Herts Sunday Intermediate Cup Final

Rifle Voltunteer won the competition for the first time as they completed a 2-1 victory against Mill End Sports at the County Ground, Letchworth, on Sunday.

Rifle have a good record against Mill End in cup finals and they made a bright start to the contest.

However, they soon fell behind as Terry Cooper could only half-clear the ball and Mark Brownsell scuffed a shot into the corner.

It was a mixed opening 20-minute spell from Rifle but they settled into the game and began to take control.

Several half-chances were created and, ten minutes before the interval, the game was levelled.

Midfielder Andrew Lomas picked up the ball and advanced into the Mill End half. He flicked the ball around a defender and smashed a shot from a tight angle into the top corner.

The game was level at the interval and Rifle began the second period brightly. Gary Froy skipped through the Mill End defence but saw his effort well saved.

On the hour mark, Rifle went ahead for the first time.

The ball was played out from the back before Adam Doe collected a pass. He neatly found Stuart Ross who moved the ball to Andrew Lomas.

He whipped in a fine cross and Wayne Jackson glanced his header into the far corner. Rifle looked comfortable but they were then reduced to ten men.

Midfield enforcer Myles Hall, already on a booking, produced a late challenge and was shown a straight red card.

Mark Pow brought on fresh legs for the expected rearguard action in the last 20 minutes but it failed to materialise.

Mill End created a few half-chances from corners but the Rifle defence, which has been the basis of their success all year, was largely untroubled.

Keeper James Fee demonstrated excellent handling skills when put under pressure and the back four of George Well, Terry Cooper, Andy Tobias and Stuart Ross stood firm.

Rifle can now look forward to an even bigger challenge when they take on Oakview in the final of the WSFL Challenge Cup.

Terry Devereux President’s Cup Final

AFC Spartians lifted the trophy after they clinched a 3-1 win against Oxhey Estates.

Spartians took a first-half lead thanks to a strike from Darren Locke and it was an advantage they maintained at the break.

Estates were the better side after the restart but they were caught on the counter and Tom Horton put AFC two goals ahead.

Wayne Gladdy pulled a goal back for Oxhey but the victory was secured when Horton fired home from distance.

WSFL Challenge Cup Semi-Final

Oakview were pushed all the way by second division side Green Dragon and the Premier Division outfit required penalties to see off their opponents.

Dean Parratt, Sam Margerison and Dave O’Sullivan all found the net for Dragon while Lee Armitt and Lewis Putman netted to make it 3-2.

In the dying moments, Putman grabbed his second of the contest and the game went to extra-time and then penalties.

It was Oakview who held their nerve from the spot and they secured a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory.

Oakview will take on Rifle Volunteer in the final on May 4.

Premier Division

St Josephs remain in the title hunt after they secured a 4-0 win against West Herts.

Sean Sonner struck twice for St Josephs while Jamie Clarke and Joe Cowen also found the net. Stags’ scorer was Lawrence Olorunfemi.

Hammer were relegated after they lost 3-0 at home to Gadeside Rangers. Adam Hills (2) and Dave Rooney confirmed their fate.

Division One

Evergreen moved to the top of the division with a 3-0 win against bottom-of-the-table Chorleywood Club.

Jamie Beaumont, Andrew Murphy and Tom Garrett were all on target in the victory for Evergreen, who are one point ahead of Mill End Sports.

However, Mill End’s fate is in their hands as they have four games in hand on their closest rivals.

Bushey Bimecc and Croxley FC have completed their season and at least one of these sides will be relegated from the second tier.

Croxley are looking the likely candidates even though they beat Bushey 4-2 on Sunday. Aaron Farrell (2), Michael Sills and Chris Eldridge all netted in the victory.

Division Two

Old Fullerians look set to miss out on the title after they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Victoria.

With only one game to play, Fullers are only four points in front of unbeaten Green Dragon, who have four games in hand.

Fullerians found that goals from Steve Pich and Jimmy Phang were not enough as Victoria’s Jamie Beaumont, Dean Collins and Steve Noonan cancelled out their strikes.

The bottom two sides met and Hertsmere (Sunday) beat Sun Postal Sports 3-2.

Hertsmere’s goals came from Ian Whitlock, Joe Griffin and Matt Walsh while Luke Frey and Wes Moore netted for Sun.

Division Three

Second-placed Amici recorded a 5-1 win against Dome Bar Area thanks to four goals from Chris Coleman and one from Brad Thompson. Garvin Fisher scored for Dome Bar.

It means the title will be decided on the final day of the season as Rickmansworth Rovers remain in the hunt.

Oxhey Lions are fourth in the table and they thrashed bottom side Racing Santandome 7-0.

Joe Shepherd grabbed a hat-trick in the victory, there was a brace for Liam Hanley and singles from Jamie Kern and Ryan Berger.

AFC Oddfellows and Shenley Wood shared six goals in a 3-3 draw.

The Oddfellows scorers were Dan Norcott, Mick Wherle and Matt Coultham while Shenley’s goals were scored by Jamie Hazell (2) and Charles Collcutt.

Division Four

An entertaining 2-2 draw was played out between Met Police (Bushey) and Rickmansworth Athletic which leaves Met as the favourites to win the title.

Met’s scorers were Richard Taylor and Dan Branch while Paul Davidson and Nicky Thomas replied for Ricky.

Met are leading Ricky by two points with two games to play while Athletic have just one match remaining.

West Herts Reserves won 2-1 away to Carpenders Park Rangers with Matt Jones and Jon Gandy scoring and Claran Kline on target for Rangers.

Invitation Cup Round Two

Railway Arms will take on Langleybury CC in the semi-final of the competition after goals from Juan Valdes and Craig Howard secured a 2-0 win against Sun Postal United.

Invitation Cup Semi-Final

Hammer Reserves reached the final of the competition following a 6-2 win against AFC Bushey.

Alan Dunton and Connor Toomey both netted twice and there were singles for Mark Hansard and Henry Peters. Robin Ladmore and Ryan Legge grabbed the consolations for AFC.