Plenty of Cup Drama!

We got a full programme in on Sunday, and there’s plenty of cup drama to write about, writes Darren “Statto” Jones.

Despite Unity Nirankari’s FA National Sunday Cup hopes seemingly being ended against Wycombe Town last week, they were successful in an appeal concerning an underage Assistant Referee and replayed the game. James Taylor and Ricky Case were on target, but they were hit by double-figures this time.

Dun Cow made the semi-finals of the Herts Senior Cup. Adam Furness opened the scoring before 17-year-old ‘keeper Wayne Simpson was finally beaten in a one-on-one after producing two good saves. An Andy Brosnan throw clipped a defender and ended up in the net for the winner, although Marc Holmes claimed a touch. They were under pressure towards the end, but played well overall and a solid ‘keeper and defence ensured they went through to face holders Oakview.

MBDA were involved in a cracking tie against Flamstead End. The visitors are unbeaten in Division One of the Waltham League, and were a good passing side. The home side took the lead when Kyle Watson prodded home after good work from Ashley Kersey. Flamstead equalised on the hour to force extra-time. Substitute Gary Hodgson lashed home from an angle to restore the lead, but a low shot from 20 yards forced a penalty shoot-out. The first six for each side were despatched before captain Louis Hare had his kick saved. In his first match in three months after an ankle injury, Andy Gibb saved to keep our side in it. Player/manager Darren Jones placed his kick into the bottom corner before Gibb saved again to send MBDA through to a quarter-final meeting at Thames Albion or Phoenix.

The KLM Challenge Cup saw three shock score-lines. Premier Division leaders Bottles were dumped out despite starting the brighter. The best chance however fell to Division Two side Probuild Reserves’ Elliott Bunn, who whipped a ball in which almost deceived the ‘keeper. The first chance of the second-half fell to Bottles’ Rob Yates, but it was superbly saved by Stu Howard. Left-back Chris Hinch played the ball to Aaron Penfound, who squared the ball for man of the match Craig Braine to jink past a few defenders, before being brought down. Captain Matt Lockyear stepped up the smash the ball home into the bottom corner for the only goal from the spot.

Dean Chadderton and Leslie Chappell each netted a brace as SCS beat Division One side Shephall Artois. Dave Waugh and Colin Field replied for the side that started with ten and had Nick Barkley sent-off.

We can’t confirm the result of the other game until the Herts FA has sat, but an explosive game saw Division Three side Athletico Peartree potentially caused a major shock when they came from behind to beat Premier Division side MH Goldsmith. Alec Thomas gave the favourites a 20th minute lead, but Chris Benton equalised when he nodded in Richard Allder's angled free-kick with 20 minutes remaining. Substitute Terry Lock then netted in spectacular fashion when he drove at the defence, riding three challenges before finding a gap to curl the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box with barely five minutes to play. However, the referee abandoned the game after the ensuing protests following the sending-off of Goldsmiths’ John Hughes’.