Athletic's cup adventure over (From Watford Observer)

Olympian League review

6:03pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sport By Mark Bunn

Herts Sunday Senior Cup Round Six

Headstone Athletic's Herts Senior Cup dream came to an end after a narrow 3-1 defeat at PJ Hitchin.

The game was a very tight affair and it remained goalless until the hour-mark when Headstone took the lead when Steve Buckland turned home a Terry Flaherty free-kick.

Although that advantage lasted only ten minutes, the tie looked to be heading into extra-time but the home side scored twice in the final three minutes to book their place in the last four.

Premier Division

Colne Valley opened up a four-point lead over Headstone Athletic at the top of the table after a 2-1 win over Cassiobury Rangers.

Valley went in front after seven minutes through an own goal from a Darren Smith cross. Cassiobury missed a penalty but they did equalise from a Darren Coombs solo effort just before half-time.

The Valley winner came in the second period from captain Lawrence Anscomb, with a 20-yard shot into the top corner.

Colne Valley Blues are still in the bottom two as they went down to a 5-0 away defeat by Tudor Arms.

An early goal from Jack Plunkett sent Tudor on their way and this was followed up by a second from Gary Warne.

After Plunkett had netted his second before the break, he went on to complete his hat-trick in the second half following the fourth goal from substitute Jack Robertson.

In a repeat of the President's Cup semi-final, it took Kings Langley half-an-hour to score through new signing, 16-year-old Bradley Henwood.

Although Nick Ginty levelled for Inter just before the interval, Langley scored twice in a four-minute spell through Steve Lovell.

Inter pulled one back ten minutes from time through Danny Birchall but despite heavy pressure, could not force an equaliser.

Division One

Reed Rangers are the new leaders after they took six points from their double header with BTH Athletic, significantly increasing their goal difference as well thanks to a 10-1 and a 9-0 win.

The first game saw Lucas Gibbons grab four goals, while Dan Tearle also hit a hat-trick. Steve Tearle, Adam Crassweller and a Dean Hammill penalty also contributed, with BTH getting a late consolation from Lee Milton.

The second match was as one-sided as the first, with Hammill opening the scoring. He added another, while Jamie Speer and Steve Tearle also grabbed a brace each. Ashley Lawrence, Crassweller and a chipped effort by former BTH player Phil Warrell completed the rout.

Everett Rovers also enjoyed two wins from their double header with FC Swan, with 4-2 and 3-1 victories.

They went ahead through a Drew Snailham penalty and Joe McCarthy added a second. But Swan quickly wiped out the Everett lead with goals from Mark Hathaway and Jamie Beaumont.

However, McCarthy put Rovers back in front straight after the restart and Joe Fox completed the scoring.

In the second game, Everett took the lead through another Snailham penalty. The second half saw Snailham net again and McCarthy add to his tally.

With Evergreen Seniors Reserves game against Watford Labour Club called off because Labour where unable to a field a team, Rovers needed to take advantage with maximum points from their double header with Rickmansworth Athletic to have any chance of keeping in the title race.

But they squandered their chance after losing the first match 2-1, with Lewis Jones scoring. The second game finished 2-2, with Jones again on target both times.

Roundbush gained a vital three points as they beat Headstone Lions 4-3.

Joe Manfredini scored a brace for the home side, along with one from Simon Lee, but two apiece from Tom Minton and Glenn Cook secured the points for Bush.

Aquis enjoyed a 4-1 win over 3 Lions after the teams had been level at the break, with a penalty from Lions Jamie Exley cancelling out an early goal from Jonathan Slupek.

But Aquis took charge after the break as Slupek scored again, along with two-goal Adrian Arrighi.

Division Two

Cassiobury Revolution held leaders The Vine to a deserved 1-1 draw.

Ollie Brinton scored for The Vine, with Chris Massey replying.

Old Danes Athletic had a 3-0 home win over Colne Valley Royals.

Danes broke the deadlock in a close first half with two quick goals from Mark Shanahan and Matt Boyd. Tom Kennedy completed the scoring after the break.

Brookside had a good a morning, thumping Roundbush Reserves 8-2.

James Blackwell, Rod Dodkin both scored twice, with the other goals from Johnny Armitt, Gerry Hanna, Ash Coleman and Matt Coleman. Alan Thorn and Sean Stentiford where the Bush scorers.

Ebury Olympians won two games on the bounce for the first time after a 3-2 victory over The Boys Home.

Mat Howlett put the home side ahead before James Brent equalised. Jason Quilley regained Ebury's advantage, only for Matt Tyrell to level again.

With the game three minutes into added-on time, Quilley scrambled home a corner to give the home side the points with his 23rd of the season.