More comebacks!...

Chequers bossed their Division Three game from start to finish with some great football at times against Timebridge AFC Reserves. Steve Burton dominated the midfield and netted four and was joined on that feat by Carl Thompson. Goalkeeper Paul Griffiths began on the bench as part of squad rotation, but entered the fray and netted. Ricky Wilson, Mark Brennan, Ollie Barnett and an own goal saw them hit a baker’s dozen. Ben Gumble and Stuart Satchell replied.

Bedwell Rangers were victors in a game overshadowed by some horrendous injuries as many of the Council pitches were poorly maintained. Karl Rickaby was worse to suffer as the Times Club striker suffered a broken leg. James Brown netted for them, but Rangers won it thanks to Danny Bacon and Darryl Thorpe.

A youthful Broadhall A took on the more experienced ABC Taxis team, including many of their former first-team. They took the lead inside five minutes when Paul Hancock's goalbound shot was well saved by
ABC ‘keeper Paul Saunders, but the ball found Michael Emmings, whose looping header found the back of the net. Emmings then turned provider as his great run and cross found Glenn Heritage, who scored with a tidy finish. The second-half started in an eventful fashion. Inside the first few minutes, Joe Lee's superbly delivered free-kick was headed into the net by his brother Terry Lee, and it got worse for ABC as the red mist descended on Joe Hayes as he was sent-off. Alan Widdows pulled one back before Joe Lee rose high to head home Rob Stevenson's corner. The scoring was completed inside the final ten minutes as a fine team move was completed by a great pass from Michael Carter for Phil Stevens to tuck away the fifth.

Gary Henniker and Lewis Lennard were on target for Odyssey. However, Paul Brickell and Lewis Osbourne gave Rileys Athletic a share of the points.

In an even battle, it was a single goal ten minutes from time from debutant Ryan Bareham which won the points for Stevenage Colts Reserves. He coolly dispatched Dave James’ cross low into the corner after coming on as a substitute just five minutes earlier. Emperors Head were left to rue missed chances.

In Division Four, Walkern Construction were always in control and Lee Kitching opened the scoring after some good work by Paul Ingram-Tedd. Chris Bunker was fouled in the box for the first of three penalties in the game and he netted himself before half-time. Callum Freeman was on as a substitute and netted from a second penalty after earning it himself. Icon Onederers scored a consolation goal ten minutes from the end through Kelvin Starr. However, Walkern won their third penalty through Tim Roberts, who unfortunately missed himself with the last kick of the game.

Granby took the lead through Gary Haze. Dan Dye's sweeping shot found the bottom corner of the net to equalise for Breachwood Lions from Iaian Turkentine and Danny Jefferies’ build-up play. Five minutes from time, new Lions keeper Brendan Hansen saved a well-taken Granby penalty to preserve the point.

Dave Morton (two) and Mark Blankley were on the mark as Roebuck Gate saw off Proverbial. Nippy Theo Griffiths replied.

Another comeback ensued as Lorne Rangers came from three down. Stevenage Old Town went one up when Michael Townhill crossed deep for Billy Reedman to rise and head the ball into the bottom corner. Reedman then became provider for Gary Linehan just inside the Rangers half, he took the ball forward a few steps and let fly with a shot that lobbed the keeper from thirty yards. Callum Kendrick added a third from Rich Stewart’s long free-kick when he took a touch and lifted the ball over the onrushing ‘keeper just before the break. With just a minute left, and the scores level, Kerise Powell pumped a long ball into the box, which was flicked on by the smallest player on the pitch, Scott Bartaby, onto Linehan, who showed strength to turn his man and swing a boot at the ball which ended up in the net for a dramatic winner.

In the Frank Neville Memorial Cup, a dour goalless draw saw a dogged Crooked Billet Boro hold onto a comfortable three-goal advantage without reply against Coopers.

cheers, Darren “Statto” Jones, statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info