WITH the eagerly-awaited Chantry Digital-sponsored Knockout Cup second-round tie between third division gladiators FC Box Steam Brewery and Potterne being lost to the weather due to a waterlogged pitch at the Brewery Boys’ Bobbin Lane pitch, the match that took top billing was just down the road.

At Culver Close, first division stablemates Bradford United and Hilperton United locked horns in what should have been a cup classic. Instead, the latter thumped their hosts 8-1 to book their spot in the last eight.

Bradford opened the scoring through Phil Little but their lead was shortlived as Ben Smith saw parity restored before Neil Hulford put Hilperton ahead.

Afterthat it was one-way traffic for the villagers as further first-half goals from Adie Chantry and Dean Coles were followed by a second goal each for Smith, Coles and Hulford along with Bradley King-Taylor’s single in the second period.

The all-first division Knockout Cup encounter between leaders Holt FC and basement side Bradford United Reserves went to form with Ben Hogg’s village side booking their quarter-final spot at Melksham Town A courtesy of a 7-1 win.

Bradford, who started the game with nine players, six of which were 16 year-olds, gave a great account of themselves in the opening 45 minutes and only trailed to the odd goal, Zack Manna giving Holt their half-time lead.

Back up to 11 in the second half, Bradford eventually ran out of steam. Manna completed a hat-trick, Mark Reynolds adding two and Mike Maguire and debutant Adam Casserly one each. Jack Bristow replied.

Having disposed of first division North Bradley in the previous round, third division Melksham Town A would have envisaged few problems in their second-round clash at home to second division Calne Eagles.

That proved to be the case as Barry Holloway’s side set up a home tie with Holt following a 9-0 win.

Nick Ridout scored the first two goals and completed a hat-trick with a second-half strike, but he was outscored by Jordan Kirk who scored a four timer.

Kurt James, on his debut, and Callum Demkiv completed the rout.

First division Semington Magpies had their wings clipped by an in-form Heytesbury outfit who, thanks to two goals in the final minute, claimed a 4-2 win which kept their hopes of silverware on five fronts very much alive.

Sean Meer and then Dan Barnett twice gave Semington the lead. Declan Griffiths levelled for a first time and Brendan Hind squared things up at two apiece before Bradley Edwards and Leigh Kennedy won it for Heytesbury late on.

There was no upset at Leighton Sports Centre, Westbury, where second division White Horse FC did the business against Ade Giles' The Stiffs who, despite a good run of league results in Division Three, were unable to transfer that form into their cup tie as they suffered an 11-1 loss.

Stuart Barber ended a barren spell in front of goal with a hat-trick and Darren Fryer also scored three, Kane Scott, Sam Gooding, Steve Munday, Allan Clarke, from the penalty spot, and a Scott Ball own goal making up the 11.

The Stiffs, who finished the game with 10 players following a head injury to Rob Clark, scored the goal of the game that saw Scott Ball beat keeper Andy Ladd from the halfway line.

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