All the news from the latest round of action

PREMIER DIVISION

INJURY-HIT Harpenden Colts Old Boys’ dismal start to 2012 continued with an uncommitted performance against AFC Rangers.

Colts found themselves 3-0 down before a fightback of sorts saw them pull a goal back but they failed to capitalise on the further chances they created in the last 15 minutes.

Jack Dyer was outstanding in the Colts goal with Jimmy Warner working hard to try to get his side back in the game.

Nicholas Breakspear OB made it eight wins from nine league games when defeating Blackberry Jack 5-0.

Ash Aimaku was their MOM and their goals came from Marc Cavacituiti, Richard Cooke, Tom Dickie, David Parkinson and Danny Fitzgerald.

Skew Bridge extended their unbeaten run to seven games when beating London Road 4-1 with goals from Ben Warren, Sam Mitchell, Mark Hitchcock and Ollie Dawson.

Queens Head Sandridge could only muster 10 men against Vision and they were reduced to nine late on. But they did well to hold out until late in the second half before Vision broke them, eventually winning 4-1.

DIVISION ONE

BROOKMANS Park recorded their first league win of the season with a 2-1 defeat of Lifted Music. After going behind Nick Gaskell scored a header from a free kick to level things up just before half time.

The game could have gone either way but the decisive moment came when Paul Griffiths was fouled on the edge of the box and hammered the resulting free kick in. Two late red cards didn’t help Music’s cause.

Beaver Travel once again fell to a defeat, going down 5-1 to FC Potters Bar for the second time this season. The game was full of magnificent football from both sides. Beaver were always behind in the game but to their credit once again they never gave up with all the players giving their all.

The game was well handled by referee Mark Nicholls who allowed the game to flow throughout. Bar’s goalscorers were: Ben Southam (two), Matthew Wright, Robert Frame and Luke Viala. Darren Bassill replied for Beaver.

DIVISION TWO

THREE Hammers extended their unbeaten league run to 11 games when completing the double over a luckless nine-man Icarus side with an 8-2 win, their biggest of the season.

For the first time this season Hammers had two men get hat-tricks - Craig Taylor and John Baines - and there were goals for Steve Chapman and Daniel Pienaar.

Harpenden Arms’ Division Two campaigns continued against fourth place Church End at Toulmin Drive. In a close fought first half both defences came out on top but Harpenden upped their game in the second half and finally managed to get on the score sheet with sub Jamie Fish’s first goal of the season proving enough to settle the tie.

Phoenix Reserves recorded their fourth league win of the season with a 4-0 victory against White Horse. Four players were on the scoresheet: Jack Hanrahan, Dan Leal, Shenahl Samarasinge and Jason Lohan

DIVISION THREE

A VERY weak performance from the Marquis of Granby saw them concede four early goals on their way to a 6-0 defeat against high-flying Golden Lion.

Paul Still was the Marquis star player. Lion’s ace marksman, Christy Torrens, was again in unstoppable form scoring four goals, bringing his tally to 35. Other goals came from Craig Toms and Tom Henshall.

Brookmans Park Reserves lost 3-1 to Wheathampstead with veteran Alan Young scoring for Park after goals from Jason Clarkson and James Lynch had put the Wheathampstead side three ahead.

O’Neills Celtic made a quick start against Old Albanians Reserves, taking the lead in the first five minutes. Albanians created chances but failed to take them and by the break O’Neills were 3-1 ahead. Further pressure in the second half saw the O’Neills side in charge and goals from Mo Ramdani, Eddie Chisenwa and a first hat-trick of the season by Stuart Pearson saw O’Neils run out comfortable 5-1 winners.

Nicholas Breakspear OB Reserves hit their biggest score of the season when completing the double over Vision Reserves with a 9-4 triumph.

Liam McGarry bagged four goals, Dillian Muthaiah a hat-trick and efforts from Connor Reddy and Alex Songalia. Ryan Hearne was their MOM.

Insurance Store did well to hold league leaders AFC Crown to a 2-2 draw after twice taking the lead.

DIVISION FOUR

QUEENS Head Sandridge Reserves ran out 4-0 winners against Sandridge Sports & Harvesters.

After a goalless first half Ryan Yuill put Queens Head in front after a fine solo run.

This was quickly followed by another solo effort from Greg White, his 19th goal of the campaign, who then in return set up the two remaining goals for Ross Elliot and Donny Campaniello.

Another solid performance from Marshalswick Rovers saw them overcome Radlett Village 3-1.

Rovers started shakily and found themselves a goal down early in the first half. But Rovers soon replied with an Alastair Bart free kick before Bart turned provider, crossing for David Hudson to convert.

The outstanding Bart then volleyed home his second just before the break to seal Rovers’ fifth league win.

Herts Mauritians put in another below-par performance against basement side White Horse Reserves.

