Birkdale Trophies Challenge Cup Quarter-Final

Leaders United will be the sole representative from Division One in the semi-finals after sweeping aside top-flight team Cassiobury Revolution 5-1 on Sunday.

Last season United had beaten Cassiobury's second team, FC Revolution, before breaking away on their own in the summer and there was clearly a fierce rivalry between the two sides.

The game started 40 minutes late to allow the pitch to thaw out after a heavy night's frost, and it was an even opening with neither side giving an inch.

United struck the post early on, but it was Cassiobury who went ahead after 23 minutes thanks to a well-struck free-kick from Max Earthrowl.

That lead lasted only seven minutes when, following a run into the Cassiobury box, full-back Joe Ray was felled by a late tackle and Matt Byrne slotted home the spot-kick.

Three minutes late United went ahead when Byrne struck his second. After controlling a throw into the box, he turned two defenders before firing a half-volley inside the near post, leaving Cassiobury keeper Ross Powell helpless.

The game was effectively over two minutes into the second half as former Cassiobury striker Darren O’Brien played in Byrne to complete his hat-trick.

Cassiobury’s heads dropped and United added a further two goals, the first from the impressive Ray and the scoring was wrapped up when Lee Woodward scored direct from a corner.

United now face Bushey Grove in the semi-final, with Bovingdon taking on Prince George in the other tie.

President’s Cup Group A

Bovingdon booked their second semi-final place of the season with a narrow 2-1 win over Inter, despite playing much of the game with just nine men.

Mark McNicholas and Tommy Gray scored twice before their side were reduced down to nine minutes following two sending offs.

Effectively defending for the whole of the second half in brave rearguard action, Bovingdon conceded a goal with a quarter-of-an-hour left when Chris Stead pulled one back. But any hope of an Inter equaliser was ended when they also had a player sent off late on.

President’s Cup Group B

With nothing resting on the outcome of the game between Meriden Ballers and Old Danes Athletic, both sides produced a goal-fest as already-qualified Old Danes edged the contest 7-6.

It was a see-saw affair with Meriden leading 2-0 and 3-1 before their opponents battled back. Meriden then led 4-3, 5-4 and 6-5 with just two minutes left, before two goals at the death saw Old Danes win the game.

Alan Dunton scored a brace for Ballers, with their other gaols coming from Ben Dunton, Perry Smith, Aaron Crawford and Junior Bullen.

Old Danes had three players scoring doubles - Liam Janusz, Chris White and Rob Rossiter - with the other goal coming from Chris White.

Division One

Dynamo Croxley beat Carpenders Park Rangers Reserves 3-2.

Michael Gillman scored a hat-trick and his team led 3-0 until five minutes remaining, but two goals from Blake Scott and Joe Barton was not enough to save Rangers.

Bedmond’s season has started to come off the rails after a second straight defeat, this time 7-1 to WD Athletic, a side they beaten only two weeks previously by a single goal.

Pat Turner scored a double for WD, with the other goals coming from Tom Byron, Alex Halifax, Shaun Kimpton, Alex Gilmaney and Stephen Sutch. The sole reply from Bedmond was scored by Alfie Devane with his team already 7-0 down.