Birkdale Trophies Challenge Cup Round One, First Leg

Phoenix United’s delayed season is up-and-running after they enjoyed an 8-3 win in their first leg tie against Batchworth yesterday.

The five-goal advantage United hold going into the second leg is even more impressive as they played the entire game with just ten players compared to Batchworth’s full complement.

Despite being a man down, Phoenix raced into an early two-goal lead thanks to Matt Byrne and a free-kick from Wil Keddy. Although Batchworth pulled a goal back through Cameron Murray, another goal each from Byrne and Keddy gave their side a comfortable advantage at the break.

Batchworth fought back with two fine efforts from Sam Hollis in the second period. But as they threw everything at United, they were caught on the counter-attack and Byrne completed a second-half hat-trick to take his tally for the game to five, whilst Wil Keddy netted a further goal to complete his own treble to give Phoenix what looks to be an insurmountable lead for the second leg.

Birkdale Trophies Challenge Cup Round One, Second Leg

Meriden built on their slender 2-1 first-leg advantage to progress at the expense of Dome Bar following a 5-2 victory in the second part of their tie.

The game and the tie was won thanks to stunning first-half display from Meriden as they raced into a 4-0 leads thanks to two goals from Dean Ward, including a penalty, and further efforts from Aaron Crawford and Tom Dettmer.

Dome Bar pulled one back after the interval through Martin Preston, but Ben Dunton’s free-kick made it 5-1. Substitute Ryan Hoare netted a late consolation.

AFC Green Machine beat Watford Labour Club 4-1 after the teams went into the second leg level at 3-3.

Stephen Burke and Daniel Perry scored in the first half to give Green Machine a two-goal advantage. A third followed from Daniel Parry in the second period before Labour pulled a goal back through Patrick Slaven. But Burke netted his second of the contest to complete the scoring.

Holders AFC Bovingdon are out of the competition as the three-goal advantage held by Nascot Arms proved too much to overcome despite a 3-3 draw on the day.

Joe Manfredini scored a double in the first half but Bovingdon drew level before the break with goals from Mark McNicholas and Bradley Davies.

Jamie Beaumont put Nascot back in front before a defensive mix-up allowed James Strivens to score a deserved equaliser for Bovingdon, who at least got some pride back following their first-leg defeat.

The other all-Premier Division clash between Old Danes Athletic and Prince George also ended in an identical second-leg scoreline with Danes advancing 8-5 on aggregate.

In an end-to-end encounter, Danes scored via Dan Billington, Colin Spooner and Jordan Woodcock, with the George replies coming from Rob Henney, Tom Minton and a late equaliser from player-manager Chris Cummins with a strike from a free-kick.

Despite trailing 12-1 from the first leg against Hertfordshire Lions, Roundbush showed some fighting spirit in the second leg as they caused the Premier Division side some problems in the first half.

Dan Nott gave Roundbush the lead and although their opponents scored twice through Louis McNamara, Roundbush levelled the scores through John Catterson, only for Dennis Fraser to put Lions ahead on the stroke of half time.

Lions’ superior fitness showed in the second half as Fraser scored four more times, McNamara completed his own hat-trick and Joe Turberfield and Kieran Moss also found the net. But Bush scored the final goal thanks to Tom Allen as they went out 19-4 overall.

Inter FC booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 second-leg victory over South Oxhey Labour Club Reserves and 4-2 on aggregate.

Chris Stead gave Inter the lead after 39 minutes with a well-taken volley and a second from the penalty spot 20 minutes into the second half.