Boars Chase Off The Cow...Our most decorated Club fell at the final hurdle on Sunday, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info).

With a place in the final of the Herts Senior Cup up for grabs, Dun Cow travelled to Hemel Hempstead to tackle current holders, AFC Boars. Without four first-team regulars, uphill and facing the sun, the Cow were caught square by a ball over the top after just five minutes to go behind. To compound the problems, hotshot Adam Furness left the field with a broken rib after only ten minutes. The form shown in recent rounds deserted them and the first-half was a poor effort with many of them playing below par. On the stroke of half-time, AFC doubled their lead with a somewhat fortunate goal. After the break, the visitors picked up the pace and it was no surprise when Ian Thorne chipped the ‘keeper from the edge of the box to set up a possible comeback. Cow bossed the next fifteen minutes, with Thorne also hitting the bar, but by pushing up in search of a second goal, they were inevitably left vulnerable to a breakaway goal, of which two came, effectively sealing the tie at 4-1. Cow came back with a terrifically stuck shot from Terry Lock, which inspired a late response with them hitting the post and having another effort cleared off the line. Despite conceding four, ‘keeper Wayne Simpson had a superb game to bail his defence out on far too many occasions. Thorne was always a threat and Bobby Dance was outstanding, having been out of action for a while. AFC Boars went through 4-2.

Lightning does strike twice in Division Two. A week after the basement side upset their title-challenging opponents in a divisional cup penalty shoot-out, they did it again in the league to bring their first win of the season at the ninth attempt. The game began in similar fashion to the previous week with Old Barclavians starting the brighter of the two teams, creating several half-chances. However, Hartham Press were resolute and highly organised in defence and always provided a threat in attack. The opening Hartham goal came when a free-kick from Dan Curtin was floated into the box and headed across goal and into the corner by Darren King. They then resisted a rally from Barclavians both sides of the break. Hartham then doubled their money thanks to a good side-footed finish from Jamie Burberry following a well worked team move to make it 2-0. Hartham's defence remained firm and they even created more chances at the end as Barclavians looked to get back into it. They have survived relegation from being in the bottom two at Christmas for the past three seasons, they’re making a good attempt of repeating it. The only negative news for Hartham being what appears to be a serious injury to the talismanic James Khakpour-Smith, who limped off with a leg injury at half-time.

View Point Wanderers put more pressure on leaders Broadhall Athletic in the solitary Division Three game. In an extremely one-sided first-half, they played some fantastic football, but despite creating several chances, they failed to test the ABC Taxis ‘keeper. They finally went in front on the hour mark when a huge clearance by ‘keeper Lee Hollingsworth was mis-judged by a defender and Cam Bridger raced clear to fire the ball into the roof of the net. Another good move culminated in Rich Marvell finishing well into the far corner for the second. Mike Coombes and Scott Taylor opened up ABC again, creating a chance for Charley Blackham to run clear and finish with ease to make the final score 3-0.

Results (Sunday 17th February):

Herts Senior Cup Semi-Final: AFC Boars 4 Dun Cow 2.
Division Two: Old Barclavians 0 Hartham Press 2.
Division Three: View Point Wanderers 3 ABC Taxis 0.

Fixtures (Sunday 24th February):

CSSFL Challenge Cup 1st Round: Benington v MKS Carpentry (Benington), Breachwood Lions v TC Wanderers (Breachwood), Dun Cow v MBDA (Meadway).
Premier Division: King Pin United v Olympic Nirankari (King George).
Division One: Chequers v Coach and Horses (King George), Coopers United v Bedwell Rangers (Chells), Lifestyles v AJS Tyres Broadhall (Meadway).
Division Two: Crooked Billet Boro v Broadhall Icon (King George), Hartham Press v JML Plumbing & Heating Athletic (Peartree), Old Barclavians v Roebuck Gate (Barclay).
Division Three: ABC Taxis v Proverbial United (Shephalbury), Broadhall Athletic v Brackas (Shephalbury), Stevenage Old Town v Almond Tree La Coruna (Shephalbury), View Point Wanderers v A1 Trophies (Alleynes).