Sun Sports 2 Marconi Instruments 2                           1971/72                                       HCL Prem

Pep talk works well

Geoff Fowler, managing Sun Sports in the absence of holidaying Colin Brown, had plenty of talking to do during the interval of Saturday's Premier Division fixture.
Sun had amazingly fallen two goals behind to bottom placed Marconi - the team they had lashed 5-1 only seven days earlier.
Fowler's lecture seemed to spark his men into life.
They equalised with two goals in a minute, and had it not been for a courageous display by Marconi goalkeeper Wilson, who shrugged off a first half head wound to perform magnificently.
Sun would have poached both points, as it was, Marconi claimed only their record point of a dismal campaign.

Marconi Instruments 1 Sun Sports 5                            1971/72                                   HCL Prem

Sun get a  late boost

The scoreline suggests a walk-over, but in fact Sun Sports failed to establish their superiority over rock bottom Marconi until the final eight minutes of this Premier Division game.
The struggling St Albans side must have visualised their second point of the season when the 82nd minute arrived with the score still 1-1.
The next four minutes, however, brought a barrage of four goals and gave a false air of comfort to Sun's well deserved success.
Geoff Fowler, standing in as Sun's manager while Colin Brown is on holiday, ordered his side to try to wear down their hosts with running power in the second half.
The ploy eventually succeeded, but they left it late to produce the goals.
Strikers Ray Cole and Roy Jones were Sun's best men.

Sun Sports 2 Leggatts Way Old Boys 0                         1971/72                                 Aubrey Cup

Sun shock - Old Boys bow out

Herts County League champions and Aubrey Cup winners for the past two years were catapulted out of the cup by the relentless attacking and solid defending of Sun Sports on Saturday.
Sun played like men inspired, never for a moment doubting their ability to topple the mighty Leggatts.
Sun went ahead in the 20th minute through Roy Jones who brilliantly headed in free kick taken by Paul Savina.
Jones, surrounded by four Leggatts defenders, rose head and shoulders above them and placed the ball perfectly, giving Tom Dignum no chance.
Minutes after the interval, Ray Cole switching wings freely, ran riot and having beaten three men, passed to Pete Nelhams who headed narrowly over the bar.
After the break, Leggatts came back strongly with Dave Sills driving them on.
And Sun's Paul Savina and Don Keen in the midfield limping badly from first half knocks.
Leggatts put tremendous pressure on the Sun goal, a sure looking goal was cleared off the line by Colin Tattam and Graham Legg blasted a shot from point blank range against the crossbar.
Mick Devereux made a string of fine saves to keep Sun's goal intact but then having soaked up all this punishment, the Printers suddenly burst back into the attack urged on by their largest crowd of the season.
Nelhams netted in the 80th minute, but the referee Mr J Soppitt ruled obstruction.
However, minutes later Cole scored a dream goal.
He rounded the defence by sheer speed before unleashing a bullet like effort high into the net to clinch a famous victory.
After the game Sun's delighted manager Colin Brown said, "This was a supreme team effort, I just can't single out any player as outstanding. They all played their hearts out."
Leggatts boss Dobby Loveday said, "You don't mind losing as long as you play well."
The news of the result at Sun skipper Terry Birch's wedding reception was met with mixed feelings.
|For also at the wedding were Leggatts players Roger Birch and Bill Samson!

London Colney 0 Sun Sports 2                                  1971/72                                 HCL Prem

Carry on Sun!

Sun Sports continued on Saturday from where they left off the previous week.
The two goals they pulled back against Marconi obviously did a power of good for Sun as they raced in to a 2-0 interval lead verses London Colney.
The visitors dominated the first half, striking a rhythm which Colney were unable to match.
But for the home 'keeper John Smith, Sun would have added handsomely to their tally.
In fact, Sun were definitely denied one legitimate goal.
Peter Nelhams let fly from 30 yards and all 22 players saw the ball zip into the net.
Yet the referee ruled that the shot hit the bar!

Sun Sports 1 Leggatts Way Old Boys 0                      1971/72                                   HCL Prem

The Jones boy shatters Leggatts record

Roy Jones threw the Herts County League title race wide open once more as he sent Leggatts Way to their first league defeat of the season with a sensational 30 second goal on Saturday.
Jones, the tall blond striker who Sun captured from District leaguers Oxhey, must feature regularly in Leggatts' nightmares.
Three weeks ago, it was his brilliant goal that led to the Old Boys' Aubrey Cup exit; on Saturday, he struck almost direct from the kick off, and the champions never recovered.
The goal was made to look so simple.
Frank Woolner slid the decisive pass through a disorganised defence and Jones ran through to beat Dignum.
But if Jones did the damage, the man who kept Sun in front was goalkeeper Mick Devereux.
Several superb saves, particularly during a spell of intense Leggatts pressure late in the second half, reduced the champions to frustration.

Leggatts Way Old Boys 2 Sun Sports 1                    1971/72                                   HCL Prem

Sun surprise

Rickmansworth's despair was Leggatts delight as the Old Boys got home by the odd goal in three against Sun.
But what a fright mighty Leggatts had!
Sun played superbly in the first half and deservedly went in at half time a goal up.
But Leggatts showed the form of champions in the second period and two goals from Dave Sills swung the pendulum their way.
Even so, Sun nearly snatched a point.
Ray Cole and Peter Nelhams both going close in the latter stages.
Further praise for Sun came from Leggatts' manager Dobby Loveday.
He said, "They are the best side we've played this season."

Tudor Corinthians 0 Sun Sports 3                 1970/71                Herts Intermediate Cup           

Two goal spell KO's Tudors

Weakened Tudor Corinthians were no match for a well drilled Sun Sports side in Saturday's Herts Intermediate Cup tie at Baldwins Lane.
Two goals in two minutes virtually put paid to Tudors who, apart from a few short spells in the second half, were completely out of touch and lacking in determination.
In the first half especially, the home side. who crushed Sun 4-1 in a league match this season, seemed unable to forage or scheme with any cohesion or aggression despite the promptings of Mike Benning and Mick Conroy.
For Sun the menacing Graham Seabrook and Neil Hartburn posed a constant threat to Tudor's defence.
Winger Hartburn had an early exit from the game.
He fell in a tackle in the 33rd minute and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken shoulder - but only after he had been prominent in giving Sun a 2-0 lead.
Sun's opening goal came after 15 minutes and began with an unintentional sliced ball from Ken Littleboy among the right wing to Hartburn.
The winger crossed a high ball into the area where Seabrook headed home a perfect goal.
Two minutes later, Sun struck again with Hartburn again in the picture.
He picked up a loose ball on the right, cut inside a hesitant Corinthians defence and swept the ball into the top corner of the net.
After this reversal, Tudors seemed unable to get into the game and rarely threatened the strong tackling Sun defence.
The visitors stormed into the second half and with constant pressure forced a third goal.
It came when Les Wickenden was forced into a hasty clearance cum-back-pass to his goalkeeper Roger Beament, who could only palm the ball into the net.
Shortly after this, Dave Price substituted for Trevor Clements and within the space of 10 minutes had sent more dangerous crosses into the Sun penalty area than had been seen in the entire match.
But Sun were in no mood to give away late consolation goals.

