Bedwell Lead Way With Ten...

A mixed day for our lower league sides in County Cup action this week, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Herts Junior Cup 3rd Round:
Biggest winners were Bedwell Rangers, hammering home double-figures at AFC Crown. Luke Smith (five), Danny Bacon (two), Jacob Dawson, Ben Swain and Nick Thomas were on target.

Walkern Construction made light work of their latest opponents, taking the goal tally to fourteen in the two games they have played in the competition. A good performance aswell as good football produced goals from Callum Freeman (two), Lee Kitching, Chris Bunker, Kieran James and Dave Clements. They now aim to push for promotion. Half Moon struck twice in reply.

Granby won an all-CSSFL tie as Jaiden Irish (penalty), Shane Penny, Chris Lyle, Jon Butler and an own goal saw off Timebridge AFC Res. Scott Pettit replied.

Breachwood Lions took the lead against Watford side Riverside Athletic when Ali Collins crossed for Ollie Mason to head home. Collins was then fouled and Dan Jefferies converted a penalty. It was three at the break when Jefferies picked up the scraps in midfield took the ball past a couple of players before beating the ‘keeper for number fourteen of the season for him. The away side stormed back to level through a headed goal from a free-kick and two penalties conceded by Ricky Hill. Lions restored the lead in the first period of extra-time through Ollie Potton. However, at the other end a loose ball resulting from a Graham French goal-kick resulted in a pot shot back over his head. Hill’s day was compounded when his put his kick in the penalty shoot-out over the bar. Pete Jordan was next to miss, their eighth, and they were out.

High flying Division Three side Broadhall A crashed out in a sensational finale in St Albans. On a terrible sloping pitch with extremely long grass, O'Neills Celtic took the lead inside ten minutes. The home side proceeded to kick, niggle and argue their way through, whilst the away side played the football and the equaliser came on the half hour from Michael Emmings' spot-kick. They looked likely to extend the lead but were hit with a sucker punch just before half-time. Only two minutes had elapsed of the second-half when Gary Hillard headed in Emmings' free-kick and the latter’s penalty with just over fifteen minutes left gave them the lead. Unfortunately, thinking the game was won, they relaxed and the home side produced three late goals to give a scarcely believable final scoreline.

Rileys Athletic were beaten after extra-time by the odd goal in five at John Warner.

Promising 16-year-old Joe Marshall blotted his copybook with a sending-off early on which saw Proverbial always chasing the game. Jason Smith and Theo Griffith were on target, but they went down to Goff Gremlins.

Carl Thompson’s brace - one a penalty - wasn’t enough as Broxbourne Athletic came and did a job on Chequers. It’s an incredible 27 for the season now for the marksman.

Stevenage Colts Res came home to reality after a beating at BB.

Lewis Essam grabbed a consolation as Emperors Head were well beaten at Cheshunt Town.

Gavin Somers’ hat-trick was in vain as Lorne Rangers were hammered at Carefree Athletic.