It was a case of job done for Bovingdon as they moved another three points closer to the Herts Senior County League title on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory at Evergreen.

Following Saturday’s dramatic comeback 3-2 village derby victory over Chipperfield Corinthians – the Premier Division leaders were 2-0 down with less than 10 minutes of normal time remaining – and with plenty of games remaining, Lee Bircham’s decision to shuffle his pack paid off as his side retained their nine-point cushion.

The visitors raced out of the blocks and were 2-0 up inside 12 minutes through Matt Standen and Courtney Massay. But a freak own goal from Martin Standen gave Evergreen hope, and it took a saving tackle from Jack Johnson to prevent the home side from equalising before the break, although their opponents had further first-half opportunities to open up a two-goal lead again.

The conditions continued to make the game tricky but Bovingdon’s 20th victory in 21 league outings was secured in the 70th minute when Massay scored his second from inside the six-yard box.

“This was all about getting the three points tonight,” Bircham said. “We knew the pitch at Evergreen is notoriously tricky and we have got a lot of fixtures to go so we made the choice to freshen things up and make six changes to the starting line-up from Saturday. It’s always a gamble but thankfully it has paid off and we got the points.

“Credit to Evergreen. They had some good players on show and worked hard. They play like this for the rest of the season and they should rise up the table.”

Bovingdon’s seemingly unstoppable title charge takes a back seat on Saturday as Bircham takes his side to the team closest to them in the table, Ware Sports, with a place in the final of the Aubrey Cup at stake.

Belstone travel to Letchworth Garden City Eagles in the other last-four clash and the Radlett club warmed up for that tie with a 2-1 victory at FC Lemsford.