Sun Sports: T Devereux, J Low, R Rooney, T Evident, K Littleboy, M Robinson, N Hartburn, P Savina, G Seabrook, D Keen, C Brown, Substitute: B Johnson

Sun Sports 0 London Colney 2                                19701/71                               HCL Prem

Keeper thwarts Sun Sports

Agile London Colney goalkeeper John Shadbolt brought off three brilliant saves to deny Sun Sports a Herts County League Premier Division point at Bellmountwood Avenue on Saturday.
However, the cause of defeat also lay partially with Sun themselves as they often lost the impetus to chase the ball, especially after losing possession.
They allowed the Colney midfield men far too much room in which to manoeuvre, and also failed to keep up the pressure of which they were very capable.
There was little to chose between the teams during the opening 25 minutes when both defences were dominant.
For Sun John Low with his intelligent distribution, and Don Keen with his forceful headers, were the key figures in Sun's rearguard, while up front and in midfield there as none better than the industrious Tony Evident.
The 27th minute saw the first goal from London Colney and it came following a throw from the right wing.
The ball was only partially cleared and Waite had an easy task in putting it into the net.
In the 40th minute, it looked as though Sun were going into the interval on level terms, when Neil
Hartburn let fly with a hard volley but goalkeeper Shadbolt turned the ball for a corner.
The second half was only three minutes old when Colney struck again through Mardle.
Right wing Porter, a constant menace to Sun had his first cross pushed away, but he quickly gathered the rebound, crossed again and Mardle met it perfectly to head into the top of the net.
Despite being two goals down, Sun came back at their opponents with renewed vigour.
Evident and Barry Langdale working incessantly to create openings and within the space of 15 minutes with average luck they could have had three goals.

Sun Sports: M Devereux, J Low, C Tattam, P Savina, D Keen, R Rooney, N Hartburn, B Langdale, G Seabrook, A Evident, I Wright, Substitute: J Matthews

Sun Sports 1 Kings Langley 0                                1970/71                                       HCL Prem

Langley foiled by...Langley

Sun Sports centre half Cliff Langley thwarted Kings Langley in this Herts County League Premier Division fixture!
Langley, normally a goalkeeper, excelled in the Sun defence and Kings Langley were unable to break through.
Langley (Cliff that is) had a goal disallowed for pushing in the 29th minute but Sun broke the deadlock not long after half time.
Willie Watson lofted a long ball over the visitors' rearguard and Graham Seabrook took advantage of Kings' goalkeeper Dave Dunford's hesitation to slip the ball home.
This defeat pushes Kings Langley deeper into relegation trouble.

Sun Sports 1 Knebworth 0                                1970/71                                          HCL Prem

Keen hits back - has to go

Sun Sports' centre half Don Keen was sent off in the closing stages of Saturday's Premier Division match following a violent incident with Knebworth substitute Penny.
Running down the middle of the field, Keen was hacked at three times by the pursuing Penny.
the referee played the advantage rule but for the Sun player it was too much.
He retaliated and received his marching orders from the official Ron Kibble, who kept strict control on the game.
Penny was booked as was his team mate, Johnny Brooks, the ex England player.
Although reduced to ten men, Sun came off the field smiling after Kevin Stratford had scored in injury time from the only mistake of the match by Knebworth 'keeper Stephen.
Mick Devereux was also in top form in goal for Sun who were well served by Ron Rooney in midfield and defenders Johnny Low and Colin Tattam.

Greyhounds at Sun?                               1970/71                             Taken from Watford Observer

Another bid is to be made to bring greyhound racing back to Watford!
With last week's news that Sun Printers Sports Club may lose half their grounds and two thirds of the yearly allocation of funds, a local greyhound enthusiast is interested in leasing a section of the grounds for development as a greyhound stadium.
Sports club secretary Mr George Nixey was quite definite in his views when the "Watford Observer" informed him of the scheme yesterday.
"I think it would be crazy, " he said, "I can't imagine that it would fetch the price that other developments would, which after all is what the firm is after," he added.
Company secretary Mr Gurney declined to comment on this new development.
"We are not aware of this at all", a spokesman told the "Observer".
The man behind the move is Watford Football Club groundsman, Les Simmonds, who has made previous attempts to revive the sport in the Watford area.

Les Simmonds, whose application to stage greyhound racing at Woodside Stadium was turned down last year, is Watford FC's groundsman.
He was taken on to the staff after Watford ended their association with the dogs following their promotion to Division Two.
"I certainly have not given up the idea of having greyhound racing in the town. From inquiries and the general interest shown. I think it could be run very successfully in this area," he told the "Observer".

Welwyn Garden City 2 Sun Sports 1                              1969/70                        HCL Prem  

Sun lose to late penalty

A last minute penalty gave Welwyn a narrow victory over Sun Sports at Welwyn on Saturday in a Herts County League Premier Division match.
Sun cannot really complain about the result as Welwyn hit the bar and the post in the second half and were generally the better side in a scrappy game.
Sun scored first when John Matthews headed in Brian Smith's cross after 20 minutes.
This spurred on Welwyn and John Low rescued Sun by heading off the line.
Just as Sun were beginning to take control, only to be let down by poor finishing, their defence got in a tangle and allowed Ward to equalise for Welwyn in the 44th minute.
The second half was a drab affair with Welwyn doing most of the attacking.
Sun's defence, with Colin Tattam outstanding, held out until the 89th minute when the Welwyn captain scored from the penalty spot after Bob Davies had been accused of holding.

