CALNE Eagles opened a 3-1 first leg lead over Zeals in the EJ Shanley & Sons–sponsored Spring Cup, thanks largely to a brace of goals from new signing Mickey Taraskevics, who continually provided moments of telling quality in an otherwise dire game.

On a heavy pitch Calne edged the first half and took a deserved lead through veteran striker Brett Cullen, who latched onto a hopeful pass up field and fired an unstoppable shot past Martin Hodges.

At the other end, Zeals were finding it hard to create chances, but Aaron Carter did force a good save out of keeper Andy Windsor with a fine shot from distance.

Calne doubled their lead right at the start of the second half when a well-worked throw-in from Gary Wootten found Karl Sharratt who's through ball set-up Taraskevics, who coolly fired past Martin Hodges in Zeals' goal.

Despite this setback Zeals battled well and enjoyed a lot of possession as the second half progressed without really forging any clear-cut chances.

Despite struggling to keep possession Calne still looked the most dangerous team and it took a superb save from Zeals' keeper Hodges to deny Karl Sharratt his first goal for Calne Eagles since his return to the club.

With 15 minutes remaining Calne took a 3-0 lead when Sharratt once again set up winger Taraskevics to score his second of the game and his third in his first two matches for Calne.

With only eight minutes left on the clock Zeals gained some reward for their endeavour when Aaron Carter fired home from the edge of the box. This goal will keep the tie alive for Zeals and provide them with some hope for the second leg in a fortnight's time.

Bradford United Reserves, of Division Two, will take a three-goal advantage into their Spring Cup second leg meeting with third division Hilperton United Reserves after claiming a 6-3 success in the first leg.

Bradford looked as if they had the tie done and dusted after just 45 minutes as they had taken a 5-1 lead thanks to goals from Chris Baker, Lee Ridout, Ed Wicks and Sam Phillips who scored a double. Hilperton’s reply coming from Chad Cain.

Hilperton gave themselves a glimmer of hopes of reviving the tie when the teams meet in a fortnight's time with goals from Dean Gumm who scored from the penalty spot and Ben Lee.

Had it not been for Sam Phillips third of the game, Roger Stevens side may well have fancied their chances of turning things around at Whaddon Lane, but in truth it is Bradford who look odds-on to make it to the quarter-finals.