League Action...

Premier Division:
Marquis United came closest to a goal, none more so that in the final five minutes when a Glen Lamacraft shot was saved by Andrew Palfreyman, who parried it onto the crossbar, this was on the back off two earlier stunning saves. Almond Tree United also had their chances in a game where a point apiece was a fair result.

The bottom two met and after a goalless first-half, Highview went in front when John Vooght’s low shot beat Andy Gibb, despite fingertips from the ‘keeper. Phil Fisher levelled the scores for MBDA with his cross-cum-shot. Vooght restored the lead when he converted superbly from a tight angle after rounding the ‘keeper. However, in a tit-for-tat battle between the two players who were Saturday team-mates this season at Bedford, Fisher tucked into an empty net for a draw from just outside the box after Ashley Kersey had drawn the ‘keeper and supplied him.

Division 1:
Stevenage Fencing edged into second place after winning by the odd goal in seven. Billy-Joe Sewell (two), Garry Smith and David Hailey were on target. Marquis of Lorne replied through Frazer Triggs, Jason Lovelock and Ross Jackson.

Coopers became the fourth side to leave the league this season, finances to blame for them resigning.

Division 2:
Stevenage Leisure Limited went top on goal difference and it was James Tizzard who opened the scoring. Dan Barrett saved a penalty to keep them in front and the game changed when Joe Chilton was brought down when one-on-one, Carl Smith tucked in the resulting penalty by number two. Ten man Putterills pulled a goal back through Steve Harris before Chris McCarthy and Chilton (two) wrapped it up. Alan Johnston hit another consolation.

Hermit of Redcoats are hot on their leaders’ heels after hammering A1 Trophies. Josh Dance (hat-trick), Anthony Lanni (two), Graham Akers and Mark Roskilly on the mark.

Hartham Press gave themselves a chance of avoiding the drop with a much improved display reminiscent of the days they played in the top division for a season. David Mower set up strike-partner James Khakpour-Smith for the opener, before the same two combined to set up Mower to net this time. Khakpour-Smith netted a neat lob, but the goal of the game came with a last minute strike by Dale Aldridge, who hit a half-volley from just short of the centre-circle in his own half. Timebridge AFC replied through Daniel Downham and Dave Pateman.

Division 3:
Broadhall 'A' returned to the top after a thumping win. However, this match was the classic "game of two halves”, as, after half-an-hour Times Club led by two thanks to an own goal and a Paul Dowse strike. Shortly afterwards, Phil Stevens reduced the deficit by smashing in a spot-kick awarded for a push on Joe Lee. On the hour, Matt Dimond went on a brilliant surging run out of defence, played a one-two with Gary Hillard and finished off the move to level. An avalanche of goals then followed, seven in 32 minutes. Jon Myers fed Hillard, who thrashed in a shot at the near post before Myers then set up Stevens to score with a good cross shot. Unselfish work from Hillard created number five for Andy Lee from close range before a lovely through ball from Matt Henning set up Phil Stevens' hat-trick strike. Glen Durrant’s pass to Andy Lee allowed the young forward to skilfully finish and Matt Henning rounded off a good day for the young side.

Rileys Athletic beat Timebridge AFC Res by the odd goal in seven thanks to Tom Rydeheard, Alex Perry, Paul Brickell and Chitalu Chitondo.

Stevenage Colts Res refused to play with nine men against Emperors Head and conceded the game, which will be confirmed at a later date, depending on extenuating circumstances.

Division 4:
After a rusty start, leaders Crooked Billet Boro went in front through Ben Snowden, who finished well at the near post after receiving a pass from Mark Hemmings. Walkern Construction were quickly level through Asa Common following an in-swinging free kick. Dan Thurgood restored the lead before half-time when his strike was allowed to dribble through the ‘keepers arms, body, legs and finally ankles, going over the line at minimal speed. With just ten minutes left, another set piece saw Walkern level, converted by Marc Stobart, their giant of a centre-half, with a towering header. But the drama wasn't over, the leaders were dealt another huge slice of luck with just a couple of minutes remaining. A nothing ball over the top of the defence caused chaos between ‘keeper and full-back, they eventually ran into eachother to leave Rob Smith the open net to convert and hand them the three points.

Stevenage Old Town took advantage of some defensive indecision to go in front through Gary Linehan. However, Breachwood Lions turned the game around with a Dan Jefferies brace before half-time. He firstly converted a penalty after Ali Collins was fouled, then put away an Ollie Potton cross. Collins hit a brace and Jefferies completed his hat-trick and Mason also headed home. SOT had netted again through Linehan amongst all that, then completed a hat-trick, following by a Jack Roderick strike, powered in from an acute angle, as they had a late surge in a ten-goal thriller.

Despite being up against it in a goalless first-half, Anthony Lloyd went on a mazy run and had his shot parried by the ‘keeper into the feet of David Thomas, who bundled the ball over the line to put Icon Onederers ahead straight from kick-off. An inswinging Nick Christodoulou corner was then met by Lloyd to head home a second. However, this is as good as it got for them. Matt Fowler was sent-off for two yellow cards and he was followed onto the side-lines by Scott Taylor as they went down to nine. A powerful drive from Gareth Woods put Proverbial on the scoresheet. Theo Griffith levelled with a one-on-one before the cruel winner came two minutes from time, Michael Gwilliams volleying into the top corner.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Even with a four-goal start, Granby were playing one of the top teams from the Premier Division, so it was always going to be tough. Even more so when Broadhall converted through Jason Milburn and Declan McMahon in the first 20 minutes. Kologo Richards scored a cracking third in off the crossbar, still before half-time. It took the big boys a while to level the game overall, they did this through a John Johnston penalty, but with no further scoring, both sides’ progress is unlikely.

Steve Bland (two) and Mark Blankey (two) were on target as Roebuck Gate hammered Broadhall Res. Their three-goal advantage wasn’t required, but helped matters further. Ben Collins replied with a consolation.

Dean Chadderton (two), Leon Draper, Jonros Perren and an own goal saw SCS beat ABC Taxis, despite a two-goal deficit, which was added to by a Ned Wickham strike.

Match Reports can be sent to statto@cssfl.info, otherwise details of your game cannot be included. The league website can be found at www.cssfl.info