Tudor Corinthians 1 Sun Sports 2                     1969/70                   Herts Intermediate Cup      

Late blunder puts Sun through

Tudor Corinthians disappeared from their second cup competition in eight days when Sun Sports beat them by a ricochet and a defensive tragedy in Saturday's Herts Intermediate Cup tie at Baldwins Lane.
When Tudors broke the deadlock after 70 minutes it seemed they were going to atone for last week's Aubrey Cup exit but a Sun shot deflected by Mick Conroy squared the match and with just three minutes remaining a ghastly error sent the visitors through to the last eight.
John Atkins in the Tudor goal threw the ball out to Les Wickenden.
He was not under pressure but sent the ball back to Atkins, it was an unnecessary move and alert Sun centre forward Terry Reynolds nipped in to hammer the ball into the net for the vital goal.
Earlier the game could have gone either way with both teams evenly matched.
Straight from the start Tudor's attacked and a long ball into Sun's penalty area was pushed over for a corner which Mick Conroy headed over the bar.
Sun wingers Eddie Rolfe and Barry Langdale had the better of Tudors' full backs, but the home side were playing the more potent football.
A slip in the Sun defence gave Clive Milne a chance and his shot surprised goalkeeper Jim Chamberlain, whose anguish was relieved as the ball sped outside the upright.
Most of the forward play came from Tudors and in a goalmouth melee a Tudor player got his head to the ball only for Chamberlain to make a good save.
Sun retaliated with a dazzling run down the right wing by Brian Smith.
His cross gave Sun their best opportunity of the first half but Reynolds was beaten to the ball by Atkins.
With 20 minutes remaining Tudors took the lead.
Mick Marshall floated a cross into Sun's goalmouth and Denis Ford raced in to propel a header into the net.
With Tudors' defence bristling with confidence, Sun's prospects of victory now looked remote.
But Sun were far from beaten and came back strongly.
From a break down the left wing Ron Rooney shot for goal.
The ball ricocheted off Conroy and found it's way into the back of the net to make the score level.
Both teams fought strongly for possession but Sun now looked a more confident side.
With the game into the last five minutes Tudors gave away the goal that put them out of the cup.

Sun Sports: J Chamberlain, J Low, C Tattam, R Rooney, R Lee, A FAux, E Rolfe, B Smith, T Renolds, C Brown, B Langdale, Substitute: D Cresswell

Sun Sports 3 Tudor Corinthians 2                           1969/70                                        HCL Prem

Smith shines for the Sun

Twice Sun Sports had scored.
On both occasions Tudor Corinthians had equalised.
When Sun, however, got another with 11 minutes to go, Tudor were unable to come back for a third time.
So Sun got two Herts County League Premier Division points from Saturday's local derby at Bellmountwood Avenue.
This defeat plunges Tudor deeper into trouble but there was enough evidence in this game to suggest that their position is a false one.
Their forwards, with Micky Marshall and Johnny Johnson outstanding, were constantly menacing and on the whole they did enough to deserve a point.
The defence, however, was prone to moments of uncertainty and goalkeeper John Atkins had a very shaky afternoon.
Brian Smith shone for Sun, looking very much the all round player, and Tom Cheasty did well to restrict the visitors to two goals.
Sun began in determined fashion and midfield dynamo Tony Faux almost scored in the fourth minute but his close range shot was blocked and he failed to hook in the rebound.
The home side had another chance soon after but Terry Reynolds did not take advantage of a poor back pass from Roy Presswell.
Tudor's first opportunity came when Cheasty made one of his rare errors.
He dropped Johnson's cross at the feet of Jackie Cooper but the inside left fluffed the opening.
After 25 minutes Johnson miskicked in front of goal.
He must have really rued this miss for a minute later Sun took the lead.
Eddie Rolfe dispossessed the unhappy Presswell, drew the goalkeeper and fired the ball in for his of the season.
Five minutes later Tudors were level.
John Washington's cross was not cleared and Denis Ford scored.
Trevor Clements had a good chance to put the visitors ahead but he missed his kick when he got through and in the 39th minute only a great save by Cheasty kept out a Johnson header.
Once again a good opening for Tudors was followed immediately by a goal for Sun.
Colin Brown's free kick was headed past the hesitant Atkins by wing half Ron Rooney.
Within a minute of the restart Smith hit a cracking shot against the bar but Sun came back and Johnson was no more than  a foot wide with Cheasty beaten.
Terry Reynolds then had two good opportunities to put Sun further ahead but he hit a post from close in with his first effort and four minutes later he fell over the ball when clean through.
In the 65th minute Corinthians equalised when Cooper's cross found Milne, who coolly lobbed in from the edge of the area.
Presswell was booked for a foul on Rolfe after 75 minutes.
Four minutes later came the winner when Smith's centre was headed in by Paul Froud.
Presswell was then replaced by Ray Williams but it was too late for Tudor's to get back on terms.

Sun Sports: T Cheasty, J Low, C Tattam, R Rooney, R Lee, A Faux, E Rolfe, P Froud, T Reynolds, B Smith, C Brown, Substitute: B Paul

Sun Sports "A" 3 Holywell 1                      1969/70                      Watford Senior Benevolent Cup

Two men booked as Holywell fall to Sun

Two goals in two minutes immediately prior to the interval virtually clinched the Watford Senior Benevolent Cup for Sun Sports at Bellmountwood Avenue on Saturday.
The game itself had little to recommend it as a final.
It was marred by rather too much petty fouling and at times threatened to become a brawl.
Sun Sports had Phil Killer and Graham Seabrook booked for trivial offences, compared with some of the chopping tackles and bodily contacts by both side, which referee Soppitt allowed to go without so much as a wag of his finger.
The first 15 minutes found both sides ill at ease with a troublesome cross-wind.
Holywell were first to show, as Bob Langdale and Micky Sharp both had shots just off target.
Just when it appeared that Holywell were running into form, Sun unexpectedly took the lead.
The goal came through the opportunism of Killer.
The ball was flashed along the wind to put Stickland in the clear.
He floated it over to find goalkeeper Dick Thurston and Seabrook in combat for the ball, which ran loose for Killer to dart in and shoot into the net.
This brought Sun under pressure for the first time as Langdale had his first shot saved at the foot of the post and his second, from another corner, hit the far post via the head of Stuart Mitchell.
Despite this spell of Holywell pressure, Sun were now looking more compact themselves and produced and aggressiveness which got them two goals in the 42nd and 44th minutes.
The first came from a free kick from skipper Chris Hows, who floated the ball to Seabrook.
The latter pushed it through to Paul Rogers, who volleyed it into the net.
Two minutes later, good midfield play by Rogers directed the ball to Stickland who scored the winner.

