The latest action from the Herts Advertiser Sunday League

PREMIER DIVISION

Despite creating a number of good chances Harpenden Colts Old Boys lost their three year unbeaten home league record when they put in a below par performance against local rivals Skew Bridge, going down 1-0 to an unfortunate own goal by Jonny Richardson just before half time.

Stuart Brown worked hard in the Colts midfield whilst goalkeeper Charlie Collins made a number of smart saves.

AFC Rangers extended their unbeaten league run to eight games when defeating Phoenix 2-1 with goals from James Hill and Chris Dew.

Vision continued their good league form with a 4-0 win over Hogs Blacksmiths.

DIVISION ONE

Verulam Arms Arms faced potentially their toughest game of the season so far against a very strong lifted Music team who have been in good form of late.

The game started at quite a frantic pace with both teams trying to get the upper hand in the game and besides a few shots from distance no real chances were created. This changed midway through the first half when a Sam Margerrison free kick was headed back across goal by Callum Chittenden for Dean Shuttleworth to head home from close range and give Arms the lead. This seemed to settle the Arms down as they started to get more of a grip on the game but then disaster struck. A long throw by Ricky Petts was flicked on and Toby Ashcroft was on hand to prod it into the net.

On the hour mark the vital goal was scored by Verulam Arms, a quick break saw Matt Hine release Bobby Bhaker through the middle and he kept his composure to fire past the keeper to make it 2-1. The game then became very stretched as Lifted Music pushed for an equaliser but despite all there pressure they were not really creating any clear chances. The Arms were looking very dangerous on the break at the other end and should really have put the game out of each but for some poor finishing. However the game ended 2-1 which was a hard fought win for the Arms to continue their 100 per cent record in all competitions for the season. Lifted pressed hard but couldn’t break through again as Arms held out for the win. Toby Ashcroft was Lifted’s Man of the Match.

Brookmans Park could not break down a solid Beaver Travel defence in the end going down 2-0 in a entertaining game. An excellent headed goal put Beaver ahead before making sure of the spoils with a goal in the last minute. Trevor Smith and Paul Griffiths were outstanding in the middle of midfield for Park.

Following four defeats, Hare & Hounds came back to form to overcome Bradmore Rovers 3-0, gaining revenge for an earlier defeat. Goals came from Chris Cutmore, Matt Phillips and Paul Goom.

A goal in each half saw league leaders Oaks overcome a plucky Six Bells 2-0.

DIVISION TWO

Icarus were on the end of another unfair score line this season after playing some decent football against Harpenden Arms, equalling and bettering them at times. Icarus were quick off the mark and hounded HA into making mistakes. It was not long before a through ball resulted in Michael Viney being brought down in the box by stand-in keeper Jamie Fish. Stuart Trigwell stepped up and calmly slotted home.

Soon after Icarus extended their lead when some good work down the right and a pin-point cross allowed John Bonner May head home at the far post.

Icarus then laid back and allowed HA to score two quick goals, veteran Graham Golds started the comeback followed by James Ewington to pull Harpenden level by the break. Harpenden took the lead shortly after with another James Ewington goal. Icarus equalised a minute later, John Bonner-May took advantage of some loose defending to drill the ball into the corner of the net to level at 3-3. This sparked Harpenden into life and forwards James Ewington and Ally Collins finding space behind the defence saw Harpenden take control with two more goals apiece with Paul Hale getting in on the act to run out 9-3 winners.

Church End battled to a goalless draw with Footy Pants. Church had the clearer chances but couldn’t find the net and in the end a draw was the fair result. A game well refereed by Mark Nicholls.

Old Albanians gained revenge against Phoenix Res who inflicted a defeat earlier in the season when turning the tables with a 3-1 score, goals came from Duncan Bates, Man of the Match George Boddy and Alex Dowell.

DIVISION THREE

Insurance Store were back on top form hitting seven past Vision with no reply.

Tawhid Juneja opened the scoring with a superb header following a perfect corner from Mark Winter.

Winter, who has been patiently waiting for his chance at centre midfield, grabbed his opportunity with both hands, bossing the midfield with partner Cesar Nelson Da Silva and it was Da Silva who bagged the next two goals with two headers seeing the Store going in at the break three up.

The Store continued their dominance from the whistle and it wasn’t long before Pomroy made it four, David Boswell then came on for the injured Juneja and scored with his first touch of the ball. Boswell then became provider setting up Pomroy for his second and Insurance Store’s sixth.

Chairman Simon Phillips even made a cameo appearance, looking slimmer and sharper almost scored with his first touch, receiving the ball from an unselfish Boswell he twisted and curled the ball into the top corner only for the goal to be ruled off side. The Stores defence will be delighted with the clean sheet, captain Coyle, who cannot train because of his damaged knees, turned in an outstanding performance along with fellow centre back Mat Godby, who claimed the Man of the Match award.

St Albans IFC again proved the only thing consistent about them is their inconsistency. Cheap goals were conceded to a hard working O’Neill’s Celtic team deserving the 4-2 win with goals from Stuart Pearson (two), Eddie Chisenwa and Jason Clarkson.

