Since our first round-up of County Cup finals, we’ve had five more thrilling games that have seen our Charity Shield, U15 and U16 Girls, Sunday Junior and Sunday Intermediate Cup champions crowned!

Let’s take a look back…

Charity Shield Final – Welwyn Garden City 0-2 Colney Heath

In our second cup final of the season at Vauxhall Road, home of Hemel Hempstead Town, we saw Spartan South Midlands Premier Division rivals Welwyn Garden City and Colney Heath battle it out for the Charity Shield.

Prior to the game Welwyn sat second in the table, whilst Colney were positioned just outside the top ten in 11th, 30 points adrift from The Citizens who were pushing for the title and looked most likely favourites for glory on the night.

Despite this, after 35 minutes the Harry Lewis put The Magpies ahead and the underdogs entered the break with a 1-0 lead. Eight minutes into the second half, Colney Heath doubled their lead courtesy of Joel Norris.

The game ended 2-0 to Colney Heath, securing them the 93rd Hertfordshire FA Charity Shield. Since then Welwyn have also gone on to secure the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division title and will be plying their trade in step 4’s Isthmian Division One next season – congratulations to both teams!

Girls U16 Challenge Cup – Watford Ladies Hornets 2-3 Garston Ladies Pumas

On Saturday 7th April, Watford Ladies Hornets and Garston Ladies Pumas, who both play in the Premier Division of the Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League, faced off at the County Ground for the U16 Challenge Cup.

There was little action in the opening half-hour, but on 31 minutes Megan Allaway struck for The Purple's, putting Garston ahead. Then less than 60 seconds later the scores were level once again when Charlotte Bailey equalised for the Golden Girls.

Both teams had several chances to go ahead early on in the second-half, but on 57 minutes Garston took the lead once more when substitute Raaya Thanki netted Garston’s second. However, history had a funny way of repeating itself in this game and minutes later Watford were level again.

Watford were unable to respond a third time after Garston netted another goal, giving them the advantage as they entered the final 15 minutes. The Purple’s held on and joined their respective U13 side by adding another County Cup to this season’s Club collection!

Sunday Intermediate Cup – Evergreen 2-0 Apollo

In a wet and muddy encounter, Evergreen and Apollo faced off for the 2017/18 Sunday Intermediate Cup.

It was a lively start with both teams coming close but keepers Joss Dunham and Jordan Knights ensured the game remained scoreless. Apollo had the better chances to put themselves ahead in the first half, but Evergreen were superb defensively to keep them out, and both teams entered the break without a goal.

After watching the first-half, Apollo looked to be the stronger side; however it was Evergreen that broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.

Ben Adams struck for the Watford Sunday League title contenders, and two minutes later, scored his second to double Evergreen’s lead, leaving Apollo with their heads in their hands as they looked set to see the chance of cup glory slip through their fingers.

On 67 minutes, Apollo were fortunate not to fall further behind, as the Greens had a free-kick on the edge of the area crashing against the bar. Apollo failed to clear the ball and it landed at the feet of Adams once more, who was also denied by the woodwork.

There was little action for the remainder of the tie, and Evergreen’s quick-fire double proved too much for Apollo to come back from.

Girls U15 Challenge Cup – Onslow St Audrey’s 1-5 Garston Ladies Lionesses

Another successful County Cup campaign for Garston Ladies, this time it’s the U15 Lionesses that managed to get their hands on the title.

In a game that had quality, excitement, goals and drama, Garston led 2-1 as we entered the second half. Quickfire goals then saw the Lionesses stretch their lead to 4-1, with a fifth topping the game off towards the end!

A third County Cup this year for Garston, who were also victorious in both the U13 and U16 competitions - a huge achievement!

Sunday Junior Cup – Two-Chimneys 0-4 Everett Rovers

The Sunday Junior Cup saw Everett Rovers beat a Two Chimneys side, who it's fair to say had a bad day at the office, ending the game with nine men. Everett went on to secure the title in some fashion, opening their account in the 11th minute from the spot and holding on to their lead as the teams headed into the changing rooms for half-time.

Rovers doubled their lead eight minutes after the restart, before Chimneys saw their first player see red. Ten minutes later Everett were 3-0 up, and it was effectively game-over for Two Chimneys. After Everett extended their lead to four, two further Chimney players were sent off, with the final whistle coming soon after.

Despite an ugly end to the game, Everett were thoroughly deserved champions on the day!

What's to come?

This week we have our Senior Cup Final taking place at Hemel Hempstead's Vauxhall Road on Tuesday night, in a 7.45pm Kick-off. National League side Boreham Wood are taking on Evo-Stik southern Premier side Royston Town.

On Saturday we have our Girls U14 Challenge Cup Final at The County Ground, featuring another Boreham Wood team, this time it's Boreham Wood 2000 facing FA People's Cup finalists Stevenage Borough Juniors.

We've also got a double bill of Ware FC on Sunday in Letchworth, with their Boys U14's and Boys U16's both in action. The U14's take on Chars Youth whilst the U16's come up against St Albans City Youth in a bid for some County silverware!