DEFENDING A M Print & Copy-sponsored Knockout Cup winners Corsham CC Wildcats were drawn away at current Premier Division champions Melksham Town (Sunday) in what was the heavyweight tie from the preliminary round’s eight fixtures.

As expected, the battle between the top-flight giants produced a nail-biter that the Wildcats won 3-2.

Callum Demkiv got Melksham off to a promising start, only for Mark Robinson to restore parity with his first Wildcats goal.

However Melksham were back in front before the interval, Demkiv scoring his second to give Mike Rogers side a 2-1 lead.

Adam Mitchell got Wildcats back on level terms before fashioning what proved to be the winner on 75 minutes.

Third Division Calne United conjured up the cup shock of the day by claiming the scalp of first division Sutton Benger, who played the whole game with 10 players on their way to a 5-1 loss.

Alfie Bain’s first-half strike along with a second-half double for Jordan Stewart and singles for Matt Fenn and Michael Hedges meant that Paul Watson’s goal was just a consolation for Benger.

FC North Wiltshire, who have started well this season, visited second division stablemates Cavalier and after a thrilling 90 minutes it was the latter who edged a seven-goal classic, thanks to a 4-3 success.

In a bizzare opening few minutes it was one apiece as North Wilts led 1-0 when Ashton Schorah turned an Eusablo Titus effort beyond his own keeper.

Almost immediately at the other end Max Hardman headed a Martin Mitchell cross into his own net to tie the scores.

Leigh Blanchard put Cavalier 2-1 up, only for Josh Duckett to level matters prior to the break.

Scott Stroud reclaimed the lead for Cavalier and Blanchard made it 4-2 with a stunning finish, superbly tucking away a Dan Arnold flick for his second of the morning.

Nick Beardmore made it interesting with a late third for North Wilts, but Cavalier managed to hold on for victory.

Third division Christian Malford cursed their luck as the cup draw paired them with Premier Division leaders Somerford and, as expected, it was the latter who prevailed claiming an 8-1 win.

Matt Spear, Mark Nolan and Wil Stone scored two each for Somerford with Matt Holdaway and Will Gale adding the others. Ashley Fletcher was Malford’s lone marksman.

League newcomers Faded FC were at Awdry Avenue for their cup clash with FC Pig & Whistle and it saw a return to Melksham for a few of the Faded players who were with the Pig last season.

Faded, who have scored 17 in their opening two games, were in the goals for a third time, scoring 11 unanswered goals.

They led 6-0 at halftime, Matt Stevens and Naseem Abourachid scoring twice with Matt Minnis and Pete Spong adding the others.

The second period saw Stevens add another to complete his hat-trick. Rico Witter got in on the act with a single, however it was Minnis who stole the show with a second-half treble that took his tally to four for the morning.

Things went to plan at Stanley Park where first division Pheasant defeated third division new boys North Star Club.

However the 4-1 scoreline was a lot closer than predicted.

Pheasant went ahead when a Nick Maniford set piece was headed home by Josh Legg.

Rob Pocock thumped the ball home for 2-0 before Richard Hudson powered home a penalty to make it 3-0 and although Joe Child’s first North Star goal gave them hope it counted for nothing as Richie Bolter slotted home a Manifold assist for the winners' fourth of the game.

The Foresters Arms had the easiest of passages into the next round as Paul Kidley’s team were handed a walkover when fellow third division outfit White Horse B were unable to raise a side for their preliminary round clash.

Warminster Wanderers, from the third division, were looking to cause a cup shock when they hosted second division Semington FC.

But things went to form as last terms losing finalists made it through to the first round thanks to a 2-1 win.

Semington took the lead via Dan Rimmer’s crisp finish into the top corner after a fine move between himself and Chris Dore.

Semington went 2-0 up, Rimmer scoring another stunner after some neat passing between Bobby Mitchell, Ricky King and Dore.

Warminster halved the deficit through Kieran Green, that was as close as they got as Semington progressed for what they hope will be another cup run.