Nirankari Title Double. Both Nirankari Stevenage sides sewed up their respective titles on the first Sunday in March with 100 percent records, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Premier Division:
Nirankari Stevenage went into the game knowing that a point would secure the title, however the game did not start according to plan and they were slow out of the blocks against a Dun Cow side, who were far from full-strength and fielded some of their older brigade. On the half-hour mark a Michael Ettienne clearance on the half way line struck his team mate Leon Gutzmore with the ball falling straight into the path of lively Dun Cow forward Mark Phillips, who rounded the ‘keeper and took his chance well, They doubled their lead ten minutes later as Phillips struck again with a strike from outside the box. Nirankari reacted well and Paul Otim took on two opponents before playing in Mark Duckett, who finished clinically. After working hard to get back into the game, they made life hard for themselves when poor marking saw James Dillnutt presented with a free header from a corner which flew into the back of the net. Three-one to Cow at the break. The half-time break saw the introduction of Andrew Iwediuno and Scott Orphanou who were to prove instrumental in the outcome of the game. A determined display almost immediately from the kick-off saw Martin Young fire in off the bar from six yards, before, five minutes later and an exquisite crossfield pass from Duckett picked out the in-form Young, who struck a volley into the top corner. It was Orphanou who eventually struck with a well placed finish to secure the win.

Marquis United forfeited the other game due to a shortage of players against MBDA, who move from bottom to the false position of fourth as a result.

Division 1:
Nirankari Stevenage Reserves rattled up a bakers dozen against a ten-man Broadhall Reserves to take the title. Though they had a far from usual line-up, the eleven on display didn’t have much trouble. Ricky Case bagged himself an incredible TEN goals, seven of which came in a first-half which had eight in total. Other goalscorers were Andy Kelly, Dean Allen and, as always, Tel Pateman. They are still involved in two other competitions.

Division 2:
Hermit of Redcoats stayed top of the pile and after coming close early on through Josh Dance and Anthony Lanni, the breakthrough came after fifteen minutes. A perfect through ball from Graham Akers sent Neil Roskilly free, his initial shot was saved by the ‘keeper but he lobbed home the rebound. Their pressure was constant and on the half-hour it paid off as Rickie Nash broke clear down the wing and floated the ball over the oncoming ‘keeper. Before the break, the goal of the game, a corner the ball looped out to Ade Barry on the edge of the ‘D’ and he launched himself into a scissors-kick which flew into the top corner. One more in the second-half when a long Dance throw eluded everyone and hit Nash's back before going in for a fortuitous goal. TC United’s wheels have come off in recent weeks but they attempted to get something from the game. However, Dave Barker pulled off a great save from a Terry Lock free-kick and repeated the trick from the same player from the penalty spot to compound their misery.

Dean McCullagh (two), Alex Lucy and Joe Chilton netted in Stevenage Leisure Limited’s easy win over FC Squirrel.

Mallard Old Boys blew the chance of moving into third place despite Glen Storey and Sean Lamacraft netting against Timebridge AFC. Josh Stock and Dave Pateman replied.

Steve Harris (two), Dave Banks and Pete Morrison saw Putterills to a comfortable win over Hartham Press (Andy Parrish).

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
A strike by James Wyatt for Almond Tree United from the edge of the box, sandwiched between two Martin Rees strikes for Marquis of Lorne, and a Derek McGivern header were not enough to overcome the goal deficit. Another Marquis goal from Tom Younger with ten minutes to go sealed it.

After a horrific injury which saw him break his leg in two places back in September, Karl Rickaby is back in the goals and hit a brace in Times Club’s win over Division One side SCS. Goals from Dean Chadderton Ian Evans weren’t enough as they started with a two-goal deficit.