Eric Hand WSFL Challenge Cup Final

Oakview are celebrating yet another double after a 4-1 victory over Vision United secured the Challenge Cup for the sixth successive year.

Following their disappointing defeat in the President’s Cup, Vision reshaped their side and gave the Premier Division champions a much sterner test in what was to be an enthralling finale to the league’s season.

With both sides creating chances, the crowd saw a number of near misses until in the 20th minute Lee Armitt latched onto a good reflex save from Vision’s keeper to give Oakview a lead which they held to half-time.

Immediately following the restart, Joel Norris tucked away a penalty to level the scores and gave United the impetus to bombard their opponents’ goal.

However, in the 55th minute a shot from Tom Kennedy was saved by the keeper but he was able to bury the rebound to restore Oakview’s lead.

Vision pushed forward and had a number of opportunities but man-of-the-match Armitt’s speed breaking forward was a constant threat and so he proved with a goal in the 75th minute and another to complete his hat-trick a minute before then end to underline Oakview’s dominance in the competition.

Premier Division

Rickmansworth Rovers could not prevent visitors Oakview from celebrating their third straight title success as a 4-1 victory completed a perfect season of 42 points from 14 matches following their midweek clash.

Armitt scored twice to continue his scoring spree and Spencer Bellotti and Tom Inch were also on target.

Division One

Old Fullerians bounced back from their previous weekend’s first league defeat of the season with a 2-0 victory away to Oxhey Lions to secure the title thanks to goals from Phil Seidler and Joe Rylett, a result which condemned Chorleywood Club to second spot.

Chorleywood completed their season at home and maintained their unbeaten league record with a 4-1 defeat of mid-table side South Oxhey Labour Club as top striker Nick Holden found the net again followed by strikes from Chris May, Roshan Patel and Luke Hatherall.

Chorleywood had gone one goal better on Thursday when they triumphed 5-1 at Met Police (Bushey).

Holden scored twice in this win, May and Hatherall were also on target again along with Michael East. Steve Smyley netted the Met’s consolation.

The Met responded to this defeat by taking full advantage of their final double header and taking all six points on offer against lowly West Watford by winning 3-1 in both fixtures.

The visitors secured their spot in next season’s first division thanks to goals from Houssom Zeizale, Dan Branch and Joel Shanahan in the first game, with Rob Gradwell, Jamie Pickering and Ashley Shanahan sharing the goals in the second.

Last Wednesday evening saw South Oxhey entertain fellow mid-table side Oxhey Lions, with the visitors reflecting their respective league positions with a 4-1 victory thanks to strikes from Ollie Brinton, Craig Gorrie, Barrie Newman-Thomas and Steve King. Aaron Davis registered South Oxhey’s sole reply.

Division Two

West Herts secured their first victory since taking the league title with a 1-0 win in a hard-fought encounter at home to Langleybury Cricket Club.

In an open game, both sides created scoring opportunities but the match was won following a great move which ended with an excellent goal from Harry Hughes late in the first half.

The Stags’ leading scorer Chris Colman hit the woodwork twice but could not add to his season’s tally which would have secured him the division’s top scorer spot for the second year running.

Division Three

Evergreen kept another clean sheet and secured the title with a 3-0 away win at Green Dragon Reserves with goals from their top striker Aleks Jokiel, Phil Walldock and Dan Jones.

Sun Postal Sports hosted fellow mid-table side Bell Rangers and enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 victory following strikes by Louis Hakner (2), Sam Hakner, Luke Horne and Sham Ahmed. Marc Bonito netted Bell’s consolation.

The Swan might have taken the title had results been kinder. However, they fell at the last hurdle, going down 3-2 to lowly Woodlands United and with Evergreen winning had to settle for second spot.

A tight match saw the visitors leading 2-1 at half-time through two goals from Michael Hooker with Mick Twelves replying for the Swan.

Despite levelling through Leo Kokaj, a goal from Connor Rake gave United the points to lift them clear of relegation.

Division Four

Free-scoring Fox and Hounds secured the title with a surprisingly easy 13-0 victory over fourth-placed The Compasses to finishing the league season by scoring 136 goals and conceding only seven.

Star of the show was Alex Windle with four followed by Bradley Thompson on three, Josh Noyes two and singles from Matt Causbrook, Tom O'Connor, Ciaran Walsh and Laurence Burch.

Bushey Rangers completed their league campaign by finishing in mid-table after a 6-3 victory over lowly Chess United. Robbie Tocher and Scott Cain both hit two goals apiece with single strikes from Dan Gillespie and Adam Bell.