SUNDAY saw the first round in the newly-renamed Norman Simmons Senior Cup and the narrow gap at the top of the league was reflected in the results, when three games involving the top six sides were all decided by the odd goal.

Cup-holders Oak Allstars entertained top-of-the-table Bell Inn 98 at Ross Road and, following a very tight and intriguing contest, went through to the next round courtesy of the only goal of the game.

Oak Allstars took an early lead when keeper Andrew Lancett hit a long kick downfield, which was headed on by Jamie James to James Dean, who made no mistake with his shot. The game was very tight and chances were few and far between, Jamie James hit the bar twice for Oak but then spurned a golden chance to put daylight between the teams when Oak were awarded a penalty just before half-time. He stepped up but saw Luke Ledbury pull off a good save to palm the spot-kick to safety.

Neither side really troubled the opposition's goalie after this.

Second-placed Cross Keys visited Dynamo Ledbury and held on to win 2-1. Mark Taylor and Rob Cullen gave the visitors a 2-0 half-time lead but Dynamo's Pete Boyle, making a welcome return after last season's injury, pulled a goal back to leave the result in doubt right up to the final whistle.

Keyz 04 came out on top when they entertained Morgan Aero 8 but again it was a very hard-fought contest, as they won 3-2. Keyz took the lead in the first minute when a pass from Matt Lancett found Chris Golding, who made no mistake. Morgan hit back immediately with a goal from Steve Field. A header by Andy Lancett from a Ryan Mears' free-kick restored Keyz lead before James Argent equalised to make it 2-2 at half-time.

Keyz were indebted to keeper Steve Newman, who made a superb save, and they should have capitalised on it when Chris Golding ran clear and, with only the keeper to beat, he fluffed his shot. The ball then dropped to Matt Lancett who blazed over an open goal. Morgan were awarded a penalty but Phil Leah fired his spot-kick over.

With both sides going for a winner, it was the home side who clinched it when Andy Lancett rose to head home a Tom Holland free-kick and put Keyz 04 through to the second round.

The league's two bottom sides met and it took a 94th minute winner to separate them as Oak Misfits beat Keys Victoria 2-1. The first half was a tight affair with Oak Misfits' Nigel Gibb making several timely interventions whilst, at the other end, Chris Hodges spurned several chances. Keys Victoria took the lead in the 43rd minute when a free-kick from inside his own half from Anthony Lampitt found the head of Matt Lloyd and he easily beat the keeper.

The second half saw Martin Loveridge hit the post for Oak Misfits and Chris Hodges continue to do everything but score as he hit the post twice and also missed several other opportunities to equalise. Misfits grabbed the equaliser in the 72nd minute when a good through-ball from Stuart Crowe found Tim Rutherford racing clear to score. It looked like Keys Victoria had won the game in the 88th minute when, following a fine save by Misfits keeper Leon Sturdge, the ball ran to Matt Lloyd, whose bullet like shot seemed destined for the back of the net before man-of-the-match Nigel Gibb capped an outstanding performance by diving full length on the goal line to head clear. Just as extra-time looked inevitable up popped Chris Hodges in the 94th minute to atone for all his earlier misses as he squeezed the ball past the advancing keeper for the winner.

In the battle of the Fromes, it was Fromes Hill who went through 3-0 courtesy of goals from Joe Street, Ross Sweetman and James Lumb. Belmont Keys also progressed with a 4-1 victory over Oak Academy with goals from Dave Jones, Matt Doveton and two from Rob Jones, with the visitor's reply coming from Ollie Dunn, with assistance from Belmont's Anthony Jones.

Ganglands proved that it is not just the league where their goals for and against flow as they returned to normal after a barren couple of games when in a highly entertaining game they beat visitors Ledbury Rangers 9-5. Ganglands goals came from Stuart Preece with a screamer of a shot, Adam Townsend, Lewis Moss, Gordon Mansell, two from Tom Bethell and another hat-trick from the prolific Wayne Cadmore. Ledbury Rangers goals came from Yagambaram Moodley, and two each for Blackie Smith and Dan Curtis.

The second round on November 13 is:

Fromes Hill v Belmont Keys, Oak Allstars v Keyz 04, Talbot Head v Cross Keys, Ganglands v Oak Misfits.

At Monday's meeting Morgan Aero 8 were awarded the Soccersite team of the month for September.