Challenge Cup Round Three

It has been a season of cup upsets so far in the Watford Sunday League’s competitions, but nothing matches the shock that took place on Sunday morning as fourth division AFC Green Machine knocked out Premier Division leaders Rickmansworth Town 2-1 on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra-time.

The tie started in the fashion many expected when Gibson gave Rickmansworth the lead after just five minutes, but the game was to turn in a very different direction.

Green Machine drew level when Josh Burt tapped home after his first effort had been saved. They then took the lead from the penalty spot when Danny Roberts scored after Max Palfrey had been fouled.

Green Machine looked on course for the victory when Roberts scored his second of the game with a well taken free-kick in the second half, but with ten minutes left the Premier Division side pulled themselves back into the game with two late goals from Wallace and Adams.

Despite the blow of letting a two-goal lead slip, the eventual victors kept battling and took the tie to a penalty shoot-out.

Green Machine actually missed three of their five kicks, but thanks to three saves from keeper Matt Fallon and another effort put wide, it was left to Palfrey and Daniel Perry to score from 12 yards to put the lower division side through.

The other Premier Division side up against lower division opposition, holders Oakview, progressed through against Division Two side Compasses North 4-2.

Tom Kennedy and Spencer Bellotti both scored braces for Oakview whilst Gio Motta did the same for their opponents.

Fourth division FC Woodside easily overcame Division Five’s AFC Batchworth 4-1 thanks to a Tom Dettmer double with Drew Snailham and Joe McCarthy scoring the others. Alan Palmer-Halligan replied for Batchworth.

Herts Sunday Intermediate Cup Round Three

Evergreen defeated Karlson 3-0 away to set up a tie with fellow WSL side Fox & Hounds on January 8 for a place in the quarter-finals.

Despite missing five regular players, Evergreen had a straightforward morning after Connor Townsend put them ahead early on with a shot from close range. Joss Dunham then doubled the lead with a long range free-kick.

The win was wrapped up when Callum Rimmer scored the third after the break.

Herts Sunday Intermediate Cup Round Four

Evergreen and Fox & Hounds are the league’s last survivors in the competition after their four other remaining representatives were knocked out.

North Watford suffered a 10-2 home defeat to Six Bells, Tyrone Young and Daniel Moss with the goals for the home side.

Langleybury Cricket Club went down 2-1 to Berkhamsted Tornadoes Reserves after Matt Honey had netted, whilst both Colne Valley and AFC Oddfellows also suffered big defeats; Valley 6-0 at home to Friendly FC and Oddfellows 6-1 away to Skew Bridge Reserves, with Gary Henicke scoring the consolation.

Premier Division

Reed Rangers’ title hopes suffered a major blow as they suffered a 4-2 home defeat by Rifle Volunteer.

Karl Penny and Nathan Singh scored for Rangers, but Nick Kerley was Volunteer’s star man with a hat-trick, supported by a single goal from Luis Messes.

Chorleywood Club beat Met Police Bushey 6-3.

Two-goal Ashley Shanahan and Rob Gradwell were on target for Police, but they were outdone by Calum McCarroll’s treble and single efforts from Owen Wartnerby, James Roach and Aaron Whittingham.

Old Fullerians got a second league victory of the season with a 6-0 win over a Green Dragon side still seeking their first.

Sam Parker notched three for Fullerians with the other goals scored by Craig Totton, Chris Munroe and Charles Hailey.

Division One

The race for the title looks to be a straight shoot-out between Old Danes Athletic and West Herts after both sides enjoyed big wins.

Leaders Old Danes put Croxley to the sword 5-1, with Ross Bennett, Chris White, Josh Burks, Jordan Woodcock and James Burks on target and Pat Armstrong replying.

West Herts went one goal better as they enjoyed a 6-0 win over Croxley Community Centre thanks to a Harry Hughes hat-trick, Sam Saleh with two and George Chopping, who had started the ball rolling with the first goal.

Division Two

Fox & Hounds look unstoppable at the top of the second division as they opened up a six-point advantage at the summit with an eighth win out of eight following a resounding 9-1 triumph over Cassiobury Rangers.

Josh Noyes scored three, Bradley Thompson added two, with all the other goals coming from singles by Luke Hatherell, Michael Edwards, Richie Stone and Ciaran Walsh. Joe Mortimer struck Rangers’ consolation.

Division Three

Leaders Tudor Athletic beat Hertsmere 4-2 in the big game at the top of the table that featured an own goal for each side.

Aaron Furness scored the other for Hertsmere, whilst Dave Herbert netted twice for Athletic, who also had Matt Wynyard on target.

Woodlands United are up to third place after a 3-2 win over Meriden.

Ricky Fletcher scored all the Woodlands goals, with Ben Dunton getting both of Meriden’s in reply.

Bell Rangers enjoyed a 6-0 victory over Green Dragon Reserves through James Dixon’s double and sole efforts from Danny Warwick, Matthew Owens, Callum O'Connor and Mikey Gubay.

Division Four

It was goals all the way in the fourth division, with all three games producing big winners.

Leaders Ardent beat Woodlands Laurels 6-0 thanks to a four-goal salvo from Lee Spence and Nick Busfield-Birch’s brace.

Hertfordshire Lions moved into second place after a 10-0 demolition of Railway Arms.

Greg Springall’s four goals took his tally for the season to 20, whilst the two for Sam Crafts moved him up to 10 for the campaign. Dennis Fraser, Tom Carroll, Jamie Balmer and Jack Middleton chipped in with a goal each.

Bushey Rangers are now in third after putting eight for no reply past Roundbush.

Lewis Yates scored four, George Davies two and Sam Pearce and David Smith one each.

Division Five

The Tree are the new leaders after a 6-1 win over Chess United.

Adam Cadmore scored four and Jordan Robinson two, with James Richmond netting the Chess consolation.

AC Little Silhouette of Milan beat P&P Social 2-1, thus inflicting on them a first league defeat of the season.

Billy Lobjoit’s 20th of the season was not enough for P&P as goals from Joe Hitchins and Zach Crookshank meant AC joined their opponents on 17 points, although Social have the better goal difference.