Bedwell Shock Arena... Bedwell Rangers are once again showing their cup credentials, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info).

Bedwell Rangers pulled off the surprise of the CSSFL Challenge Cup as they defeated Premier Division opposition to make the last four. Arena-Group dominated the early exchanges and took the lead with an Ian Woodfield shot past Dan Brownlie from the edge of the box. The equaliser came when the ‘keeper parried a shot into the path of Nick Thomas, to hit the ball high into the net. The game became tense with both sides pushing forward and unable to make the most of the chances. Arena were awarded a corner a minute before half-time and the kick deflected off the ‘keeper and went in for an own goal. Arena missed three or four chances to kill off the game, and with twenty minutes left, Bedwell hit back again. Luke Smith beat his opponent to a ball and looped the ball into Thomas’s path, he coolly slotted home. With five minutes left, Ross Murphy latched onto a Jamie Morriss ball in, cut inside two defenders and smashed the winner past an outstretched ‘keeper.

Real Stevenage will meet Bedwell for a place in the final after a 4-2 win over A1 Trophies thanks largely to a Lez Chappell hat-trick. James Selby was also on target in the win, whilst A1 replied through Tom Oram and own goal.

Old Barclayvians put their league points deduction behind them to make it to a Division Three Cup last four meeting with champions Broadhall Icon. Joe Marshall-Zeal and Nick Wellings were on target in the 2-1 win over ABC Taxis. Alan Widdows replied.

A Josh Stock brace put Proverbial United through to a meeting with TC Wanderers. The Old Post Office were beaten 2-1, despite Barry Plummer’s strike.

In the Premier Division, goals from Adam Furness (hat-trick), Dave Kiddie (two), Craig Reynolds (two), Glenn Draper and Ian Thorne saw champions Dun Cow win 9-3. An under-strengthed MBDA, who finish second bottom, responded through Ashley Kersey, Alan Kenney and Matt Morgans’ first for the Club.

Ross Connolly (two), Theo Swaine (two) and Liam Errington saw FC Nirankari to a 5-1 victory over Stevenage Leisure Limited (Kieran Ellis) as the look to make a late charge for runners-up spot.

In Division One, a rare double-strike from Olly Rice gave MKS Carpentry a chance of a top-half finish. Goals from Russ Ayles and Josh Dance completed the 4-1 win over Odyssey, for whom Simon Flecknell was on target.

In Division Two, Nirankari Timebridge striker Joel Mason netted again to leave them requiring a draw against title-rivals Chequers to take the title. Whilst Breachwood Lions enjoyed some possession, Nirankari seemed to pose the greater threat in the final third. The deadlock was broken when a kick-out by the Nirankari ‘keeper was intercepted by the fearless Ollie Mason to sweep Breachwood into the lead. Richard Taaffe’s cross found Mason’s head, but a great save prevented extending the lead before Mason's back-heel set up Taaffe to strike from twenty five yards, only to be equalled by a good save from the ‘keeper again. With twenty minutes to go, Joel Mason was onside from an early midfield pass and was able to shoot low past Max Anderson from inside the Lions penalty area to level the game at 1-1. Chequers will need to beat them and Rileys Athletic to deny them the title.

Hartham Press won their penultimate game 3-2. James Khakpour-Smith (two) and Dave Mower were on target. Callum Russell and Tom Rhydheard were Rileys Athletic’s scorers.

In Division Three, View Point Wanderers finished their season in style. They still finished bottom, but were just four points away from the top half. Gaz Baker banged in four goals, making it 8-in-3 for him with VPW’s, 23 in total including his spell with Pear Tree. A 30 yard free-kick from Scott Taylor, a 20 yard hit from Ryan Hodgkiss, headers from Rich Marvell and Matt Keane and a final minute one-on-one finish from Cam Bridger saw Stevenage Old Town annihilated 9-1. Alex Robertson-Cox netted for SOT.

Roebuck Gate hammered TC Wanderers 6-0 thanks to Danny Bacon (two), Dean Auburn, Ian Levy, Shaun Skutela and an own goal.

Frank Neville Memorial Cup holders AJS Tyres Broadhall moved onto four points after two games with a victory over club rivals Broadhall Athletic. After starting 1-0 down, Michael Emmings levelled matters after superb interplay with Paul Hancock and Andy Lee. The early stages of the second-half were eventful; first a superb chipped pass from Liam Castle was brilliantly finished by Emmings to put AJS ahead. However, within three minutes, Mark Chalkley had levelled for from the spot. Then Emmings completed a smashing hat-trick with an unstoppable shot to restore AJS' advantage. Athletic had a couple of late chances before Emmings' cross was cheekily back heeled into the net by Castle to complete a 4-2 victory.

Despite their fixture being academic for them as they’ve already played the required three, Pear Tree’s 2-0 handicap lead saw them beat Broadhall 2-1, who only managed a John Johnston strike. It could be a blow to the latter’s qualification chances depending on how many more fixtures are scheduled.

Terry Lock (two), Chris Benton and an own goal saw TC United hit four, but despite Granby’s 2-0 handicap, they won on the day too to win 7-4 overall.