Rain Stops Play

All bar two games were rained-off on Sunday as a deluge hit Stevenage an hour before kick-off. With the pitches already wet, there was no other option for the Council to protect their pitches, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Stevenage Colts Old Boys Reserves travelled to Cricketers of Harpenden in the Herts Junior Cup. The home side enjoyed the best of the first-half and capitalised twice midway through. Jamie Hucker was sent-off for a fracas that broke out, although it seemed harsh he was the only one. The second-half was a different story and ten man Colts dominated possession in search of two goals to square the tie. They were creating some excellent opportunities for Dean Page and Lee Falanga. Paul Morcombe was thrown into attack to pressurise their ravaged defence further and struck sweetly from 20 yards with a low drive to pull one back. Luke Hardy was introduced as a substitute and could’ve equalised with his first touch of the game but tamely shot into the grateful ‘keepers arms. The equaliser was inevitable and for his second goal of the campaign Adam McAndrews finished from an acute angle. They piled on the pressure and were unfortunate not to go in front as Falanga missed a difficult opportunity to lob the ‘keeper form 25 yards. With all the pressing to avoid extra-time for the tiring legs, they were left exposed in defence and conceded a penalty late on, however, the kick was excellently saved by Barry Simpson. A last-gasp counter attack which had more than a suspicion of offside saw Cricketers late dramatic goal beat the valiant Old Boys.

In Division Four, the only game played in Stevenage was at Barclay School, where the bottom two clashed. Visitors Stevenage Old Town cantered to a comfortable win thanks to three goals in each half. They made early possession tell by creating chances, but found the Fairlands ‘keeper was in good form. They finally took the lead when Paul Smith got on the end of a hopeful ball by Michael Townhill and finished from a tight angle. With SOT soaking up some pressure, they hit the home side on the counter and Paul Smith played through his brother James who, after nice footwork in the box slotted home. It was three when Michael Hebbs broke down an attack and fed the ball forward, the ‘keeper rushed out, only for Callum Kendrick to slide in and nick it over him. Just when a consolation looked on the cards, a shot destined for the top corner was well saved by Rhys Legate. After the break, some good play resulted in Anthony Alcock playing the ball to Kendrick’s feet, who smashed the ball into the bottom corner. Alcock’s curling shot was then tipped onto the post before veteran midfielder Dan Conboy smashed a half-cleared corner straight back into the goal with his weaker left peg for his first of the season. The sixth came when a corner found Mark Phipps’s head.

This Sundays fixtures sees many re-scheduled games. Unity Nirankari will have a sixth attempt at playing their FA National Sunday Cup game, this along with their performance in other cups mean they haven’t had a league game since September!

Match Reports to stats@cssfl.co.uk