CRICKLADE Town became the first side to qualify for the semi-finals of the Wiltshire League’s Fountain Trophies Knockout Cup this season as two goals in extra time earned a 5-3 win away at Kintbury Rangers in the last eight.

Devan Bryan was the hero for Cricklade with a late double strike – taking his personal haul to four goals on the day – after the tie had ended 3-3 after 90 minutes.

On a very heavy pitch, Cricklade found themselves 2-0 in arrears early on as Charlie Alsop struck twice for Kintbury.

The visitors rallied, though, and Matty Bennett’s strike and a first goal of the afternoon for Bryan restored parity at half-time.

A red card for Kintbury gave Cricklade the initiative after the break and Bryan soon put them 3-2 ahead, only for the home side to hit back before the final whistle as Alsop was on hand to complete a hat-trick of his own and send the game into an additional 30 minutes.

Cricklade made the numerical advantage count in extra time as Bryan continued his superb personal display with two more goals to wrap up the win and send his side into the last four.

With second-placed Cricklade in cup action, league leaders Melksham Town Reserves made the most of their chance to strengthen their position at the summit as a 2-1 win away at their Westbury United counterparts stretched the lead at the top to five points.

Third-in-the-table Shrewton United were the big winners on the day as they roared to an emphatic 5-1 success at home to Corsham Town Reserves.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Development claimed a 2-0 success away at Marlborough Town, while Ludgershall Sports edged out Pewsey Vale Development 2-1 on home turf.

The scheduled league games at Trowbridge Town and Wroughton, where Purton and Malmesbury Victoria Development were scheduled to be the respective visitors, were both postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

The Fountain Trophies Knockout Cup quarter-final tie between Bremhill and Devizes Town also suffered the same fate.