Plenty of Talking Points Already

It seemed like a day of comebacks as the Comet Stevenage Sunday Football League kicked off, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Under their new guise of Marquis United, last season’s Premier Division champions led by two Craig Reynolds goals against the team they pipped on the final day, also re-named, albeit slightly, Nirankari Stevenage. However, a stunning comeback saw Nirankari take the points thanks to Michael Ettienne, David Iweduino and Martin Young.

MBDA’s debut in the top flight couldn’t have started better. Great work from Chris Chalat set up Kyle Watson, who sent a 20 yard strike fizzing into the roof of the net before Ross Walker doubled the lead with a terrific shot across the ‘keeper from the edge of the box. Last season’s 50-goal man Ashley Kersey volleyed home the third before the break. Broadhall were shell-shocked, but came out the better side after the break and were back in it courtesy of Ryan Chilcott. They pulled another back when Declan McMahon netted direct from a corner, then the same player equalised with a terrific strike from just inside the box after the ball had come back off a post. However, as they tried to take all three points, they succumbed to a sucker-punch as Walker broke clear and won the match for MBDA in the last minute.

Division One saw two of the fancied sides in action. Nirankari Stevenage Reserves put double-figures past Shephall Artois, for whom Ross Gormer netted a consolation. Joel Mason (two), Steve Skinner (two), Tony Lister (two), Ricky Case (two), Steve Underwood and a Steve Teale penalty did the damage.

Coopers beat Broadhall Reserves thanks to a wonderful strike from Danny Bowey and one from Gary Chambers.

Dave Pateman (hat-trick), Cory Cooper (two), Benn Evans (two) and Tom Younger netted as Timebridge AFC hammered FC Squirrel in Division Two.

Hermit of Redcoats started well, dominating the game and took the lead when Josh Dance converted a penalty. Mallard Old Boys then equalised through Dan Welch, who tapped in after Dave Barker could only parry a shot after a good move. They then had a goal chalked off after it was initially given, for a foul. To rub salt into the wounds, Dance restored the lead from the edge of the area. However, the scores were level again when a defensive mistake let in Si Parnell, who's bravery saw him nick the ball over the 'keeper as he was flattened. Dance coolly finished for his hat-trick after being put clear through by Lee Bounsall. The game then turned on two substitutions, both netting. Firstly, Graham Akers tapped-in after Dance's header hit the post, then Adrian Barry cracked home a shot off the underside of the bar, these sandwiched Glen Storey missing a penalty for the Old Boys. Finally, an Anthony Lanni solo-effort finished it off after he beat three defenders before slotting home.

Two of the promotion favourites went head-to-head and TC United took the lead inside twenty minutes when some tricky footwork from Ben Collins saw him lay the ball on a plate for Dan Carroll. Stevenage Leisure Limited then upped their game and got on level terms when Richard Edwards was beaten to the ball on the edge of the box and Carl Smith poked it through his legs. Just before the break, Smith converted a penalty. There was no further goal action until Terry Lock converted an injury-time penalty to share the points.

Broadhall 'A' started their Division Three league campaign with a hard earned win over new side Timebridge AFC Reserves. Just over 20 minutes in, excellent work on the left by Paul Hancock set up Gary Hillard, who beat the ‘keeper low at his near post. Timebridge were allowed a foothold in the match and Josh Stock converted via an indirect free-kick inside the area before half-time. Rob Stevenson's free-kick reached Hillard, who swept the ball in on the hour before he completed his hat-trick with a cracking low drive following a superb Michael Emmings run and set up. Within a minute, Stock reduced the deficit again, but it was not enough.

In a tight encounter it was the Chequers who stormed in front, Carl Thompson scoring a hat-trick before half-time. Typically striking the ball well from just inside the penalty area initially, defensive lapses left him through for his second and third goals. However, Stevenage Colts Reserves pulled back level with three goals in the space of eight second-half minutes as Callum Gardiner matched Thompson with a hat-trick of his own. The first after some excellent build-up play, he then fired in from 25 yards to beat the keeper high into the corner of the net a minute later, then broke and was put in by Josh Watson for the equaliser.

Jacob Dawson (two), Luke Smith and Alex Willocks were on the mark for Bedwell Rangers against ABC Taxis (Carl Simmonds).

Odyssey were unable to field a side against Emperors Head.

Times Club went in front with a great strike from the edge of the box by Paul Dowes, only to give two goals away to Rileys Athletic before half-time. Firstly, a fantastic Paul Brickell lob from the edge of the box before another lob, this time from Kieran Devine. Tom Rydenheard finished a one-on-one before Devine’s cross saw Matt Evans head home a fourth. Times ended the game as they had started, Perry Faulkner on the mark this time, from the penalty spot.

In Division Four, new club Granby had a cracking start, netting three times in the first quarter-of-an-hour. Gary Haze and Chris Lyle netted with lobs before Sam Bickerstaff scored a stunning goal from all of 40 yards. However, Granby had a man sent-off, so Walkern Construction saw a way back in. Chris Bunker netted on the hour before Marc Stobart brought the game to within one, but they couldn’t equalise.

New side Icon Onederers felt hard done by when a ‘goal’ wasn’t spotted when they were 3-1 down. Stevenage Old Town opened the scoring through Lee Kingham, when he burst onto a Paul Smith through-ball, and slide the ball past the ‘keeper. A good passing move ended with Billy Reedman unselfishly playing the ball across for Jack Roderick to sidefoot in. Ricky Lawrence's wayward shot from an un-cleared corner was neatly guided home by Antony Bell for a third. Icon pulled one back through Jon Arshad before Reedman chipped the ball over the ‘keeper. An Anthony Lloyd penalty in off the post brought it back to two goals before Gary Linehan made the game safe, powering a shot into the bottom corner past a helpless ‘keeper.

Lorne Rangers were suspended for their game with Roebuck Gate.

cheers, Darren “Statto” Jones, statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info