Sun Sports 1 St Margaretsbury 3                         1969/70                        Aubrey Cup Semi Final

Brothers plague Sports

Sun Sports' manager Geoff Fowler summed up Saturday's Aubrey Cup semi-final at Bellmountwood Avenue by saying, "If you hit the woodwork five times in 30 minutes and still fail to score, luck is just not on your side."
Certainly good fortune eluded Sun who knocked on wood that number of times between the 35th and 65th minutes, but praise must go to Division One St Margaretsbury, who were inspired by Francis Brothers, Alan and Phil.
After 30 minutes the 150 spectators at Bellmountwood Avenue were shocked when 'Bury centre forward Phil hit the post with a free kick and Kitteringham followed up to score.
Three minutes later referee Priest awarded a dubious penalty when Phil Francis was brought down and Smith performed the penalty ritual.
After the break the Francis duo continued to plague Sports yet the Premier Division side supplied most of the attacking until the brothers combined in a breakaway which ended with Phil beating goalkeeper Jim Chamberlain after 63 minutes.
With 15 minutes remaining Sun's hopes of an all Watford final with Leggatt s Way were killed when Alan Francis fired in a low shot.
In the closing minutes Colin Brown, Barry Langdale and Eddie Rolfe all tested the visiting goalkeeper before Brian Smith found the net for Sun's belated reply.

Express Newspapers 3 Sun Printers 0                1959/60                 St Barts Hospital Printers Cup

Non Stop Express

Sun played below their usual standard in the long awaited final of the Printers Cup competition on the Walthamstow Avenue ground.
Express Newspapers won the trophy deservedly.
They played more direct football, and their defence was to strong for Sun who played attractively at times in midfield but finished poorly.
Sun had a good 15 minutes at the start, but Terry Willis missed a good opportunity and their chance of an early success disappeared.
Davies and Oldfield scored for Express within the space of five minutes and Oldfield nodded in the third from a 60th minute corner.

Sun Sports 3 De Havillands (Stevenage) 2                  1959/60                             HCL Div One

Newcomers Fought Back

Newcomers to the Herts County League, De Havillands (Stevenage) gave quite a good account of themselves on their first visit to Parkside Drive.
They showed their fighting spirit when Benning and Wise put Sun two up within 13 minutes.
The Stevenage side hit back with tremendous enthusiasm and were level at the change round.
However in the second half Sun got into their stride again, although the winning goal was a long time coming because of off-target finishing.
Sixty seven minutes had gone when Eric Williams shot the vital goal from the edge of the penalty area.
There was nearly a fourth for Sun, for a fine 20 yard drive by Len Mellor beat the Stevenage goalkeeper - but not the referee's whistle, which sounded before the ball reached the net.

Sun Sports 6 Allenburys 2                                 1959/60                                      HCL Div One

Bid For The Honours

The bid for Division One honours was stepped up by Sun on Saturday with their second win of the season over Allenburys.
It was not quite up to the 6-0 victory of earlier in the season, but nevertheless Sun were always in command.
Allenburys held out until the 39th minute, then Terry Willis obtained the first of his three his second hat-trick in successive weeks.
Three minutes later Wise put the home team further ahead, but Allenburys kept the game alive when the greasy ball eluded Dearman just before half time.
The second half was only two minutes old when Willis grabbed this second goal.
Mick Brightman was next to score and Willis rounded off a good afternoon's work with this third before the visitors netted again.
    

Adeyfield 2  Sun Sports 1                          1959/60                             Rickmansworth Charity Cup

Sun are so puzzled

Sun must still be wondering how they came to be knocked out of the Rickmansworth Charity Cup.
After conceding two goals in the first half, they dominated the second, and yet all they had to show for their effort was one goal. scored by Johnny Wise in the 61st minute.
Sun were inclined to overdo their passing but the Adeyfield goalkeeper was another thorn in their side.
He made number of good saves and miraculously got his hand to the ball after Mick Brightman had dashed clear of the defence.
In the end Sun nearly forfeited another goal, when an Adeyfield forward seized on slack back pass. Tom Barber rescued them with an over the bar header.

Sun Sports 3 Saffron Walden 1                                 1969/70                                     HCL Prem

Sun Sports are moving up

Sun Sports gradual climb up the Premier Division table continued on Saturday when they overcame a Saffron Walden rally to take both points.
Chances went begging in the first half as first Terry Reynolds then Paul Froud and John Low came close.
Saffron's goalkeeper Webb was in fine form and as Brian Smith before, Tony Faux gave Froud the chance to give Sun a deserved lead.
The visitors equalised in the 60th minute through Drury after hesitation by Ron Lee.
But Reynolds put Sun ahead again from a Froud pass and in the 76th minute he scored again - this time to a fine cross by Smith

Sun Sports 5 Marconi Instruments 4                        1969/70                                     Aubrey Cup

Sun KO the cup holders

The Aubrey cup holders are out!
In a thrilling match at Bellmountwood Avenue, Sun Sports disposed of Marconi Instruments - Ron Henry as well - after being 3-2 behind in the second half.
Sun's plan to blot out ex Spurs full back Henry worked a treat with Paul Froud keeping a tight watch on the ageing but still skilful player.
Also starring for Sun were left back Colin Tattam and the industrious Colin Brown.
It was Brown's free kick that led to Sun gaining a 20th minute lead, goal ace Terry Reynolds hooking the ball splendidly into the net.
Inside two minutes Marconi were level but an Eddie Rolfe centre that found Reynolds head pushed the Watford side in front again.
A deceptive shot that rolled in off an upright squared the issue for the visitors before half time.
After the break Marconi, who have conquered Sun 4-0 and 4-1 in Herts County League combat this season, grasped the lead for the first time when a long clearance in the 55th minute broke Sun's defence.
But Sun were not dejected and retaliated in the 75th minute to start a wonderful winning rally.
The equaliser arrived when Henry's shadow, Froud snapped at the Marconi's players heels, won the ball and sent Reynolds through for his hat trick.
Sun began mounting pressure on the Marconi goal which had a series of narrow escapes before the critical goal came.
A twice taken free kick restored Sun's lead with just minutes remaining.
Reynolds setting up the chance for Brown to make it 4-3.
Two minutes later a shrewd move involving Tony Faux, Rolfe, Ron Rooney and Froud finished with the latter giving Sun an unassailable lead.
In the final minute Marconi replied but Sun were already assured of a place in the last 16.

Sun Sports 5 London Colney 1                                1969/70                                               HCL Prem

Sun set for good season

Sun Sports played their first home match on Saturday and in overcoming the calls of annual vacations and a late cry-off, not to mention the early appearances of a trouncing went on to score four second half goals and record a bright win on a sun-kissed afternoon.
To label their achievement as a pointer to taking the Herts County League Premier Division title would be stretching matters but Sun certainly did enough to promise a good season.
After the usual feeling-out period, visitors London Colney took a grip on the game.
Sun had an escape after 26 minutes when Gray hit the post but were not so lucky in the 38th minute.
Then a cross came over, the defence was beaten all ends up and Robins headed for goal.
Colin Tattam, positioned behind the line, chested the ball down but the referee awarded the goal.
Nobody argued with his decision.
At this point it looked as if Sun were about to be the hosts to a hiding.
two minutes later, however, young Phil Killer, the last minute replacement for Bob Davies, took a pass from Barry Langdale, sliced his shot and saw the ball arc into the net.
After shots by Langdale and Killer had been charged down Terry Reynolds put Sun into the lead four minutes into the second half.
The mantle of uncertainty which had bedevilled Sun hitherto fell away.
Cohesion took it's place.
In the 52nd minute a shot from Brian Smith struck the post and Reynolds nipped in for his second until the 65th minute when he rounded off the Smart approach play of Eddie Rolfe and John Low.
Rolfe hit the woodwork and Killer wasted a couple of chances before Langdale made the score 5-1.

