by JOHN CAMPANY

ESSEX and Suffolk Border League sides were in cup action on Saturday.

There were plenty of ties taking place, both in league competitions and the County Cup.

There were no shocks in the second round of the Knockout Cup, with premier division sides progressing.

However, it took penalties for struggling Tiptree Engaine to beat first division Mersea Island.

The Islanders held their hosts to 2-2 before losing 6-5 in the shoot-out.

Their scorers were Lewis Ayton and Dan Gibbons, in ordinary time.

Harwich Rangers can count themselves unfortunate, having held Earls Colne to 2-2 after 90 minutes.

However, the premier division side grabbed a 4-2 extra-time victory.

Colne’s marksmen were Jack Charnock, Connor Randall and a brace from Kieran Adams.

Holders Gas Recreation faced a stern test against division one promotion hopefuls Colne Athletic.

However, they eased through with goals from Luke Taylor and two from Eldon Craig.

Daniel Homewood replied for the visitors.

Great Bentley, on their travels, easily disposed of first division Tiptree Jobserve 3-0, with Dale Brown getting two and one from Louis Olymbios.

Lawford Lads met stiff opposition from FC Clacton Reserves but prevailed 2-1, with Oliver Mann increasing his season’s goal tally to 22.

Elsewhere, Alresford Colne Rangers managed to overcome second division Shrub End United 2-0.

Dedham Old Boys narrowly beat first division Tollesbury by the odd goal in three to make progress to the next round.

There was disappointment for West Bergholt in the fourth round of the Essex Premier Cup, losing 4-1 at Basildon Town.

However, in the Suffolk Primary Cup, there was joy for Cavendish, who beat Bacton 4-1 in the fourth round, with Thomas Gafen scoring a hat-trick and the fourth coming from William Chaplin.

Sadly, in the same competition, Brantham Athletic A made their exit, losing against Ipswich Exiles Youth 2-1.

In the Tommy Thompson Cup second round, there were successes for Hatfield Peverel Reserves over Dedham Old Boys Reserves, 5-4, and Tiptree Jobserve Reserves, who overcame Tavern 2-1.

In the premier division, leaders Stanway Pegasus beat hosts White Notley to reinforce their championship credentials, while struggling Notley remain anchored at the basement.

Flitch United consolidated third place, five points behind the leaders, but have two games in hand after goals from James Oates and a brace from Mathew Wickham saw them to a 3-1 victory against Hatfield Peverel.

Second-place Tiptree Heath also kept the pressure on the leaders with a 3-1 win over visiting Barnston, courtesy of goals from Charlie Hayes, Callum Hunt and Ben Kensdale.

They remain four points behind with a game in hand.

In the first division, Cressing United took advantage of Colne Athletic being in cup action by beating hosts Belle Vue Social 6-1.

It allowed them to leapfrog Athletic and move to the top of the table.

Their scorers were a brace from Daniel Miller and one each from Thomas James, Samuel Ermetici, James King, Robert Olding and Luke Thorndyke.

Sudbury Sports ran riot on Friday evening by overwhelming Little Oakley A at the Mel Group Stadium 8-1.

They are a real threat to the top two sides with games in hand as they push for promotion.

Luke Hipkin and Shane Temple both hit the net twice, while Benjamin Adams, Jake Banyard, Kasey Brannan and Owen Lennie completed the scoring.

Mid-table Bures United enjoyed a comfortable win at home to Boxted Lodgers, who remain in a perilous position in the lower reaches.

Addy Roy struck twice and Lloyd Finch hit the third.

Results: Knockout Cup – round two: Alresford Colne Rangers 2 Shrub End United 0, Gas Recreation 3 Colne Athletic 1, Harwich Rangers 2 Earls Colne 4 (AET), Tiptree Engaine 2 Mersea Island 2 (6-5 pens), Tollesbury 1 Dedham Old Boys 2, FC Clacton Res 1 Lawford Lads 2.

Tommy Thompson Cup – round two: Hatfield Peverel Res 5 Dedham Old Boys Res 4, Tavern 1 Tiptree Jobserve Res 2.

Essex Premier Cup – round four: Basildon Town 4 West Bergholt 1.

Suffolk Primary Cup – round four: Cavendish 4 Bacton 1, Ipswich Exiles Youth 2 Brantham Athletic A 1.

Premier division: Flitch United 3 Hatfield Peverel 1, Little Oakley Res 3 Brantham Athletic Res 2, Tiptree Heath 3 Barnston 1, White Notley 1 Stanway Pegasus 3.

First division: Belle Vue Social 1 Cressing United 6, Bures United 3 Boxted Lodgers 0, Gosfield United 3 Wormingford Wanderers 0.

Second division: Great Bentley Res 6 Elmden Rovers 3, Hedinghams United 1 Rowhedge 2, Wormingford Wanderers Res 1 Gas Recreation Res 5.

Third division: Barnston Res 6 Bradfield Rovers 0, Boxted Lodgers Res 2 Hedinghams United Res 5, Harwich & Parkeston Res 7 Cavendish Res 4, Lawford Lads Res 4 Flitch United Res 0, St Osyth 5 Little Clacton 1, Stanway Athletic 6 Tiptree Heath Res 1.