Skew close gap on leaders

Premier Division

Skew Bridge moved within three points of the league leaders following their 4-1 win against Blackberry Jack, writes Brian Hubball.

Sam Mitchell (two), Mark Hitchcock and Andrew Saul netted the goals.

Queens Head Sandridge completed the double over London Road in a 4-1 score with two goals from Phil Turner and Dave Corran and Mark Teasdale singles. Dan McCafferty replied for Road.

Division One

It looked like being a bad day for Six Bells when they fell behind after just 30 seconds when AFC Rangers Res scored direct from a Mark Savory corner.

From the restart Bells won a corner resulting in Yasin Boodhoo. Bells edged ahead through Daniel Roberts. Both sides missed chances in an evenly contested game as Balls held out for a 2-1 win.

Danny Clifton’s two goals couldn’t save Brookmans Park going down 4-2 against Verulam Arms.

Following last week’s hammering, Old Albanians came back for a more decent performance, losing 2-1 against Maylands. Man of the Match David Hall scored for Albanians.

Division Two

After losing 4-1 to Phoenix last time round Hare & Hounds had a point to prove and the opportunity to stay top of the league gave the game even more importance.

Within the first 15 minutes the Phoenix ‘keeper Antonio Digesaro pulled off some outstanding saves to keep the score goalless. With 20 minutes on the clock Man of the Match Mike Rumble played in Matt Phillips who set up Ben Conrad to give Hare a deserved lead.

Some poor defending by Hare giving away a soft penalty for Phoenix to level. Some excellent work again by the midfield set up Conrad to restore the Hare lead and within minutes increased their advantage via a Conrad penalty to complete his hat-trick.

Phoenix pulled on two substitutions that made all the difference as they hit back to score twice for a 3-3 draw. Phoenix’s goals came from Man of the Match Dan Leal, Ally Hill and Liam Addlesee.

Beaver Travel extended their unbeaten run to six games with a 1-0 win against Icarus, thanks to a second half penalty from Derek Lafbery, but they nearly paid the penalty through missed chances.

Despite a star showing from Danny Turner, Brookmans Park fell to a 4-0 defeat against Three Hammers.

Division Three

Lifted Music returned to winning ways following their County Cup quarter final exit last week with a deserved victory over Vision Reserves running out 7-1 winners.

Vision took the lead against the early run of play, but Lifted didn’t take long to get back on level terms with Dave Horslen netting from the spot following a clumsy barge on Tommy Smith. Callum Bloor then put Lifted ahead, and with two more goals before half time from Horslen and Ricky Petts gave Lifted a commanding 4-1 lead at the break.

The second half continued in the same manner with Lifted scoring three more superb team goals through Matt Albone, Lee Rowson and a beauty from young Tommy Smith, with Elliot Smith instrumental throughout. Despite Dave Horslen not completing his hat-trick, he deservedly picked up the Man of the Match award.

Top goalscorers of the day were Oaks, thumping Camp Albanians 12-3. Tommy Hunt led the way with a hat-trick. Man of the Match Matt Fulcher added a brace along with Paul Carsons and Haydn Williams.

Ian Shaw, Harry Hunt and Sam Ellis added singles. Camp’s goals came from Warren Bell, Dean Bell and Darren Woolmer. Matt Peters was the pick of the defenders.

In a tremendous end-to-end encounter, Nicholas Breakspear OB Res nicked the points in a 2-1 win with goals by Kurtis Patterson and Chris Bergin. Derren Valydon was their Man of the Match. Sam Galway replied for Celtic.

Wheathampstead made it three wins on the trot, defeating Golden Lion 5-2 with two goals apiece from James Lynch and Dean Chisholm plus a Craig Linney single.

Division Four

Kings Head started brightly against Bar 62 and were soon ahead when Nick Chivers scored from the spot, after Glen Ypey was brought down in the box.

Anthony Denbigh made it 2-0 with a delightful chip after latching onto the through ball from Shears. Bar 62 pushed on and were soon awarded a penalty, which they failed to convert. Kings Head worked a good team goal which was finished well by David Beattie. Further goals from James Shears and another for Chivers sealed a 5-0 win.

Goalkeeper Andy Saunders played a starring role for Brookmans Park A, keeping out Marshalswick Rovers in a 0-0 draw. Ian Taylor was Rovers outstanding player.

Division Five

A disappointing Dukes side fell to a 3-2 defeat by bottom side Wheathampstead ‘89 Res who picked up their first points since having their only points deducted.

