by JOHN CAMPANY

THE Essex and Suffolk Border League's Knockout Cup semi-finals took place on Saturday.

They culminated with league champions Gas Recreation through, beating Brantham Athletic Reserves, and AFC Sudbury A being surprise finalists after overwhelming premier division side Lawford Lads.

Brantham, the premier division basement club, put up a brave performance against Gas, taking the champions to extra-time but failing to progress on penalties, going down 5-3.

After 120 minutes, neither side could be divided and, at the final whistle, the tie concluded at 3-3.

Top official Andrew French had a busy afternoon, brandishing two yellow cards each to Aston Firkins and Scott Hooper for Gas and George Mutimers for Brantham.

The Gas scorers were Jack Gregory, Luke Taylor and substitute Jake Mitchell, while Brantham replied through Jonathan Lee, Luke Taylor and Liam Riley.

AFC Sudbury A swept past their senior opponents, winning 6-0.

The final is scheduled to be played at Brantham Leisure Centre on Tuesday, April 30 where Gas will be expected to lift the trophy for the seventh time.

In the premier division, Alresford Colne Rangers finished their season in third place with a 3-0 win over Kelvedon Social, with a brace from Quentin Daly and one from Jack Johnson.

Premier division runners-up Tiptree Heath beat Wormingford Wanderers 3-1.

The hosts' scorer was Martin Curtis while the visitors were well-served with a brace from Harry Hazell and one from Ryan Knill Jones.

In division one, Bures United scored the only goal of the game at Boxted Lodgers, with Harry Liskus the marksmen.

In division two, Long Melford Reserves moved into second spot with a 6-2 beating of Ramsey and Mistley but AFC Sudbury A can leapfrog them if they win their two games in hand.

Melford's scorers were Addy Roy, Scott Sloots, Juan David De Ara and a hat-trick from Will Howe.

Lawford Lads finished their season with a 2-0 win over visiting Wormingford Wanderers but ended the campaign second from bottom in the table.

The Reserve Cup Final on Good Friday at Little Oakley was won by Great Bentley Reserves, who beat Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves 2-0. Bentley’s goals came from Connor Bennett, from the spot, and a terrific strike from David Gallant.

This evening sees the Tommy Thompson Cup final at Stanway Rovers between Stanway Pegasus and AFC Sudbury.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Admission prices are £5 and £3 concessions. .

Results: Knockout Cup semi-finals: Gas Recreation 3 Brantham Athletic Reserves 3 (AET, Gas Rec won 5-3 on pens), AFC Sudbury 6 Lawford Lads 0.

Premier division: Alresford Colne Rangers 3 Kelvedon Social 0, Wormingford Wanderers 1 Tiptree Heath 3.

Division one: Boxted Lodgers 0 Bures United 1.

Division two: Long Melford Res 6 Ramsey & Mistley 2, Cavendish 1 Mersea Island 3, Lawford Lads Res 2 Wormingford Wanderers Res 0.