Bedwell Rangers Win County Cup

Bedwell Rangers were crowned Herts Junior Cup Winners, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Herts Junior Cup Final:
Bedwell Rangers faced Watford side Carefree Athletic at Herts HQ, the County Ground, Letchworth. In the tense early exchanges, chances were squandered by both teams with Luke Smith seeing his early shot creep past the upright. In the 25th minute, Jacob Dawson latched onto a well timed pass from Ethan Draper and calmly finished beyond the on-rushing ‘keeper to give Bedwell the lead. Carefree applied pressure to get back into the game but the defence limited them to a few long range shots and a fierce header from the captain stuck the woodwork before half-time. They were galvanised after the break and went in search of an equaliser. Two good one-on-one chances fell to them; the first saw a tame shot easily gathered by ‘keeper Alex Willcocks and the second was lobbed against the crossbar. The clincher followed a poor goal-kick, which fell to James Reeves, who sweetly struck a long range effort, seeing it palmed away by the Carefree ‘keeper, only for the ball to fall at the feet of Danny Bacon, who slotted home the second from outside the box with just over ten minutes left. The final whistle went and the lads celebrated.

Bedwell Rangers Chairman, Gary Dempsey commented: “This is a fantastic achievement for this squad in only their second season. This squad is lucky to have two dedicated managers, Craig Grieves and Stephen Swain and their loyalty to the club has been rewarded today. The players are a credit to the club and a number of players have been with the club since the age of five. Bedwell Rangers is committed to providing football at all ages and we aim to attract the right calibre of people to play for our club and hopefully we can develop a mens reserve side in the coming months. This success comes on the back of our U16 ladies squad who won the County Cup this season and now go onto play in the U16 Tesco Cup later this month before moving onto U18 football next season.”
Team; Willcocks - Swain, Mortimer (sub Danny Bacon), Fannon-Hall, Dean Bacon (sub Thomas) - Reeves, Draper, Dawson (c), Morriss - Thorpe, Smith. Subs not used; Donnachie, Garwood.

Premier Division Cup Semi-Final:
Nirankari Stevenage are on for the ‘double’ as both Martin Young and David Iwediuno hit hat-tricks. Paul Otim was also on target against Marquis United. Barry Hazelton, Adam Hazelton and Theo Swaine replied.

Dun Cow will face them after a comfortable win over MBDA. Mark Phillips (two), Scott Mahoney, Adam Furness and a magnificent James Dilnutt strike into the roof of the net from 25 yards saw them home.

Division 2 Cup Semi-Final:
Stevenage Leisure Limited's good form continued with a hard fought win to make the final. However, it was Mallard Old Boys who opened the scoring when Si Wagstaff headed home from a corner. The prolific Carl Smith equalised before half-time and they took control shortly after. A through-ball from Chris McCarthy saw Ryan Ellis score from a tight angle. Joe Chilton pounced on a defensive mistake for another before Dean McCullagh headed in to make the game safe.

In a tense opening half, neither side created much before Hermit of Redcoats took the lead after a better showing by them in the opening stages of the second half via a set-piece. The ‘keeper had made a fine save but from the resulting corner, Josh Dance rose highest amongst the melee at the back post to head home. Moments later they nearly made it two when a speculative cross hit the crossbar. However, this seemed to spur Putterills into life and Dave Banks headed against the post, before a Louis Bullock effort achieved the same result. Banks did however manage to squeeze one in at the back stick with a nifty finish to level. The game almost turned after a controversial penalty was awarded to Hermit, however, Dance’s kick hit the bar. Both teams then appeared to accept the inevitability of extra-time. The closest anyone came saw Bullock once again fire against the frame of the goal. Putterills won the penalty-shoot-out thanks to successful conversions from Jimmy Anderson, Banks, Jon Pace and Pete Morrison, whilst a tame effort from Tim Chesworth was saved.

Division 3 Cup Quarter-Final:
Stevenage Colts Reserves went through thanks to Carl Green, Jamie Hucker, Alex Williams and Ryan Bareham. Emperors Head replied through Ben Collins and James Batchelor. They’ll face Broadhall A for a place in the final.

Division 2:
TC United returned to winning ways in some style as they overcame struggling Timebridge AFC. Scot Overy opened the scoring when he reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box. Lewis White doubled the lead with a far post header before Terry Lock found the corner to put them three up at the break. Lock helped himself to four more (one a penalty) in the second-half to complete a convincing victory. Aaron Collins bagged a consolation.

Division 3:
Odyssey’s point means their title chances are pretty much gone. Will Cubitt and Dave Sell netted. Rileys Athletic replied through Tom Gallagher and an own goal.

Paul Dowse (two), David Cannon and Adam Stevens scored in vain as Times Club were beaten by Timebridge AFC Reserves, who’ve finished bottom regardless.

Division 4:
On the final day in this division, Breachwood Lions got the breakthrough fifteen minutes from the end when Ali Collins ran into the box and cut the ball back from a tight angle, only to see it go straight in off the underside of the Proverbial crossbar. With time running out, Dan Jefferies weaved into the box and was fouled, he scored the penalty-kick himself to secure runners-up spot.

Granby had an easy win at Walkern Construction. Sam Bickerstaff (two), Alex Bickerstaff and Gary Haze were on the mark. Oliver Roberts replied.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Ben Snowden, Andy Hares and Christian Goodyear scored for Division Four champions Crooked Billet Boro against FC Squirrel, who replied through Scott Taylor, Scott Harris and Gary Baker. The two goal advantage gave Billet the points.

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