Ten-Man Billet Thru’...Three through and two out as the big boys had their first County Cup involvement, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

In the first round of the Herts Senior Cup, a ten-man Billet hammered King Langley 7-3. Drawing 2-2 at half-time, they went on to win by the same score as they did last week thanks to Dwayne Grant (two), Marc Holmes (two), Joel Clarke, Ryan Skeggs and an own goal.

Sam Gittings, Shaun Grainger and Tom Hillard were on target as Marquis of Lorne breezed through 3-0 against Colne Valley Blues.

Both teams started brightly in Baldock and it was home side The Boot that took the lead. It took a Jason Milburn twenty yard free-kick to equalise for Broadhall before they went in front via a Leslie Chappell thunderbolt. Scores were level again before that man Milburn popped up again to restore the Broadhall lead. Substitute John Johnston netted to make it 4-2 to put them through.

Sam Bickerstaff grabbed the consolation goal as Real Stevenage lost 3-1 to FC Wizard.

King Pin United were well beaten by a good Verulam Arms side. As is often the case with Sunday morning football, the majority of the team were hung-over. They did have Nick Collins and Dave Holmes goals to show for it in the 6-2 defeat. Two injuries also accounted for both subs, so the new roll-on/roll-off option wasn’t utilised.

Two 100 percent sides met in Division One and it was MBDA that continued in that vein. Ashley Kersey (two), Alan Kenney, Craig Sutherill and a magnificent run and strike from Ross Walker did the damage. Lifestyles pulled a goal back through Ryan Ellis, but it finished 5-1.

Luke Smith (two), Nick Thomas and an own goal saw Bedwell Rangers beat Chequers 4-1 to also remain 100 percent from their three games. Mark Brennan replied.

AJS Tyres Broadhall's unprecedented run of poor form continued against a Coach and Horses side that are hoping to have turned the corner. AJS had a whole host of players missing again and three morning signings gave them a bare XI, and it showed. It was 4-0 at the break, and Coach added two more after it for a 6-0 whitewash. Defenders Lewis Littlechild, Colin Littlechild and Stuart Littlechild netted, as did David Stevens, Michael Waterman and Scott Ross.

Coopers United went into their game with some key players missing and that was evident from the off as MKS Carpentry had the better of the opening half-hour. United created very little and were made to pay on half-time when Russell Ayles flicked a Shawn Comber through-ball over a defenders head and slotted it in. Ayles and Neil Roskilly had been guilty of a string of misses, but MKS added a second on the hour when Adam Pennington beat two players on the edge of the box before rifling the ball home. Coopers pulled one back from the penalty spot through Tom Bradshaw, but they couldn’t level it and it finished 2-1. Unfortunately, Comber then broke a wrist.

Pin Green made it five-from-five in Division Two thanks to Jahrome Mullings (two) and Andrew Levy as Old Barclavians were beaten 3-0.

The lead at the top is now six points as Emperors Head lost 4-2 to Broadhall Icon. Daniel Gregory, Andy Kelly, Stephen Skinner and an own goal gave them the points, David Hannaway and Joe Whittaker replied.

JML Plumbing & Heating Athletic are third after late drama against Roebuck Gate, who scored through Danny Bacon, Tony Webb netted for JML. Stuart Rowe stepped up for a last minute penalty for Gate, but Chris Hinch made a terrific save, he also saved a follow-up and when he was beaten on the third attempt, it was kicked off the line by a defender to preserve the 1-1 draw.

Simon Flecknell and Ryan Palmer were on the mark as Benington beat Hartham Press 2-1. Graeme Hulstrom scored the Hartham goal.

Proverbial United are top of Division Three, but lost their 100 percent record. In a even first-half, they took the lead when a long ball was flicked on and Dave Pateman raced clear to score. View Point Wanderers were level within minutes when a Rich Marvell cross hit a defender on the arm and Scott Taylor stepped up to place the ball into the bottom corner from the spot. Wanderers then went in front when Allan Johnston was hauled to the ground and Taylor again netted from the spot, this time into the roof of the net. With time running out, a short corner caught the defence out and a deep cross was met by Josh Stock to volley Proverbial level at 2-2.

Broadhall Athletic are second after a 4-2 win over A1 Trophies. Mark Chalkley, Gary Hillard, Emeka John and Garry Smith scored to seal the win, whilst Simon Longman and Toby Willis netted for A1.

After a goalless first-half, Brackers deservedly took the lead when a well-worked free-kick saw Theo Griffith smash the ball home. ABC Taxis came back into it and a good finish from Rob Neave levelled matters from the edge of the six yard box. An absolute howler then gifted ABC the points. Despite making a great save, when the ball ran loose, Richard Edwards then inexplicably kicked it into his own net for a 2-1 defeat. Brackers couldn’t level, but Scott Fields, Matt Jefford and Rob Pikesley all hit the woodwork.

Dominic Bush and Tony Friggieri were on target as TC Wanderers beat Stevenage Old Town 2-1. Jordan Moss replied.