Three Watford Sunday League sides through in Herts Senior Cup

The Watford Sunday League side had the worst possible start, falling behind early on from a penalty. But they responded with two spot-kicks of their own to lead 2-1 at the break after two Sam Mortimer corners had been handled after being whipped in from the left.

Conor Callanan took and scored both, sending the keeper the wrong way on each occasion, with the second penalty also resulting in the home side having a player sent off for the handball.

Rangers extended their lead early in the second half when another corner from Mortimer was fumbled by the keeper, leaving Rob Ladmore with a simple tap in.

Ladmore got his second of the game not long after with another close-range finish when his brother Matt flicked on at the near post from yet another Mortimer corner.

A fifth goal soon followed, with Jamie McDougall playing in Alexi Andreas from the right wing which allowed him to get to the by-line and cross for Mortimer, who stepped inside the defender before drilling home low to the near post.

Finestay got a consolation when a cross from the right wing was converted from five yards out.

Glenn SSC, who lost in the final of the Herts Junior Cup in April, beat Harpenden Colts OB 4-3.

Glenn took the lead through a fine goal from Chris Blunden, Harpenden equalised on the half-hour mark before Reece Cameron put the home side back in front before the break.

Cameron netted again immediately after the restart before Harpenden pulled it back to 3-2.

Blunden again restored Glenn’s two-goal advantage, meaning a late Harpenden goal was not enough to keep them in the competition.

The all-WSL tie and a Abbots Langley derby saw FC Unicorn beat Evergreen 3-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Evergreen took the lead against the run of play in the first half when a through ball from Alex Goldberg allowed Jake Sahota to finish a one-on-one chance.

That looked to be enough to secure the victory until deep into added-on time when Unicorn finally breeched the home defence as Jamie Calvin's corner was met by Danny Warwick who headed home to equalise.

In the shoot-out, Unicorn keeper Andrew Burnell made two great saves while Warwick, Louis McNamara and Calvin converted their spot-kicks to send Unicorn through.

It was a morning to forget for both Abbots Langley Club and Woodside as they both went down to heavy home defeats, Langley 4-0 to Brookmans Park and Woodside 3-0 to Little Heath Sunday.

FA Sunday Cup Round One

St Josephs will be the league’s sole representative in the second round as they went through following the withdrawal of their planned opponents FC Beaconsfield, after North Watford and WD Bushey both fell at the first hurdle.

North Watford suffered a 3-2 penalty defeat to Flaunden after a 3-3 draw.

They had a 1-0 lead at the break thanks to a goal from Ashley Lewis, but the tie was turned on its head as the visitors netted three quick-fire goals after the break.

North Watford were not finished though, as Gurkan Gokman headed in at the far post, then Lewis fired home from six yards out after a corner.

Despite that dramatic comeback, North Watford were beaten in the shoot-out.

WD Bushey, playing in the competition for the first time, had a tough game at Luton Celtic, but despite going down to a 2-0 defeat they gave a good account of themselves.

WD had the better of the first half, but couldn’t make their chances count, whilst the home side scored on a counter-attack.

The visitors struck the crossbar in the first half, and had further opportunities in the second period before the home side settled the tie with a goal five minutes from time.

Action from Watford United's ten-goal thriller against Watford Sports (Image: Watford Sports FC)

Division One

CF Watford Continentals are the new leaders of the division after they inflicted a first defeat of the season on previous pacesetters SOCA with an impressive 6-2 victory.

The visitors had a dream start as Alex Bushnell scored a hat-trick in the opening 20 minutes.

SOCA pulled one back with a penalty despatched by Michael Coffey two minutes before the break.

In the second half, Joe Belloni made it 4-1 before SOCA replied through Micah Burton, but CF wrapped up the win with Bushnell’s fourth of the game and one for Artem Karakaptan.

Chalfont Saints are in third place and made it three wins from three after a 4-2 victory over bottom-placed Batchworth.

