WATFORD INTERNET FC won the South-East Cup for a second time, running out convincing 6-0 winners over long-time rivals and friends West Ham United IFC at Kings Langley’s Orbital Fasteners Stadium.

Kicking off what would prove to be a very special day in the history of both WIFC and the big club’s team, the Hornets found in the Hammers obdurate and durable opposition for all of the first 45 minutes.

Mark O’Connor’s fine low volley was the only goal of that opening half, and provided some sense of relief to the Hornets given their enjoyment of the lion’s share of territory and chances.

Yet, despite the comfortable final scoreline, it was with the usual West Ham dangers at large that the switching of Man-of-the-Match Cleveland Brandy from full-back to a central man-marking role proved crucial. He snuffed out the Irons’ key threat and allowed Watford to take an iron grip on possession and, ultimately, the silverware up for grabs.

Adam Gallichan swept home after Ben Kelly’s header from a cross was saved for Watford’s second, and then WIFC ran in four more as the second half wore on and West Ham tired in trying to cope with the Hornets’ movement.

Impressing at full-back, Tyrone Brandy then pushed forward to combine with Mark O’Connor to lay the third on a plate for Charlie Wood.

Kelly then notched one of his own after more good set-up play from O’Connor, with numbers five (Wood) and six (Gallichan) following towards the game’s conclusion to confirm Watford IFC’s superiority.

Internet ‘Orns: Hill; C Brandy, J Sitkowski, Moss, Church; Anderson, Stone, Labbett; O’Connor, Wood, Nicholls (c).
Subs used: D Sitkowski, T Brandy, Gallichan, Kelly, St-Cyr.
Subs not used: Mesiano (GK).
Man-of-the-Match: Cleveland Brandy
Officials: Chris Geelan, Yiannis Stavropoulus, Peter Fisher

HATTERS FANS FC deservedly took the derby spoils after a somewhat attritional 2-1 victory over the Internet ‘Orns on a sunny morning in Stockwood Park, Luton.

Both the host’s goals came from set-pieces – one in each half and split by a Hornets’ penalty won and converted by striker Mark O’Connor.

Luton enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but both sides struggled to create too many clear-cut chances with the sloping and bobbly pitch not proving conducive to any attempts at good football.

Played in the good spirit that’s become the norm between these two local rivals, the Hatters took the lead on 25 minutes when an inswinging free-kick was guided home from eight yards by an unmarked attacker.

Watford were on level terms eight minutes before half-time when O’Connor was tripped near the byeline as he shaped to head towards goal. Atoning for his miss against the same opposition at the start of a Covid-abridged season, he went for power and drilled the spot-kick home low with the Hatters’ keeping guessing to dive in the other direction.

WIFC had been particularly competitive during the game’s first 30 minutes but were unable to sustain their momentum and Town gradually took a grip on territorial advantage before a corner was converted by a near-post flick – possibly lastly off a Watford head – with around 30 minutes left for play.

O’ Connor spurned a glorious chance to equalise for a second time when, having pounced on a short back-pass, he struck a post before awkwardly volleying the rebound over the bar.

Having carved out another chance, well saved, soon after through individual skill, O’Connor’s was the last real sight of the Hatters’ goal as Watford’s efforts petered out towards full-time.

Hornets: Mesiano; Ladell, Anderson, Moss, T Brandy; Sperinck, Murphy, St-Cyr, Nicholls (c), Soloway, C Bateman.Subs used: D Sitkowski, Wood, O’Connor, C Brandy, Stone.

WATFORD IFC marked the official resumption of Internet FA action for the 2020/21 season with a 6-3 come-from-behind win at home to AFC Wimbledon.

The Wombles raced into an early two-goal advantage with the Hornets seemingly still emerging from footballing hibernation – despite a midweek Powerleague get-together.

It took 16 minutes for the arrears to be halved during the first half of the 12-a-side match on the giant playing surface inside Watford FC’s training ground inflatable dome. Ben Kelly drove down the left flank and stabbed low across the face of goal for Alex Newman – arriving at the far post – to poke home.

Kelly then levelled the scores himself, breaking free of two challenges to drill the ball low past the Dons’ keeper.

Adam Gallichan put the Golden Boys 3-2 ahead shortly before half-time, but the goal of the game – as the momentum edged back in the host’s favour – came eight minutes into the second 45 when a sweeping passing move through the thirds ended with a neat low finish by Charlie Wood.

The Wombles re-pressed their claims and found a third goal to set up the potential of a nervy finish to the game for WIFC. But two Mark O’Connor goals, separated by just two minutes, put some added gloss on the final scoreline with just over ten minutes left for play.

Hornets: Mesiano; T Brandy, J Sitkowski, D Sitkowsi, Ainsley; A Newman, T Labbett, Stone, Anderson, St-Cyr; Gallichan, Kelly. Subs used: O’Connor, C Brandy, Viney, Church, Wood, Hill.
Goals: A Newman, Kelly, Gallichan, Wood, O’Connor x 2