Watford Sunday League: WD Bushey and SOCA into Herts finals

WD Bushey took an early lead through Connor Bevan who scored from close range after a passing move with Massimo Sinisi.

This was swiftly followed by a second goal, this time from Stevie Ward who smashed into an empty net after Sinisi’s shot was only half saved by the keeper.

Lord Haig got themselves back into the tie before the break thanks to a penalty, but WD made it 3-1 early in the second half with a penalty of their own when Ward was brought down in the area, and he stepped up to dispatch the spot kick.

Hodje Almeida-Joaquim then added to the tally, controlling Ramon Salami-Rasheed’s cross and breezing past his defender before slotting home.

Lord Haig, who never gave up, netted a second goal, this time from a well-worked free-kick, but it was the home side who sealed the win when Corum Chase scored with a shot from outside the area.

Herts Intermediate Cup Semi-Final

SOCA reached the final of the Intermediate Cup, but it was a far closer affair in their semi-final as they needed penalties to beat UPFC 3-1 after a 1-1 draw.

The game was goalless until the second half but the deadlock was broken when a Connor Chapman corner was headed in by Frank Kuster.

UP then had a golden chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty but this was saved by Bradley Bridges, diving to his right.

That save looked like being enough to send SOCA through but in the final seconds UP broke on the counter and slotted home to send the tie to penalties.

UP went first but saw their first kick hit the outside of the post. Chapman then stepped up but blazed this effort over the bar, and then UP missed again, sending the ball wide of the right-hand post.

Kane Clifford put his penalty to the keeper’s left to finally break the deadlock, and that advantage was retained when Bridges saved the next spot kick.

Kuster scored to make it 2-0 and although UP finally scored with their fourth penalty, it was not enough as Jordan Austin calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to send his side through to the final at Letchworth on April 7 against Brewster Plumbing.

Eric Hand Challenge Cup Quarter-Final

Premier Division Cassiobury Rangers overcame the classic cup banana skin when they beat First Division title contenders Watford Sports 2-0.

It was goalless well into the second half when the Cassiobury keeper saved a penalty by Alexander Boyd Clarke, but after a period of heavy pressure Rangers finally broke through the well-organised Sports defence thanks to goals from Nathan Page, who drilled home from 18 yards, and soon after Alexi Andreas netted a simple tap-in.

Terry Devereux President’s Cup Quarter-Finals

In the heavyweight clash between St Joseph’s and Glenn SSC, it was holders Joes who won through 2-0 with both goals coming in the second half after the introduction of Lewis Smith at the interval changed the game.

He raced from the edge of his own box to set up Keane Fullwood who made no mistake, and Smith was then involved in the move which ended with Dan Griggs volleying past his former teammate Charlie Patmore in the Glenn goal for the second.

Evergreen moved into the last four with a 2-1 win over Forza Watford.

In a game affected by the strong winds, it was the home side who went ahead in the first half when Jake Sahota turned in a rebound after his header had struck the post.

Evergreen doubled their lead when a corner was bundled in by Max Sahota.

Forza pulled a goal back from Giuseppe Delgaudio but their opponents held on for the deserved win.

Everett Rovers prepare to take a free-kick in their Division Two victory over Dunnings Bar (Image: Everett Rovers FC)

Premier Division

North Watford moved a massive 14 points clear at the top of the table after they beat FC Unicorn 6-1 with Youssef Enajar netting a hat-trick, along with a double from James Mullane and an Ali Khan goal.

Division One

Watford United moved into fourth place in the promotion battle after a 2-1 win over CF Watford Continentals.

United went ahead in the first half when Umayr Anwar scored on his return to the team after missing most of the season with injury.

The home side levelled through Daniel Pindur in the second half, but United won thanks to a late effort from Daanyaal Anwar.

Old Fullerians got the better of Batchworth 5-2.

The victors took the lead when Jake Entwistle latched onto a ball down the right, finding Charlie Hailey in the middle to finish from close range.

They doubled the advantage after some neat work from Chris Colman on the right corner of the box resulted in his cross being turned into his own net by a defender.

Batchworth pulled one back thanks to a free header from Hugh Phillips, but Fullerians hit back almost immediately as Colman released Ryan Woosley down the left, his initial shot was saved but he found the net with the follow up.

Batchworth grabbed another goal back early in the second half when a corner was headed in at the back post by Harry Lord, but Fullerians netted their fourth when Hailey stabbed the ball home after the keeper fumbled.

Entwistle then squared for Hailey to complete his hat-trick.

Division Two

Leaders Everett Rovers were too strong for Dunnings Bar, winning 6-2.

Everett scored twice early on thanks to well-worked goals from Jordan Standley and Lucas Roberts.

Dunnings pulled one back from Harley Wilson, but Rovers added two more goals before the break through Archie Potton and another from Standley.

The second half saw Everett maintain their control of the game and they were rewarded with a goal from Harry Durbin before Wilson netted his second, scrambling home a corner.

It was left to Standley to complete the scoring for his hat-trick.

It was a good morning for the teams below Everett, with Sparta Phoenix taking four points from a possible six against second-placed St Joseph’s Reserves in a double header.

Ralph Thompson, Joey Pascoulis, Josh Bulley and Floyd Thompson all netted in a 4-1 win in the first game, with Sean Sonner replying for Joes.

The second encounter ended in a 0-0 draw.

Hertfordshire Athletic enjoyed a 3-0 away win over West Herts thanks to goals from Evan King, Jake Hatherell and Edward Rogers.

Abbots Wanderers, who had spent most the campaign at the foot of the table, are now five points clear of the bottom after a 6-0 home success over Francis George, with Andy Denyer hitting a double along with goals from Matthew Zandes, Josh Felton, Tim Bracq and Alfie Ball.

That result leaves Dome Bar five points adrift at the bottom after they drew 3-3 with Watford Youth Sports.

Steve Noonan scored a double for Dome, supported by a goal from Sean McDonagh.

Louie Muncie, Gabriel Wright and Louis Taverner netted for Sports in reply.

Division Three

Woodside Reserves remain on target for the title after beating Surely Wood 4-1.

Lui Potiuk and Josh Towle both scored doubles, with Brett Fincham getting the Wood reply.

Chorleywood Club AFC took four points from their double header with AFC Watford.

The first game ended in a 5-0 win thanks to goals from Jordan Allen, with a double, and a goal each for Eli Russell, Dennis Fibisan and George Blanks.

The return match finished 2-2, with Allen again on target alongside Dennis Fibisan. Tommy Edwards and James Scott replied for AFC.

Everett Rovers Reserves gained all the points from their double header with Abbots Athletic, running out 1-0 winners in the opening game thanks to a single goal from Connor Powell.

In the second match Cody Chamberlain struck a hat-trick alongside goals for Regan Weise and Callum Harding to fire Everett to a 5-0 victory.