KERSHAW PREMIER DIVISION FORDHAM were unable to put the skids under Cambridge University Press s title challenge, going down by the only goal of the game in Saturday s encounter. It was a very even, tight game throughout, said Fordham secretary J

KERSHAW PREMIER DIVISION

FORDHAM were unable to put the skids under Cambridge University Press's title challenge, going down by the only goal of the game in Saturday's encounter.

"It was a very even, tight game throughout," said Fordham secretary John Pryke after witnessing his side's 1-0 home defeat. "Both teams played their best against the wind, and we controlled the match after they scored but just couldn't get the goal."

SENIOR DIVISION A

ELY City Reserves won 2-1 at the expense of Foxton, but they still need leaders Hundon to slip up if they are to mount a viable challenge for the title.

Richie Murfitt squared for Gareth Arter to open the scoring after 15 minutes, and Liam Hart emerged from midfield to add the second goal following a good move.

Foxton pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining, but City held on comfortably.

Soham Town Rangers Reserves saw their promotion hopes nosedive with a 2-1 defeat at West Wratting.

Rangers trailed 1-0 at midway despite a penalty save from Gavin Wiseman, and they conceded a second goal immediately after the break.

Peter Hinde scored to give Soham hope of retrieving the deficit, but Jamie Burch received his marching orders for a lunging tackle and Hinde was the victim of another red-card challenge as he limped off to leave the visitors with nine men.

SENIOR DIVISION B

HADDENHAM Rovers jumped to third spot - their highest position of the season - as they overcame West Wratting Reserves 3-1 at home.

Kenny Holmes scored the only goal of the first half after Will Ludbrooke had squared the ball back to him, and he made it 2-0 in the 55th minute after receiving a defence-splitting pass from Aaron Collins.

The visitors replied with a wind-assisted effort from 35-yards, but Holmes completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot to seal the points.

CREAKE CHARITY SHIELD QUARTER FINAL

CUP specialists Littleport Town Reserves are through to the last four of the competition after goals from Chris Lupson and Luke Butcher earned them a 2-1 win at Cambridge University Press Reserves.

Ely City A lost by the only goal of the game at Wisbech St Mary however, even though the home side had a player sent off.

DIVISION 2B

STRUGGLING Stretham Hotspurs gave promotion-chasing Witchford '96 a fright on Saturday, but still went down by the odd goal in nine.

Stretham took a three-goal lead during the opening exchanges, but Darren Rumfitt pulled one back for Witchford before the break and they were soon back on terms.

An Aaron Spencer strike and a deflected effort from Rumfitt made the score 3-3, and Spencer's header then put the visitors in front for the first time.

Hotspurs equalised almost immediately, but Rumfitt went on to complete his hat-trick and wrap up a 5-4 win in the process.

DIVISION 3B

SOHAM United Reserves moved to the top of the table with a hard-fought win against Huntingdon United RGE Reserves.

The game was played at Newmarket because Soham's pitch was unfit, and it was Marcus Locke who broke the deadlock in United's favour.

Huntingdon levelled the scores, but Mark Allen made it 2-1 with a thunderous 70th minute free-kick and Matty Baker's goal-line clearance preserved Soham's narrow advantage in the closing minutes.

LOWER JUNIOR CUP THIRD ROUND

'PIP' Ball grabbed a late winner as Pymoor FC came through 2-1 at the expense of local rivals Mepal Sports.

Simon Law scored Pymoor's opener from the penalty spot after Jason Cridford had worked hard to keep the ball alive, but Tim Houghton equalised in the 75th minute to set up an exciting finale.

DIVISION 4B

SUTTON United Reserves switched their match to March Rangers on Saturday, and the move paid off as they came from behind to take all three points.

March broke the ice with a goal at the start of the second half, but Tristan Frear ghosted in at the far post to make it 1-1 with 15 minutes remaining.

Goalkeeper Lloyd Brown then made a fine save to prevent Rangers taking the lead, and Sutton grabbed their winner in the 85th minute.

Substitute Colin Coulson saw his penalty kick saved by the goalkeeper, but fellow sub Alex Greig followed up to make the final score 2-1.

Ely Crusaders were also in action, but they went down by the odd goal in five at home to Exning Athletic.

JOHN ABLETT CUP

THIRD ROUND

BURWELL Swifts crashed out at West Row Gunners Reserves after conceding a goal in each half.

Ollie Williams, Alan Nash and Lee Hardy all went close in the second half, but the hosts broke away near the finish to score the decisive goal.

DIVISION 5B

WICKEN Amateurs threw away two more points due to some poor finishing in the home clash with March Rangers Reserves.

James Petersen gave them a 38th minute lead after a move involving Josh Woodroffe and Dane Turner, but March scored twice in the opening minutes of the second half to turn the tide in their favour.

Wicken looked to have missed another opportunity when Jamie Palmer's 78th minute shot was saved by the goalkeeper, but substitute Jamie Beeton kept the ball in play and his cross was nodded home by Palmer from seven yards to make it 2-2.

Neil Green was the lone marksman as Littleport Town A crashed 4-1 against leaders Fenstanton Reserves, and Burwell Swifts Reserves also lost at home in their encounter with The Vine Reserves. Simon Hurrion's first half effort was mysteriously ruled out, but Chris Grant converted a penalty soon afterwards following a handball and Hurrion outjumped the 'keeper to nod in a second Tom Thatcher's cross.

A brace of goals from substitute Dave Martin and Mark Higginbottom made it 2-2 on the hour, and Shawn Keating grabbed the winner 15 minutes from time, following up after a penalty had been pushed on to the post by the goalkeeper.

SUNDAY FOOTBALL

ELY Park Rangers Reserves kept up their Division 2A promotion drive with a 5-0 demolition of Bottisham Sunday.

Richie Murfitt (2) and Peter Munns made it 3-0 before half-time, and Gary Dewsbury nodded home a fourth before Munns wrapped things up with his second of the day.

QPR Ely crashed 5-0 at Milton Sunday in the same section, and Little Downham United were beaten 6-2 at Newnham Rangers in Division 3A.

There was better news in Division 4A as Fox Burwell won 6-5 at Alma FC Reserves and Wilburton Albion won 2-1 at Cambridge Cosmos Reserves, but Triple-S are out of the Challenge Cup after losing 3-1 at home to Sawston Keys in Sunday's quarter-final clash.