White Horse took the game to the league leaders and beat them fair and squarely. Herts Mauritians’ Louis Minerve scored and there was also an own goal. Jamie Cunnington scored twice and Shane Devine once as White Horse completed a 3-2 win.

A depleted Harpenden Colts OB Reserves were unlucky to find themselves 2-0 down at half time having played with confidence against high flying Colney Heath Rangers.

Josh Dixon, Colts’ MOM, aided by Lewis Paul, Steven Stratford and Simon Cooper worked the ball well and initiated some inspired moves. However, whilst matching Colney in terms of ability, lapses in concentration and defending cost Colts dear as Colney dispatched their chances with aplomb.

Rangers’ goals came from Dan James (two), Chris Kelly, Lee Greenwood and Gareth Fernandes. The MOM award went to Matt Mawhood.

DIVISION FIVE

DUKES overcame a resilient Sandridge side 6-5.

Dukes went ahead within 20 minutes with goals from Andrew Sharpe and Nathan Connolly.

Sandridge pulled a goal back before half time and within 15 minutes of the restart the scores were levelled at 3-3 with Dukes’ goal from Jimmy Cannon. Dukes regained the lead with a fine individual goal from Jack Johnson, Antony Brown and a second from Jimmy Cannon to make it 6-3.

Dukes then lost centre back Chris Potter to concussion but held on for the win despite two further goals from Sandridge.

Adam Potter was Dukes’ MOM. Sandridge’s goals came from Dan Watts (two), Andy Kennedy, Duane Foster and James Dirkarabedian. Aaron Blackford was the Sandridge Man of the Match.

Sam Bozier scored twice as Phoenix A ran out 3-2 winners against The Camp Albanians.

Ryan Laffoley and James Lee replied for Albanians who had goalkeeper Dan Bradbury to thank for saving a penalty. Phoenix’s other goal was an own goal.

Another disciplined performance ensured that Raiders United won there fourth game since the Christmas break, defeating Wheathampstead Res 2-1.

Despite fielding a weakened team, Stephen Hemmings rose to the occasion with an inspired performance in his first game.

Skipper Ben Woodman led the line and was involved in both goals, scoring a fine volley from 12 yards out to win the game after seeing an earlier effort hit both posts and fall to birthday boy Jason Blake who netted from four yards. Dan Smith replied for Wheathampstead.

Cottonmill returned to winning ways with an 8-1 win over Bricket Wood.

Bricket Wood nearly took the lead from the kick-off but somehow with an open goal begging the player slammed the ball against the post. Mill soon found their feet with Andy Cattermole and Lee Sturgess providing assists and goals for each other as Mill went in to the break 4-0 to the good. The second half was more of the same with the outstanding Sturgess netting five times, the best goal coming when he controlled Cattermole’s long cross then smashed the ball home from 18 yards. Tim Couch, Craig Redgwell also got on the score sheet. Anthony Perkins also made his 200th appearance for Cottonmill.

Greenwood Park took all three points in an entertaining game against AFC Mymms. Greenwood started the stronger of the two teams and were unlucky not to take the lead when Matt Thorn saw his shot saved by the ‘keeper.

Greenwood were indebted to their ‘keeper Morgan Krogh who pulled off a top save from Adam Davies to keep the scores level midway through the first half, however from the resulting corner Greenwood cleared and Matt Thorn latched on to a through ball from Rob Barron and calmly slotted home. Greenwood kept up the pressure but were unable to extend their lead before half time. However straight from the restart Nick Fanshaw capitalised on a mistake to score his third goal in two games.

The third goal game midway through the second half when the impressive Thorn latched on to a through ball from Phil Hulkes to score his second of the game and effectively put the game to bed.

Mymms did score a consolation goal with five minutes to go when Simon Maher strode forward from defence to power the ball home from 25 yards but Greenwood never seemed in trouble and deserved all the points. Greenwood’s MOM was Joe Oakins.

Top goalscorers of the day were Oaks Reserves who ran up a 12-2 win against Alternative Quat.

Paul Carsons led the way with five goals in a MOM display.

Julian Phillips netted his first hat-trick of the season and there were goals for Dale Boreham, Chris Gunning, Rob Gilham and Tony Mayer.

HERTS ADVERTISER JUNIOR CUP

ST ALBANS IFC progressed to the semi-finals with a 4-0 win against BAR 62.

Matt Sumpter settled any nerves with an early goal, before Jason Nicolaou grabbed a hat-trick.

St Albans Royals upset the formbook when defeating Skew Bridge Reserves 5-4. At 3-1 down at half time few would have given them any chance of victory but in the second half Royals responded with two goals apiece from Stephen Brand and Adam Sims plus a Scott Lye single.

Skew’s goals came from Adam Facer (two), Luke Firmin and Ben Dawes.