by JOHN CAMPANY

THERE were mixed fortunes for Essex and Suffolk Border League sides in the second round of the Essex Junior Cup.

FC Clacton Reserves, Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves and Lawford Lads Reserves made it through to round three, while there were defeats for Kelvedon Social and Tiptree Heath Reserves.

Great Bentley Reserves await a decision from the county FA, following the controversial abandonment of their tie with visiting Lakeside.

Bentley held an interval 3-1 lead when the game came to an abrupt halt.

Clacton’s win away to Abingdon was achieved after extra-time.

The score after 90 minutes was 1-1 but ended 3-1, with goals from Andreas Antoniou-Garcia, Cameron Dolphin and Jake Richardson.

Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves won the all-Border League clash at Colne Athletic 2-1.

It was a fiery encounter, with both sides reduced to ten men by the final whistle.

Josh Vaughan got the home goal and Ryan Ellis was red-carded, while goals from Ross Nash and Roger Smith saw Rangers through.

Steven Roberts was the recipient of the second red card.

Lawford Lads Reserves trounced Eastleigh 7-1 at School Lane to move into the next round.

The draw for the fourth round will see another Border League clash with Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves entertaining Lawford Lads Reserves at Ford Lane, ensuring the league will have a side in the quarter-final stage.

Elsewhere, FC Clacton Reserves have been rewarded with a home tie against Roydon, who beat Brentwood United.

If Great Bentley Reserves prevail following their abandonment they will travel to play Bowers United U23s.

In the premier division, the top four sides maintained their challenge with each winning their matches.

Stanway Pegasus had a narrow 2-1 win at Dedham Old Boys to retain top spot but they are being pursued by the chasing trio of Tiptree Heath, Alresford Colne Rangers and Flitch United.

Second-place Tiptree were involved in an eight-goal thriller at Earls Colne, winning 5-3.

The visitors are three points behind the leaders with a game in hand, while the home side are languishing in the bottom three.

Keiran Adams scored twice and Benrico Stripe also netted, but the visitors replied with two goals each from Charlie Green and Cameron Ward and one from Callum Hunt.

Alresford kept the pressure on the leaders with an amazing 6-5 victory at Tiptree Engaine to remain in close contention in third place, four points behind Pegasus with two games in hand.

The visiting marksmen were Elliot Aves (two), Hassan Ally, Gareth Evans and Chay Hammarton.

Flitch are also well-placed in fourth, again four points behind with a game in hand.

At this stage of the season it’s anybody’s title and West Bergholt, who did not play, cannot be discounted, not to mention champions Gas Recreation, who can be assured of putting in a run over the weeks ahead.

Brantham Athletic Reserves picked up an important point at the Leisure Centre, drawing 2-2 with Barnston, but remain in 15th position.

Jonathan Lee hit both goals for the home side.

In division one, with Colne Athletic in cup action, Gosfield United took advantage to consolidate second place, winning 2-1 at Stanway Rovers Reserves with goals from Jake Gilder and Ryan Vickery.

Vickery also received a red card.

Michael Whittle replied for the home side.

Results: FA Inter League Cup - round two: Essex and Suffolk Border League 1 Southern Amateur League 3.

Essex Junior Cup - round three: Ashingdon 1 FC Clacton Res 3 (AET), Colne Athletic 1 Alresford Colne Rangers Res 2, Haver Town 7 Kelvedon Social 1, Lawford Lads Res 7 County Cup opponents - TBA 1, Stanway Pegasus Res 0 Shoebury Town A 7, Tiptree Heath Res 0 Toby Res 2.

Premier division: Brantham Athletic Res 2 Barnston 2, Dedham Old Boys 1 Stanway Pegasus 2, Earls Colne 3 Tiptree Heath 5, Flitch United 2 Lawford Lads 1, Tiptree Engaine 5 Alresford Colne Rangers 6.

First division: Belle Vue Social 5 Little Oakley A 2, Boxted Lodgers 1 Tiptree Jobserve 6, Cressing United 4 Wormingford Wanderers 0, Mersea Island 2 West Bergholt Res 1, Stanway Rovers Res 1 Gosfield United 2.

Second division: Brantham Athletic A 0 Shrub End United 2, Harwich Rangers 4 Gas Recreation Res 3, Rowhedge 2 Hatfield Peverel Res 0, Tavern 1 Tiptree Jobserve Res 2, Wormingford Wanderers Res 1 Cavendish 5.

Third division: Barnston Res 8 Cavendish Res 2, Bradfield Rovers 1 Flitch United Res 8, St Osyth 4 HedinghamS United Res 1, Stanway Athletic 1 Oyster 1.