A BLOOD and thunder AM Print & Copy - sponsored Eric Hughes Memorial Cup quarter-final tie saw holders Corsham Centre Youth come from behind to defeat this year’s favourites for the trophy The Grapes United 2-1 and set up a semi-final clash with AFC Melksham.
Both sides had chances to break the deadlock early on but it took until the half-hour mark for Grapes’ Nick Ridout to beat two men and open the scoring.
The goal forced Centre manager Joe Martin into making an early change bringing on elder statesman Mark Sharratt up front and moving Adam Shipman into defence.
With five minutes of the first half remaining, Liam Ralph burst through the Grapes midfield and was chopped down just outside the area. Ben Thomson curled the resulting free-kick home to level matters.
Centre youngster Lewis McCarron was providing plenty of problems for Grapes and he sealed the cup tie on 70 minutes when he burst into the box and netted.
Centre half pairing James Lye and Adam Casserley had outstanding matches ably supported by full backs Sam Hodsoll and Adam Shipman.
As time was running out Centres keeper Sam Thomson came into his own and pulled off a number of good saves and on the rare occasion he was beaten someone was there to clear it.
After the opening 45 minutes of their Knockout Cup quarter-final clash with second division Bath Road, Premier Division title hopefuls Corsham CC Wildcats were 4-1 ahead and looked to be in cruise control but they were left hanging on at the end of the 90 minutes as Bath Road fought back in the second period before losing a nail biting contest 4-3.
Adam Mitchell saw his opener for the Wildcats canceled out by Tom Sigee. Leigh Rogers reclaimed the lead for the Wildcats and two further goals from Mitchell gave them their half time lead.
Dan Bendell pulled a goal back for Bath Road and Jonny Ingram made things interesting when he reduced the arrears to one, but despite their best efforts at finding an equaliser they came up short as Wildcats booked a semi-final meeting with Premier Division rivals The Castle.
Last terms beaten Knockout cup finalists The Castle are just 90 minutes away from booking a second successive appearance at Hardenhuish Park.
Tom Perkins side avoided a potential banana-skin in Miller Sports A, who gave a great account of themselves especially in the second half, however, their best wasn’t good enough as Castle came through winning 3-0.
Nathan Emm and Marcus Wallen scored in the first half and Matt Tilley in the second.
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