The league s sole representatives Nirankari Sports Sabha won through round one of the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup. Top marksman Mark Barnes and captain Ben l honore put them two up before Pioneer pulled one back. They held out in a tight game. In the Premier

The league's sole representatives Nirankari Sports Sabha won through round one of the FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup.

Top marksman Mark Barnes and captain Ben l'honore put them two up before Pioneer pulled one back. They held out in a tight game.

In the Premier Division, there were some classic encounters. After signing from MC Racing, second-half substitute Lee Horsley grabbed the glory for Bottles with the only goal of the game with 15 minutes remaining against Dun Cow.

Alex Headington grabbed a hat-trick as Bedwell Athletic won the points.

His first was a fine finish after a sublime ball from Liam Errington, AFC Proverbial rallied through goalkeeper Russell Bull's spot-kick.

Headington then blasted a penalty home into the top corner before grabbing the winner with another superb finish after Ross Kane had equalised again.

Hermit of Redcoats produced an amazing comeback to continue their impressive start. Bobby Dance's 30-yard strike opened matters inside three minutes before Craig Reynolds and Riki Dance put Mallard in front.

John Vooght was back on the mark after half-volleying home Darren Pomroy's long pass but Adam Hazelton and Andy Pilgrim strikes seem to have given Mallard the points. However, a headed through ball by Tawhid Juneja fell to Vooght, who finished via the post.

Bobby Dance equalised from the spot after Mark Vooght was brought down before a mazy run by John Vooght ended with a save and Joel Swain fired the ball home for the winner.

Former Dun Cow veteran Tony Heath, Ian Woodfield and Dave Conyard netted for Station but they lost by the odd goal for the third time as Bruce Bass and Shaun McDermott (two) netted for Broadhall before Darren O'Brien grabbed the winner.

Division One leaders Pin Green were surprisingly held, Sean Soards opened the scoring but Ross Jackson grabbed Peartree a point with a volley from outside the box into the top corner.

Breachwood Lions grabbed the breakthrough when John Harvey cleverly flicked the ball over his shoulder and hit the post, the ever aware Ian Canning pounced to slot home. Stevenage Celtic Supporters equalised through Ashley Reynolds.

A Celtic ball over the top for debutant Ross Miller saw him score from an angle before the equaliser came with a passing move from the right culminated in Danny Dye finding George Harrison to find the top corner.

There were ugly scenes as the referee had to abandon the Coopers versus Probuild game late on due to fighting.

Gav Acton and Dave Herbert had scored for Coopers, with Dave Clements' header, Tony Lister and Michael Bunker's finishes from Gary Pomfret assists and Kenny Slack's free-kick seemingly giving Probuild the points. The committee will decide on the outcome.

Calvert Garnes struck twice inside 10 minutes for Hogshead before Alex Lawrence headed in Ade Barry's free-kick and Tom Younger headed home from a long throw-in to equalise for MBDA as the scoring was completed before the break.

Pocket rocket hotshot Barry Hazelton grabbed four for Stevenage Colts Old Boys, Matt Williams (two) and the ageing Mark Warburton also netted against Aston Athletic, for whom George Birchenall and Ashley Muncer struck.

Division Two leaders are still FC Rising Sun after winning a 10-goal thriller. Paul Harvey, Luke Mitchell, Karl Akers, John Hughes, Riyston Williams and Kologo Richards netted against Rapidsource, for whom Ryan Clifford (two penalties), Dan Nash and Jon London replied.

Greg Bradbury opened and finished the scoring for Granby St George. Unfortunately for them, Emperors Head netted through Olly Roworth (two), Danny Webb and Jake Garwood in between.

Adam Paine's brace earned Newcotech a point against Old Social in reply to goals from Martin Matthews and Dave Stroomer.

A superb hat-trick on his debut for Musa Haruna helped ProCladd to the points, Dave Locke (two) and Cody Kendrick also netted against King Pin United (James Wyatt and Adam Bannister).

A double for Carl Gunning was not enough for Triage as a Michael Kristic brace added to Josh Watson's early goal for Crooked Billet.

