A “massively disappointed” Lee Bircham felt it was “one uphill juggling act too many” after Bovingdon’s hopes of a potential league and cup double were ended on Saturday.

The Herts Senior County League leaders, who will be aiming to move another three points closer to the title this evening when they face Broadfields, fell at the penultimate hurdle of the Aubrey Cup as Ware Sports won Saturday’s semi-final 1-0.

A tight game saw the hosts have the first chance, forcing Tom Blackman into a good save, before Stefan Bailey volleyed off-target and Ibrahim Lukulay hit the bar.

What proved to be the decisive goal came after the break when the ball bounced over two Bovingdon defenders on the artificial surface and Ware capitalised on the opportunity.

The visitors’ cause was aided when Ware had a player sent off with 25 minutes remaining, but the Premier Division leaders sensed it wasn’t their day when the keeper somehow denied skipper Matt Standen from four yards out.

“This was probably just one uphill juggling act too many for us today,” said Bovingdon boss Bircham. “We had a few unavailable and it’s a shame because if this fixture had been next weekend we’d have been much better off but that’s football.

“In saying that though, we felt we had more than good enough team to get through to the final, but on the day we didn’t really show up and we had too many players that had an off day.

“If so many players are having an off day then you are not going to win games of football, but I still felt we should have won that game today.

“It wasn’t a game of loads of chances but we certainly had enough to at least get us to extra time.”

While Bovingdon were disappointed, Belstone were celebrating after beating Letchworth Garden City Eagles 3-2 in the other semi-final.

Trailing 2-1 at the break, the visitors won thanks to a Jason Puzey brace and Darren Turner’s goal.

In the Premier Division, Evergreen were forced to settle for a goalless draw at basement side Buntingford Town.

Bovingdon Reserves moved five points clear at the top of Senior Division One with a 5-1 victory at Hatfield Social.

Sun Sports Reserves were also triumphant on their travels, 3-1 at Lemsford, but a goal from Michael Vickers was the sole consolation for Oxhey Jets Reserves as they were thumped 5-1 at home by Weston.

Sarratt fared better on their own ground, beating Wodson Park Reserves 2-1 thanks to an Ollie Lawford.