Watford Sunday League: Forza Watford upset St Josephs in Challenge Cup

St Josephs must have fancied themselves to win the Watford Sunday League Challenge Cup for a 14th time, especially after ten-time winners Oakview's shock exit two weeks ago, but this week it was St Joes’ turn to be on the end of a major upset as they were sent crashing out 1-0 by Second Division Forza Watford.

The game was won thanks to a goal after just 15 minutes from Giovanni Torrano.

For the remainder of the contest, Forza withstood furious pressure from the Premier Division side, with every player throwing themselves into defending the slender lead. But they managed to hold on for a memorable victory, the reward for which is another away tie against either Hertfordshire Eagles or King George.

Hertfordshire Junior Cup Round Three

Woodside’s excellent run in the County Cup continued and they are now the sole remaining team from the league left in the competition after a hard-fought 2-1 home win over Goffs Oaks Comrades.

They finally went ahead in the first half after missing several good chances when Charlie Fisher slotted home from close range.

Goffs Oak equalised after the break and then had a great chance to go ahead when they were awarded a penalty, but once again in this cup run Woodside were thankful to keeper Simon Ross, who saved the spot-kick.

With time running out Fisher scored his second goal of the game, this time with a header.

Hertfordshire Eagles’ run came to an end with a 2-1 home defeat to Royston United.

Jonty Bier-Allan gave Eagles the lead in the first half, but the tie turned thanks to a Royston equaliser on the half-time whistle.

The game looked to be heading towards a penalty shoot-out before Royston scored the winner in the last minute.

There were two heavy defeats for the other two remaining WSL teams in the competition.

St Marys Harefield suffered a 6-1 home defeat to Troll Campbell, Harry Fullbrook with the goal, whilst Rio Rovers went down 7-1 away to Ware Herts, Michael White netting the consolation.

Terry Deveruex President’s Cup Group A

Old Fullerians have gone to the top of the group table after a thumping 6-2 home victory over FC Unicorn.

They went ahead when Jake Entwistle played a one-two with Ryan Moody before slotting home, only for Unicorn to equalise soon after with a back-post header from Callum O'Connor.

The home side retook the lead when Entwistle cut back to Moody who finished, and Charlie Hailey made it 3-1 by tapping in at the back post.

Fullerians made it four with Entwistle again cutting back from the left to Hailey, who finished from a tight angle.

It was five before half-time when Lewis O’Leary broke up an attack, finding Ryan Woosley down the right and he crossed for Moody to score.

The second half was relatively quiet in comparison but Fullerians added one more when Woosley again crossed from the right for Moody to head home and complete his hat-trick.

Unicorn grabbed a consolation when a cross shot from Jamie Calvin caught the home keeper out.

Terry Devereux President's Cup Group B

Everett Rovers Reed top the group, although this week they had to come from 2-0 down against North Watford to take a point in a 2-2 draw.

North Watford took the lead when Nadim Akhtar played in Daryl Brown, who slotted past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Brown then scored his second direct from a free-kick to make it 2-0 going into the break.

Barry Mitchell pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after the interval, before 18-year-old Alfie Fitzpatrick equalised with his first goal for the team to leave honours even.

Denis Jackson Intermediate Cup Round One

They may be bottom of the Second Division, but Sparta Phoenix avoided an upset with a straightforward 3-0 win over Third Division Batchworth, Floyd Thompson netting twice with Humza Khan also on target.

The Dome Bar keeper makes a save in his side's heavy Division Two defeat

Premier Division

The open nature of the top flight this season was on show once again as Evergreen held Oakvew to a 3-3 draw.

It was Evergreen’s second point of the campaign, leaving just eight points between the seven teams in the division.

It looked like being a return to Oakview’s form of previous seasons as they raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from Lewis Putman, the first a right foot curler into the top corner followed by a well-struck volley.

But Evergreen were level by the break thanks to a goal from Kyle Rimmer and a penalty from Ben Adams.

Putman completed his hat-trick in the second half with a fine solo effort, but Evergreen secured a point thanks to a late Jake Sahota goal.

Division One

Chess United moved into fourth place in the table with a 3-0 win over Bushey Eagles.

They went ahead in the opening ten minutes thanks to a penalty from Ali Shale, and then ten minutes before the break Shale turned provider for Cameron Murray to score from a one-on-one chance.

The victory was sealed in the second half by Murray’s second of the game after once again being set up by Shale.

Abbots Langley Club moved to within a point of leaders Bushey Rangers, although they have played three games more, after a 4-1 win over Ricky AFC.

Lucas Halligan gave them the lead before Ricky equalised soon after through Catalin Piritaiche.

A well-taken finish from Jack Carter saw Abbots go back into the lead just before the break.

Halligan got his second of the game in the second period after a cut back from Alex Diaz, and he then completed the scoring and hat-trick soon after.

Cassiobury Rangers are up to fifth after a 3-0 away win over WDFC.

WD were left to rue missing several good chances and were punished by some ruthless finishing from Rangers.

Nathan Page gave Rangers the lead just before the break, after first seeing his first effort only half saved.

In the second half two further goals came when Aidan Lesslie put a ball over the back line for Jake Clarke to beat the offside trap. Then a Jamie McDougall throw was flicked on by Rob Ladmore and met by Lesslie, who got enough contact on the ball to see it trickle into the bottom right corner.

Chalfont Saints' keeper makes a flying save

Division Two

Watford Town have cut Woodside’s lead at the top to just three points, although they have played a game more after they beat Watford Youth Sports 4-1.

Chris Blunden continued his fine scoring run with another hat-trick alongside a goal for Nathan Nottage. Joe Blagden replied for the home side.

Chalfont Saints ended Dome Bar’s mini winning run with a thumping 10-2 win.

Nathan Pooley did notch a brace for the home side, but it was as good as their morning got as Aidan Brennan scored four times, Callum Donovan added a hat-trick, with Sam Roberts, Dylan Wells and Dan McKane also on target.

Dunnings Bar beat West Herts 3-1 thanks to goals from Sean Corkery, Flynn Duncan and James Fitzgerald with the goals. Aaron Eager got the West Herts reply.

Division Three

BB head the table after a fifth straight win, 5-3 over fellow title contenders Watford Youth Sports Old Boys.

Tom Coleman netted a hat-trick and Alfie Dibble scored twice for BB, with Paul Heggie, Zain Chaudry and Cody Chamberlain replying for the home side.

Southern Cross are level on points with BB, although they have played a game more, after defeating Frances George thanks to a single goal from Raf Martins.

King George are just a point behind the top two after beat Wishing Well Watford 7-1.

Florjan Belegu, Phil Molloy and Harry Donohoe all scored braces, with Darren Obrien also on target. Rhys Bannister replied for the visitors.

Bricket Wood Acorns beat Inter 4-2, Harrison Fisher with a hat-trick and Alex Mitchell also scoring. Chris Stead and James Oldham in replied.