Stratford and District Alliance

THERE were a couple of surprises in knockout competitions last Sat-urday when Ilmington Revolution and Alcester Lions both tasted defeat.

The former, leaders of Journal Division One, crashed 3-1 at home to the division's bottom club Southam in the first round of the Edwards of Stratford Cup.

The same competition saw Badsey Rangers progress at the expense of FISSC but neighbours United will have to try again after being held 2-2 by Henley Forest after extra-time.

The Division Two cup tie between the Lions and Studley Nags Head saw the mid-table visitors defeat the promotion chasing Alcester outfit 4-3 with Chris Egan scoring a brace for the winners.

There was knockout joy for fellow Herald second division side Cubb-ington who rattled in double figures in their Alun Rees Trophy tie at Tysoe with Lawrence Peach hitting four.

Scott Sutherland's hat-trick for Badsey United Reserves was all in vain as Littleton scored four at the opposite end to progress.

Struggling FISSC Reserves, meanwhile, were sent crashing out of the same competition as fellow Cutler Division Two visitors Broadway proved too strong as they recorded a 5-2 victory with Matt Sheridan scoring twice.

Another knockout tie of the day also went with the formbook as goals from Nick Higginson, Adam Butcher and Rich Layton helped Bidford defeat Henley Reserves 3-0.

The mid-table first division clash saw Stratford Spartak find the net twice as many times as Quinton after a 4-2 success in which Kevin Ward, Luke Chesterton and Rob Short netted for the winners with Jim Bunn and Rich Shepherd replying.

Long Compton remain in pole position in Division Three after two goals from Andy Borton helped the leaders to a 4-1 win over Badsey Rangers Reserves.

There was no joy for the section's bottom two sides with Bidford losing 5-0 at Kenilworth and winless Wel-ford crashing 5-1 at home to Ilmington for whom Shaun McGrath scored twice.

Results

Journal Division One: Stratford Spartak 4, Quinton 2. Edwards of Stratford Cup first round: Badsey Rgrs 3, FISSC 1; Badsey Utd 2, Henley 2 (aet), Ilmington 1, Southam 3. Division Two Cup first round: Alcester Lions 3, Studley NH 4. Cutler Division Three: Long Compton 4, Badsey Rgrs Res 1; Kenilworth B 5, Bidford Res 0; Welford 1, Ilmington Res 5. RM Smith Cup first round: Bidford 3, Henley Res 0. Alun Rees Trophy first round: FISSC Res 2, Broadway 5; Littleton 4, Badsey Utd Res 3; Tysoe 2, Cubbington 10.

Fixtures for Saturday

Journal Division One: Badsey Utd v Quinton, FISSC v Ilmington, Southam v Henley Forest. Herald Division Two: Studley NH v Badsey Utd Res, Cubbington v FISSC Res, Bodrum v Bidford. Cutler Division Three: Ilmington Res v Welford, Halfords Res v Red Alert, Dog & Pheasant v Long Compton. Nursing Home Cup first round: Bidford Res v Littleton, Henley Forest Res v Blockley, Badsey Rgrs Res v Badsey Rgrs, Stratford Spartak v Alcester Lions.

Division Two Cup first round: Tysoe Utd v Shipston.