Herts Senior Cup Semi-Final
North Watford reached the final of the county senior cup for the first time, meaning the Watford Sunday League will be represented in the showpiece occasion for the fourth season running.
They had to do it the hard way after coming back from 2-0 down in the first half to beat Wheathampstead Wanderers 3-2.
Wheathampsted took the lead after a defensive mix up led to Kevin Ayodele putting the ball into his own net, and the advantage was doubled thanks to a well-placed free-kick.
North Watford started the fightback when Ashley Lewis popped up to head them back into the game, before Daryl Brown scored from a free-kick to equalise just before the break.
There was hardly anything between the teams in the second half and the game looked to be going to penalties before Lewis beat his man and crossed for Lee Armitt to stroke home with the last kick of the game.
They will now meet Northaw of the East Herts Corinthian League in the final at Letchworth on April 27.
Premier Division
A point for WD Bushey Rangers, after a 1-1 draw against Evergreen, was enough to take them top of the table.
Ryan O’Sullivan gave Evergreen the lead on the stroke of half-time with a well-taken finish on the turn.
In the second half, WD missed a penalty before drawing level when Gbohun Palmer Inyang set up Hodje Almeida to slot home.
Directly beneath WD in the table are Cassiobury Rangers, separated by a better goal difference of eight, after they defeated St Joseph’s 2-1 to inflict their first league defeat of the season.
Rangers took the lead though when Myles Shahidi crossed for Nathan Page to score with a close-range tap-in.
They went 2-0 up in the second half when after soaking up pressure, a break was formed by Shahidi and Frankie Henley, who was able to carry the ball to the edge of his own half before putting it over the top of the Joes’ defence. Page raced to get on the end of it before the onrushing keeper, leaving him in no-man's land as he was lobbed from around 35 yards out.
Joes pulled a goal back when a volley from Caden Barber found its way into the bottom left hand corner from long range.
These two results mean just three points separate five clubs in the table.
Division One
Sparta Phoenix’s remarkable winning run continued as they moved within a point of leaders Forza Watford, who didn’t play, after they overcame fellow promotion hopefuls Watford Town 2-1.
Town went ahead early on when Cass Lee held up the ball for Laurence Manning to score.
In the second half a cross from Louis Moore found Floyd Thompson, who was brought down inside the box, earning a penalty which he confidently converted from the spot.
Building on the momentum of equalising, Phoenix scored the winner from a corner when Joey Pascoulis found an unmarked Moore to net with a header to complete the turnaround.
Chess United gained a vital victory in their battle to stay in the division as they beat St Joseph’s Reserves 2-1.
Chess went ahead after Rory Hemmings played in the ball for James Todd, who rounded the keeper before slotting home into an empty net.
Joes pulled themselves level thanks to a penalty from Anton Collins, but United gained all three points when Todd scored his second with an effort from outside the box.
Everett Rovers beat bottom-placed Watford United 3-1.
The victors went in front after Jordan Standley was brought down in the box and Archie Potton made no mistake with the penalty.
United found a way back in the game after Rovers failed to clear a cross just before half-time and Nitharshan Sellathurai capitalised.
It took until the final five minutes for Everett to score the two goals to give them the win thanks to a quick-fire double from Alfie Fitzpatrick.
Division Two
The top three sides in the division all won.
Third-placed Hertfordshire Athletic came from a goal down to beat Langleybury 4-1.
Charlie Hobbs put Langleybury ahead after 15 minutes with an effort from more than 30 yards which gave the keeper no chance.
Athletic pulled level just before half-time when Henry Gibbor flicked the ball on to Ed Rogers who raced clear and slotted home.
They went ahead midway through the second half when Evan King weaved between the Langlebury defence before finding Gibbor who fired across the goalkeeper and into the net.
Athletic’s third goal came with 15 minutes left when a Cory Sayer cross found Josh Anwar whose shot was badly misjudged by the keeper.
In the final seconds of the game a poor back pass from a defender allowed Gibbor to race clear and round the keeper who brought him down, with Jack McLaughlin stepping up to convert the resulting penalty.
Second-placed Watford Youth Sports 2ndwere made to fight all the way by Frances George before running out 3-2 winners.
This defeat confirms George will finish the season in bottom place in the division.
Dexter Franklin-Beck and Luke Furlong netted for George, with Louie Muncie, Lewis Carter and Oliver Brown scoring the vital goals for the visitors.
It was a straightforward morning for leaders Woodside as they beat Inter 4-0 thanks to a double from Eliis Constantinou and one each for Joe McCarthy and Tyrone Brandy.
West Herts gained a fourth win of the season, which gives them of hope of avoiding finishing in the bottom two, after a 2-1 win over WD Bushey Rangers Reserves.
Charlie Smith and substitute Martin Tebbs were on target for the Stags.
Division Three
Bricket Wood Acorns sealed the title with two games to spare as they beat Chorleywood Club AFC 4-1, who themselves could still take the runners-up spot.
Jack Micklewright scored a double, alongside strikes from Charlie Buss and Charlie Micklewright.
Steve Quarrington replied for Chorleywood, who now need to win both of their remaining games against Nascot Arms and Everett Rovers Reserves, whilst AFC Watford, who currently hold second place, will need to beat the champions this Sunday and hope Chorleywood slip up.
Surely Wood rounded off their season with a thumping 5-0 win over Dome Bar.
Brett Fincham scored twice, alongside an own goal and other efforts from Kyle Barnett and Danny Linforth.
