Herts Sunday Junior Cup

BROOKMANS Park A team fought really hard in a close game but came out on the wrong side of a 2-1 defeat against Bull Athletic, with Park’s goal coming from Alan Young, writes Brian Hubball.

A hat-trick from Radlett Village’s Paul Wardle and four goals by James Welch plus a Scott Lear strike proved too much for Galley Hill in an 8-2 victory.

Radlett started well and took a 2-0 lead but they got sloppy and Galley Hill made it 2-2. Darren Reed had the chance to score from the spot but his poor penalty was saved.

In a great game for a neutral to watch Sandridge Harvesters Sports failed to convert their chances against a well drilled Echoes team who scored the only goal of the game with seven minutes to go. Man of the Match Chris Wickens was excellent in midfield.

The gulf in class was apparent from the first whistle, the only complaint is that the score should have been 20 when Skew Bridge Res defeated Dynamo Cross 7-1. Simon Beazley netted a hat-trick with singles coming from Daniel Abraham, Ben Dawes, James Izzard and Phillip Lythgoe. Todd Baines was Man of Match for his work rate up and down the right and his fantastic cross for Skew’s second goal.

A below strength Marquis of Granby struggled to control Division Three Oaks and were 1-0 down at half time. Marquis re-grouped and equalised through Adam Facer, only for Oaks to score twice more.

Another fantastic performance from the Golden Lion created a thrilling game against MK Ginder, after losing an early goal the Lions responded immediately with Scott Corley scoring his first of the game.

Towards the end of the first half Nicky Harvey produced a magnificent cross that was volleyed in by Haydn Connell. At the start of the second half after a brave 50-50 challenge with the goalkeeper Scott Corley got his second of the game.

MK Ginder then gave a last ditch effort to save the game, managing to bring it back to 3-3 with a minute to go, but unfortunately for them Haydn Connell got the late winner to send the Lions through to the next round.

Greenwood Park crashed out the County Cup 5-0. Troy Petchey was Greenwood’s Man of the Match.

O’Neills Celtic put in a great performance to overhaul Broadhall 5-3. An early Stuart Pearson goal put Celtic in a strong position followed by a Myles Wichard effort only for Broadhall to come back strongly and take a 3-2 lead. O’Neills stormed back with Pearson adding two goals to complete his hat-trick and Luke Wright scoring with a header to seal the win.

Lifted Music did well to come away from Apoel with a 3-1 victory, thanks to goals from Dave Horslen, Elliott Smith and Man of the Match Tom Smith.

League round-up

Premier Division

League leaders AFC Rangers dominated against Hogs Blacksmiths to win 2-1 through first half goals from Adam Potter and an own goal.

Hogs battled their way back in the second half with a well taken goal 10 minutes from time by Dene Lewis.

Despite goals from Dan Butcher, Dan McCafferty and Nathan Kildire, London Road fell to their fifth league defeat, going down 7-3 to Vision. the scores were all level at 2-2 at the break before Vision upped the ante. Vision’s goals came from a Adam Wallace hat-trick, Ethan Hughes (two) and Liam Crouch and Zack Wallace.

Division One

Brookmans Park put on their best performance of the season against Old Albanians with Darren Chillingworth and Jon Edmonds both outstanding and both scoring hat-tricks. Ben Bagshaw scored Park’s other goal.

A much depleted Harpenden Colts Old Boys lost their way and their 100 per cent record with a lacklustre performance as they lost 1-0 at Maylands.

They failed to react to the rebound from a free kick as Aidan Meikle forced home. Shawn Silke was Maylands’ Man of the Match.

Division Two

Brookmans Park Res led 2-1 against Phoenix Res with goals from Phil Riley and Josh Reid, however in the end Phoenix were just that bit better and deserved their 4-2 success with goals from Ally Hill, Dan Leal, Stewart Willerton and Shenanl Samarasinghe.

Oaklands gained revenge over Icarus for a previous league defeat, winning 3-1 with two goals from Ollie Franks and a single by their star player Luke Nathan.

In an evenly contested game that saw many chances created and missed by both sides, Beaver Travel eventually ran out winners 4-0 against Real Mail thanks to two Chris Morris goals, a Steve Quinn single and an own goal.

Division Four

Marshalswick Rovers overcame St Albans Royals 3-2.

Rovers flew out the blocks and took a two goal lead through Chris Felton, drilling it low into the corner, and Alastair Bart after some nifty foot work by star man Chris Felton.

Royals then scored two goals to pull it level at half time. Despite a very tight second half Rovers nicked a winner courtesy of a superb header by James Hounslow.

Second placed Insurance Store made it five wins on the trot when completing the double over Caledon Thistle with a 9-1 win.

Darren Pomroy led the line in starring fashion, netting a hat-trick. Further goals came from Tawhid Juneja (two), Chris Baker, Adam Briscoe, Cesar Da Silva and Mark Winter.

Division Five

League leaders Harpenden Colts Old Boys Reserves cruised to a comfortable 5-1 win over Wheathampstead 89 Reserves with a hat-trick by Man of the Match Alex Dennehy and singles by Marc Oakley and Adam Thomas.

Colts did not have things all their own way and stand-in keeper Lewis Komodromou had to make some smart saves before the points were secured.

Dukes made heavy weather of the first half, going down a goal down to Alternative Quat Republic. In the second period Dukes laid siege to AQR’s goal but despite good chances only scored once to even things at 1-1 through Kieron Forde.

Despite losing 8-1 Sandridge Harvesters Sports Res battled hard with only eight players.

Sports’ Man of the Match was Keith Sewell and goalscorer James Hart. Sandridge’s goals came from a Pete Shepperson hat-trick, Kyron Osborne (two), Andy Brindle, Andy Kennedy and Chris Draddy. Rob Catchpole was their man of the match.

Goals from Lewis Kirkby and star man Jason Lohan, Phoenix A fell to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Oak Res.

Cup round-up

Herts Advertiser Knockout Cup

Phoenix came from a Mathew Lockrie goal down to win 5-1 against FC Potters Bar with an excellent second half performance. After an evenly contested first half Phoenix were ruthless in the second period.

The Addlesee brothers were on fire, Liam scoring four and Marc adding a fifth. Ed Carman, Scott Moore and Dave Etherington each had their best games of the season, but to their credit it was a very strong squad performance.

Queens Head Sandridge were pushed all the way before defeating ARC Rangers Res 4-3, thanks to goals from Sam Ledger, Paul Armstrong, Wes Awad and Phil Turner.

Herts Advertiser Intermediate Cup

Cup holders Hare & Hounds eased into the quarter-finals with an 8-3 victory over spirited Division Five side Cottonmill.

Hounds gave away some sloppy goals but ran out comfortable winners without ever hitting top form. Goals came at regular intervals with two from attacking right back Lawrence Gatier, who also picked up the Man of the Match award.

Top scorer Adam Fowler continued his good form with a brace, even with a broken finger, and singles came from centre backs Aaron Spink and Ben Warren, Ian Morgan and even reserve striker Ben Conrad scored with a poorly struck penalty. Lee Sturgess (two) and the outstanding Darren Weir scored for the Mill.

Herts Advertiser Challenge Cup

Nicholas Breakspear OB Res moved into the next round following a 6-2 win against Verulam Arms. Goals came from James Juggins (two), David Parkinson, Rob Browell, Sam Clarke and Cain Davey. Charlie Robinson was their star player.