Herts Sunday Junior Cup Final

Everett Rovers swept to Herts Junior Cup glory with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Hitchin Sunday League Side Two Chimneys.

Following on from Evergreen’s win in the Intermediate Cup Final the previous week, it is only the fourth time ever that clubs from the Watford Sunday League have won both these competitions in the same season, and the first time in eight years.

Everett started the game on the front foot, with an attacking formation and playing three up front, and they missed a glorious chance to take the lead when Reece Cameron pulled the ball back from the by-line, but centre-half Gary Hennicke mis-kicked with the goal at his mercy.

That was only a brief let off for Two Chimneys as in the 11th minute, Cameron once again caused havoc in the defence and was heading towards the by-line when he was tripped by Nathan Horne from behind for a penalty, which Meshach Williams duly slotted home.

The only real threat Chimneys had was a long ball into the channels for Charankamal Basra to chase, but Ryan Moore was impressive at the back for Everett, as was captain Ryan Denham in midfield, working hard to deny their opponents any clear-cut chances.

Rovers continued to dominate after the break, with Cameron setting up Mark Hansard, who saw his goal-bound effort blocked. But Everett were not to be denied when substitute Craig Scott’s long free-kick into the area caused confusion and Harrison Gilbert got up highest for an attempted bicycle kick. Although he didn’t make a clean contact with the ball, it was enough to take it over the line with the help of the post.

Everett’s cause was further aided before play restarted as their opponents were reduced to 10 men when Nathan Horne was sent off for dissent.

Gilbert got his second goal eight minutes later when he finished off a one-touch passing move involving Cameron and Williams.

Scott almost made it four with 20 minutes left when he struck the crossbar with a well-judged lob, but two minutes later Sam Day had Chimneys’ only real effort on goal in the entire game when he struck the post from inside the area.

Chimneys’ day was to go from bad to worse in the closing stages when Paul Morris was sent-off for a second yellow card, this time for kicking the ball away over the stand.

As the game entered the last minute, substitute Tom Owen completed the win as he raced through a now disorganised defence to slot home.

But there was still time for the beaten finalists to have a third player sent off when after not retreating at a free-kick, Freddie Bogle was also dismissed.

Everett Rovers: Flynn, Moore, Frost, Denham, Hennicke (Stuart 84), Mitchell (Scott 41), Williams (Chance 84), Preedy (Barham 75), Cameron, Hansard (Owen 75), Gilbert.

Two Chimneys: Welch, Morris, Horne, Noel (Pembroke 62), Cunningham (Holloway 78), Males, Toleman (Duguid 65), Bogle (Gibson 67), Carthy, Day (Bogle 80), Basra (Green 71).

Ken Simmons Memorial Cup Final

Division Four Railway Arms overcame all the odds to defeat Division One FC Unicorn 2-1.

A dominant first-half spell for Railway saw eventual man-of-the-match Connor Flanagan score a brace in five minutes to give Railway a 2-0 lead against the run of play.

Unicorn had started brightly and in the third minute a through ball down the right saw Callum O’Connor fire narrowly wide into the side netting.

The early stages continued to be dominated by Unicorn and it looked only a matter of time before they would score, only for their opponents to take the lead in the 28th minute when Flanagan fired home a free-kick from 20 yards out.

Unicorn sought an instant response from a free-kick of their own 25 yards out, but Luke Peerless could only drive the ball into the keeper’s arms.

From his long clearance though, Flanagan beat his marker for pace before forcing the ball home to double his side’s lead.

This spurred Unicorn into action and following a flurry of pressure two minutes before the break, they pulled a goal back through Callum O’Connor following a run and cross from Jamie Calvin to the far post.

Unicorn dominated the game for most of the second half with most attacks being orchestrated by Calvin and O’Connor, with some stout and last-ditch defending by Railway needed to keep them out.

However, Railway could have sealed the win when Flanagan hit the post with a low drive, then a minute later substitute Paul Craig prodded wide after a quick breakaway.

The final 10 minutes saw wave after wave of Unicorn attacks, but they were unable to find a way through the in-form Railway defence.

Railway Arms: Carey, Coyle, Williams (Toomey 63), Hessey, Seamans (Fisher 57), Merrix (Marshall 75), Freeman, Lynch, J. Perrin (Craig 67), Flanagan, S. Perrin. Subs not used: Hughes.

FC Unicorn: McManamon, Kitt (Waterford 77), Owens, Warwick, Dixon, J. Soper, Casey (Austin 63), Calvin, O’Connor, Peerless, Devane (Berkeley 45). Subs not used: Kus, L. Soper.

