Heavyweight Semi-Final Meeting There will be an all-Stevenage County Cup semi-final for the second successive season, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Intermediate Cup Quarter-Final:
Last season saw MBDA play Dun Cow Reserves, this season the top two in Division One will meet in a shoot-out at Alleynes School after both won there on Sunday in goal-ravaged games.

Stevenage Fencing began the game being overrun by a very good Haileybury midfield, but once Garry Smith and Craig Braine organised themselves, they turned the screw. With Dave Hailey’s pace to boot, they had enough for a result. After being denied in a one-on-one, it was Hailey who netted the opener. After the break, a simple catch for the Fencing ‘keeper Adam Levey was dropped and the away side equalised. A late tackle on Hailey saw Joe Delasalle introduced, who lobbed home superbly from 30 yards to restore the lead. With brother Danny Delasalle also now on and controlling the midfield, Joe went on to grab a hat-trick, the first with a one-on-one and then finishing after Luke Gumble’s shot from 25 yards had been tipped onto the bar by the ‘keeper. Manager Andy Jackson said: “Next up it’s Nirankari, we will try and give a good account of ourselves and try for the upset but I’m glad Stevenage has a team in the Final again, I’d love it if it was us but we’re up against it”.

Nirankari Stevenage Reserves went behind to Watford Irish Center before Sam Spencer equalised. David Iweduino added to two other quick strikes and it was 5-2. The visitors hit back with two to make it tight, but a brace from substitute Terry Pateman and another late strike saw them edge a 12-goal thriller.

KLM Challenge Cup Quarter-Final:
It was out-of-character for MBDA to suffer bad preparation on the morning of the game and they were punished within 15 minutes when Steve Fahey knocked home twice. Eaton Johnson pulled one back and it was at this point that the two talking points came. Firstly, MBDA were not only denied a penalty when Aaron Kersey was felled from behind when approaching the ‘keeper, there was no obvious punishment for the defender, and to rub salt in the wound, only a free-kick was given inches outside the box, which Sam Harwood put over. Just moments later, to the surprise of everyone, including the beneficiary, Fahey was handed the chance to extend the lead from the spot after Gary Hodgson had won the ball cleanly in a tackle. He duly netted to complete his hat-trick. Ashley Kersey pulled one back before Alex Elmes put the gap at two again before half-time. Kersey netted again, but again Mark Chalkley put two between the sides. Not to be outdone, Phil Fisher’s superb lob set up a tense last 10 minutes, but Broadhall Reserves went through to face Dun Cow or TC United in the semi-finals.