by JOHN CAMPANY

STANWAY Pegasus' proud unbeaten run has come to an end in the Essex and Suffolk Border League.

The runaway leaders in division two were defeated by AFC Sudbury A in a midweek clash at Kings Marsh.

It was an outstanding performance from the academy scholars that saw young starlet Fred King help himself to a fine hat-trick.

Lewis O’Malley was the other scorer to sink the promotion-bound visitors 4-2.

In the quarter-final of the Essex Junior Cup on Saturday, Pegasus suffered more disappointment after losing 3-0 at Old Southendian Reserves.

In the league's Knockout Cup, Alresford Colne Rangers blitzed Elmden Rovers 10-1, while AFC Sudbury continued their fine midweek form with an impressive 3-0 win at premier division side Little Oakley Reserves.

Wormingford Wanderers progressed to the second round with a comfortable win at first division Tiptree Engaine, with Ben Fowler and Luke Whybrow getting the goals.

First division Cressing United beat premier division side Barnston 4-1.

There was one tie in the Reserve Knockout Cup that saw hosts Great Bentley Reserves account for Hatfield Peverel Reserves 3-0.

In the premier division, Dedham Old Boys beat Brantham Athletic Reserves 4-1.

Tiptree Heath took advantage of leaders Gas Recreation’s inactivity by moving up to second, level on points.

It was a hard-fought match at Green Farm Meadow against hosts Earls Colne, who remain precariously placed among the strugglers at the wrong end of the table.

The 2-1 win saw Charlie Green take his season’s tally to 27, with the second scored by Jack Tollhurst.

Kelvedon Social had a 2-1 win at The Chase against White Notley.

The home scorers were Luke Thurston and Martin Young.

Josh Goodey replied for the visitors.

The final premier division game saw West Bergholt share four goals at Lorkin Daniel Field with Hatfield Peverel.

The visitors held a two-goal lead at the break courtesy of a Lawrence Hale brace, but third-place Bergholt stormed back to get a point with goals from Nicholas Farthing and Ryan Brown.

In the first division, leaders Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves were beaten at Ford Lane by visiting Bures United 3-2.

Bures were well served by Tom Wingfield’s brace and the other from Lloyd Finch, while the home scorers were Daniel Findlay and Kye Learoyd-Tuckwell.

As a result, Flitch United closed in on the leaders with a resounding 4-0 win at Bell Vue Social.

Shane Pyne hit two and Daniel O’Brien and substitute Peter Monk got the others.

Flitch now trail Alresford by six points with four games in hand.

Boxted Lodgers were beaten 3-2 at Cage Lane by West Bergholt Reserves, with Connor Howard scoring both the Lodgers' goals.

It was a good fightback by the visitors, who trailed by both goals at half-time.

Mathew Griffin got both goals for Tiptree Jobserve in their 2-0 win at home to Gas’ reserves, who remain second from bottom.

In division two, with Stanway Pegasus in cup action, second-place Long Melford, third-positioned FC Clacton and fourth-place Tollesbury all won as they contest promotion to the first division.

Melford beat Wormingford Wanderers Reserves 4-2 at Stoneylands, where Addy Roy hit two and there was one each for Perry Newman and Sam Newton.

FC Clacton were 5-1 winners at Harwich Rangers - a fine win that included a Samuel Thompson hat-trick - and Tollsbury beat Cavendish 3-2 with a Ashley Collins brace and one from Tommy Gregory.

Daniel Ashdown scored both for the visitors.

In division three, Gosfield United strengthened their lead with a 5-0 win over second-place Tiptree Engaine Reserves 5-0 with goals from Jake Gilder, Josh Green, Adam Smith, Liam Bowman and Luke Jones.

Results: Knockout Cup: Barnston 1 Cressing United 4, Elmden Rovers 1 Alresford Colne Rangers 10, Hedinghams United A Colne Athletic A, Little Oakley Res 0 AFC Sudbury A 3, Tiptree Engaine 0 Wormingford Wanderers 2.

Reserve Knockout Cup: Great Bentley Res 3 Hatfield Peverel Res 0.

Premier division: Dedham Old Boys 4 Brantham Athletic Res 1, Earls Colne 1 Tiptree Heath 2, Kelvedon Social 2 White Notley 1, West Bergholt 2 Hatfield Peverel 2.

Division one: Alresford Colne Rangers Res 2 Bures United 3, Bell Vue Social 0 Flitch United 4, Boxted Lodgers 2 West Bergholt Res 3.

Division two: Harwich Rangers 1 FC Clacton Res 5, Long Melford Res 4 Wormingford Wanderers Res 2, Mersea Island 3 Lawford Lads Res 4, Rowhedge 2 Ramsey & Mistley 1, Tollesbury 3 Cavendish 2.

Division three: Gosfield United 5 Tiptree Engaine Res 0, Harwich & Parkeston Res 2 Barnston Res 3, Oyster 10 Bradfield Rovers 0, Tavern 1 Tiptree Jobserve A 0, Tiptree Heath Res 0 Shrub End United 3.