Nirankari Reserves Take County Cup

Nirankari Stevenage Reserves hammered their opposition to make sure the Comet Stevenage Sunday Football League walked away with two of the three County Cup titles this season, writes Darren "Statto" Jones.

Herts Intermediate Cup Final:
An extremely confident Nirankari Stevenage Reserves rolled into the County Ground early Sunday morning with a new kit and one aim…to win the Herts Intermediate Cup. They lined up very aggressively, playing a 4-2-4 formation. And from the off they were on the attack, missing a hatful of good chances. The opener came in the 25th minute when Lee Allinson side-stepped his marker and hit a 25-yard rocket that dipped late into the top corner of the ASCO net. The only concerning fact was they didn't score again until 30 seconds into the second-half, when Ricky Case destroyed the full-back to square for Joel Mason for an easy tap-in. The attacking formation was paying dividends and it was only two minutes later when some fine passing in the final third between Allinson, Case, Steve Underwood and David Iweduino led to a penalty when the latter was brought down. Allinson calmly slotted past the goalkeeper’s reach. Five more minutes passed when Case decided to get himself on the scoresheet. He beat his marker with ease, cut inside the centre-half and smashed it just inside the far post for the fourth. It wasn't just about the attackers as the scoreline suggests, the midfield pairing of club captain Daniel Gregory and old warhorse Underwood were outstanding throughout, plus the back-line were immense and even goalkeeper Kyal Currey kept a well deserved clean-sheet, he swept superbly, caught everything they threw into the box, and made a fine save in the last minute to preserve it. Right-back Gareth Hopkins was man on the match. Despite an early KLM Challenge Cup exit, they look to complete a ‘treble’ when they face Stevenage Fencing in the Division One Cup Final on Sunday 8th May.

League Cup Division 4 Semi Final:
Robert Smith, James Marshall, Dan Thurgood, Terry Haynes and Christian Goodyear were on target as champions Crooked Billet Boro made it to the final in the hope of completing the ‘double’. Stevenage Old Town replied through Gary Linehan.

Breachwood Lions took the lead from a corner which was headed into the top corner by Danny Jefferies. Icon Onederers' best first-half chance was saved at close range. Similar to the opening, Lions scored again from a corner that was headed back across goal for Jefferies to head home again into the same top corner to double the lead before half-time. They dominated possession and after captain Iaian Turkentine was brought down on the edge of the area, the referee waved play on with Ollie Potton in possession, who crossed by the line for Simon Blondell to score from close range. They took their eye off the game a little and allowed a good solo goal when Carl Albon weaved into the box and pick out the top corner. The last five minutes became interesting after the Lions ‘keeper produced a bad throw-out that went straight to an opponent, he saved the first shot, but the ball fell to Albon, who netted to set up a tense finish.

Premier Division:
Broadhall nicked the runners-up spot after a solitary Jason Milburn goal beat Dun Cow.

Division 2:
Stevenage Leisure Limited sealed the title with a comprehensive win against A1 trophies. A consistent campaign saw seen them sew it up with a game to spare. The impressive Joe Chilton opened the scoring before Carl Smith scored his 100th goal for the Club with a peach of free-kick. The second-half saw further goals from Alex Bysouth and Tom Wisson before a champagne celebration followed.

Putterills warmed up for their impending cup final by recording their biggest win since December 2008. From the outset, FC Squirrel admirably tried to pass the ball at all times, but more often than not this was the cause of their downfall, Louis Bullock was the first to seize on a careless ball out of defence and cut in from the touchline before unleashing a rasping drive. Steve Harris made it two shortly afterwards, before the floodgates opened with Jon Pace, Dave Banks and the first two scorers notching again for a half-dozen at the break. The second-half started much the same way as the first with them putting together a fine move with nine of the outfield players having a touch before Jimmy Anderson finished the move off with a well-placed 20 yard finish. Both Harris and Bullock completed their hat-tricks, with Pete Morrison also getting in on the act, together with debutant Sam Manners. Overall, it was a good workout ahead of their League Cup Final in against the league champions.

Division 3:
Bedwell Rangers kept their slim title chances alive with a comfortable win over ABC Taxis. Luke Smith (two), Jacob Dawson (two), Danny Bacon and James Morriss were on target. Ned Wickham and Gary Henderson replied. Broadhall ‘A’ will take the title if they beat Stevenage Colts Reserves, otherwise it’s a showdown with Bedwell to decide it.

Chequers gave themselves a chance of a fourth-placed finish with a comfortable win over Emperors Head. Ricky Wilson (two), Carl Thompson, Steve Burton and Paul Osbourne netted, whilst Lewis Essam and Ben Collins responded.

Stevenage Colts Reserves hammered Rileys Athletic thanks to hat-tricks from Dean Page and Ryan Bareham, plus a James French goal.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Broadhall 'A' started brightly and did not look a side playing two divisions below their opponents. They took the lead after some lovely football culminated with Phil Stevens' great pass to Michael Carter, who coolly finished. The only surprise was that this was the only goal of the first half. A really bad piece of defending gifted Broadhall Reserves an equaliser within ten minutes of the re-start. However, the game was clinched by midway through the half as keeper Will Harris' long clearance was collected by Stevens, who cut inside to unleash an unstoppable shot into the top corner. They moved to the top of the table after their three matches and will play Times Club in the semi-final.

Despite being unable to take the three points and going behind early on, Marquis of Lorne made it to a semi-final meeting with Crooked Billet Boro after starting three goals down to Granby. Gary Haze and Dayle Tewkesbury netted on the night to add to the ‘handicap’, but goals from Sean Duignan (two), Ross Jackson, Tom Younger and Jamie Campany put Lorne through.

Match Reports can be sent to statto@cssfl.info. The league website can be found at www.cssfl.info.