Nineteen goals were scored in just two Premier Division games

Nineteen goals were scored in just two Premier Division games. A real ding-dong of a game saw MH Goldsmith three-up at the break. Steve Teale’s effort somehow trickled through the legs of Bottles ‘keeper Dan Paul before Ricky Lawrence added the second when he reacted first to a rebound after Teale’s long-range effort had been saved. Callum Newbury provided another with a tap-in at the back-post following a good cross. Player-coach Rob Yates’ Bottles team-talk clearly did the trick as they immediately pulled one back when his cross was diverted into his own net by a full-back. The impressive Piers Le Grand then unleashed an unstoppable 35 yard strike into the roof of the net. However, Goldsmith extended their lead when Richard Griffiths brought the ball down before back-flicking the ball into the net with the help of a deflection. The introduction of Mark Wright changed the game when he scored a towering header from a corner and then five minutes later he neatly controlled a high ball into the area before beating one man allowing Darren Welton to turn home from close range to level. Both teams had chances to win it but Bottles did so when veteran midfielder Justin Brown headed in at the back-post in injury-time.

Mallard and Bedwell Athletic shared ten goals. Glen Lamacraft (hat-trick), Bobby Dance and James Bywater were on the mark for the lads from Julians Road. Athletic’s reply came from a Ned Wickham hat-trick and two from Joel Mason.

Stevenage Colts Old Boys moved up to third in Division One after Luke Bennett and Josh Bartlett netted in their win over Shephall Artois. Colin Field replied.

In Division Two, Chris McCarthy hit all four as Stevenage Leisure Ltd beat Fox.

After dominating the first-half, A1 Trophies somehow found themselves three down to Old Town Wetherspoons at half-time courtesy of Gary Baker (two) and Mike Coombes. They finally pulled one back ten minutes after the break when Si Longman supplied the cross for Greg Bradbury to find the net from just inside the box with a tremendous effort. On the hour, some good teamwork led to James Harrod firing home. The comeback was complete with ten minutes left when Richard Claydon spectacularly fired home from long range. However, Spoons won it when a speculative cross from Baker was poked into his own net by Craig Longman.

In Division Four action, AFC Chells started the game well and Dave Herbert opened the scoring. Highwayman were creating some chances, but couldn’t finish until the half-hour mark when they were awarded a penalty right on the edge of the box, Steve Stapleton converted. The lead was restored when a good move culminated in Chris Stead’s finish. However, David Cannon conceded a penalty for the second time and Dave Pateman netted, points shared.

Stevenage Old Town got only their second win of the season with a good performance against Crooked Billet Boro. They created the best efforts of the first-half with centre-back Mark Phipps hitting the bar with a powerful shot from forty yards before hitting the woodwork again through Michael Hebbs. They did take the lead when Phipps put a good ball across the goalmouth for Callum Kendrick to tap home. Billet had chances to equalise, but failed. Their defender Marvin Miller produced a poor tackle on Nasser Hashemi, which left him with ankle damage.

In the Frank Neville Memorial Cup, AFC Crooked Billet made light work of their two-goal deficit. Steve Harris (two), Keven Fehmi (two), Matt Arlick, Gary Hillard, Richard Brown, Chris Chalat and Tom Bradshaw were on target. North Herts Celtic replied through Darren Curry, Daniel Burley and Steve Pateman.

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