Kings Langley 1 Sun Sports 2                             1969/70                                          HCL Prem

Two men booked

Kings Langley's Johnny Rance and Brian Rose were booked in the second half of this well contested "derby" clash between two teams who boasted lengthy unbeaten runs to their credit.
Something had to give and as Langley struggled in the second half after failing to convert early chances, frustration took over.
Langley should have taken their first half chances but it is their lack of a competent marksman which will probably make the difference between a middle of the table place and a tilt at the championship.
Sun, with three successive victories behind them, started slowly and were lucky not to find themselves behind, especially as Roy Sealy hit the bar with a well placed chip shot.
This seemed to galvanise Sun who improved steadily but could get little change out of one of the League's three most watertight defences.
Seconds before half time Roger White, a chunky winger with considerable promise, cut in from the flank, beat Colin Tattam and then found the net with a left foot drive.
Langley will want to forget the second half.
The first of Sun's goals came in the59th minute, then captain Tony Faux fastened on to a pass from Eddie Rolfe and drove the ball into the net from 25 yards out.
Peter Nicholson earned the points and brought about the village side's first defeat in five games, when he sped through on the blind side of the defence to convert another Rolfe cross.
In the dying minutes, Barry Willis hit the post, but Sun, with Faux and Trevor Howkins outstanding, had earned victory.

Sun Sports 1 Kings Langley 1                                   1969/70                                             HCL Prem

Wingers star in "Derby"

Two let wingers hugged the limelight in Saturday's Premier Division match in which Kings Langley recorded their fourth successive draw and Sun Sports broke their spell of six successive defeats.
Sun's number 11, Ray Eaton, who has been playing regularly for Athenian Leaguers Boreham Wood, revitalised the home attack with his exciting moves down the wing.
His Langley counterpart, Johnny Gurney, was also in tantalising form, working beaverishly to beat the Sun defence.
Sun were given a brisk lead through Tony Faux who dispossessed Colin Jennings before driving in a third minute goal.
John Low and Kevin Stratford might have increased Sun's lead, while Roger White could have cancelled it out for Langley in an evenly contested first half.
After Sun's bright opening, Langley retaliated with Jennings failing to atone for his earlier error when he missed a glorious opportunity as did Barry Hipwell in the 14th minute.
In the 63rd minute Gurney equalised with his ninth goal of the season by taking a Roy Sealy rebound round the goalkeeper and into the net.

Kings Langley 1 Sun Sports 2                            1969/70                          Aubrey Cup

Daring Rose stops a Sun riot

A goal by Brian Smith seven minutes from the end of extra time gave Sun Sports a thoroughly deserved victory over Kings Langley in their Aubrey Cup quarter final at home Park on Saturday.
Only some magnificent goalkeeping by Brian Rose and the woodwork on two occasions prevented Sun winning by a huge margin as they dominated the play throughout.
Tony Faux and Paul Froud were commanding in midfield and Smith and Colin Brown were constant dangers to the home defence although the former intended to hold the ball too long.
Langley - last week's heroes against Marconi - had little to offer besides Rose's brilliant goalkeeping, yet when Chris Howe shot them into a 60th minute lead they looked set to record a travesty of justice.
With the balding Brown showing deceptive speed and a useful shot, and with Faux and Smith peppering the Langley goal with goal-worthy shots, the first half was a battle between the Sun attack and the brave Rose.
He saved superbly from Smith (three times), Brown (three times), and Faux, while a good effort by full back John Low whistled just past a post.
A splendid move involving Brown, Smith and Barry Langdale should have given Sun a 37th minute lead but Brown's final shot struck an upright after beating Rose for once.
Langley's only noteworthy reply in a one sided opening half was a Bobby Sealey free kick that just missed the target.
Too often Howe was left to fight a one man battle against a well marshalled visiting defence.
The early stages of the second half saw Langley improve slightly but it came as a surprise when Howe shot them ahead after a long goal kick by Rose had split the Sun defence.
Sun continued to dictate but Rose excelled in the mud.
He saved well from Eddy Rolfe and Smith but was thankful for a goal line clearance by Barry Willis from a Smith power drive.
The visitors were rewarded for their incessant pressure in the 75th minute when a Faux header from a Rolfe cross hit the bar and rebounded to Langdale who headed a simple equaliser.
The closing minutes of normal time and the early stages of extra time saw Rose again thwart the Sun attack with some splendid saves but even he was beaten by a Brown shot that again rebounded from an upright.
With such luck Langley seemed capable of forcing an undeserved replay but in the 113th minute they cracked.
Brown disrupted the home defence with a superb cross field pass to Smith.
The centre forward cut in towards goal and unleashed a powerful shot  that Rose could only help into the net.
It was tough luck on Rose who was undoubtedly the man of the match but Sun were through to the semi finals on merit.

Sun Sports 2 ICL (Letchworth) 0                             1969/70                                HCL Prem

Sun foiled by 'keeper

Only agile goalkeeping prevented Sun Sports from enjoying a Yuletide goal scoring spree in Saturday's Herts County League Premier Division match.
Sun were the masters from the start against a nine man defence backed by ICL's brave goalkeeper.
The home side had to wait until the stroke of half time before they went ahead, Ron Rooney providing the pass for Paul Froud.
After half time another good save by the goalkeeper to Eddie Rolfe produced a corner.
From Rolfe's flag kick Colin Brown scored with a vicious shot at the second attempt.

Hemel Hempstead Rovers 1 Sun Sports 5                    1969/70                           Aubrey Cup   

Sun's late rush

It took three goals in the last four minutes to make sure of Sun Sports entry into the next round after they had failed to shake off Rovers' challenge for much of the game.
With four changes in their side and playing well below their recent form, Sun took the lead after 20 minutes through Paul Froud.
Ten minutes later Froud fastened on to another defensive error for a second goal but Rovers came back into the game midway through the second half.
Sun expected a free kick for a foul on Colin Tattam in the 65th minute but to their consternation it was given the other way - from the penalty spot!
The left half converted and it was left to Tattam to make certain of victory four minutes from time when he drove in a 25 yard shot from Eddie Rolfe's pass.
A minute later, Brian Smith scored from an acute angle following a fine solo run.
Almost straight from the kick off Ron Rooney scored the fifth.

