LEVERSTOCK Green's home advantage paid dividends as the Molten Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side came out victorious in the Herts Senior Cup

The Golden Boys were beaten 3-0 at Pancake Lane, with one first half goal and two further strikes after the break.

Watford fielded a very young side made up entirely of first and second year scholars.

In bitterly cold conditions, Academy boss Mark Warburton and coach Sean Dyche saw the young 'Orns play some good football in the first period but they were eventually beaten by a strong, physical home team.

David Parkinson opened the scoring for Green as the impressive number four took advantage of some slack Watford defending. After a free kick was put into the area he reacted quickest and made no mistake in finishing past Hungarian stopper Bo Antal.

Watford tried to get back into the game before the interval but were stopped by a resolute home defence.

After the break, the home side took over and largely dominated proceedings in freezing conditions.

They added a second just before the hour mark as Nathan Dawes converted a penalty after James Armstrong slipped away from the attentions of Rob Kiernan and was eventually sent tumbling by 'keeper Antal.

Billy Gibson was then introduced for the 'Orns after a long injury lay-off, in place of Michael Bryan.

Matthew Whichelow, playing in an advanced position supporting Marvin Sordell, then blasted over the bar.

With 17 minutes left Leverstock Green added a third as a cross into the box looked to be put into his own net by centre half Eddie Oshodi.

The Hornets then used their other substitutes as Fabrice Otshudi and Andy Yiadom entered the fray.

Late on Whichelow pulled a superb ball across goal but sub Gibson could only plant his shot wide.

That was it as the home side won the cup tie and the referee brought a close to the proceedings on a freezing December's evening.  
 
LEVERSTOCK GREEN: Bartley; Davies (Hull 76), Dawes, Beamish, Griggs (c); Parkinson, Hawes, Welling, Jowle; Armstrong (Hart 87), Wardle. Subs not used: Boad, Connolly, Thomas.  

WATFORD: Antal; Hodson, Oshodi (Yiadom 79), Kiernan (c), Lavers; Bryan, Brooks, Penny, Mingoia (Gibson 61); Whichelow, Sordell (Otshudi 76). Subs not used: North (gk), Angus.

GOALS: LEVERSTOCK GREEN; Parkinson (31), Dawes (58), Oshodi (o.g. 73). WATFORD: none.