1998/99

Rovers defeat nine-man Sun

SANDRIDGE ROVERS made a winning start to the season when they triumphed over Sun Postal.

In the first half hour, half chances were created by both sides but then out of the blue Steven Kelly put Sun ahead with a speculative long range shot that flew past Paul Toms in the Sandridge goal.

Rovers pressed for an equaliser before the break and this pressure forced a Sun defender to deliberately handle the ball.

With a man advantage Rovers set about their business in the second half with determination but were unable to break down a stubborn Sun defence. Rovers manager Munro then decided to make some substitutions and this had the desired affect. Neil Alexander rose above the Sun defence to head in the equaliser from a corner and two minutes later Tony Caines headed Rovers into the lead from another corner.

Desperation took over the Sun players and they had a second player sent off for a serious foul play. Dave Vidgen finally sealed the points with a fine goal after good play from Jason Pawlaczek.

1997/98

 

 

 

 

Sun Postal are still in the Aubrey Cup, but needed an equaliser four minutes from the end of extra-time from Alan Langdale to draw 1-1 with Benington.

Sun felt they had a perfectly good goal from Chris Bellotti ruled out for offside 15 minutes from the end of normal time, and then fell a goal down in the first extra period.

Langdale levelled in the 116th minute to earn the replay.

"It was a battling performance in awful conditions," said Sun's Tom Barber.

 

 

 

 

Sun Postal saw the lead, and their hopes of reaching the Aubrey Cup Final, disappear on Saturday.

Postal went ahead after 14 minutes when Paul Haynes pulled the ball back for Alan Langdale to score with a brilliant volley.

Benington did not equalise until the 76th minute but, eight minutes later, they scored again to go through to the final.

"Their equaliser was a little bit fortunate but we had enough chances before then," admitted Sun's Tom Barber.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

2012/13


Wodson Park 1 Sun Postal Sports 3                                                                    SSML Div One

Sun Postal Sports earned a 3-1 win at Wodson Park on Wednesday night. Two early goals from Karl Penny put the visitors in control and Callum Hayley netted the third after 23 minutes. The hosts netted a consolation but Sun Postal ran out comfortable victors.

It was another good day for Sun Postal Sports at the weekend as they defeated Cranfield United 4-2. But they had to work very hard for the win after falling 2-0 down in the first half.

Two goals from Penny brought them level before Tom Budden and Bertie Squires-Adams completed a fine comeback.

 

Hoddesdon Town7 Sun Postal Sports 1                                                     SSML Div One

Sun Postal Sports suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat at Hoddesdon Town on Tuesday.

Dave Pigden put the hosts ahead in the first minute and Jamie Brandon and Robbie Carrol also netted before the break.

In the second period, Gary Simmonds added a fourth and Mark Gradielski and Guiseppe Crimaudo were also on target in the victory.

Sun pulled a goal back but a second from Brandon completed the rout.

Three days earlier, Sun had secured a 2-1 victory against Kentish Town.

 

 Sun Postal Sports 0 Stony Stratford Town 6                                                                                                    SSML Div One

Sun Postal Sports suffered a humilating 6-0 home defeat to Stony Stratford Town.

Adam Castagnetti gave the visitors a slender lead at the break but the second half was a nightmare for Sun Postal. Lee Jones doubled the lead and Geoff Wing netted before Danny Simpson scored a quickfire hat-trick for Stony Stratford.

 

Cockfosters 4 Sun Postal Sports 1                                                           SSML Div One

Sun Postal Sports were thrashed 4-1 at Cockfosters in the league.

The visitors took the lead after 11 minutes through Ade Kelani but two quick efforts from the hosts turned the match around. Cockfosters added two more in the final 20 minutes to complete a comfortable win over their opponents.

It was a week to forget for Sun Postal as they were also beaten 4-1 at Bedford at the weekend.

Three first-half goals put the game beyond them and their only consolation was an 86th minute effort from Bertie Squires-Adams

 

 

 

2011/12



Sun Postal Sports 1 Ampthill Town 4                                                                                                                        SSML Div One
Sun Postal began their season with a 4-1 loss against Ampthill Town. Grant Avis with the strike for Postal but poor defending cost the visitors and they conceded four goals without reply.



Welwyn Garden City 4 Sun Postal Sports 0                                                   SSML Div One

Sun Postal Sports were beaten 4-0 on Wednesday at Welwyn Garden City in Division One.

Daryl Smith gave the hosts a half time lead, before Lee Nymm doubled their advantage just past the hour mark.

Ade Osobu added a third before Jonny Walsh struck in injury time to complete the scoring.

Harpenden Town 5 Sun Postal Sports 4                                                    SSML Div One

Saturday saw Sun lose 5-4 at Harpenden Town after surrendering a two-goal lead.

Mohamed Saidjkhan gave the visitors the lead in the 24th minute before Chris Chase added a second.