Sun Sports 0 Byng Road Old Boys 4                    1969/70                     Herts Intermediate Cup  

Sun's aggression arrives too late 

Had Sun Sports played the first 45 minutes with the same aggression as they found in the initial stages of the second half, Saturday's Herts intermediate Cup quarter final tie at Bellmountwood Avenue might well have had a different outcome.
The word "might", however, must be used conservatively, for overall the Byng Road side were far superior in football craft.
Sun engineered the occasional compact move but lack of a penetrative leader meant sheer frustration and no goals.
Often the tricky footwork of Brian Smith drew the visiting defence yet he was left with no threatening support.
The experiment of playing Tony Faux in attack dailed and indeed the necessity for overall forward aggression was woefully obvious.
Defensively, Sun were sound.
Newcomer Mark Hart impressed, but goalkeeper Jim Chamberlain was never in control of his six yard box.
From the outset, Byng Road showed their potential with fast build ups, quick, hard tackling and neat interweaving in their forward play.
All Sun achieved in the initial 10 minutes was a booking for Smith, apparently for dissent, and in the 14th minute the visitors got the first of their goals.
The ball was crossed over the Sun six yard area three times without interception, until Tyers finally struck.
Five minutes later the Watford side went further behind when the Old Boys were awarded a free kick just outside the area.
Inside men, Tyres and Palmer performed the step over ritual before centre forward Gilson cracked in a shot past a startled Chamberlain.
The first 30 minutes had seen Sun struggling to find some effective rhythm, under constant pressure. and they were lucky not to concede a third goal in the 32nd minute when a shot from Gilson was deflected against the post.
The start of the second period saw Faux and Ron Lee switch positions - a move necessitated by a first half injury to Lee, who later went to hospital with double vision.
This switch coincided with a revival in Sun's approach to the game as they forced the visitors back, gaining three free kicks in the first five minutes.
With 58 minutes gone, it only needed a goal from Sun to revitalise this match, but with their first break in the second half, the Barnet side collected another goal right against the run of play.
The ball was cleared upfield where ex Boreham Wood player, Ken Palmer, shook off Sun's defence and flicked the ball in.
Although this goal brought the Old Boys back into the game, Sun's newly found aggression
 continued.
The visiting goalkeeper dealt confidently with shots and headers from Smith, Brown and Lee, yet the absence of a strong, forceful leader to worry the Old Boys defence was very apparent.
Almost on time, Byng Road's Arnold was booked for a hard tackle on Lee and immediately afterwards the visitors claimed their fourth and final goal.
Chamberlain called for the ball, lost possession, and Corson gratefully moved n to score.

Sun Sports: J Chamberlain, J Low, C Tattam, R Rooney, R Lee, M Hart, E Rolfe, C Brown, B Smith, A Faux, T Reynolds, Substitute: B Langdale (after 70 minutes fro Reynolds)

Welwyn Garden City 1 Sun Sports 1                     1968/69                                   HCL Prem   

Sun save a point

Sun Sports faced and overcame the disadvantages of a three week lay-off to salvage a point at Welwyn on Saturday.
Sun was indebted to two players - goalkeeper Trevor Swinhoe for saving a penalty in the opening and to Brian Smith who equalised an early second half goal by Welwyn.
Sun were in determined mood at the start of the second period but it was Welwyn who edged in front.
Far from depressing the visitors this was the signal for Sun to get on top and Brian Smith's goal in his debut game created quite an impression.

Tudor Corinthians 2 Sun Sports 3                             1968/69                                      HCL Prem

Last gasp win for Sun

Sun Sports superior experience and ability to capitalise on chronic defensive errors saw them through to a last minute victory at Baldwins Lane on Tuesday evening in this, their first Premier Division game of the season.
But they did not escape without a fight.
The fitter Tudor Corinthians, with two games already under their belts, hit back from a  two goal deficit and came extremely close to snatching a dramatic victory over their flagging visitors.
Certainly Tudors can gain some satisfaction, if also a little disquiet from this display.
They were quick to assert their authority in this first meeting between the two clubs.
Having weathered the initial storm, Sun settled and, breaking cleanly and swiftly, they presented the Tudors defence with several problems.
A minute from the interval, Sun took the lead, and adroitly chipped free kick caught Beament unawares and as the ball bounced off the crossbar, Reynolds moved through the transfixed Tudor defence to hook in unchallenged.
Anxious enthusiasm, rather than controlled penetration was the care in Tudors' efforts to get back on level terms after the interval.
In fact, ironically, Sun's cause looked safe until they moved further ahead.
A harmless attack seemed well controlled when, with no need to panic, Tudors' John Washington turned the ball into his own net.
Forced by necessity into total commitment, Tudors, prompted by the wily Arthur Edwards, began to rattle the Sun defence.
In the 65th minute, Milne made a dangerous but not lethal break on the right, was upended by Shirley and Reynolds made no mistake from the spot.
Thirteen minutes from time, Harding equalised when he scored from a free kick on the edge of the area for the best goal of the match.
By now Sun had lost all control of the exchanges and while a draw would have been a fair result, victory appeared within Tudors' grasp.
With a minute to go, Tudors' suspect defence failed to clear and John Low snapped up the winner.

Sun Sports 1 Saffron Walden 2                            1968/69                                          Aubrey Cup

Ill luck for Cliff Langley

Sun Sports' goalkeeper Cliff Langley had two moments of bad luck in Saturday's Aubrey Cup tie...which enabled Saffron Walden to avenge a league defeat in October.
A speculative shot in the first half rebounded off Langley's chest to Drury who had the simple task of putting the visitors into the lead.
In the 40th minute Langley stumbled when coming out of his goal and the ball went over his head to an unmarked player who scored what proved to be the winner.
Sun had equalised in the 22nd minute with the best goal of the match.
A John Matthews cross was brilliantly headed into the net by Clive Griffiths.
Sheer tenacity by their forwards in the first half and undisguised defensive tactics in the second earned a place in the fourth round.
Sun spent long periods of the second half on the attack but they could find no answer to the visitors defensive tactics.

