Terry Deveruex President’s Cup Semi-Final
After two postponements, the heavyweight semi-final clash between reigning Premier Division champions and Challenge Cup holders North Watford against the current holders of the President’s Cup St Josephs, saw Joes sweep their opponents aside 4-1 to set up a second successive final against FC Unicorn at Oxhey Jets this Sunday.
It was North Watford who held the advantage at the break after Ashley Lewis gave them the lead when he rose highest to head home a corner just before half-time, but that was as good as it got as they where blown away in the second half by a rampant Joes, smarting from some harsh words by manager Dean Seabrook at the break.
Jake Tabor caught a North Watford defender in procession in his own box before squaring for Liam Smyth to tap home the equaliser.
That goal seemed to cause the home side to lose their cool, and a North Watford player was sent-off for kicking out at Tabor.
Smyth slotted home the resulting penalty to put Joes ahead for the first time in the tie.
Now facing ten men, the visitors took full advantage with Tabor capitalising on a one-on-one, before Smyth completed his hat-trick with a fine solo goal.
Premier Division
Leaders WD Bushey did all they could do as they beat bottom placed Old Fullerians 1-0.
Hamze Ali scored the only goal in the first half, helped by a bounce of the ball, allowing him to slot home.
The win leaves WD five points clear of North Watford, and six of St Josephs, but the two chasers do have two games in hand.
Evergreen won the Abbots Langley derby by beating Abbots Langley Club 2-1, a win which almost guarantees their Premier Division status for another season.
Ozzie Ogbebor finished smartly from just outside the box after a Ben Knights pass to put the home side ahead.
But Evergreen secured the win after the break thanks to a double from Jamie Robertson.
Division One
It was a big morning in the second tier with four of the top five teams all playing each other.
Woodside now led the table after they defeated Watford Sports 2-0 with both goals coming in the first half.
There was nervy start for Woodside who missed two easy chances early on, before Ollie Lawford netted yet again with a long-range effort into the top corner after being set up by James Allan.
Five minutes before the break, he returned the favour for Allan who scored with a side-footed volley.
Third-placed SOCA are still very much in the mix as they beat second-placed Forza Watford 1-0 despite having to play 70 minutes of the game with ten men following an early sending off.
Forza couldn’t make having a numerical advantage count, and SOCA scored the winner in the second half through Leandro Mateus who rifled the ball into the right-hand bottom corner.
Division Two
The Cross won the top-of-the-table game with CF Fajcezka, the team directly below them, 4-0.
It leaves them with a 12-point lead at the summit, although they will be very aware that Glenn SCC, in fourth place and 15 points behind, do have six games in hand.
Raphael Wiredu scored a double supported by goals from Stephfani Grimes-Ford and Michael McLean.
Dunnings Bar moved into third place after they beat St Josephs Reserves 3-2.
Robbie Tocher and Luke Stallard scored for the home side, but Dunnings won all three points thanks to a brace from Callum O'Grady and a goal from James Fitzgerald.
Division Three
The only game played in the bottom division saw AFC Watford suffer a 10-1 home defeat to Everett Rovers.
Louie Muncie struck a hat-trick, Alfie Fitzpatrick netted two and the other goals came from David Spencer, Tom Horton, William Powell, Leo Broom and Michael Dankwa. Jordan Stagg got the sole reply for AFC Watford.
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