Two off in cup as reserves go through

PREMIER LEAGUE CUP

ELY City Reserves are through to the next round of the competition despite having two players sent off in last Friday's home clash with Over Sports.

Steve Pollard's deflected free-kick kept them on terms at the break, and Andrew Lee took the match into extra-time as both David Harvey (55 minutes) and Jamie Smith (75 minutes) received their marching orders for second bookable offences.

The visitors failed to break the home team down, however, and when it came to a penalty shoot-out City had the greater resolve.

Lee failed with the spot-kick that could have made it 5-3, but Over missed with their seventh attempt and James Salmons stepped up to clinch the tie.

Fordham also made it after ­winning 2-1 at Wisbech Town Reserves.

'Spike' Murkin dispatched Daren Pryke's pass for the opener, and player-manager Matt Almond - on as a substitute - took advantage of a Sam James cross to nod in what proved to be the winner, prior to Wisbech's late consolation.

The clash between Littleport Town and Histon 'A' was a repeat of last season's final, and 'Port again lost out by the odd goal in a thrilling encounter.

Luke Butcher was on target in the first half, but his side trailed 4-1 at the interval after a series of defensive blunders.

Kevin Hills, Jim Francis and Will Ludbrooke (2) were all on target in the second half as the hosts made a game of it, but they were still 6-5 adrift at the final whistle.

WILLIAM COCKELL CUP

SOHAM Town Rangers Reserves missed a host of first-half opportunities as they went down by the odd goal in five at home to Brampton.

Alex Irvine tapped in the opener after Jonathan Brown's shot had been saved, but the visitors led 3-1 before Irvine scored again in the closing stages.

PERCY OLDHAM CUP

SOHAM United put their league woes behind them as a four-goal blast from Tom Christie put the skids under Huntingdon United RGE.

Christie (3) and Dan Simmons put the Wasps 4-0 up at the midway point, and another goal from Christie put the tie beyond Huntingdon's reach after the break.

Haddenham Rovers also made it with a late winner from Kenny Holmes proving too much for local rivals Littleport Town Reserves.

Phil Harle and Ed Ideson put Rovers two up inside 30 minutes, but goals from Jamie Linney and Mark Talbot got the visitors back on terms before Holmes settled it.

DIVISION 1B

LEADERS Ely City A dropped their first points of the season at Cottenham United Reserves.

Tom Hoppitt's double was enough to earn a 2-2 draw.

DIVISION 2B

WITCHFORD '96 returned to winning ways at the expense of Wisbech St Mary Reserves.

Chris Axton's first half double - his first goals for the club - made it 2-0 at the interval, and second half goals from Aaron Spencer and substitute Richard Martin made it 4-1 at the finish.

Pymoor FC, meanwhile, trailed four times in their home clash with Godmanchester Rovers Reserves, but still earned a share of the spoils as Jason Cridford (2), Greg Saberton and Aaron Povey all hit the target.

Stretham Hotspurs have now conceded 23 goals in three matches after losing 7-2 at home to Milton Reserves, but Sutton United kept a clean sheet as they dispatched local rivals Isleham United.

Lee Read missed a first half penalty, but Matthew Keys converted a second half spot-kick and eventually helped himself to four goals in Sutton's 6-0 win.

Sean Bristow - with a header - and Wayne Newman were the other players on target.

The Vine crashed 5-0 in their fixture at Over Sports Reserves.

DIVISION 3B

GARETH Draper's 80th-minute goal earned Little Downham Swifts a 1-1 draw in their match at Huntingdon United RGE.

DIVISION 4B

THE Vine Reserves salvaged a point at Hemingfords United A, thanks to a Simon Thorpe goal eight minutes from time.

Dave Abbott, Sam Morgan and Mark Finbow were the other players on target as The Vine held on for a dramatic 4-4 draw.

DIVISION 5B

BURWELL Swifts Reserves' first home match of the season ended in defeat.

Mark Taylor cancelled out Upwell Athletic's opener and Chris Metcalfe put Swifts ahead in the second half, but the visitors finished strongly and ran out 3-2 winners.

Isleham United Reserves meanwhile contributed two own goals to their 14-1 demise at home to Earith United.

LOWER JUNIOR CUP

MARK Chinery claimed a hat-trick as Burwell Swifts progressed in style in their match at Dataracks Elite.

Nathan Hull and Carl Saxby contributed two goals each in Burwell's 11-0 win, and other goals went to Michael Edwards, Daniel Jones, Ryan King and Glenn Carman.

James Kent (2), Mick Edwards and Gary Hunt were the players on target in Littleport Town A's 4-2 home victory against Leverington Sports A, and the same scoreline saw Fordham Reserves go through at the expense of Willingham Reserves.

Grant Pearson and Clive Boucheron shared the goals in Fordham's win, and they were joined in the next round by Mepal Sports who beat Wisbech St Mary A 3-2.

Soham United Reserves crashed 5-0 at Chatteris Town Reserves, and two local sides joined them in the departure lounge after failing to raise a side.

Haddenham Rovers Reserves awarded their tie to opponents Ely Crusaders, and Little Downham Swifts Reserves did likewise on behalf of Supercue.

SUNDAY FOOTBALL

SHELFORD ENERGY CUP

FOX Burwell are through to the Third Round after leading all the way in their tie at Brinkley Red Lion.

Tom Thatcher was Burwell's hero, scoring all of their goals in a 4-3 win.

Little Downham United were humbled 10-2 at Gamlingay United Sunday, and Wilburton Albion flopped 5-1 at Jockeys despite taking an early lead through Will Ludbrooke.

M & E FREEMAN CUP

ELY Park Rangers Reserves won 8-1 at Litlington Sunday in their Second Round tie, but QPR Ely are out after suffering an odd goal in five defeat at Girton Eagles.

SENIOR DIVISION

Triple-S easily overcame a weakened Arbury outfit.

Ben Howe led the way with a hat-trick in the team's 7-2 victory, and he was joined on the scoresheet by Sam Cooper, James McCabe, Ben Fuller and Ross Knappett (penalty).

TUCKER GARDNER PARTNERSHIP LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

DALE Spring and Joe Featherstone both hit hat-tricks as Ely Pymoor Rangers put local rivals Haddenham Harlequins to the sword.

Simon Mears was the other player on target in a comfortable 7-1 win.