hit a well taken consolation.

Division 1:
Marquis of Lorne won a tight mid-table battle thanks to Lewis Coward and Sean Duignan. Stevenage Colts replied through Lawrence Cassidy.

Division 2:
Stevenage Leisure Limited consolidated their position at the top of the pile by hitting double-figures. Chris McCarthy (hat-trick), Joe Chilton (two), Dean McCullagh (two), James Tizard (two) and an own goal saw them defeat A1 Trophies. Chris Cripps, James Harrod and Tallem Dennis replied.

Hermit of Redcoats are now second after Josh Dance (two), Neil Roskilly (two) and Olly Rice were on target against Timebridge AFC (Dan Downham).

TC United were beaten by the same side for the second-successive week, a side who are now mounting a promotion challenge. Keen to avenge the penalty shoot-out heartache, Terry Lock put them in front when he converted Dan Carroll's corner at the second attempt. Mallard Old Boys were level when Richard Edwards was beaten to a near post Glen Storey corner and the in-form Dave Hollands headed in. They then went in front in a controversial manner when the referee adjudged Si Jervis to be 'inactive' when he dummied a ball through his legs and Hollands finished again. Jon Dunne ensured the teams went in level at the break though, converting a Jimmy Lock cross past Marc Dunn. Barely five minutes after the break, the OBs took the lead once more after a neat one two, easily finished as Hollands completed his hat-trick. TC rallied again and captain Richard Minnis led by example, getting his side's equaliser with a good low finish. Late drama saw the OBs awarded a penalty after Tom Broadbent was upended, Storey’s effort cannoned off the bar but Broadbent reacted quickest to fire home the winner. Terry Lock rattled the crossbar with a free-kick in the last five minutes, but Mallard held on for a hard fought win.

In a high scoring match, FC Squirrel were just to good for their hard working opponents. They were two up at the break thanks to a 25 yard rocket from Tony Davies and a Gaz Baker goal when the defence didn’t clear a long throw-in. A brilliant passing move lead to Baker firing in another, but Hartham Press fought back brilliantly to level through Dave Mower, Andy Parrish and Andy Black. The Squirrel boys rallied again and a cross was volleyed home by Baker to seal his hat-trick before the nippy striker hit his fourth.

Division 3:
Leaders Broadhall 'A' slipped up against the same opponents they had hit for eight the week before. This time, Times Club were a different proposition after the addition of a number of new signings from the folding Coopers. Times took the lead after ten minutes when the excellence of Richard Griffiths saw him run at the defence and put in a beautifully weighted cross for Glen Armitt to head home as two of the signings combined. Undeterred, Broadhall continued to create some great openings and it was Phil Stevens who continued his good recent scoring run with a lovely finish from Andy Lee's through ball. Shortly afterwards another great pass, this time from Michael Carter, found Stevens, who again finished well to give a deserved lead. They’d also missed some gilt-edged chances in this time. They were then hit with a sucker punch right on half-time when a shot from Griffiths was saved and finished by a signing, Adam Stevens. Griffiths again supplied Armitt, whose great finish restored the lead for Times. However, the scores were level again when centre-back Jack Payne tried to head clear and put the ball straight into the back of his own net. The introduction of Craig Mitchell into the fray had a massive impact, firstly Griffiths floated a free-kick in and Mitchell rose to plant a great header in off the post for wht turned out to be the winner. Moments later, a free-kick at the other end saw Mitchell head against his own bar, but it stayed out and they clung on for a great result.

On a day of amazing results, the lead didn’t change as Odyssey were beaten by Emperors Head. Piers Le Grand grabbed a hat-trick on his debut after signing from Bottles. Lewis Essam also netted, whilst Lewis Gilbert and Will Cubitt replied.

Bedwell Rangers leapfrogged their victims as the top three were all beaten. They took the lead through Jamie Morriss. However, some good work on the wing from Ollie Barnett saw him cross for Carl Thompson to net from two yards for Chequers. A short back pass from John Mikiel then allowed James Reeves to fire them back in front before Gary Gibson came off the bench to equalise on his debut. Rangers had the last word thanks to Luke Smith’s 27th of the season.

ABC Taxis hammered Timebridge AFC Reserves. John Saunders (two), Carl Simmonds (two), Alan Widdows, Ned Wickham, Lloyd McTigue, Neal Watson and Darren O'Brien were on target. Karl Radband and Kyle Brown hit mere consolations.

Division 4:
With the top three out of sight and out of league action, Proverbial closed the gap somewhat thanks to Michael Gwilliam (two), Joe Marshall-Zeal (two), Theo Griffith and Mason Bambridge against Walkern Construction. Matt Woods replied.

Granby went in front when Jon Butler lost his marker to casually head home from a corner. Early in second-half, a Stevenage Old Town corner was half-cleared to the edge of the area and found its way to Paul Smith, who struck the ball on the half-volley for a magnificent equaliser. With just two minutes to go, some one touch passing from one end of the 18 yard box to the other saw Alex Bickerstaff comfortably slot the ball home for his first goal in adult football to secure the win for the Granby.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Goals by Lewis Osborne (two) and Matt Evans saw Rileys Athletic grab a point despite the one-goal deficit against Roebuck Gate. Steve Bland and Dave Morton scored on the day for Gate.

The other two more teams that played also might struggle to get through after failing to get maximum points. Icon Onederers (Carl Albon (two) and Paul Hodgson) began one down and drew with Stevenage Colts Res. Ryan Bareham (two), Josh Watson and Carl Green replied.