Premier Division
Runners up in the Watford Sunday League top flight for the last two seasons, St Josephs ended the first half of this campaign with a another come from behind victory in what was only their fourth league game so far, beating Abbots Langley Club 3-2.
Abbots, who played some excellent football in the first half, had a one-goal advantage by the break when a Alex Diaz cross was met by Ollie Lawford, who volleyed home.
It looked all three points would be going to the visitors when they doubled their lead early in the second half. Lawford turned provider on this occasion, laying the ball off for Alieu Gibril who shot into the bottom left-hand corner.
For the second week running, Joes had to recover from what looked like almost certain defeat.
The comeback started when Liam Smyth tapped home from close range, and then the introduction of Daniel Griggs from the bench for his first game of the season continued the recovery as he equalised with what was virtually his first touch.
Harry Seabrook completed the turnaround when he fired home after the Abbots defence gifted him the ball.
Reigning champions North Watford, who are going for a hat-trick of titles, end 2023 five points clear at the top after a 4-0 home win over Evergreen.
Evergreen started out with a well-organised defence, and it took the oldest player on the pitch, Sunday league veteran Warren Gladdy, to finally make the breakthrough when his run and cross was turned past his own keeper by a defender.
Ashley Lewis soon doubled the lead when he fired home a cut back pass, and he went on to complete his hat-trick after the break.
Lewis’ second goal came from a penalty, which the Evergreen keeper got a hand to but couldn’t keep out, and his third came when he won the ball and took a touch before firing across the keeper.
Eric Hand Challenge Cup Second Round
The all-First Division tie saw an entertaining affair as Old Fullerians beat Chalfont Saints 3-2.
It was Saints who took the lead after ten minutes when Andre Ford scored, and the advantage was soon doubled through Tom Sugrue.
The turning point of the game came when Saints had a great chance to make it 3-0 in the first half when they were awarded a penalty, but Joe Rylett made a fine save, pushing the kick away to his right.
Fullerians pulled themselves back into the tie just before the break when Jake Entwistle raced onto a through ball from Charlie Hailey and made no mistake.
With their tails up at the start of the second half, Entwistle turned provider for Chris Colman, whose effort from the edge of the box took a slight deflection for the equaliser.
The game flowed from end to end with both sides missing good chances, but it was Entwistle who was once again the key man when his shot inside the six-yard box following a free-kick was blocked by the keeper, but only into the path of Mark Needham, who swept home the winner.
Fullerians will travel to Third Division Bricket Wood Acorns in the last-16.
Division One
The title and promotion race is finely balanced with just four points separating as many teams at the top.
Leaders Watford Sports drew for a third consecutive game as they were held 1-1 by CF Watford Continentals.
Sports went ahead in the first half thanks to a classic route one goal when Taylor Kemp finished after racing onto a long kick from his keeper, but once again they dropped points after Alex Bushnell equalised with a well-taken effort.
SOCA, in third place, enjoyed a 4-0 away win over bottom-placed Batchworth.
Stevie Dowling set up Micah Burton whose shot was too strong for stand-in keeper Lewis Gordon.
The lead was doubled when Jordan Austin’s pass across the face of the goal was turned home once again by Burton.
The win was sealed in the second half when Dowling also netted twice to leave his side three points off the lead with two games in hand.
Langleybury won the big six-pointer at the bottom of the table, beating Watford United 2-1 to move up two places in the table.
This moved them above both their opponents and Chess United, who were unable to a field a team in their scheduled game against The Cross.
Langleybury saw an early penalty saved but they were not to be denied when Connor Sills scored with a long-range screamer, only for United to level almost straight away through Ayo Fasanya following a well-worked passing move.
Finley Reid netted the winner in the second half following a fine pass from Matt Honey.
Division Two
There were goals galore in the five fixtures played, with 24 scored at an average of almost five a game.
Leaders Everett Rovers kept up the pace at the top with a 4-0 win over Dome Bar.
A brace from Sam Waller and a goal each from Jordan Standley and Michael Dankwa secured the win.
It was a good morning for the table toppers as second-placed Sparta Phoenix were held to a 3-3 draw by bottom-placed Abbots Wanderers, who gained a second point of the season.
Goals from Joey Pascoulis, Fergus Jimminson and Floyd Thompson were not enough to overcame Abbots, who got the draw thanks to a double from Tommy Ash and one from Josh Felton.
St Josephs Reserves moved into third place as they had a straightforward 3-0 away victory over Frances George with Luke Stallard, Jude Brasenell and Ewan Tocher all on target.
West Herts enjoyed a 3-1 away win over Dunnings Bar, Jason Topping, Taylor Jeggo and Chesney Jacobs with the goals, with James Fitzgerald getting the home side’s reply.
Hertfordshire Athletic, who have been the most inconsistent team in any of the four divisions in the first half of the season, ended it with an impressive 5-2 win over Watford Youth Sports, who had started the day in third place.
Oliver Frost and Louie Muncie netted the Youth goals, but Daniel Linfield struck a hat-trick for Athletic, backed up by efforts from Henry Gibbor and Jack McLaughlin.
Division Three
It was a similar story in the league’s bottom division, with 24 goals also scored and the team in second place held at home whilst the leaders secured victory on their own pitch.
Woodside Reserves beat Surely Wood 2-1 through goals from Tom Garrett and Joe McCarthy, with Danny Linforth replying.
The win means Woodside have an eight-point lead at the summit after their nearest rivals FC Railway were held to a 2-2 home draw by AFC Watford.
Conall Russell scored both goals for Railway, but they were cancelled out by efforts from Alfie Reidy and Ross Benton.
Carpenders Park Royals enjoyed a thumping 8-0 home win over Mill Hill Village.
Tedi Prushi and Luke Foot both scored doubles, with the other goals coming from Bradley Foot, Roberto Da Silva, Jay Jarvis and Joe Brown.
Bricket Wood Acorns gained just a second league win of the campaign and moved above their opponents Abbots Wanderers after a 3-1 win.
Alex Michael, Rowan O'Connor and George Davies were on target for Acorns, with Josh Reeves getting the home side’s reply.
Everett Rovers Reserves gained a first league win of the season with a 3-2 victory over PTH United.
Regan Weiser struck with a double, along with a goal from Cody Chamberlain. Thomas Klymkiw and Callum Luiso netted for the home team.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here