Football round-up: Hatfield United win in Herts Intermediate Cup

The visitors to Birchfield are enjoying a good season so far in Herts Senior County League Division One, with seven wins in nine matches putting them third in the standings.

United on the other hand have just three from the same number of games and are six places and 11 points behind.

However, they were worthy winners in this one, winning 2-0 to set up a tie away to another of the division's promotion chasers, second-placed Hemel Hempstead Rovers.

The victorious Hatfield United squad that beat Bovingdon Res. Picture: HUFC (Image: Hatfield United Football Club)

It was the visitors who started the brighter but they found a well-marshalled United defence, led by Chris Gray and backed up by on-form goalkeeper Ryan Moss.

Gray did have to head one off the line while Moss tipped another effort over the bar before United started to get into the game.

Gray almost put them in front at the other end, his header just going over, but they did manage to get their noses in front five minutes from half-time

Rod Agyeman-Duhar's run into the box was prematurely and illegally ended and Jimmy Talbot rifled the penalty into the roof of the net.

It gave them the confidence to attack the second half and both Sidni Kurti and Agyeman-Duhar went close in the early stages.

Moss did have to make a point-blank save to prevent an equaliser but Talbot should have made the game safe when he was given another opportunity from 12 yards.

This time though the keeper guessed right and saved the penalty.

The United forward would make up for that though later in the half.

A clever pull-back by Kurti found Talbot and he sent the ball inside the near post.

Bovingdon pushed hard to get back into the game but another goal-line clearance, this one by Charlie Lloyd, meant Hatfield earned a clean sheet to go with the win.

Welwyn Pegasus did not have a great day in their cup match as they lost heavily to Wootton Blue Cross Res in the Beds & Herts Women's League Cup.

Third division Pegasus went down 11-2 as the Division One side made the two-step difference count.

The visitors wasted no time making their mark on the third round fixture, opening the scoring within minutes after an initial shot had hit the post.

Three further goals followed in quick succession as Pegasus struggled in the drizzly and muddy conditions against their well-drilled opponents.

Kristal French had her work cut out for her in defence but put in a tenacious display that helped limit the Wootton chances.

Ellie Whitfield and Emma Bowers were also threatening in midfield, doing well to break up play and playing the ball forward.

But Wootton continued their onslaught in the second period and Pegasus fell further behind.

However, the visitors didn’t come away with a clean sheet as Welwyn, who’d been slowly growing into the game in the latter stages, sent the ball into the box for Jane Jardine to poke past their keeper into the back of the net.

This was soon followed by an Abigail Rowark free-kick, her effort beating the wall and keeper for 9-2.

Blue Cross did hit double figures late on but Pegasus showed real resilience, exemplified by defender Saphire French putting in a brilliant goal line clearance in the closing stages.

Kristal French was named player of the match for Pegasus who are back in league action on Sunday at home to Cranfield United Ladies.

In Spartan South Midlands League Division Two, AFC Welwyn extended their lead with a 5-0 win over Newport Pagnell Town Res, with second-placed Codicote only managing a 0-0 draw at MK Irish Res.