The North Herts Football League There was a major surprise in the Premier Division as leaders St Ippolyts suffered their first defeat of the season. They lost 2-1 at home to Stevenage Council Club, who played the game with 10 players. Saints could have sa

The North Herts Football League

There was a major surprise in the Premier Division as leaders St Ippolyts suffered their first defeat of the season.

They lost 2-1 at home to Stevenage Council Club, who played the game with 10 players.

Saints could have saved their record but they missed a penalty in the second half.

The council club scored through Michael Bunker and Richard Hall and were inspired by an excellent performance from Gary Pomfret. The Saints reply came from Wayne Maguire.

Second placed Woolmer Green were held 1-1 at Whitwell Village, where the pitch was frozen in places.

They led for most of the game through a Simon Parnell goal, only for Whitwell to equalise 10 minutes from time with an excellent individual effort from Shaun Turner.

Third placed Baldock suffered a shock defeat at home when they lost 2-1 to Codicote A.

Codicote's goals came from a John Wicks penalty and Mark Zienkowitz. Baldock's goal came from Nick Blenkin.

The game between Kimpton Rovers and Bedwell Rangers was called off due to a frozen pitch.

Magnum moved three points nearer Division One leaders Baldock Res with a game in hand when they beat City Hearts 6-2 in Stotfold.

Braces for Brett Coverdale and Stuart Hyams led the way and other goals came from Richard Bell and Peter Morrison. The Stotfold side goals came from Michael Brittain.

The clash near the top ended with Wilbury Wanderers beating Bedwell Rangers Res 2-0 with goals from Tony Leo and Richard Pearson to move into third place.

The mid-table clash between Fairlands and AFC Santos ended with the latter winning 3-1. Santos were 3-0 up thanks to goals from Mitch Crook, Martin Farrer and Steve Gibson. Fairlands could only score a late consolation goal from second-half substitute Michael Beeton.

A clash between two sides at the wrong end of the table saw Cricketers Weston and Kimpton Rovers Res share six goals.

Cricketers led 3-0 only for a spirited Kimpton side to pull back to share the points.

The Cricketers goals came from a couple for Mike McCluskey and a Mark Richardson goal. Kimpton replied through a Ricky McCullagh brace and a goal from Ian Brooks.