JUNIOR FOOTBALL Division 3B BURWELL Swifts remain top of this section after scoring a late winner in the clash with local rivals Little Downham Swifts. Downham were well organised and frustrated the league leaders throughout, but were robbed of the point

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

Division 3B

BURWELL Swifts remain top of this section after scoring a late winner in the clash with local rivals Little Downham Swifts.

Downham were well organised and frustrated the league leaders throughout, but were robbed of the point they deserved in the closing minutes.

Carl Saxby fired in a free-kick from the edge of the box, and Michael Edwards got the faintest of touches on the six-yard line to guide the ball home for the winner.

Isleham United are still 100% - after just three games - following a 2-0 victory at Bluntisham Rangers Reserves, and there were first league wins of the season for both Ely Crusaders and Mepal Sports.

Crusaders beat Fordham Reserves 5-2 despite goals from Wayne Bell and Ian Butterworth on behalf of the visitors, and Mepal won 2-0 at Hemingfords United A thanks to Darren Murfitt and Giles Peacock.

Soham United Reserves meanwhile remain bottom and pointless after losing 2-1 at home to Brampton Reserves.

Cliff Bullen Challenge Cup First Round

FORDHAM are still lacking in confidence following their poor start to the season, but in this match eventually came back from two goals down to progress at the expense of Sawston United.

Adam Curtis slotted home to reduce the interval arrears to a single goal, but it took a long time for the hosts to get back on level terms.

Curtis set up Daren Pryke to equalise with 15 minutes remaining, and the same players were involved again when Pryke struck the winner with a first time shot towards the finish.

Littleport Town are also through after an extra-time win against Cottenham United.

They rested Dave Beeton, David Cullum (jnr) and Sean Ambrose, and soon found themselves a goal down due to a lack of urgency.

Andrew Francis redressed the balance with a volley into the top corner however, and the introduction of substitutes shifted the balance of power in extra-time.

A mis-kick from Francis somehow deceived the goalkeeper to put 'Port in front, and Liam Hart's volley wrapped up a 3-1 victory in the first period of extra time.

An own goal was sufficient for Soham Town Rangers Reserves to progress 1-0 at the expense of hosts Great Chesterford, but Soham United had their limitations exposed at Whittlesey United, where they were beaten 11-0 by hugely impressive opponents.

Division 1B

ELY City A joined Newmarket White Lion at the top of the table with 15 points from five games following a 5-2 victory at Eaton Socon Reserves.

Gareth Arter opened the scoring with a 25-yard shot the 'keeper should have saved, and Lewis Peacock doubled the advantage following a goalmouth scramble.

Michael Chow's free-kick went in off the underside of the bar to make the interval score 3-0, and he struck again before the hosts managed to pull one back.

Matt Brodie slotted home to make it 5-1 however, and although the home team pulled another one back following a defensive blunder they were never really in contention.

Senior Division B

GOALKEEPER Jamie Pepper produced a brilliant late save as Littleport Town Reserves shared the spoils with hosts Helions Bumpstead.

'Port were always in arrears, but Mick Edwards and Scott Dews were amongst the scorers as the team eventually earned a 4-4 draw.

Division 2B

STRETHAM Hotspurs had two players sent off as they searched for their first league win of the season at home to Somersham Town Reserves.

They conceded goals either side of the interval, but pulled one back when Sam Ashman scored following a flowing move.

Two penalties in succession foiled Stretham's hopes however, and a brace from Gary Careless failed to save them from defeat as substitute Josh Ashman - for two yellows - and goalkeeper Dave Coulson were dismissed in the closing stages of a 5-3 loss.

Creake Shield Second Round

WITCHFORD '96 lost 6-4 at Godmanchester Rovers Reserves despite a hat-trick from Michael Ward, and The Vine went down 4-2 at Wisbech St Mary despite a brace from Jon Cutter, but Sutton United progressed at the expense of Gransden Chequers.

They trailed at half-time, but Matthew Keys got them back on terms with a cheeky 75th minute back heel and then struck the 2-1 winner with four minutes remaining.

Division 4B

HADDENHAM Rovers Reserves are still pointless and bottom after five outings following a 6-3 defeat at Tydd United, but Wicken Amateurs came from behind to claim their first league win at the expense of Barton Mills Reserves.

A 15th minute penalty put them behind, but Ed Richardson's square pass enabled Ben Reed to claim a close-range equaliser.

Graham Hickmott then fired high into the net following a long throw from James Peterson to make it 2-2, and young substitute Simon Murfitt claimed the winner.

Lee Jaggard's 82nd minute goal earned The Vine Reserves a 1-1 draw at home to Milton A.

Division 5B

BRIAN Halliwell - who turned 65 last week - scored with a tremendous 30-yarder as Little Downham Swifts Reserves entertained Walsoken United, but his side still lost 2-1.

"He's still playing well," said Downham captain Steven Martin afterwards.

Witchford '96 Reserves meanwhile faced Outwell Swifts A, and their opponents remain bottom of the table and pointless after a 6-0 drubbing.

The first half was goalless, but Ollie Young set up Matheus Kopka with his first goal for the club and Ally McDonald doubled Witchford's lead soon afterwards.

Further goals from Matt Parish, Young and Jamie Douglas put the result beyond doubt, and substitute Dave Balcombe eventually wrapped things up for the hosts.

Sunday Football

WICKEN Maids Head and Witchford Raiders are both through to the Second Round of the Cambs FA - Fen Regis Millenium Cup after hunting down Lions!

Wicken won 5-0 at Brinkley Red Lion, and Witchford beat Drayton Lions 3-0.

Little Downham United also made progress in the Banyers of Royston League Cup, reaching the Third Round with a 3-2 win at Meldreth United.

In the league Triple-S returned to winning ways with a 6-0 Senior Division victory at Ickleton, and in Division 1A QPR Ely beat Exning United 7-2.

In Division Four a Stephen Evans goal failed to save Ely Pymore Rangers 3G from a 4-1 defeat at Sporting Histon.