Littleton 5, Perrywood 3

FOUR goals from Paul Jones was the highlight of Saturday's hard-fought Evesham Hospital Cup quarter-final tie.

The rain that was falling for much of the game made for a greasy surface that favoured the attackers as defenders found it hard to turn and it was no surprise to see constant goalmouth action at both ends.

Littleton opened the scoring after 16 minutes when a long ball from Philip Haines was nonchalantly flicked over the keeper and into the net by Jones.

Five minutes later, a three-man move involving Haines, Steve Brown and Jones saw Littleton double their advantage when the latter again found the net.

The visitors hit back when Jamie Long's cross was headed in by Matt Hammett but the hosts restored their two-goal advantage five minutes before half-time when Haines nodded in a centre from Chris Lynes.

However, that advantage was halved on the stroke of the interval but, when Jones completed his hat-trick after 68 minutes, soon after hitting a post, Littleton's two-goal cushion was restored.

The visitors then subjected the hosts to a period of intense pressure and got to within one goal again with three minutes left on the watch only for Jones to fire home the clincher from the penalty spot. The game was sponsored by Messrs Rose and Thornett.

On Saturday Littleton entertain Division One leaders Northfield Town in Saturday.

Fixtures for Saturday

Southern League

Premier Division: Aylesbury Utd v Evesham Utd.

Midland Combination

Endsleigh Challenge Cup second round: Pershore Tn v Mile Oak Rvrs. Division One: Littleton v Northfield Tn.

Cheltenham League

Division One: Bishops Cleeve III v Winchcombe Tn. Division Two: Naunton Pk v Bredon Res. Division Four: Winchcombe Tn Res v Bishops Cleeve IV. Division Five: Bredon III v Naunton Pk Res.

Monday

Midland Floodlit Youth League

Southern Division: Bromsgrove Rvrs v Evesham Utd, Pershore Tn v Malvern Tn.

Tuesday

Southern League

Premier Division: Grantham Tn v Evesham Utd.