Colne spring major surprise to book their place in cup final - Essex and Suffolk Border League

EARLS Colne sensationally beat holders Gas Recreation to reach the final of the Essex and Suffolk Border League's Knockout Cup.

A first-half goal from Jack Charnock saw Chris Hudson’s side shock Gas with a tremendously resilient second-half display.

It is 37 years since Earls Colne last reached the final of the prestigious competition, when they beat Parkeston Railway.

It was a memorable day for the winners, who not only missed a penalty but saw keeper Toby Phillips save a last-minute spot-kick to secure their final place.

The result was a fitting tribute to Earls Colne’s late chairman Roger Bragg, who died this year - a man who loved the club and put in so much work over so many years.

For their part, Gas were magnanimous in defeat, confirming that Colne thoroughly deserved their success.

In the premier division, Stanway Pegasus extended their lead by 13 points over nearest challengers Great Bentley, after a 7-2 win over Tiptree Engaine.

With four games remaining, they must now be considered firm favourites to dethrone present champions Gas Recreation.

Great Bentley’s chances of a first championship success were dealt a major blow in the defeat at School Lane, going down 3-1 to Lawford Lads.

However, if they are able to take advantage of their games in hand, they should at least secure the runners-up spot.

Third-place Flitch United beat fourth-place Tiptree Heath 2-1 at Tolleshunt Knights Village Hall, with goals from Michael Morgan and Billy Sykes. Joe Chester replied for the hosts.

West Bergholt have moved into seventh place, comfortably seeing off Brantham Athletic Reserves 5-0 at the Lorkin Daniel Field to consign Athletic to relegation.

Joe Harrington found the net twice while Lee Townrow and Luke Bloomfield completed the scoring.

White Notley’s impressive form continued with a fine 4-1 win over a disappointing visiting Alresford Colne Rangers.

It has been a remarkable change of fortune for Notley over the past few weeks, who have now climbed out of the lower reaches into 12th place.

Peter Falco hit two and Callum Knightbridge and Robbie Bennett finished off the home scoring.

In division one, leaders Sudbury Sports beat visiting Belle Vue Social 7-1 in midweek at the Mel Group Stadium to open up a four-point lead over nearest rivals Colne Athletic, whose match at Wormingford was one of five divisional postponements.

Shane Temple struck a hat-trick for the free-scoring Sudbury side and Jake Banyard scored a brace.

Alfie Adams and Joshua Ambrose each scored one to complete the rout.

Alresford Colne Rangers' miserable day was complete when Boxted Lodgers visited Ford Lane and ran out 6-0 winners.

In division two, there was no league action for the top two, enabling Tavern to take advantage, winning 4-1 away to Tiptree Heath Reserves to close in on Hedinghams United and Shrub End United.

Tavern are four points behind the leaders with two games in hand.

In the remaining domestic cups, West Bergholt and Lawford Lads each progressed in the Reserve Knockout Cup.

Bergholt won 2-1 at Dedham Old Boys with goals from John England and Daniel Wheeler.

Lawford Lads beat Stanway Rovers 4-2.

In the Tommy Thompson Cup, Harwich Rangers' solitary goal was sufficient to beat Hedinghams United and Cavendish exited the Suffolk Primary Cup 4-2 away to Ipswich Exiles Youth.

Results: Suffolk Primary Cup - quarter-final: Ipswich Exiles Youth 4 Cavendish 2.

League Knockout Cup - semi-final: Gas Recreation 0 Earls Colne 1.

Reserve Knockout Cup: Dedham Old Boys Reserves 1 West Bergholt Res 2, Lawford Lads Res 4 Stanway Pegasus Res 2.

Tommy Thompson Cup: Hedinghams United 0 Harwich Rangers 1.

Premier division: Lawford Lads 3 Great Bentley 1, Little Oakley Res 4 Hatfield Peveral 2, Stanway Pegasus 7 Tiptree Engaine 2, Tiptree Heath 1 Flitch United 2, West Bergholt 5 Brantham Athletic 0, White Notley 4 Alresford Colne Rangers 1.

Division one: Alresford Colne Rangers Res 0 Boxted Lodgers 6.

Division two: Great Bentley Res 1 Rowhedge 0, Hatfield Peverel Res 5 Elmden Rovers 1, Tiptree Engaine Res 1 Tavern 4, Tollesbury 6 Wormingford Wanderers Res 3.

Division three: Tiptree Heath Res 4 Hedinghams United Res 2, Boxted Lodgers Res 1 Oyster 2, Cavendish Res 0 St Osyth 5, Harwich & Parkeston Res 5 Barnston Res 3, Stanway Athletic 1 Kelvedon Social 0.