In a forgettable performance IFC’s goalscorers were Luke Heneghan and Spencer Clarke-Mardel.

The Marquis started badly and were 2-0 down in the first half against Wheathampstead ‘89. The second half started better with a goal by Gary Karmock from an indirect free kick in the box taken by Callum Fowler who also equalised with a second shortly after.

Unfortunately this was not enough as Wheathampstead managed to score another two goals resulting in a win 4-2. Wheathampstead goals came from James Lynch (two), Duncan Chisholm and Lee Bennett.

The scoreline didn’t reflect the performance as Brookmans Park Res played really well but went down 4-0 to Golden Lion. Goalscorers were: Christy Torrens (two), Scott Corley and Ryan Dixon.

DIVISION FOUR

St Albans Royals found themselves 3-0 down at half-time against leaders Herts Mauritian after an own goal and strikes from Liam Wanless and Darren Cavaree.

The second half saw Royals get a goal back through Ben Leathers. Royals’ star man was Andy Killinger.

In a well contested game Queens Head had the better of the first half and outplayed Hare & Hounds Res. The only goal of the game came midway through the first half when Sam Jones put Dave Yeo through who calmly lobbed the advancing ‘keeper from 30 yards.

Brad Harrison made a fine debut for Marshalswick Rovers, scoring four of his side’s goals in a 5-2 win against Brookmans Park A. David Hudson was Rovers’ other marksman. Park’s goals came from Alan Young and Man of the Match Ronnie Cousins.

Sandridge Harvesters Sports gained revenge against Radlett Village with a super all round team performance when winning 3-1 with two goals from Chris Wickens and an Andrew Kenworthy single. Jamie Wingfield was their star man. Thomas Blake replied.

Colney Heath Rangers Reserves recorded their fourth league victory when defeating Bar ‘62 4-1.

Their goals came from Jack Stevens, James Newton, James Dovey and Anthony Bragg.

Their Man of the Match was Gareth Fernandes.

DIVISION FIVE

Bricket Wood came from behind to record their first ever win, beating Raiders United 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Harrison Bessell’s heroics.

Raiders’ goals came from Daniel Bailey and Craig McGuire.

Athletico Quat were the dominate side in the first half against AFC Mymms with Dan Knight breaking the deadlock just before half time.

AFC Mymms drew level at the start of the second half and Mark Warren saved a Mymms penalty after George Stoye was given his marching orders for handball on the line. Mymms took the lead, however, when super-sub Pat Mandoharan was on hand to convert from a Knight flick on but Quat bounced back to earn a share of the points.

Greenwood Park and the Camp Albanians shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

Greenwood took the lead through Matt Thorn early in the first half but were pegged back minutes later by the Camp Albanians. The result increased Greenwood Park’s unbeaten run to four games in the league. Greenwood’s Man of the Match was Joe Barron.

Goals from Andy Cattermole, Tim Couch and a 20 yard screamer from James Brookman put Cottonmill into a comfortable 3-1 lead midway through the second half against Oaks Res.

Anthony Perkins then went off injured and Mill had to reshuffle the team and in the crazy 14 minutes that followed Mill found themselves losing the match 4-3.

Wheathampstead ‘89 Res made it three wins on the trot with a 3-1 win against Phoenix A.

Scott Rolls scored twice and Joe Hourican once.

HERTS JUNIOR CUP

STUART Crabtree put in another all action display as Skew Bridge Res moved into the last 16 of the County Cup.

Phil Lythgoe scored his second hat-trick of the season and Adam Facer scored again in the 4-2 victory over Brstarz.

Old Albanians Res moved into the next round with a 3-0 penalty shoot-out success after a 2-2 draw with Park Rangers.

James Elson and Henry Galbraith scored for Albanians.

A Jamie Cunnington goal wasn’t enough to save White Horse Reserves from going down 4-1 against Sumners Athletic.

Nicholas Breakspear OB Res lost out by the odd goal of nine. Their goals came from Kurtis Patterson, Ryan Hearne, Devon Smith and an own goal.

HERTS ADVERTISER KNOCKOUT CUP

Nicholas Breakspear OB hammered eight past FC Potters Bar to keep their dream of silverware alive.

Within 15 minutes Breakspear found themselves 5-0 up as FC Potters Bar could not handle the free flowing football and the pace of David Parkinson and Cain Davey.

Parkinson scored a first half hat-trick with a fine solo goal, a penalty and a neat finish from a Davey cross.

Parkinson and Davey linked up nicely for former FC Potters Bar player Josh Humbert to set up Mike Devine to finish sweetly through a crowded Potters Bar box. Humbert was next on the score sheet against his former side.

Danny Fitzgerald’s deflected shot was next to add misery onto FC Potters Bar’s back line who were having a morning to forget.

FC Potters Bar came out fighting after the break and pulled a couple of goals back.

It was Humbert who completed the rout with a tidy finish in the last 10 minutes.

Breakspear will now hoping to get some of their defensive players back from injury after strikers James Juggins and Paul Doonan were both forced to play at full-back and star man Devine filled in at centre-half in the second half.