Watford Sunday League: Chess United beat Abbots Wanderers in cup

The game of the day saw First Division Chess United come from behind to beat Second Division Abbots Wanderers 5-3.

An upset looked on the cards at the break as the lower-ranked Wanderers had built up a two-goal advantage after the Chess defence had given Sam Beadin and Tommy Ash far too much time on the edge of the penalty area to score.

The second half was a totally different affair, with Chess scoring three times in the opening ten minutes.

The first goal came from a Tom Parry volley from close range, with James Todd netting the equaliser following a goalmouth scramble after Abbots failed to deal with a free-kick.

Cameron Murray then made it 3-2 with a well-taken effort from around 25 yards out, but the game was not over yet as Chess switched off at the back again, allowing James Fitzgerald to make it 3-3.

The game swung again when Chess retook the lead, with Todd getting his second with a bullet header at the back post.

There was yet more drama with time running out when Abbots were awarded a penalty but it was superbly saved by Joe Sansom, going to his left.

Within a minute, the game was put beyond Abbots when Daniel Jovanoski raced through to round the Wanderers keeper after they been caught pushing forward once again.

Third Division FC Railway came within a penalty shoot-out of putting out Premier Division Evergreen.

The game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Evergreen winning the shoot-out 3-1.

After a goalless first half, it was Railway who went ahead ten minutes into the second period thanks to a goal from Charlie Fisher.

Having withstood heavy pressure, Railway conceded the equaliser with just ten minutes left when Chris Johns finished after the defence failed to a deal with a ball from the wing.

Evergreen went first in the shoot-out, they opened up a 2-1 lead and when Luke Simpson saved, Evergreen scored again to make it 3-1.

Railway then missed again, this time the kick was fired over the bar, giving Albie Dunham the chance to win it. But he also missed and it fell to Simpson to make his second save to ensure Evergreen’s progress.

Holders St Josephs won the all-Premier Division tie with FC Unicorn in what a was repeat of last season’s President’s Cup Final, this time winning 5-1.

The first half was much closer than the final score would suggest, with Joes taking an early lead through Ronnie Blagden. But Unicorn levelled when Jordan Toomey's free-kick was parried into the path of Louis McNamara who converted the rebound.

Unicorn then missed two good chances to go ahead, with Toomey shooting over from a tight angle and Callum O'Connor dragging an excellent chance wide.

They were left to regret those misses as Joes went in front when Lewis Davis netted after playing a neat one-two with Blagden.

In the second half, Blagden scored his second of the game, with two more goals added late on from Davis, to also complete his brace, and debutant Eric Lopes.

A goal from Will Jones was enough for First Division Chalfont Saints to beat Second Division Dome Bar.

The game between First Division Watford United and Third Division Chorleywood Club AFC was abandoned after 58 minutes, with United leading 4-0 due to player and official misconduct.

This will now be investigated by Hertfordshire FA.

Herts Sunday Junior Cup Round One

West Herts progressed through to the next round with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Royston Rangers Reserves.

All the goals came in a dominant first-half performance through Jacob Culshaw and a brace from Roscoe Tebbs.

Premier Division

North Watford went top of the table as they beat the early pacesetters Abbots Langley Club 6-2.

It was a nightmare first half for Abbots who found themselves six goals behind at the break, as their opponents scored through a hat-trick from Jevan El-Kaffash, two from Ashley Lewis and one from Youssef Enajar.

Abbots played far better in the second period and pulled two goals back, the first a volley from Callum Galvin and a long-range lob from Lawrence Manning.

The two promoted sides, Forza Watford and Woodside, both got a first point of the season as they drew 3-3.

Ollie Sills gave Woodside the lead after he cut in from the left-hand side, but the advantage didn’t last long when Forza equalised with a penalty.

However, Woodside went back in front before the break through Ollie Lawford.

Forza scored once again from the penalty spot in the second half, but Lawford looked to have won the game when he struck a volley into the top corner, only for Forza to equalise with virtually the last kick of the tie.

Bladen Trigg scored twice for the home side and Clayton Blake got the other.

Cassiobury Rangers and WD Bushey drew 1-1, meaning WD have now drawn all three of their games so far this season.

After a scoreless first half, Conor Callanan put Cassiobury ahead from the penalty spot after Rod Ladmore had been fouled, but they were not able to hold onto the lead as Stephen Ward equalised in the fourth minute of added on time.

Division One

SOCA made it three wins from three as they enjoyed a 7-3 away victory over Old Fullerians.

The platform for the win was established by three first-half goals, the first two from Dylan Stewart. His first was a long-range free-kick, and he doubled his tally after good work from Jordan Austin.

The third saw Austin the provider again, this time for Micah Burton.

The game wasn’t over though, as Old Fullerians pulled themselves back level with three goals early in the second half.

Joe Rylett got the comeback underway with a shot from ten yards, before he latched onto a loose ball in the box and slotted home. Harry Tamplin then turned home a free-kick to bring the scores level.

Liam Evans restored the SOCA lead with an effort from more than 40 yards out, then Austin netted after good work from Steve Dowling.

He returned the favour for Dowling to net, before Chapman completed the scoring with his team’s seventh goal.

Joseph Belloni and Michael Hall scored the goals for CF Watford Continentals as they gained a first win of the season, 2-0 against Langleybury.

Division Two

Everett Rovers edged out Inter by a single goal midway through the second half, netted by Sam Weller following a cross from William Powell.

Dunnings Bar are in second place as they continued an unbeaten start with a 2-1 win over Sparta Phoenix.

Callum O'Grady and Flynn Duncan scored for Dunnings, with Florjan Belegu getting the home team’s reply.

Watford Youth Sports and Frances George battled out a 2-2 draw.

Karnye Grant and Louie Muncie were on target for the home side, with Gary Hennicke replying with a brace for the visitors.

Division Three

Woodside Reserves are the early leaders in the bottom division after they beat Mill Hill Village 10-4, a week after the league newcomers won their first game 9-1.

Josh Towle and Andre Federico both struck hat-tricks for Woodside, with Joe McCarthy getting a brace. George Fairey and Elliott Smith where also on target.

Harley Fonti, Callum Moore, Daniel Brockwell and Aidan Woods netted for Village.

Abbots Athletic have a first win after drawing their opening two games, beating PTH United 4-1.

Charlie Young, Leon Power, Dan Lomax and Jamie Cox got the goals, with Alex Deighan netting the PTH consolation.

The other two games both finished 2-2, with Surely Wood getting their first point after a draw with Bricket Wood Acorns.

Kyle Barnett and Keith Macspurn got the Wood gaols, with Taylor Pope and James Adams replying for the home side.

Everett Rovers Reserves shared the same scoreline with AFC Watford.

Nathan Fowler got both of the Everett goals, with Paddy Moran and Ross Benton replying for AFC.