Rickmansworth Town 1 Sun Sports 3                         1968/69                               HCL Prem

Town going down

Rickmansworth Town could still conceivably escape relegation but even in their own camp there are those who feel they are playing their last few games in the Premier Division.
Apart from their form, the Town have been hit by injures to key players.
For a brief spell on Thursday last it seemed as if they might snatch a point from Sun, but after Stevie Lawford had levelled, hopes were dashed.
Colin Brown put the "Printers" into the lead after 24 minutes from the penalty spot and later Joey harper restored their lead from close range.
Dave Scutchings rounded off a fine personal performance with the final goal.
Sun Sports should have collected another two points when they entertained Rolls Royce on Saturday.
The visitors, fielding five reserves, clung on tenaciously to gain a hard earned point but poor finishing by Sun let them off the hook.
The game ended without score.

Sun Sports 1 Rickmansworth Town 1                    1968/69                                 HCL Prem

Town poised to escape

Are Rickmansworth poised for an escape act?
They picked up their sixth point of the season and now look likely to avoid collecting the Premier Division wooden spoon.
Sun Sports manager, Geoff Fowler, joined the growing  number of managers who feel that Rickmansworth could till pull off a surprise after the Town proved god value for a point on Saturday.
Both sets of forwards lacked punch in the early stages, but at 55 minutes full back- cum- centre forward Alan Potter broke the deadlock when he lobbed the ball over the advancing Cliff Langley.
A minute later, Sun equalised when the defence failed to clear an Eddie Rolfe cross and John Matthews gratefully the chance.
"I can't fault one of my players", said the jubilant Rickmansworth manager Eddie Sorrell.
Particularly pleasing for Sorrell was the performance of new signing Steve Lawford.
More good news for Rickmansworth came later in the afternoon.
The Reserves move back to the top of Division Three after a 3-2 win over North Mymms.

Sun Sports Reserves 1 Leggatts Way Old Boys 0             1968/69            HCL Reserve Cup Final

Sun Sports win Reserve Cup

Division One runners up Sun Sports Reserves made their season even more memorable by taking the Herts County League Reserve Cup in Thursday's all Watford final at Leavesden Hospital.
In a game where both sides lacked coherence in midfield, Sun full back Terry Reynolds - a converted centre forward - captured the cup a minute before half time.
Undaunted by a Graham Seabrook "goal" that was disallowed for pushing, Sun pressed forward again.
First teamer Tony Stratford and Tom Barber contrived a neat move that made the Leggatts Way defence look rather sketchy.
Barber's cross was missed by Don Blackett but Reynolds appeared 20 yards out to smack a drive past Tom Dignum.
Minutes before this, only an airborne save by goalkeeper Trevor Swinhoe had prevented the Old Boys gaining the lead.
Cunning Ken Coniam tore down the middle, veered across the face of the goal and with the Sun defence still not committing themselves, the winger hit a shot bound for the corner of the net until Swinhoe intervened.
Leggatts Way's hopes of winning the trophy for the first time since 1966 scarcely got off the ground in the second half.
With the Sun defence, built around Bob Davies, closing up the middle, the Old Boys opportunities were restricted to two which fell to Bill Newman and Dai Jones.
The one man capable of redeeming the Old Boys' lost cause, Ian Butcher, was taken off 15 minutes from the finish with a head wound that needed five stitches at hospital.
He was injured in a clash of heads with Sun defender Colin Tattam, who was replaced by substitute Terry Webb a few minutes later.

Sun Sports Reserves: T Swinhoe, C Tattam, T Reynolds, T Stratford, R Lee, R Davies, P Froud, D Blackett, G Seabrook, R Rooney, T Barber Sub: T Webb (For Tattam after 80 minutes)

Marconi Instruments Reserves 3 Sun Sports Reserves 3              1968/69             HCL Div One

Mystery of a missing lens!

Football is often held up for injuries or loss of the ball, but it is rare for two teams to stop play and with spectators search for a missing contact lens.
This is exactly what happened at the Marconi Instruments' ground in Wednesday's Herts County League Division One match when one of the Marconi Reserves' players told the referee he had lost a lens.
Play was held up for four minutes while everyone searched without success.
The lens was eventually found - and picked up intact at the end of the match by the man who lost it!
As for the game, Sun looked set to take two points and so complete a double when they led 3-1.
Marconi, however, responded to the challenge and forced a draw.
Marconi's late arrival shortened the game to 40 minutes each way.
After 16 minutes Sun took the lead when Peter Nicholson converted with a low shot.
Just before the interval Tony Fowler equalised for Marconi.
Two goals from Don Blackett enabled Sun to take a commanding lead, but Fowler and Tony Long - the latter direct from a corner two minutes from time  - levelled the score.
The hold up for the "contact lens mystery" was during the second half.

Sun Sports 6 Leggatts Way Old Boys 2                          1968/69                                HCL Prem

Don't say Brown, say thrashing!

Jubilant Sun Sports gave champions and leaders Leggatts Way Old Boys a Premier Division thrashing on Saturday when, spearheaded by hat trick hero Colin Brown, they put three goals past John Fancourt in each half.
Sun, who have struggled for most of the season, eased the distant fear of relegation and at the same time threw the championship race right open.
But Leggatts Way are not discouraged, they played well enough in the first half.
The Old Boys controlled the midfield early on but lacked aggression in front of both goals.
A bad back pass by terry Birch gave Sun the lead when John Matthews sped through to beat Fancourt.
Chris Musgrove. with a superb 40 yard run on to a Fred Biggerstaff through pass and equalised from an acute angle.
But hesitancy on the part of Fancourt allowed Brown to head in a Brian Smith cross.
If that goal was a gift there was nothing fortunate about Sun's third, Eddie Rolfe beat three men in a fine run and centred perfectly for Smith to score.
The Old Boys, however, had enjoyed few breaks in front of goal.
The held the majority of the play but the woodwork and tenacious defensive work by Sun kept them at bay.
A fine diving header by Bill Samson reduced the arrears after half time but Roy Hansard, after beating  several players in a typical run, saw his certain equaliser hit a divot and bounce clear after beating Cliff Langley.
Colin Brown scored the home side's fourth and was gifted with the fifth through a mix-up by Birch and Fancourt.
The final nail was driven in by Smith when he volleyed the sixth in the 84th minute.

Sun Sports 5 Knebworth 3                                      1968/69                                       HCL Prem

Sun Sports' incredible revival

Sun Sports brought off an incredible Premier Division revival at Bellmountwood Avenue on  Saturday, for with less than 23 minutes left they were trailing 0-3.
Man who inspired the rally was John Low - brother of Watford's professional, Roy Low.
The transformation was started by a goal from Terry Reynolds, it was quickly followed by one from Barry Phillips.
With only one goal to pull back, Sun monopolised play and levelled the scores through Bob Davies.
Another header, this time from Bernard Kent, put Sun ahead and John Matthews made certain of the victory from the penalty spot.
Knebworth had taken advantage of defensive slips to help themselves to what seemed an unassailable three goal lead, but when Kevin Stratford went limping off early in the second half.
Sun made the changes which brought dividends.
Full back Low was moved into the front line and the forwards, who had lacked penetration early on, changed quickly into a more potent force.

