Barry and Johnson net hat-tricks for Dukes

Division Four

Dukes defeated Marshalswick Rovers 8-2 with hat-tricks from Chris Barry and Jack Johnson, plus singles from Anthony Brown and Andrew Sharpe. Dukes dominated both halves scoring four in each half with Marshalswick adding singles through David Hudson and Paul Toms.

A local derby with both Harpenden Colts OB Res and Oaks Res sides committed to victory, although 1-1 was a fitting result. Colts eventually took the lead through Liam Prince, only for Steve Conroy to equalise for Oaks.

In a scrappy game that could have gone either way, Marquis of Granby beat Brookmans Park A 5-3. A great hat-trick from Man of the Match Ross Dempsey, a deft header from Tony Perreira and Martin Smith header sealed the win. Park’s goals came from Dom Woolard, Toby Hanlon and Mark Boot.

St Albans Royals were relieved to beat White Horse Res 3-2 in a topsy-turvy match. Royals went two goals up through a Scott Lye penalty and Rob Marven strike. But White Horse came back with goals from Jamie Cunnington and Rob Flanagan, only for Royals to regain the initiative with Marc Winch bagging the winner.

Herts Advertiser Knockout Cup

Brookmans Park had every chance to cause an upset against Phoenix only to concede two goals in the last 10 minutes to lose 3-2. Goals from Danny Webb and Daniel Freedman had put Park 2-1 up following an early Phoenix goal and other wasted chances should have secured a win, but it was not to be. Phoenix goals came from Liam Addlesee, Marc Addlesee and Mark Johnson.

Herts FA Sunday Junior Cup

Despite Blacksmith Arms having five first team players out for the second week running they produced a eye catching display to knock out Goffs Oak. From the first minute through to the last, Blacksmiths short passing game was great on the eye. Robert Briggs opened the scoring for Arms only for Oaks to equalise.

Business was resumed in the second half again through Briggs. Jason Blythe continued to pull the strings in the central midfield for arms and there dominance was finally rewarded with Luke Nathan’s 30-yard bullet.

IFC came from two down to deservedly beat Sumners Athletic. The fightback started with a towering Sam Crafts header from a corner, Charlie Salvage equalised with a neat finish, before Sam Carrington-Kennedy won the game following up from a tight angle.

Phoenix A’s run in the cup came to an end, going down 6-3 in extra time against FC Twenty Benson. Sam McCord (three) and Sam Bozier scored their goals.

Herts Advertiser Junior Cup

AFC Mymms suffered a 3-1 defeat to O’Neills, with Stephen Havard scoring for Mymms.

Old Albanians looked to be in complete control of this match taking a 4-1 lead midway though the second half against Cottonmill. Mill fort back with goals from Man of the Match Peter Hulland, Craig Redgwell, Lee Sturgess and Tim Couch, but this was not enough as Albanians held on for a 5-4 win.

Wheathampstead ‘89 proved too strong for George Redbourn, running out 8-2 winners. Lee Bennett netted his first hat-trick of the season followed by two goals from Dean Chisholm and singles from Mattie Harris, Steve Horsefield and Alan Russell. Ben Hutton and Man of the Match Liam Picton replied for George.

Premier Division

Verulam Arms became the first team to take a point from champions Nicholas Breakspear OB in a 0-0 draw. Star man for arms was Joe Margerrison.

Division One

In an even affair Queens Head Sandridge shared the spoils with Six Bells thanks to a goal by Matthew Monhon. Six Bells levelled through veteran striker Martin Gentleman with a hotly contested equaliser with Queens keeper Sam Ledger convinced the ball was over one metre out of play before the Six Bells striker hooked it back for a tap in, and a deserved share of the points.

League leaders Harpenden Arms returned to winning ways with their fourth league win, defeating Bradmore Rovers 2-1 with goals from Dan Dorans and an own goal. Ben Harris put in a Man of the Match performance for Arms.

Second-placed Oaks put in their best performance of the season, defeating previously unbeaten Blackberry Jack 4-1. Man of the Match James Hull led the way followed by Haydn Williams, Adam Fowler and Harry Hunt strikes. Joe Wingfield replied for Blackberry Jack.

Division Two

Insurance Store went down 2-1 to PSV, despite taking the lead through Mark Winter.

PSV hit back with a typical finish from Craig Taylor, before scoring the winner just before half-time with a deflected free-kick from Thomas Henshall.

An outstanding Skew Bridge Res team performance and some incredible individual goals from Tom Smith, Steve Allen and Adam Facer contributed to the Skew’s sixth straight win in this epic 5-3 victory against Herts Mauritian who pushed league leaders all the way. Mauritian goals came from Dan Morris, Pat Offour and Mohamed Hassan. Bil Pervaiz was the Mauritian Man of the Match.

Phoenix Res lost 2-1 to Church End despite having dominated the game. Church took the lead when Shaun Hoyte powerfully headed home. Phoenix equalised in the second half through Humair Khan, but a superb long-range effort by Tom Blackman snatched victory for Church.

Victoria produced a better all-round display in their 5-1 win over a depleted Wheathampstead Icarus. Mark Gallagher was Victoria’s Man of the Match with his fine display in midfield and scoring a hat-trick, other strikes came from Ben Conrad and Tyronne Phipps. John Bonner-May replied for Icarus with a fine scissor kick goal.

Division Three

St Albans IFC eased to a 2-0 win over White Horse, with the goals coming from Dom Brewer and Harry Honeywood.

Precision lost 4-1 against a good Nicholas Breakspear OB Res side. After going a goal down Precision started the second half brightly creating chances only to concede a sloppy goal. Dean Thompson replied from the penalty spot before two late goals sealed Breakspear’s win. Goalscorers for Breakspear were Jack Gaffar, Ben Haines, Connor Reddy and Valydon.

Division Five

Greenwood Park recorded their fourth win of the campaign with a convincing 9-2 win over Wheathampstead Res.

Matt Hedges was on fire as he put in a Man of the Match performance scoring four goals and giving the Wheathampstead defence no respite all game. Greenwood midfield and defence linked up well throughout the whole game and both central midfielders Conner Smith and Rob Barron deserved their goals and Matt Hedges got two of his goals in the first half for Greenwood to be leading 4-0 at the break.

Greenwood took their time in the second half but on the 55 minute mark Hedges completed his hat-trick and soon after netted his fourth, it was then the turn of Nick Fanshaw to score with a deflected shot and then Matt Thorn who has scored in every game this season, kept up his rate of goals and scored twice to make it nine. Wheathampstead did manage to score two consolation goals through Ben Harris and Scott Rolls, but Greenwood thoroughly deserved the win.

Jersey Farm went ahead within 40 seconds through Ross Ashcroft, but Athletic Quat came back strong with two goals from Vishal Bhurtun and Adam White. Adam Phillips scored from a great corner shot. A fine passing move resulted in Max Thomas scored to make it 3-2 then ashcroft scored again to wrap up the game 4-2.

After an intense 45 minutes, table-toppers Herts Athletic were edging the game at 2-1 but came out fighting in the second half, scoring five. Chris Wilding and Del Cleary both scored twice and Alex Buchanan was Herts’ star man with a goal and a classy midfield display.