League Action...

Premier Division:
Just for a spell, it looked as though MBDA might have the new champions on the rack. Andrew Iwediuno gave Nirankari Stevenage the lead, but a magnificent piece of skill and lob over Russell Bull by Kyle Watson levelled matters and Watson repeated the trick moments later with another well executed lob from Martin Barrett’s through-ball. Centre-back Barrett was himself on target from close-range to make it 3-1. However, that’s as good as it got as class shone through. A powerful header from Iwediuno and a Scott Orphanou finish from a tight angle levelled the scores at half-time. The second-half was a non-event as Bull scored in the first minute after venturing onto pitch to allow Ricky Bridge to go between the sticks. Iwediuno went on to score five in total, Orphanou grabbed two penalties to complete his hat-trick and Bull netted the tenth with the last kick. MBDA’s cause wasn’t helped when top scorer Ashley Kersey, playing at centre-half, was sent-off for handball on the line at 5-3, but the result wasn’t in doubt.

Nick Wellings’ header from a Carl Fletcher free-kick saw Highview take the lead after fifteen minutes, but a double strike from Carl Lingwood, the second a powerful free-kick just outside the box and a Dave Holmes neat turn and shot turn the game on its head for saw Almond Tree United. After the break, Alisdair Newman pulled one back and Wellings netted again to level matters. Not to be outdone with double strikes, Ricky Lawrance then sealed the win for Tree with two well taken goals.

Division 1:
Champions Nirankari Stevenage Reserves got past SCS with ease. Joel Mason (two), Richard Hall (two) and Stephen Skinner were on target.

In a surprise result, Stevenage Fencing had their collars felt as Stevenage Colts cruised to victory thanks to Sam Stephenson (two) and Lawrence Cassidy.

Division 2:
In their pursuit of the title, Hermit of Redcoats started well and went in front after ten minutes when James Sawyer headed in a great long ball from Trevor Hoyte. Just minutes later FC Squirrel equalised with a great far post header from Gaz Baker via Scott Taylor’s whipped in free-kick. Hermit restored the lead with Josh Dance’s sweet finish. Then came a moment of history, from a long throw-in, Rich Wilson timed his run perfectly and finished via his knee from five yards out. It was his first-ever goal in twelve years of Sunday football! Dance struck again before the break with a shot the ‘keeper failed to deal with. It seemed like game over, but Squirrel put up a magnificent display to ‘win’ the second-half. The same combination saw Taylor’s corner find Baker’s head for the only goal.

Hartham Press were able to put out a full strength team for the first time in some time and whilst giving themselves a mathematical chance of staying up, they ended TC United’s feint title-hopes in the process. Two goals from Dale Aldridge sealed it, one after an excellent solo run across the box and the second from a free-kick that the ‘keeper could only parry into the top corner.

Division 3:
Odyssey kept themselves in with a chance of preventing Broadhall A’s imminent title thanks to an excellent win over Chequers. Ryan Palmer, Will Cubitt, Louis Gilbert and Matt Arlick were on target, whilst Carl Thompson (two) and Paul Osborne replied.

Fourth placed Rileys Athletic were surprisingly beaten despite goals from Tom Rydeheard, Tom Gallagher and Chris Bonser. A beautiful curling shot from Paul Dowse in to the top corner got Times Club off to a flyer, before a tap-in from a beautifully-weighted cross from Adam Stevens was turned home for his second before half-time. A through-ball by Glenn Armitt was toe-poked home by Karl Rickaby to restore a two-goal lead before Dowse found Rickaby, who rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner from fifteen yards.

Stevenage Colts Reserves (Ryan Bareham and Dean Page) shared the points with Timebridge AFC Res (Cory Cooper, two).

Division 4:
Shaun Skutela hit a hat-trick in Roebuck Gate’s final game of the season as they beat Proverbial. They moved to the top of the table, but the title looks unlikely unless there’s a very strange set of results for the sides below them.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup:
Dave Pateman added to Timebridge AFC’s goal advantage, but Broadhall Reserves grabbed a point thanks to George Collins, Ryan Dudley and Lee Stokes.

Stevenage Old Town battered their opponents, regardless of the two-goal lead in a game of six yellow cards, five to Mallard Old Boys. Gary Lineham (hat-trick), Billy Reedman (two) and Callum Kendrick were on the mark for SOT. Dan Welch and Anthony Alcock replied.

Crooked Billet Boro were another side who con comfortably, regardless of a two-goal start. Steve Bush (two), Rob Smith and Trevor Brown were on the mark again A1 Trophies, who replied through Gary Brown and a Reece Munford penalty.

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