Hertfordshire FA Senior Cup Semi-Final

North Watford reached the final of the County Senior cup for the first time, meaning that the league will be represented in the showpiece final for the fourth straight season running. They had to do it the hard way after coming back from 2-0 down in the first half to beat Wheathampstead Wanderers 3-2.

Wheathampsted took the lead after a defensive mix up led to Kevin Ayodele putting the ball into his own net and they then doubled the lead thanks to a well-placed free-kick. North Watford started the fight back when Ashley Lewis popped up to head them back into the game, before Daryl Brown scored from a free-kick to draw the scores just before the break. There was hardly anything between the teams in the second half and the game looked to be going to penalties before Ashley Lewis beat his man and crossed for Lee Armitt to stroke home with the last kick of the game to put them through to a final against Northaw of the East Herts Corinthian league at Letchworth on April 27th.

Premier Division

 A point for WD Bushey Rangers after a 1-1 draw against Evergreen was enough to take them top of the table. Ryan O’Sullivan gave Evergreen the lead on the stroke of half-time with a well taken finish on the turn. In the second half, WD missed a penalty before finally drawing level when Gbohun Palmer Inyang set up Hodje Almeidato slot home the leveller.

Directly beneath WD in the table are Cassiobury Rangers, divided by a better goal difference of eight, as they defeated St Joseph’s 2-1 to inflict on them a first league defeat of the season. Rangers took the lead though when Myles Shahidi crossed for Nathan Page, to score with a close-range tap-in. They doubled their lead in the second half when soaking up pressure resulted in a break which was formed by Shahidi & Frankie Henley, who was able to carry the ball to the edge of his own half before putting a ball over the top of the Joe's defence, with Nathan Page racing in to meet the ball before the onrushing keeper, leaving him in no-man's land as he was lobbed from around thirty-five yards out. Joe's pulled a goal back with a volley from Caden Barber found its way into the bottom left hand corner from long range. These two results leave the table with just three points separating five clubs.

Division One

Sparta Phoenix remarkable winning run continued as they moved within a point of leaders Forza Watford who didn’t play after they overcame fellow promotion hopefuls Watford Town 2-1. Town went ahead early on when Cass Lee held up the ball for Laurence Manning to score. In the second half a cross from Louis Moore found Floyd Thompson, who was brought down inside the box, earning a penalty who confidently converted from the spot. Building on the momentum of the goal scored the winner from a corner when Joey Pascoulis found an unmarked Louis Moore to score with a header to complete the turnaround.

Chess United gained a vital victory in their battle to stay in the division as they beat St Joseph’s Reserves 2-1.  Chess went ahead after Rory Hemmings played in the ball for James Todd, who rounded the keeper before the slotting home into an empty net. Joes pulled themselves level thanks to a penalty from Anton Collins, but Chess gained all three points when Todd scored his second of the game with an effort from outside the box.

Everett Rovers beat bottom placed Watford United 3-1.  Everett when in front after Jordan Standley was brought down in the box and Archie Potton made no mistake with the penalty. Watford United found a way back in the game after Everett failed to clear a cross just before half time which allowed Nitharshan Sellathurai to net. It took until the final five minutes for Everett to score the two goals to give them the win thanks to a quick-fire double from Alfie Fitzpatrick.

Division Two

The top three sides all won. Third placed Hertfordshire Athletic came from a goal down to beat Langleybury 4-1. Charlie Hobbs put Langleybury ahead after fifteen minutes with an effort from over thirty yards giving the Athletic keeper no chance. Athletic pulled back level just before half time when Henry Gibbor flicked the ball on to Ed Rogers who raced clear and slotted home.  They went ahead midway through the second half when Evan king weaved between the Langlebury defence before finding Henry Gibbor who fired across the goalkeeper and into the net. With fifteen minutes left a Cory Sayer cross found Josh Anwar whose shot was badly misjudged by the Langleybury keeper. In the final seconds of the game a poor back pass from a defender allowed Henry Gibbor to race clear and round the keeper who brought him down, with Jack McLaughlin stepping up to convert the resulting penalty.

Second placed Watford Youth Sports 2nd where made to fight all the way by Frances George before running out 3-2 winners. This defeat for George confirms that will finish the season in bottom place. Dexter Franklin-Beck, and Luke Furlong scored the George goals with Louie Muncie, Lewis Carter and Oliver Brown scoring the vital goals for the visitors.

It was a very straight forward morning for the leaders Woodside as they beat Inter 4-0. Thanks to a double from Eliis Constantinou and one each for Joe McCarthy and Tyrone Brandy.

West Herts gained a fourth win of the season which gives them of hope of avoiding the bottom two after 2-1 over WD Bushey Rangers Reserves.  Charlie Smith and Substitute Martin Tebbs scoring the vital goals for the Stags.

Division Three

Bricket Wood Acorns sealed the championship with two games to spare as they beat Chorleywood Club AFC 4-1, who themselves could still take the runners-up spot. Jack Micklewright scored a double alongside strikes from Charlie Buss and Charlie Micklewright. Steve Quarrington replied for Chorleywood who now need to win both of their remaining games against Nascot Arms and Everett Rovers Reserves, whilst AFC Watford who currently hold second place will need to beat the champions this coming Sunday and hope Chorleywood slip up.

Surely Wood rounded off their season with a thumping 5-0 win over Dome Bar. Brett Fincham scored twice, alongside an own goal and other goals from Kyle Barnett and Danny Linforth.