Aaron Delaney was on the two-goal mark and Danny Meldrum a single. Dean Baker scored both Dukes goals.

League leaders Harpenden Colts OB Res returned to winning ways with a 4-2 win over Phoenix “A” with singles by Lewis Paul, Nick Waters, Andrew Luckhurst and Will Bates, but they had to overcome the loss of half time substitute Marc Oakley with a dislocated right toe after five minutes before grinding out a result against a determined Phoenix side.

Full-back Jamie Gunson was outstanding for Colts and was well supported by stand-in central defender Will Bates. Phoenix goals came from Ollie Morgan and Sam Bozier.

The in-form AFC Crown recorded their biggest win of the season beating Greenwood Park 12-1. James Watts led the way with five goals. Michael Cattermole added a hat-trick, Gary Edwards a brace and singles came from Colin Cattermole and Jermaine Ferdinand. Rob Barron replied for Greenwood.

It wasn’t a happy 100th appearance for Oaks Res’ Andy Roughton, his side went down 2-1 against Cottonmill who had to thank ‘keeper Tony Kerby’s brilliance for the points.

Tim Couch and Adam White scored for the Mill. Barry Potts replied for Oaks who had Scott Turner in top form.

Herts Advertiser Challenge Cup

The outstanding Paul Doonan scored twice for Nicholas Breakspear OB’s in their 4-0 win against Hogs Blacksmiths.

The win booked OB’s spot in the semi-final with the other goals coming from Richard Cooke and Danny Fitzpatrick.

Herts Advertiser Intermediate Cup

Early pressure from Insurance Store was wiped out by Marquis of Granby scoring on five minutes, direct from a Jason Slough corner.

Adam Facer netted a hat-trick just before half time to make it 4-0 and despite a late goal from Store’s Nelson Da Silva, Marquis won comfortably.

Results

Sunday February 20

Challenge Cup Quarter Final: Nicholas Breakspear OB 4 Hogs Blacksmiths 0.

Intermediate Cup Quarter Final: Insurance Store 1 Marquis of Granby 4.

Premier Division: Blackberry Jack 1 Skew Bridge 4, London Road 1 Queens Head Sandridge 4.

Division One: AFC Rangers Res 1 Six Bells 2, Old Albanians 1 Maylands 2, Verulam Arms 4 Brookmans Park 2.

Division Two: Beaver Travel 1 Icarus 0, Brookmans Park Res 0 Three Hammers 4, Footy Pants v R�al Mail (Home win), Phoenix Res 3 Hare & Hounds 3.

Division Three: Bar 62 0 Kings Head 5, Lifted Music 7 Vision Res 1, O’Neills Celtic 1 Nicholas Breakspear OB Res 2, Oaks 12 The Camp Albanians 3, Wheathampstead ‘89 5 Golden Lion 2.

Division Four: Brookmans Park ‘A’ 0 Marshalswick Rovers 0, Caledon Thistle 6 Old Albanians Res 7.

Division Five: AFC Crown 12 Greenwood Park 1, Cottonmill 2 Oaks Res 1, Dukes 2 Wheathampstead ‘89 Res 3, Phoenix ‘A’ 2 Harpenden Colts Old Boys Res 4.

Fixtures

Sunday February 27

Herts FA Sunday Senior Cup Semi Final: Queens Head Sandridge v Comet Sports.

Premier Division: AFC Rangers v Nicholas Breakspear OB, Skew Bridge v Hogs Blacksmiths.

Division One: AFC Rangers Reserves v Verulam Arms, Brookmans Park v Old Albanians, Church End v Maylands, Phoenix v FC Potters Bar, Six Bells v Harpenden Colts Old Boys.

Division Two: Beaver Travel v Colney Heath Rangers, Footy Pants v Phoenix Res, Hare & Hounds v Icarus, Three Hammers v Oaklands.

Division Three: Bar 62 v Oaks, Kings Head v O’Neills Celtic, Nicholas Breakspear OB Reserves v The Camp Albanians, Vision Reserves v Golden Lion, Wheathampstead ‘89 v Lifted Music.

Division Four: Insurance Store v Brookmans Park ‘A’, Marquis of Granby v Caledon Thistle, Old Albanians Reserves v St Albans Royals, Radlett Village v Marshalswick Rovers, Sandridge Sports & Harvesters v Skew Bridge Res.

Division Five: Cottonmill v AFC Crown, Harpenden Colts Old Boys Reserves v Dukes, Oaks Reserves v Greenwood Park, Phoenix ‘A’ v Sandridge, St Albans IFC v Alternative Quat Republique.