Watford Sunday League: Cup wins for North Watford and Sparta Phoenix

Last season’s quarter-finalists struggled to break down an organised home side for most of the first half, but a sending off just before the interval was the turning point, and soon after Bradley Hilary opening the scoring after a fumble from the keeper gave him a simple tap-in.

Ben Alexander doubled the lead with a volley early in the second half before Hilary scored his second to make it 3-0.

Ashley Harewood rounded the keeper for the fourth and James Mullane completed the victory in style with a half-volley from around 25 yards out to seal the victory.

Herts Junior Cup Round Two

Sparta Phoenix won the ‘battle of the phoenix’s’ as they beat St Albans-based Phoenix A 2-0.

After a goalless first half, the introduction of Joey Pascoulis at the interval was integral to the victory, as he provided the assist for Floyd Thompson to break the deadlock before tucking away the second goal himself after a mazy run in the box.

Eric Hand Challenge Cup Round One

Third Division Carpenders Park Royals caused an upset when they put out higher ranked opposition in West Herts from the Second Division, 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, in which Joe Brown scored the Royals goal.

Premier Division

The much-awaited game between St Josephs and Glenn SSC produced a 5-2 win for the visitors and their first league victory of the season.

Goals from experienced forwards Chris Blunden and Lewis Putman gave Glenn a two-goal advantage at the break.

Harry Seabrook reduced their lead with a header early in the second half before Putman restored the two-goal lead.

Despite Glenn going down to ten men due to an injury, Putman completed his hat-trick to make it 4-1.

Although Joes did pull a goal back with a long-range effort from Luke Peerless, it was left to Blunden to complete the scoring in final minute.

WD Bushey went to the summit of the table after they beat Evergreen 2-1.

Massimo Sinisi headed home from a Jordan Toomey corner and then Tommy Twelves slotted past the keeper after good work from Sinisi.

Evergreen battled back in the second half and halved the deficit when Sam Robins netted on the rebound and his effort was only partially saved.

Evergreen had chances to equalise and WD were thankful to Modou Faye for some first-class saves to ensure all three points.

Cassiobury Rangers are into third place after their third win of the campaign as they beat FC Unicorn 3-1.

Unicorn enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges and missed two excellent chances to take the lead before, against the run of play, Rangers went ahead when Sam Mortimer set up Nathan Page to score with a turn and shot from around 25 yards out.

They doubled their lead in the second half when Aidan Lesslie intercepted the ball in the middle of the pitch and carried it forward before releasing Page, who broke the offside trap, rounded the keeper and finished well from a tight angle.

Lesslie provided again when he was played in by Taylor Osunsedo, but his shot was well saved and fell to James Craggs to tap in to make it three.

Unicorn pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, scored by Nick Kerley after a Jamie McDougall foul on Krasi Makaveev.

Watford Sports on the ball in their victory over Batchworth (Image: Watford Sports FC)

Division One

Chalfont Saints went to the top of the table on goal difference after they beat Old Fullerians 5-0.

Saints went ahead when Andre Ford broke past his marker to shoot and the keeper could only parry the ball into the path of Jake Rodger who smashed home the rebound.

Soon after, Rodger returned the favour by crossing low from the right for Ford to finish neatly.

Sam Hills then headed home from a Tom Sugrue corner to make it 3-0 by the break.

Almost straight from the restart Saints scored again. This time Sugrue beat his marker and powered home from long range.

Ford got his second by beating the keeper one on one, although Fullerians were unlucky not to get a consolation as they struck the woodwork twice late on.

Saints replace SOCA as the leaders, although they did come on top 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller against Langleybury.

Langleybury took an early lead through a goal from Robson Gross before Kane Clifford equalised from a corner.

SOCA then went ahead when Jake Howell curled a free-kick into the top left corner, and made it 3-1 through Tyrone Tomlin.

In the second half, Gross scored a second to reduce the deficit before, like in the first half, Clifford headed in again from a corner.

But the game wasn’t over and the home side seemed to have secured a point late on when SOCA switched off twice, allowing Charlie Hobbs and Max Ellerington to equalise, only for there to be one final twist when Jake Howell volleyed home the winner in the final minute.

The Cross and CF Watford Continentals fought out a 2-2 draw.

CF went ahead in the third minute when Alex Bushnell netted, but Stephfani Grimes-Ford equalised when he scored form the edge of the box.

In the second half, The Cross gained the upper hand when Raphael Wiredu scored from the penalty spot after he had been fouled.

Damian Wojtak equalised in the final 15 minutes to ensure the points were shared.

Watford Sports beat bottom-placed Batchworth 2-0, with both goals coming in the first half.

Good play between Taylor Kemp and Luke Carter resulted in a well-taken goal by Harry Folley to give Sports the lead.

The second came when Jake Millman rifled a shot into the top corner.

Both sides had a player sent off in the second half, Liam Doran for Sports and Dave Brennan for Batchworth in separate incidents.

Division Two

The two unbeaten sides in the division, St Josephs Reserves and Everett Rovers, battled out a 3-3 draw.

A brace from Archie Potton saw Everett take an early-two goal lead but they were pegged back by the break thank to goals from Johnny Hopkins and Jude Brasenell.

Joes Reserves went ahead for the first time in the second half through Paul Stuart before Bernard Ankamah equalised.

Second-placed Dunnings Bar beat Frances George 3-2, Sean Gowen netting a brace and one from Barry O'Grady scoring for the victors, with Adam Willden and Dexter Franklin-Beck replying for the home side.

Watford Youth Sports gained a second win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Inter, and they did it the hard way, twice coming from behind to take the points.

James Oldham gave Inter the lead before Zain Chaudry headed home for the leveller.

Inter went back ahead for a second time after the break, this time Dan Kenna scoring, but Sports again responded when Oliver Brown scored with a low drive, and with time running out Kyle Galloway netted the winner with a looping drive from 12 yards out.

The bottom two sides, Abbots Wanderers and Dome Bar, shared the points in a 1-1 draw, Jay Haynes scoring for Bar, while a goal from Sam Breadin ensured Wanderers secured their first point of the season.

Division Three

Woodside Reserves beat bottom-placed PTH United 9-0 to make it six wins from six games.

Lui Potiukx netted five times, with Elliott Smith, Alex Faur, Alex More and veteran Glen Coniam also on target.

FC Railway lead the chasing pack after they overcame Bricket Wood Acorns 5-2, Nathan Tannian with a hat-trick, and a goal each for Charlie Fisher and Danny Wallis. Jack Micklewright and George Davies replied for the visitors.

Mill Hill Village continue to be the team to watch if you want to see goals after they achieved a third win of the season with a 2-1 victory over AFC Watford.

Mill Hill have actually scored the third highest number of goals in the division so far, but other than PTH, they have conceded the most.

Callum Moore scored twice for them with Joe Rock getting the AFC reply.

Chorleywood Club AFC moved into third place with a 2-1 win over Surely Wood, who netted through Jordan Woodcock. George Blanks got both the Chorleywood goals.