Mark Hitchcock reduced the deficit on 36 minutes but Joby Macdonald’s goal meant the away side headed for the break with a 3-1 advantage.

Harpenden were much improved in the second half, and Jimmy Hill ensured they would claim all three points.

Hill found net four times, with an 85th-minute own goal being Sun’s only reply as the hosts fought back to seal a thrilling victory for the hosts.

 

Sun Postal Sports 2 London Lions 4                                                            SSML Div One

Sun Postal Sports suffered another defeat on Saturday after they were beaten 4-2 at home by London Lions.

Dean Nyman gave Lions the lead midway through the opening period before Guy Morris doubled their advantage ten minutes before the break.

Morris struck again on the hour and Ricky Engleman bagged a fourth for the visitors but a John Daly double halved the deficit late on. Saturday sees Sun host Crawley Green in the league.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brian Smith

“I went to Leavesden Green Primary School and was a member of the school football team that won the Wix Trophy in 1960 against Manland Primary School. I scored three goals in our 5-0 result, which was the first time the school had reached the final.

“I also equalled the Watford Schools 80 yard sprint record in 1961.

“I left Leavesden in 1961 and went to Leggatts Way School for Boys where I was appointed Head Boy in 1965/6.

“I was invited to play football with the West Herts School team during a tour of Holland in 1963, played the first two games but then became injured and was unable to play the final games – the last being against the under-16s of Ajax, which we drew.

“I played cricket for Watford and Hertfordshire schools in 1965/6, where during a school match in 1965, I achieved six wickets in one over against Rickmansworth Grammar School.

“I played for Hertfordshire Youth and Boys Clubs in 1968 while playing in the undefeated Woodside under-18 Boys Club, winning the league and five other competitions including winning the Watford FC Medal Competition 5-0 against Holywell Boys Club at Vicarage Road, scoring over 200 goals during the season.

“I left Leggatts Way in 1966 working as an Engineering Apprentice at Wild Barfield, studying at George Stephenson College and in 1970, Watford College of Technology.

“I joined Wealdstone and then Hayes in 1968/9, playing alongside Dave Bassett who at the time was an amateur footballer with Hayes, then moving to Sun Sports in the County League. I unfortunately had a cartilage operation and retired at the age of 21 due to injury.

“During this time I played Sunday League football for Hills and Watford Sports, the latter at one time managed by Dave Bassett during his days at Hayes prior to moving to Wimbledon and then into the professional ranks.

2009/2010

 

Football coach from Watford helping disabled kids get into the game

A football coach has teamed up with a Watford football club to help children with disabilities get into the game.

George Akhtar, from Prince Street, runs his own coaching business, 1st Touch, which sees him visit schools and host training sessions for young players in west Hertfordshire and north-west London.

After playing for Sun Postal Sports and Social Club last season, he was asked to help organise sessions for disabled children at the club, in Bellmount Wood Avenue.

Twelve kids, some with autism, learning difficulties and behavioural problems, have now signed up for the weekly sessions, which began on Saturday, February 6, and will run for a further eight weeks.

George, 27, said: “The kids are so enthusiastic. You can see the smiles on their faces and they appreciate what you do.”

A midfielder, George has represented Pakistan 16 times and played professionally in Ireland and Romania.

But when he was unable to find a new club in England, he settled in Watford, where he grew up, and began coaching.

“Coaching was the next transitional stage after my professional career ended,” he said. “I still love football. That's why I still play for Leverstock Green.

“I love working with children. I love seeing how they progress. Through 1st Touch I've got one lad at Chelsea, another at Leyton Orient, one at Arsenal and two at Spurs, aged seven to ten.

Following a funding grant from the Active Watford sports partnership, George has visited and spoken to a number of schools across the area, looking for players to join the new Saturday morning training sessions with a view to creating a team for disabled children in the future.

He said: “The first session was amazing. I was very excited. Just getting that positive feedback at the end of the sessions was great. It went really well.

“The more children we can get involved, it will only be a positive thing.”

Sun Postal was keen to host the sessions as it bids for FA Community Club status.

A club representative said: “We're really excited to be awarded this money and we're looking to develop the sessions with the aim of creating a team. Anyone who wants to get involved can come down and see us.”

The sessions take place at Sun Postal Sports and Social Club, in Bellmount Wood Drive, Watford, between 10.30am and 11.30am on Saturdays.

2008/09

Hoddesdon Town 1 Sun Postal Sports 3
Sun Postal Sports claimed a 3-1 win away to Hoddesdon Town in Division One on Wednesday. The visitors took the lead through Craige Tomkins on 35 minutes. Matt Spiers equalised in the second half for Hoddesdon, but Sun Postal's Junior Lewis struck in the 76th minute before Richard Pearce's injury time goal confirmed the win.