Watford Sunday League: Glenn lose County Cup final to Emperors Head

For the third season running in which this competition has been played, a Watford Sunday League team lost in the final. This time it was Glenn SSC who were ultimately well beaten 5-1 by FC Emperors Head of the Hitchin Sunday League.

It was an open game from the start with both sides attacking. Lewis Putman had an early chance after three minutes when he curled in a shot from the right which was well saved by Harvir Deans in the Emperors goal.

Emperors looked dangerous going forward, with Austin Blake’s pace causing the experienced Glenn back four some serious problems.

Connor Harris narrowly headed wide from a free-kick for Emperors after 17 minutes, but five minutes later Frankie Henley missed a glorious chance to put Glenn ahead when he raced clear after a superb through pass from Chris Blunden but fired wide.

Glenn on the ball in the final. (Image: Mike Kenna)

A Putman corner was punched away by Deans a minute later, but Blake then had a very similar chance to Henley when he raced through only to chip the ball straight at Mark Richards in the Glenn goal.

But Blake was not to be denied for much longer and four minutes later he broke the deadlock when Glenn were caught trying to play out from the back, making them pay with a neat finish.

Glenn hit back and had two glorious chances to score before the break. First Blunden rounded Deans, but his shot was cleared off the line, then right on the stroke of half-time following a curling free-kick from Putman, Luke Lloyd at the far post saw his shot across the goal hit the inside of the post and bounce clear.

The second half started with Glenn on the attack, with Blunden seeing a shot well saved by Deans, but they were left to rue their missed chances two minutes later when they were once again caught over playing at the back, and the error was again pounced on by the impressive Blake who made no mistake.

It clearly was not going to be Glenn’s day when 12 minutes into the second half John Smith, who had come on at the break, saw a free-kick strike the cross bar and bounce over.

That missed chance seemed to knock the fight out of Glenn, and the game was put beyond them after 65 minutes when Max Hares’ free-kick was headed past his own keeper by Luke Lane-Durnin.

Emperors Head made it 4-0 ten minutes later when Kyle Cook robbed George Davies on the right wing and lobbed the ball into the top corner.

Glenn substitute James Henney finally found the net from close range in the last minute, but it was Emperors who completed the scoring five minutes into added-on time when Harry Hacobian scored with a neat back header as Glenn suffered just their second defeat of the season in all competitions.

FC Emperors Head: Deans, Higgins, Hares, Rampton, Fleet (Briars 85), Sears, Blake (Fadairo 64), K. Cook (Hacobian 85), Reynolds, Taylor (Mahoney 76), Harris (R.Cook 82).

Glenn SSC: Richards, McGeachy (Henney 70), Davies, Lloyd (Wadkins 45), Armstrong, Lane-Durnin (Avis 70), Blunden, Kennedy, Putman (Clark 80), Clark (Smith 45), Henley. Sub not used: Yerby.

Karl Penny scores the decisive goal for North Watford. (Image: Len Kerswill)

Eric Hand Challenge Cup Semi-Finals

The final of the league’s senior cup competition will be between holders North Watford and St Josephs.

In a replay of last season’s final North Watford beat WD Bushey by a goal from Karl Penny in the second half when he latched onto a back pass.

It was far easier for St Josephs who are still chasing the quadruple as they beat Cassiobury Rangers 5-0.

Two goals came in the first half, and three in the second period, with Jake Tabor hitting a hat-trick, Liam Smyth netting once and an own goal completing the scoring.

Division One

SOCA missed the chance to take the second promotion place. Needing to beat Watford Sports to overtake Forza Watford, they went down to a 1-0 home defeat thanks to first-half goal from Taylor Kemp who netted from a very tight angle.

SOCA had a penalty saved just before the interval, and in the second half they pounded the Sports defence but were unable to break through.

Division Two

Sparta Phoenix secured Second Division football for another season as they took four points from their double header with Dome Bar.

The first game was won 3-0, Ralph Thompson, Fergus Jimmimson and Nelson Gomez scoring, with Louis Moore netting in the return match which ended in a 1-1 draw.

The keeper comes to punch in the Challenge Cup semi-final. (Image: Len Kerswill)

Division Three

There was yet another twist in the battle at the top of Division Three as Batchworth faced Everett Rovers for the first time this season and totally out-played their promotion rivals to win 5-1.

Alex Hollis, Marcus Rivers, Callum Danskine, Mikel Walsh and Dylan Rose netted for Batchworth with Louie Muncie replying for Everett.

It leaves Batchworth two points and two places behind Everett, with the two sides set to play each other again this Sunday.

Despite the defeat, Everett’s fate is still in their own hands as if they win their remaining two games, they would pip already-promoted Inter to the title and deny Batchworth promotion.

Abbots Wanderers finished their season with a 3-1 home win over Rio Rovers, Andy Denyer with a double and a goal from Will Bell. Lucas Pereira replied for Rio.