Saints opened the scoring through Jake Rodger after some good work down the right from Andre Ford, and Dan Ayres doubled the lead after Batchworth failed to clear their lines.

Batchworth pulled a goal back through a penalty after a one-two between Scott Gilzean and Dylan Rose saw his cut back into the box handled and Marcus Rivers smashed the spot-kick into the roof of the net.

Liam Hennessey restored the two-goal lead after a whipped cross by Rodger, but Batchworth refused to give up, and pulled a goal back when a Sam Hollis shot was deflected off a defender into the net.

Batchworth had chances to level, including missing an open goal and having another effort pushed onto the roof of the net, and they were left to rue those missed opportunities when Sean Haugh completed the scoring.

Watford United gained a first league win of the season after a 6-4 home victory over previously unbeaten Watford Sports.

It was an extraordinary game, with Sports taking a 3-0 lead in the first 15 minutes thanks to two goals from Harry Bennett and one from Taylor Kemp, but United struck back with three goals of their own.

Murtaza Hussain curled in a free-kick, Sanjef Vigneswaran slotted home a penalty and the equaliser was scored by Nitharsan Sellathurai, but right on half-time Bennett completed a first-half hat-trick to restore Sports’ lead.

Humza Hussain equalised for United 20 minutes into the second half, and the game finally swung towards the home side, who completed the win with goals from Usman Abid and Sellathurai’s second.

The Cross easily overcame Chess United 9-1.

It was one-way traffic from the start with The Cross taking the lead from a penalty in the second minute through Dave Flannery.

Further goals followed from Theo Soares, who struck a hat-trick, Benu Napata’s double and singles from Stephfani Grimes-Ford, Sabir Noor and an own goal. The Chess goal was scored by Daniel Jovanoski.

A goal from Craig Totton midway through the first half was enough for Old Fullerians to beat Langeybury.

Division Two

Leaders Everett Rovers made easy work of Abbots Wanderers with a 7-0 victory.

Jordan Standley and Michael Dankwa both scored doubles, with Archie Potten, Dujon Desagurante and Bernard Ankamah also on target.

West Herts are in second place after they edged out Watford Youth Sports 3-2.

Al Hammouda, Roscoe Tebbs and Lewis Wornham scored for the Stags with Oliver Brown getting both of the Sports replies.

Sparta Phoenix defeated Frances George 2-1 through goals from Phil Clarke and Ridhwan Shodeinde, with Adam Willden getting the George reply.

Hertfordshire Athletic inflicted on Dunnings Bar a first defeat of the season in a 3-1-win.

Henry Gibbor scored a double and there was one for Evan King, with Flynn Duncan netting for Dunnings.

Division Three

Leaders Woodside Reserves made it five wins from five as they beat Abbots Athletic 6-2.

Josh Towle and Joe McCarthy both netted braces with Alex More and Lui Potiuk also on target. Max Lacey and Romain Cassidy got the Athletic goals.

Carpenders Park Royals are hot on the heels of Woodside Reserves in second place after they thrashed PTH United 17-0.

Jordan Aston-Woods scored five times, Bernardo Silva and Liam Coles both got hat-tricks, Tedi Prushi and Danny Lewis struck twice apiece with the other two goals scored by Alfie Devane and Robert Frost.

FC Railway overcame Everett Rovers Reserves 3-2 thanks to goals from Charlie Fisher, Justas Barciauskas and an own goal. Rhys Dibsdale-Hatch and Callum Harding replied for the away side.

Both AFC Watford and Chorleywood Club AFC gained second wins of the season.

AFC beat Bricket Wood Acorns 3-1, Jordan Stagg, Connor Judge and Peter Rock netting, with Ollie Boughton on target for Acorns.

Chorleywood Club overcame Mill Hill Village 3-2 with George Blanks, Deryn Fowler and Rob Barron on target, while Daniel Brockwell got both of the Mill Hill goals.