Herts Sunday Intermediate Cup Round Two

Two of the Watford Sunday League’s first division sides, AFC Leavesden and Fox & Stone, produced a seven-goal thriller, with the visitors edging through 4-3 after completing a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down against a side that reached the final of the Herts Junior Cup last season.

Fox had the worst start possible, as they could only field nine men by kick-off time, and the opening minutes saw their opponents take full advantage as they built up what looked like an unassailable lead in the opening half-an-hour.

Tom Bourke's curled effort put them ahead before two goals from Callum Galvin looked to have Leavesden firmly in command.

However, Fox reached their full complement of 11 players soon after going three behind and they reduced the arrears when Bradley Thompson slotted home the rebound after his first effort had been saved.

This goal changed the whole outlook of the game and early in the second half a Josh Noyes free-kick was headed home by Leo Crocker.

Thompson then scored his second to level the scores after the home keeper fumbled a long ball forward, and shortly he got on the end of a Noyes free-kick to complete his hat-trick and the comeback.

The game had one last twist when Fox lost Joe Hardie to injury and had to play out the remaining 10 minutes with 10 men, but they survived a big Leavesden onslaught to reach the third round.

Another side who had also had to complete a fightback, this time from a two-goal deficit, were West Herts to finally beat The Cock 7-6.

The Stags have struggled so far this season in Division One, but have been boosted by the arrival of four new signings and they seemed to have the desired effect to give the side a first win of this campaign.

West Herts took an early lead through Anthony Maylor but found themselves 2-1 behind at the break.

Second-half goals from Jason Topping, Khodi Cain and Roger Lake were matched by four further goals by the visitors to make it 6-4 with time running out.

However, with their new-found belief West Herts would not be denied and secured a dramatic 7-6 win with goals from Stephen Clunie and a second each for Topping and Maylor.

The other league side to advance was FC Woodside who won 4-3 at The Beehive.

After an end-to-end game, Callum Hailey was the star man, notching a hat-trick and Dane Weimar netted the other goal with a 30-yard screamer.

AFC Bedmond and Langleybury CC were both knocked out after high-scoring games that went to extra-time.

Bedmond trekked some 45 miles across the county to Bishops Stortford to play Birchwood Rangers.

After falling behind to an own goal, Mark O’Connor brought Bedmond level with a wonder goal but that fine work was wasted as the visitors were punished twice in quick succession to trail 3-1 at half-time.

Sam Hakner scored a penalty after the break before Niall McDonough equalised. But Bedmond were to be punished for some poor defending in extra-time as the home side opened up a 6-3 lead.

A header from David O’Connor reduced the deficit before Rangers made sure of the win late on.

Langleybury also saw their hopes in the competition end following a 5-2 extra-time defeat to Little Heath.

All the action came in the final 20 minutes with the away side looking to have won the game, before Oliver Illot shot home from the edge of the box late on to take the tie into the extra 30-minute period.

Early in the first half of extra-time, Matt Honey put Langleybury ahead for the first time, but within minutes their opponents were level.

Heath then took control, scoring three more times to progress.

Bushey Rangers are also out after losing 3-2 at home to Bury FC.

James Henney gave Bushey a dream start after just four minutes, but the visitors equalised before half-time.

Like in the opening period, Bushey scored four minutes into the second half from Charlie Barnett.

They then missed two open goals to put the game beyond doubt and were left to rue those chances when Bury equalised midway through the half.

Again after a period of heavy Bushey pressure, they failed to take several good chances and Bury broke on the counter-attack to win the tie.

Croxley had a torrid morning going down to 9-1 to Southbury, Samba with the sole goal for the visitors.

Premier Division

Oakview made it six wins out of six and took over at the top of the table from Reed Rangers, with their 4-1 win over Rifle Volunteer the only top-flight game to survive the heavy rain.

Rifle could only field 10 men, but but still gave a good account of themselves.

They defended well in the opening 20 minutes, before Luke Lloyd headed home the opening goal after a long-range effort had been deflected onto the crossbar.

Lloyd then doubled his team’s lead with another header, this time at the back post, but Elliot Wilson got Rifle back into the game when he finished off a team passing move just before the break.

Volunteer’s hopes of getting anything from the game came to an end 10 minutes into the second half when keeper Tony Cornick was sent off for handling the ball the ball outside the area.

Player-manager Gary Froy took over in goal and produced some good saves to keep his team in the game until the final 10 minutes when Oakview took advantage of the tiring legs of their opponents, with Lewis Putman taking his tally for the season to 15 with two late goals.

Division Two

A single goal from George Dalling was enough for Oxhey Spartans to beat Dome Bar and leapfrog above their opponents into third place in the table.

A brace from Mitchell Estep gave Ricky AFC a first three points of the season with a 2-0 home win over Chess United.

Division Three

Sun Sports won their second game of the campaign with a 2-0 win over Hertfordshire Eagles.

Ben Dunton scored the first with a strike from outside the box and Daniel Moss doubled the lead with a fine 25-yard strike into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Inter gained a first win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Batchworth, a side still looking for their first league points.

Chris Stead, Paul Wilson and an own goal were enough to ensure the win despite Batchworth replying t George Jeffrey and Alex Hollis.