Birkdale Trophies Challenge Cup Semi-Final

Inter made it through to the Challenge Cup Final after winning the all-Division One semi-final 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra-time against Meriden on Sunday.

The victors, who are the league’s third longest serving team behind Roundbush and Watford Labour Club, will face Premier Division Oxhey Hall Stars in the final at Kings Langley FC on May 8.

For Meriden though, this was a second semi-final disappointment of the season after being knocked out at the penultimate stage of the Chairman’s Cup two weeks before.

With Meriden already confirmed as Division One champions, some within the league thought they would reach the final and make up for the disappointment of their previous semi-final loss, but they came up against a determined Inter side.

After Dan Kenna had given Inter the end in the first half, the end-to-end nature of the contest continued after the break as both sides missed good chances.

It looked like Inter would hold on but with five minutes left Josh Shaw equalised for Meriden to take the tie into extra-time.

After neither side had been able to break the deadlock, Inter progressed with a degree of comfort in the penalty shoot-out.

Premier Division

Both of the Premier Division title chasers won to keep Oxhey Hall Stars’ lead over Old Danes Athletic at three points, but with Old Danes holding a game in hand.

Oxhey Hall beat Bedmond 3-0, with Matt Byrne scoring a double and one from Paul Kenwright, whilst their title rivals boosted their goal difference which could prove vital with a 6-2 win over Nascot Arms.

Jamie Grierson and Nathan Pooley scored the Nascot goals, but they were outgunned by doubles from Chris White and Glenn O’Malley and one each for Craig Horwood and Greg Chappell.

Division One

AFC Green Machine took a big step towards securing runners-up spot after a 4-1 win over South Oxhey Labour Reserves.

Sam Hailey, Dan Perry, Rob Buckingham and Stephen Wellings scored the Green Machine goals, with substitute Blake Scott replying for the visitors.

Roundbush warmed up for Sunday’s Chairman’s Cup Final against South Oxhey Labour Reserves with a 5-0 win over a disorganised ten-man Dome Bar side.

Lawrence Brown scored twice in the first half, with David Flannery completing the same feat in the second period. The other goal was netted by Liam Wigg.