Chance of all-Watford Sunday League county cup final step closer

Cassiobury Rangers and St Josephs reached the last four of the county cup with two away wins giving a real chance of an all-Watford Sunday League final, for what would only be the fifth time.

Cassiobury enjoyed a 3-1 win over Karen Pulis, who just seven days earlier had put out fellow WSL side Bushey Rangers 5-2.

After surviving a period of early home pressure, Rangers went ahead when James Craggs got in front of a defender and carried the ball out of defence. He worked his way up the left wing and moved the ball on to Nathan Page, who then chipped it into the run of Aidan Lesslie to hit the ball on the half-volley and into the net off the crossbar.

Rangers continued to create chances, but Karen Pulis drew level after the ball was worked down the right, with a cross into the box that ended up in the back of the net via an attempt to clear it by a Rangers defender.

Cassiobury struck back just ten seconds into the second half when Taylor Osunsedo received a ball out on the right wing from Conor Callanan, beat a defender and was able to curl his finish into the far corner.

After missing some good chances Rangers finally secured their place in the semi-final when Jamie McDougall's throw-in was given back to him by Page, and then McDougall beat a defender and swung in a left-footed cross that went all the way to the back post to Lesslie, who headed home.

St Josephs also made it through to the last four with a 1-0 win over Northaw.

The game started at a terrific pace with chances at both ends, but the Joes back five performed well once again to ensure they reached the last four having only conceded one goal in four ties in the competition.

The winning goal came midway through the second half when Dan Griggs accelerated past the Northaw full-back to send in a low cross that Jake Tabor managed to connect with just in front of the defender.

In the semi-finals due to be played on March 6, Cassiobury Rangers are away to Strafford Arms, while St Josephs will entertain the winners of the tie between Adey Tudors and The Herts Prodigies which was abandoned.

Terry Devereux President’s Cup Group A

Evergreen defeated Old Fullerians 3-0 meaning they require just a point from their final group game against Oakview to qualify for the semi-final, which would mean Fullerians would miss out on qualification.

For the second week running Evergreen scored twice from the penalty spot. Ben Adams, Tom Verbena and Ryan O'Sullivan netted the goals, leaving qualification in their own hands.

Oakview pull a goal back in their defeat

Premier Division

North Watford moved to within a point of leaders Old Fullerians with a 4-2 win over Oakview.

Marc Weatherstone, Karl Penny, Daryl Brown, and Marcus Wyllie scored for the visitors, with Lewis Putman and Tom Kennedy replying for Oakview.

Everett Rovers Reed remain in bottom place despite taking a point from FC Unicorn with a 2-2 draw.

Rovers took the lead early on with a neat finish from Meshach Williams and then had numerous chances to extend their advantage but these were all squandered.

This allowed Unicorn back into the game after they scored twice through Danny Warwick and Callum O'Connor to take the lead midway through the second half.

However, Everett were awarded a late penalty after Jamie Calvin upended Reece Cameron in the box, with Cameron converting the resulting spot-kick.

Division One

Bushey Rangers moved into third place in the table as they made it six wins from six games, thumping second-placed Abbots Langley Club 5-1.

Mark Hansard was the star man for Rangers as he struck four times, with Connor Carney also on target. Jack Carter scored the late consolation for Abbots.

SOCA made it two wins on the bounce as they beat Bushey Eagles 5-3.

Bushey dominated the first half, missing several chances they would later come to regret, and only had Paul Kenwright’s tap-in after 25 minutes to show for their dominance.

After a flurry of SOCA substitutes at half-time and early in the second half, they equalised. But the game turned when Eagles’ Joey Marsh was sent off leading to their opponents scoring three times in almost as many minutes to race into a 4-1 lead.

Eagles hit back with two goals, one from Dan Bourne and a penalty from Serge Erkarslan, but SOCA sealed the win late on after Eagles got caught out on the counter-attack.

Conor Mayher scored twice for SOCA, with Bradley Bridges, Michael Coffey and Micah Burton also on target.

Rajan Sanghera scored the only goal as Langleybury CC beat WD FC, leaving them second from bottom in the table.

A battle for the ball in North Watford's Premier Division victory over Oakview

Division Two

With leaders Woodside’s game called off due to Covid, the three sides hoping to catch them all won.

Second-placed Watford Town beat mid-table Dome Bar 2-0, but they left it late with the two goals coming in the last ten minutes, one from new signing Nathan Collins and a goal from Michael East that went in off the bar.

Third-placed Hertfordshire Eagles put ten unanswered goals past bottom-placed Abbots Wanderers.

Jack McLaughlin scored a hat-trick, with Evan King and James King both netting braces and singles coming from Charlie Kimpton, Jordan Osbourne and Glenn O’Malley.

Forza Watford beat Dunnings Bar 4-2, with Dominic Leacock scoring twice back up by goals from Peter Rock and Giuseppe Delgaudio. James Fitzgerald and Flynn Duncan replied for Dunnings.

West Herts enjoyed only a third league win of the season, but it was an impressive one as they won 4-1 away at Chalfont Saints.

Liam Andrews, Tiago Campos, Jason Topping and Jacob Culshaw with the goals, while Aidan Brennan replied for the home side.

Division Three

King George lost the division’s only unbeaten record as they suffered a first reverse of the season with a 2-1 home defeat to Watford Youth Sports Old Boys, who have now opened up a four-point gap over their opponents in second place.

Louis Taverner and Lewis Mead struck the vital goals, with Karl Davidson responding for King George.

Leaders BB completed the double over local rivals Bricket Wood Acorns with a 3-0 win.

James Barnett struck a brace and one goal from Tom Coleman was enough for BB to open up a three-point lead at the top of the table.

At the other end of the table, bottom-placed Wishing Well Watford gained a second win of the season as they completed the double over Rio Rovers with a hard fought 3-2 win.

Lorenzo Luiso scored twice with Connor Powell also on target. Mitchell Estep and Scott Gilzean replied for Rio.

Inter gave their best performance of the season so far with a 4-0 win over Batchworth who they moved above in the table.

Chris Stead struck a hat-trick, with Danny Firth also scoring.