Herts Sunday Intermediate Cup Round Three

FC Unicorn did it the hard way for the second week running, come from behind and requiring extra-time before knocking out fellow WSL Division One rivals Tudor Athletic 4-3.

It was an end-to-end game from the first whistle, with Tudor taking the lead through Mike Varcoe.

Unicorn equalised when Jamie’s Calvin’s shot was parried by the Tudor keeper into the path of Callum O’Connor, who fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Athletic had most of the possession and that paid off when James Fisher found the bottom corner from 20 yards out to make it 2-1.

Back came their opponents after the break when Charlie Benning’s through ball found O’Connor and he squared for Calvin to make no mistake.

Tudor’s task was made harder when Terry Chamberlain was sent off, but they looked to be holding firm as the game moved into extra-time until two quick-fire goals turned the tie in Unicorn’s favour.

First a Matt Owens throw-in was flicked on by Calvin for George Kus to head home, and then O’Connor latched on to Calvin’s through ball and cut inside to confidently find the bottom corner.

The drama was not over though, and early in the second period of extra-time Gray Coyle took advantage of a defensive error and tapped the ball into an empty net.

But any hopes Tudor had of taking the tie to a penalty shoot-out were effectively ended when Samuel Phillips was dismissed.

Second Division Ardent had an excellent win, defeating Berkhamsted Sunday League outfit Leverstock Green Athletic 3-0 away.

The first half saw no goals but chances for both teams, forcing good saves from both keepers.

Ardent made the breakthrough early in the second half with a penalty after a foul in the box on Charlie Salvage, who stepped up and converted to make it 1-0.

That advantage was doubled when a long free-kick was met by the head of Dwayne Duncan.

Green tried to look for a way back into the tie but the Ardent defence remained solid as they worked tirelessly with the midfield.

Ardent’s place in the next round was sealed when a quick passing move around the edge of the box was finished off by Salvage, who curled into the top right-hand corner of the net.

Fellow Second Division side and reigning Herts Sunday Junior Cup holders Everett Rovers defeated First Division Langleybury CC 3-0.

Like the Ardent tie, the game was scoreless at the break as all three goals were scored in the second half.

The deadlock was broken from a Meshach Williams penalty after Reece Cameron was brought down in the box.

Langleybury then had a chance to draw level after also being awarded a spot-kick but Glenn Thompson saw his effort saved by Ryan Peach.

They were made to rue missing that opportunity when Rob Barham followed up to score a rebound from a free-kick.

Rovers sealed the win when Korby Bryon and Williams combined with impressive effect to set up Jake Knight to convert from just inside the penalty area.

Division One

Cassiobury Rangers secured a second league win of the season after a 2-1 victory over North Watford with all the goals coming in the first half.

Rangers went ahead when Sam Mortimer fired home the edge of the box after Jack Henley had pulled the ball back following good work on left flank from Rob Ladmore.

Provider then turned scorer as Henley doubled the lead when he got on the end of a Joe Ainsworth cross.

North Watford then pulled a goal back with a good individual effort from Aamer Khan, but they were unable to find an equaliser.

Division Two

Bushey Rangers made it six wins from six after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ripstone, who were left to rue not taking several good chances when on top in the first half.

George Davies gave Bushey an early lead but it was the home side who had the better of the rest of the first half, but they only had Joe Hardie’s effort to show for their efforts.

Bushey started the second period the stronger, taking control with two goals in the opening 15 minutes from Hayden Smith and Taylor Cobb.

Ripstone never gave up and Tom Courtney set up a nervy last 20 minutes, but their opponents defended well to clam the win.

Division Four

The only game in the division saw Sun Postal Sports beat Skyline 5-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Ben Dunton and a goal each for Daniel Flanagan and Ben Williams.

Asif Khan and Talha Chohan replied for Skyline.