Highly-rated young striker Giovany Lopes hit a hat-trick as Soham Town Rangers Reserves’ claimed the honours in a Friday night derby clash with Ely City Reserves in Kershaw Senior A.

Matthew Simpson was also on target for the Greens in the 4-2 win. They scored all their goals in an imperious first half performance. The second half was a different story - Vincent Long was sent off for handling the ball on the goal line and the visitors pulled two goals back.

Soham Town Rangers Reserves manager Wayne Lockwood said: “I’ve been involved in football for a long time and the first 30 minutes were the best I’ve seen one of my teams play. It was 4-0 at half time and we hit the bar three times - it could have been 7-0.

“The second half was not so great - we had a man sent off and Ely came back into it. There were some hairy moments but I think we deserved the win.

“We’re really pleased, especially since in our previous game at Chatteris Town we didn’t play very well (they lost 5-1).

“Giovany is only 19. He was on the bench for the first team on Saturday, although he didn’t get on. He’s a class act. The boy has a massive future.”

Lockwood, who joined Soham Town Rangers Reserves from Fordham in the summer, says he is “happy” with his side’s fifth place league position (they have 12 points after seven games) in what he says is a “rebuilding” season.

He said: “We are still new to the club. We want to consolidate this year so we are quite happy with where we are at. All we need are a couple more experienced players.”

Also in Senior A, Soham United picked up an impressive 4-0 win at Orwell.

Burwell Swifts are siting pretty at the top of Kershaw Senior B after a stunning 5-0 win at Wimblington. Chris Tennant (2), Tom Williams, Aaron Carman and Shaun Hogg got the goals.

In NMC 1B, following their opening day draw at Huntingdon, promoted Fordham staged their opening home game in the new division and beat Eaton Socon Reserves 2-1.

The hosts made the perfect start with a fine goal after Jamie Crawley’s superb pass enabled Tom Thatcher to cross for Richard Kent to guide the ball home.

Fordham’s joy was short lived as the visitors hit back in the 25th minute to level the scores.

It was anybody’s match but it was Fordham who scored the decisive goal when 16 year old substitute Reu Palmer weaved passed a defender with his first touch to cross for Kent to score his second of the match.

Ben Fuller was on target but, after back to back wins, Littleport Town suffered their first setback of the campaign. They lost 3-1 to March Town United Reserves.

In NMC 2B, Mepal Sports drew 2-2 with Houghton & Wyton.

Ely Crusaders progressed in the Creake Charity Shield with a thumping 7-3 win at Balsham. Stuart Freeland (3), Matt Brodie, Daniel Cox, Scott Dews and Kurtis Mpundu scored.

Nick Samuels’ extra time double saw Isleham United go through with a 2-1 win at Histon Hornets Sports.

Lewis Chambers got all four goals to send Little Downham Swifts into the next round. They won 4-2 at Sawston United Reserves,

In the Lower Junior Challenge Cup, Burwell Swifts held their nerve in a penalty shoot out (3-0) after they drew 4-4 with Girton United Reserves in an eight goal thriller.

Ely Crusaders Reserves also progressed, winning 4-0 at Outwell Swifts Reserves.

Witchford 96 Reserves cruised through with a 10-0 demolition of Marchester United. Burwell Tigers secured their passage with a 7-1 thumping of Wilbraham.