AFC RANGERS caused one of the biggest upsets of the season by defeating Premier champions Skew Bridge 2-1 in the Challenge Cup final.
Bridge were hot favourites from the start, having already defeated Rangers 7-2 in the league, and as expected took the lead through Ben Warren on the half-hour mark with an angled shot.
Most people in attendance though Skew would go on for a comfortable win, but the superb Rangers had other ideas and two goals within a minute shook Skew, who were never able to break-down the superb Rangers defence who hung-in for a superb victory.
Herts Advertiser Junior Cup
Nicholas Breakspear OB Reserves completed a cup double by adding the Junior Cup to the Reserve Cup they won last week.
A bright start by Nicholas Breakspear OB Res put Harpenden Colts on the backfoot from the outset.
Whist Colts looked to break through early on, the Breakspear defence and marginal offsides worked against Colt’s endeavour.
Breakspear dictated the pace of the game and took a 2-0 lead into half-time through poorly defended corners.
Colt’s perked up in the second half but another lapse in concentration saw Breakspear go further ahead before Colts pulled a goal back through Robbie Barker.
Pressing for a second goal Colts invited the counter attack, which Breakspear gratefully took to win 4-1.
Colt’s man of the match was Robbie Barker. Breakspear’s goals came from Sam Mardle, Connor Reddy, Paul Doonan and man of the match Cole Penny.
Division One
A depleted Queens Head Sandridge brought the season to an end with a heavy 7-1 loss to Harpenden Arms.
They were unable to contain a man of the match performance from James Ewington who netted four goals.
Other goals came from Tom Collin, Gary Findlay and Dan Dorans. Arms win was helped by solid performances from Tony Golder and Mark Hattam at the heart of the defence.
Goals by Bill Jones and Matt Wright couldn’t save FC Potters Bar from going down 3-2 against in-form Blackberry Jack, who completed the double over them and extended their unbeaten run to nine games and kept them at the top of the table.
Division Three
Still very much in the hunt for a fourth place finish, Blacksmiths Arms picked up all three points in a 1-0 win against Colney Heath Rangers Res.
Rhys Jacob scored the all important goal and Kieran Johnson was Arms’ man of the match. Prominent for Rangers was James Booth.
St Albans IFC secured the points in a 6-1 win against Old Albanians, with Jason Nicolaou and Spencer Clarke-Mardel (two) putting the team ahead.
George Irving extended the lead before Albanians were reduced to ten men.
IFC sealed it with spectacular long range efforts from Mario Concialdi and Anthony Roche. Andris Apsa replied for Albanians who had Rob Carragher in outstanding form.
Division Four
St Albans Royals move into second place with a dominating display against Marquis of Granby, winning 9-0.
Royals took control from the beginning and were 3-0 up by half-time. The second half saw some great passing from Royals all the way through the team, with the defence holding strong and cutting Marquis down to having only two shoots all game.
Scoring another six goals in the second half, Ashley Rudge and Adam Sims with a goal each, Rob Marven with two and the Royals’ star man Matt Brand scoring five goals.
A Michael Emmett goal earned Marshalswick Rovers a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw with White Horse Res.
Division Five
After twelve straight wins Greenwood Park were deservedly crowned Division Five champions following their 6-2 win against Phoenix A.
They were out of the blocks quickly when Matty Thorn’s cross was turned in by Nick Fanshaw.
The ‘three amigos’ were at it again when Matt Hedges played in Thorn to make it two - they’ve scored 65 between them.
Hedges made it three just after half-time with a spectacular lobbed finish. Fanshaw added a fourth from close range after a brilliant team build up and Conor Smyth made it five with a well taken drive.
Phoenix scored twice through Sam Bozier and Chris Wynn before Fanshaw put the game to bed with a towering header for his hat-trick and 25th of the season - from yet another Thorn delivery.
After their cup final defeat the previous week, Herts Athletic turned their attention to league business as they looked to secure promotion to Division Four.
The home side started slowly and it took 30 minutes to break the Bricket Wood defence when Joe Meija opened the scoring.
Athletic ended the first half at 2-0 and looked to strengthen their goal difference for the season in the second half.
Meija took his tally to four, earning him the man of the match award and further goals were added by Del Cleary (two), Sean Trollope and Sam Lyon. Herts Athletic now sit second with three league games to play.
Hold the Front Page
Three goals by man of the match Anthony Maher plus Steve Conroy and Haydn williams singles gave Oaks against Wheathampstead Res. Peter Hulland and Lee Bennett replied for Wheathampstead.
Hold the Back Page
Goals by Ryan Woolmer, Chris McElligott, Dan Gillians and man of the match Sean Brady gave Camp KBK a 4-0 win against Insurance Store.
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