Estates edge seven-goal County Cup encounter (From Watford Observer)

Watford Sunday League round-up

11:45am Thursday 11th October 2012 in Sport

Herts Sunday Senior Cup Round One

In a thrilling County Cup tie, Oxhey Estates won 4-3 away to Athletico Hitchin to progress to the second round.

Sammy Lloyd, Luke Lloyd, Chris Killer and Paul Danslow saw them progress with a goal each.

Herts Sunday Junior Cup Round Two

West Herts Reserves were soundly beaten 7-1 in the Junior County Cup by an impressive Kingsleys side from the Tucker Gardner Sunday Alliance League.

Ian Gurney netted the consolation goal for the Stags.

Watford Sunday League Junior Cup Round Two

Rickmansworh Athletic won 4-1 away at AFC Bushey Reserves, with Simon Lee on target twice and Scott Reeves and Simon O’Connor also scoring. Jason Gullin replied.

Racing Santandome claimed victory over Carpenders Park Rangers by an identical scoreline.

Chris Dunn, Martin Preston, Dean McKane and Jim Walker struck for Racing, with Ryan Walsh scoring Rangers’ sole response.

A Harry Wallace goal was enough to see Rickmansworth Rangers through at the expense of Green Dragon Reserves.

Premier Division

Three sides are ruling the roost at the top of the Premier Division, with Hammer leading Oakview by goal difference as both clubs retained their 100 per cent records after four matches.

Hammer had a 4-1 away win against Gadeside Rangers thanks to efforts from Ryan Denham, Jack Johnson, Chris Colman and an own goal. Adam Hills scored for Gadeside.

Oakview went one better as they saw off FC Crescent 5-1 through two-goal Anthony Shepherd, with Ben Alexander, Spencer Bellotti and Lee Grace completing the scoring. Liam Hanley hit Crescent’s reply.

Bushey are keeping the top two on their toes though, following their 10-0 demolition of Wellington Arms.

Ashley Harewood led the way with four goals, Jamie Brown also scored a hat-trick and there was one apiece for Daryl Brown, Hugo Figueiredo and Pavelas Korneyevas.

Division One

West Herts recorded their third straight win with an excellent performance against leaders Langleybury Cricket Club.

The Stags put the home side under pressure from the start and created numerous chances before Sam Saleh put them in front on 15 minutes with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Saleh added a second when he converted a cross from the left and Roger Lake made it three when he beat a couple of defenders, rounded the keeper and shot into the empty net from a tight angle to give the visitors a commanding lead at half-time.

Langlebury’s hopes of getting anything from the game were shattered ten minutes into the second half when Saleh completed his hat-trick by tucking away a cross from the right.

The home side pulled one back through Charlie Hayley from the penalty spot with 15 minutes to go.

Rifle Volunteer came up trumps with their finest performance of the season against Met Police (Bushey) in what manager Mark Pow described as a sparkling display with some stunning first-half football.

The Rifle soon established total control when they broke the deadlock through Hugh Trayte, who then doubled his side’s tally from the penalty spot following another fine move.

The best goal of the game however was saved for debutant Lee Inch when Volunteer produced an outrageous passing sequence involving most of the team and the scorer was left with the simplest of finishes.

Rifle continued to dominate after the break and a pin-point corner found Myles Hall, whose header flew into the top corner.

The Police fought back though, and Steve Pickering bundled a goal home before Hall scored with again with a clever flicked header to make it 5-1.

Ashley Shanahan cut the deficit but the home side comfortably held on for the points.

On a sadder note for Rifle, club legend Jon Muskett has decided to look for pastures new in a bid for first-team football and joined Railway Arms after an impressive ten years at Volunteer.

CK Guild gained their first three points of the season following a tight 3-2 victory against lowly Green Dragon.

The visitors took the lead in the first few minutes when Scott Bain fired home from close range. But CK hit back with a brace from Zerkri Redha and should have had the game sown up at half-time but for some woeful finishing from Karim El-Janfali and Jadilson Reis.

Dragon hung on and George Degnan scored against the run of play to draw his side level after a mistake from keeper Craig Garratt.

With the clock ticking down, Stephen Smyley popped up to power home the winner from a Lewis Martindale cross.

Manager Tony Hrano declared: “I am very grateful for the first three points of the season but we made very hard work of it.”

Leaders Mill End Sports maintained their grip on top spot with a good 4-2 away win at Chorleywood Club.

Craig Brownsell. Phil Pemberton, Glen O’Malley plus an own goal secured the win, with Michael East and James Webb netting for Chorleywood.

A Darren Lancaster brace enabled AFC Spartains to keep their 100 per cent record following a narrow 2-1 win at home to Old Garston Juniors.

Division Two

Bushey Bimecc still lead the way after a 6-2 away victory against Sun Postal Sports.

Paul Kenwright scored a hat-trick, there was a double for Luke Tarrant and one from Paul Bradley. Louis Hakner and Nick Thomas replied for Sports.

Hammer Reserves enjoyed a 3-1 home win over AFC Bushey thanks to a couple of goals for Alan Dunton and one from Garry Wicks. Matt Green scored for Bushey.

Old Fullerians just got the best of Victoria in a five-goal thriller through a Ben Williams brace and a James Sandford goal.

The Bell were beaten 2-0 by Wellington Arms Reserves in their first league game of the season. Jake Woodall scored both.

Division Three

Railway Arms managed to get their first win of the season as they ran out 4-1 victors against a well-organised Pavillion side.

Dave Brunette opened the scoring for Railway with a well-taken finish but after failing to make the most of further chances, their opponents rallied and got themselves a deserved equaliser through Craig Bartlett.

As half-time approached, Brunette latched on to a through ball and with great composure, slotted home to put his side back into the lead.

Arms continued to work hard after the interval, with the best of the chances falling to birthday boy Wayne Barber, who was just beaten to the ball by the keeper.

Railway soon extended their lead further through Stefano Pepe though, and with 15 minutes left the game was wrapped up by last season’s top scorer Duncan Sands.

Ebury Guild grabbed an injury-time equaliser against AFC Oddfellows to secure only their second point of the campaign following a 3-3 draw.

The visitors began brightly and took the lead after 15 minutes when returning captain Steve Bunting headed home from a corner.

The lead didn’t last long though, and within seven minutes Oddfellows had opened up a 2-1 advantage thanks to two quick goals by Ches Bevan and Connor Flanagan.

Oddfellows came out the blocks quicker after the restart and looked the brighter side in the second half, with Dan Norcutt scoring their third after 50 minutes.

Guild continued to battle and midway through the half made it 3-2 with a goal from Alex Tomlinson.

With both side continuing to create chances, Jamil Mirza grabbed the equaliser deep into injury-time when he coolly curled the ball home round the keeper.

League leaders Evergreen had an excellent 5-3 away win over third-placed Woodlands United thanks to an Andy Murphy hat-trick and further goals from Jamie Harper and Max Moore.

Jamie Hazell was on target four times as Shenley Wood thumped Oxhey Estates Reserves 12-3.

Division Four

In the only match in the division, Oxhey Lions went top following a 2-0 win over West Watford thanks to a goal apiece from the Shepherd boys, Joe and Gav.