Division Three leaders are still Bottles Res but they were given another tough game. Richard Veness and Gary Henniker had given Fox a two-goal lead at the break, Glen Day pulled one back before Kevin Ward restored the margin. However, Rob Duckworth (two), Day again and Darren Welton turned it around.

That man Carl Thompson grabbed yet another hat-trick for Marquis of Lorne.

Lee Wilson and an Ant Alcock penalty completed the scoring against AFC Stevenage for whom player-manager Terry Lock netted from a 35-yard free-kick.

Athletico Timebridge are having a tough time, Matt Grima netted their solitary goal in another pounding.

Hen and Chickens' scorers were Rob Smith (hat-trick on his debut), Rob Barnes, Keeley Ridge (two), Charnit Singh and Chris Thomas.

Once again there was a dramatic match involving MC Racing, James Cox, Steve Koop and Tom Kelly left them three-up at the break, but Nik Tribe effectively got the winner as Darren Matthews, Mike Day and Marc Ancora netted for Crown.

MBDA Res were left ruing more goalkeeping calamities. Daemon Lee's header and Liam Boon twice gave them the lead but Lee Boston capitalised on poor judgement from debutant Pablo Gomes, while second-half keeper and top scorer Steve Stapleton then punched the ball into his own net under pressure from a striker for North Herts Celtic's equaliser.

Jamie Robertson and Jason Butler (two) netted for White Horse to add to their three-goal advantage in the Invitation Cup. But Old Red Lion still won overall thanks to Tom Hillard (two), Danny Hillard, Joe Delasalle (penalty), Keven Fehmi, Danny Delasalle, Ricky Bridge and a Mick Sandford penalty.

P Compiled by Darren Statto Jones

(statto@cssfl.co.uk, www.cssfl.co.uk)

RESULTS

(Sunday, September 24)

FA Carlsberg Sunday Cup first round: Pioneer 1 Nirankari SS 2.

Premier Division: AFC Proverbial 2 Bedwell Ath 3, Bottles 1 Dun Cow 0, Hermit of Redcoats 5 Mallard 4, Station 3 Broadhall 4.

Division One: Breachwood Lions 2 Stev Celtic Supps 2, Coopers 2 Probuild 4 (abandoned 83 mins), Hogshead 2 MBDA 2, Pin Green 1 Peartree 1, Stev Colts OB 7 Aston Ath 2.

Division Two: FC Rising Sun 6 Rapidsource 4, Granby St George 2 Emperors Head 4, Newcotech 2 Old Social 2, ProCladd 6 King Pin Utd 2, Triage 2 Crooked Billet 3.

Division Three: AFC Stev 1 Marquis of Lorne 5, Ath Timebridge 1 Hen and Chickens 8, Bottles Res 5 Fox 3, Crown 3 MC Racing 4, MBDA Res 2 North Herts Celtic 2.

Invitation Cup: White Horse 6 Old Red Lion 8.

FIXTURES

(Sunday, October 1)

Herts Senior Sunday Cup first round: AFC Proverbial v Silver Swifts (10.00, KG3), HTS Barleycorn v Broadhall (10.30), Old Red Lion v Kcinsatop (10.00, PP1), Spennytown v Hermit of Redcoats (10.30).

Premier Division: Bedwell Ath v Mallard (10.00, SP1), Dun Cow v Nirankari SS (MP), Station v Bottles (10.00, SP4). Division One: Aston Ath v Hogshead (CP1), Coopers v Pin Green (10.30, SP3), MBDA v Probuild (Barc), Pig and Whistle v Breachwood Lions (RE3), Stev Celtic Supps v Stev Colts OB (PP5).

Division Two: Crooked Billet v Old Social (KG2), Granby St George v ProCladd (CP2), King Pin Utd v Triage (RE5), Norwich Union v Emperors Head (CW4), Rapidsource v Newcotech (PP3).

Division Three: Bottles Res v AFC Stev (KG1), Hen and Chickens v MBDA Res (10.30, SP5), MC Racing v Fox (RE4), North Herts Celtic v Ath Timebridge (CW1), White Horse v Marquis of Lorne (Alle).

Invitation Cup: Crown (1v0) FC Rising Sun (CP3).

(games kick-off at 10.15 unless otherwise stated)