Terry Devereux President’s Cup Semi-Final

Reed Rangers narrowly beat Rickmansworth Town 2-1 thanks to goals from George Hobson, Dom David, with H. DeVall scoring the Town reply.

Reed will now face Oakview in the Final on April 29.

Premier Division

A fourth league win of the season for West Herts was enough to keep their survival hopes alive with a 3-2 win over fellow strugglers Chorleywood Club.

The Stags had to do it the hard way coming back from an early Ewen Reeves goal, but Chris Colman equalised with a left-foot volley and then Michael Adeyemi headed them ahead five minutes before the break.

Colman raced through to score his second and his team’s third after the break, and although Chorleywood pulled one back late on through Owen Warternby, West Herts held on for three vital points.

The big game at the top of the table saw Oakview beat Fox & Hounds 1-0 thanks to a goal from Lewis Putman 20 minutes into the second half.

Rifle Volunteer beat Old Fullerians 4-0 to boost their hopes of finishing in the top three at least.

Gary Froy scored twice in the first half, with Mark Lomas adding the third in the second period after a run from Nick Kerley.

The scoring was completed thanks to a fine individual effort from James Donald.

Division One

Evergreen took a big step towards the title after picking up six points from their double-header with Bushey Sports Club.

Ollie Cripps’ goal was enough to win the first game 1-0, with Sam Robins and Haydn Critchell-Ward on target to seal a 2-0 success in the second.

These two wins leave Evergreen six points clear of second-placed Compasses North, who could only claim one point from two games with Colne Valley.

The first game ended in a 1-1 draw, with Mick Twelves scoring from a penalty and Jason Burge equalising.

The second match saw Valley romp to a 3-0 win with all the goals coming in the second half, Chris Blunden netting twice either side of a goal from Dave Rooney.

Valley’s four points means they still have a realistic chance of runners-up spot, with two games left to play.

Having gone top of the table a fortnight ago, Langleybury CC slipped back to third after a 5-2 defeat against North Watford, who had started the day second bottom.

Liam Fowler and Carlos Alberto put North Watford 2-0 up by scoring from Sloaib Ali corners. Alberto then completed a hat-trick with goals either side of half-time.

Although Langleybury fought back through Robbie Edgar and Greg Cook, Olando Merdith sealed the win for North Watford.

Division Two

Tudor Athletic are now just a single game away from the clean sweep of league wins as they made it 13 from 13 after a 5-2 victory over Ardent.

Jack Robertson led the way with a hat-trick, there was a goal each from Grant Avis and Karl Bull with Ross Parson scoring a double for Ardent.

Ripstone are up into third place after a 3-1 win over bottom-placed Oxhey Rangers for whom Dan Pippin netted. The Ripstone goals were scored by Matt Elgey with two and one from Dan Churchman.

The game between Woodlands United and AFC Green Machine ended goalless.

Division Three

Leaders The Tree beat AC Little Silhouette of Milan 2-0 thanks to goals from Jordan Robinson and Nathan Davis.

The destiny of the championship remains in the hands of Bushey Rangers though, after they hammered Hertfordshire Lions 9-2.

Dennis Fraser and Ben Pinder got the Lions goals, but their opponents eased to the win through a George Davies hat-trick, Lewis Yates brace and one each for Charlie Barnett, Taylor Cobb, Chad Flaherty and Stephen King.

Bushey are three points behind The Tree, but with a game in hand and a far superior goal difference.

Division Four

AFC Batchworth are doing all they can to keep the pressure on Everett Rovers and they went six points clear at the summit after two 5-0 wins over Garston Athletic in a double header.

Jake Knight with two, Shaun Wheeler, Alan Palmer and George Dalling scored in the first game.

Knight and Wheeler were also on target in the return fixture with the others scored by Bradley Foot and Harry Panayiotou.

Batchworth and NW took a win each from their double header.

NW won the first game 3-2 thanks to Jordan Sterling, Daniel Flanagan and Daniel Moss, while Kai Wiggins struck twice for their opponents.

The second game saw Batchworth come out on top 2-1 through Alex Nottage’s brace, while Sterling got his second goal of the morning for NW.

Invitation Cup Group C

It may not affect the outcome the winners with Oxhey Rangers already through to the semi-final, but the clash between the other two South Oxhey-based teams in the group saw Oxhey Athletic beat Oxhey Rangers 5-0.

Richard McCrosson scored a double and there was one each from Jay Jarvis, Tyrone Sealey and Callum Kerr.

Invitation Cup Group D

This is the only group left to be decided after Sun Postal Sports won the 'Sun Sports' derby, beating higher-ranked opponents Sun Regent Sports 2-1.

Graham Melsome scored both goals for Postal, with Aarron Crawford replying to leave all four sides in the group tied on three points each.