Knebworth 3 Sun Sports 2                                    1968/69                                             HCL Prem

Sun's plight is temporary

Premier Division runners up last season, Sun Sports, at present stand sadly near the foot of the table with only three points from six outings.
Sun, however, feel that the situation is only temporary.
On Saturday, for example, Sun were six first team players short through injury, illness and business commitments, but it was not until eight minutes from time that they conceded the deciding goal.
The visitors took the lead after seven minutes when Kevin Stratford seized on a poor clearance and found the net with a curling shot off the far post.
After 30 minutes, Roy Shirley, in attempting to concede a corner, headed into his own net.
Knebworth took the lead in the 60th minute with a long range free kick when Cliff Langley was unsighted but within 10 minutes Sun gained a deserved break when the home centre half headed a Stratford cross into his own goal.
Alas, Knebworth scored the decider and their first victory eight minutes from time.

Kings Langley 5 Sun Sports 5                               1968/69                                          HCL Prem

Langley drop first point

There were goals and thrills in abundance as Kings Langley dropped their first ever Premier Division point of the season and lost the top of the table placing.
Sun Sports improving with every game, took the lead on five occasions but Langley rallied to finish all square in the final ten minutes.
This 10 goal thriller had everything - both good and bad football, misses, mistakes and some magnificent performances.
Stars of the breath taking end to end encounter were Dave Scutchings and Tony Stratford for their tireless endeavour, while Langley, headed by Rance, should take a bow for their determination never to throw in the towel.
Sun, continuing with their experiment of playing full back John Low in the front line, gave Langley some early headaches.
Bob Davies nodded in the first goal, but in the 16th minute Chris Hows levelled with a tremendous drive.
In the 20th minute Low fastened onto a bad back pass to put the visitors ahead again but a typical Tony Roe run ended with the winger lobbing the ball over Trevor Swinhoe's head to make it all square at the interval.
Sun took the lead when Scutchings sent Terry Reynolds away...he cut in and pulled the ball back for John Matthews.
Rance and Neil Bunker combined for the next equaliser, giving Bill barker time to pick his spot.
The cut and thrust exchanges continued, Davies scored his second and then Roe made it 4-4 from the penalty spot.
A 30 yard shot by substitute Colin Brown restored Sun's lead, but Bunker rose magnificently to head in the point saver from Keith Lawes' corner.

ICL (Letchworth) 1 Sun Sports 2                             1968/69                              Aubrey Cup

Matthews gives Sun revenge

Sun Sports overcame an early setback to avenge a September league defeat and move into the next round of the Aubrey Cup.
Saturday's second round victory proved to be a personal triumph for left winger John Matthews who netted both goals in what should have been a more convincing victory.
Sun took the lead after just six minutes when a corner kick found Bernard Kent who passed for Matthews to score via the crossbar.
But just two minutes later the lead was wiped out, Trevor Swinhoe, much to his colleague's amazement, was penalised for "steps".
The visitors disputed the indirect free kick claiming that the goalkeeper had only taken two steps but the referee Reigler turned down the appeals and ICL subsequently found the net.
The visitors adopted a "shoot on sight" policy without success but after the interval they should have taken the lead when John Low was presented with an open goal.
Unfortunately he shot over but Matthews made no mistake when he was given a chance by Colin Brown in the 53rd minute.
Sun continued to dominate the exchanges until the last five minutes when the home side put in a late rally which forced the visitors on the defensive.

Saffron Walden 3 Sun Sports 2                              1967/68                                 HCL Prem

Sun are given a lesson

Sun Sports were given a lesson in the art of taking their chances on Saturday.
They had an equal share of the play  in the first half when they were facing the wind and they dominated after the interval - yet Saffron Walden took the Premier Division points by the odd goal of five.
Walden took an early lead through Nettle, Sun came into the game with Colin Brown stamping his class on the midfield play but Walden broke away to score a second goal through Smith before half time.
When Sun finally managed to open their account it was from a goal direct from a corner, John Matthews took the kick and curled the ball over a baffled defence and into the net.
Sun looked very menacing for a time but a careless back pass let in Smith for a third goal to Walden.
All that Sun had in reply was a penalty that Matthews converted although Walden were lucky to escape in a terrific scrimmage near the end.

Sun Sports 2 Sandridge Rovers 0                                  1967/68                                 Aubrey Cup  

Sun rise to two incentives

It was not only the prospect of a place in the fourth round of the Aubrey Cup that spurred Sun Sports to victory on Saturday.
Opponents Sandridge Rovers are the side Sun Sports Reserves could face in the final of the Herts Junior Cup and anything to knock Rovers confidence could be good for the Sun club.
And confidence was something that Sandridge ought not to have lacked.
They had not, until Saturday, lost this season.
Nor, in the previous nine matches had they conceded a goal!
Sun were set to face the stiff breeze, but this did not trouble them unduly and in the 17th minute a centre from John Matthews was headed down by Dave Scutchings for Ron Rooney to score with a shot from close in.
Neither side gave much away in the first half, one chance fell to Sandridge from a corner, but the opening was squandered by a shot going over the bar.
Sun,with the breeze for an ally, put the pressure on after the interval and in the 55th minute a Matthews' corner on the left led to Russell Curzon heading the second goal.
On the hour, Sun had a fine chance to increase their lead when Colin Brown was brought down inside the penalty area.
He took the spot kick himself but put the ball too close to the visiting goalkeeper, McShane, who pushed the shot over the bar.

Redbourn 5 Sun Sports 2                                   1967/68                                             HCL Prem

The value of local knowledge

Local knowledge was worth a lot to Redbourn on Saturday as they dented Sun Sports hopes of finishing runners up in the Premier Division.
Sun, set to face hill and breeze in the first half and with the dust blowing in their faces, soon found themselves in trouble and by half time the match was as good as over with Redbourn having established a 5-1 lead with goals from Pete Fisher (2), Mike Smith, W Downer (penalty) and D Roberts.
Sun's lone reply in this period was by Terry Reynolds, who spotted an opening after the ball had come in from the right.
After half time Sun valiantly took up the challenge and within five minutes had cut the deficit when John Matthews cut in from the left and unleashed a really powerful shot which went through the net!
But although Redbourn's attacks were limited to the occasional one, Sun did not possess the know-how to overcome the vagaries of the pitch and although they threatened to make further in-roads into their opponents lead they were unable to do so.