by JOHN CAMPANY

THERE were a couple of surprises in the Essex and Suffolk Border League's Knockout Cup.

Harwich and Parkeston Reserves, from division three, beat third division leaders Shrub End United 2-0 in the sides' preliminary round tie at the Royal Oak.

Brantham Athletic Reserves, bottom of the premier division, beat visiting White Notley 2-1.

It was their second win of the season.

Kelvedon Social were made to fight at first division Bures United, thanks to Ben Turner’s goal.

Elsewhere in the cup, Alresford Colne Rangers moved smoothly through after a 4-1 victory over Great Bentley.

West Bergholt needed extra time to dispose of Dedham Old Boys at the Drift 3-1. Third division Tavern easily beat FC Clacton Reserves 6-2 while Cavendish overwhelmed luckless Bradfield Rovers 13-0.

In the premier division, Hatfield Peverel are leaders following a comfortable 3-1 win over struggling Wormingford Wanderers, who had Sebastion Pyle sent-off.

The home side's scorers were Adam Brotherton, Ben Lapwood and Adrian Montero Santalla.

They lead Gas, who were idol, by three points, but have played three games more.

Hedinghams United picked up a good point at The Lawns against Lawford Lads in a 2-2 draw to move above Wormingford, who occupy 15th place.

Oliver Clifford and Steven Hill were on target, while for the visitors Oliver Mann and substitute Macauley Watson responded to gain a point.

Tiptree Heath consolidated their encouraging start with a 4-1 success over Little Oakley Reserves at Tolleshunt Knights Village Hall with a brace from Charlie Green and one each from Jamie Chesney and Callum Hunt

In the remaining match, Barnston leapfrogged Earls Colne through a solitary goal from substitute Lewis Hawkins.

The all-Tiptree clash in division one saw visiting Tiptree Engaine move into second place with a 3-1 over Tiptree Jobserve.

Callum Rogers scored twice for the visitors and substitute Shane Goodyear made the points safe.

Anthony Fox was on the mark for the home side.

Third-place Cressing United took advantage of a poor Gas Recreation Reserves side, winning 7-0 with goals from Luke Bearman, Craig Copas, Daniel Hume and a hat-trick from Michael Storey.

Boxted Lodgers moved into fifth place in the first division with a fine 4-2 win away at Little Oakley A.

Both sides shared four goals at the break, but the visitors drew clear in the second half.

A brace from Paul Goddard and one each from Keith Hammond and Conor Howard ensured the points while Oakley’s marksmen were James Eades and Gary Stanford.

The top four sides met in division two that saw runaway leaders Stanway Pegasus beat second-place Tollesbury 5-2 and third-in-the-table AFC Sudbury came from behind, trailing 3-1 at the break, to overcome fourth-place Mersea Island 4-3.

Results: Border League Knockout Cup - preliminary round: Harwich & Parkeston Res 2 Shrub End United 0, Alresford Colne Rangers 4 Great Bentley 1, Brantham Athletic Res 2 White Notley 1, Bures United 0 Kelvedon Social 1, Dedham Old Boys 1 West Bergholt 3 (AET), Bell Vue 0 Flitch United 2, Bradfield Rovers 0 Cavendish 13, FC Clacton Res. 2 Tavern 6.

Premier division: Earls Colne 0 Barnston 1, Hatfield Peverel 3 Wormingford Wanderers 1, Hedinghams United 2 Lawford Lads 2, Tiptree Heath 4 Little Oakley Res. 1.

First division: Cressing United 7 Gas Recreation Res. 0, Little Oakley A 2 Boxted Lodgers 4, Tiptree Jobserve 1 Tiptree Engaine 3.

Second division: AFC Sudbury A 4 Mersea Island 3, Boxted Lodgers Res. 1 Long Melford Res. 7, Harwich Rangers 2 Hatfield Peverel Res. 1, Lawford Lads Res. 0 Ramsey & Mistley 5, Stanway Pegasus 5 Tollesbury 2, Wormingford Wanderers Res. 1 Rowhedge 3.

Third division: Barnston Res. 5 Kelvedon Social Res. 1, Elmden Rovers 5 Hedinghams United Res. 2, Gosfield United 1 Great Bentley Res. 2, Oyster 5 Dedham Old Boys Res. 1, Tiptree Engaine Res. 1 Tiptree Jobserve Res. 4.