Epworth Town sunk by league leaders

The Challenge Cup last eight tie was never in doubt as Epworth were undone by a Max Batty hat-trick for Rangers who are on an impressive run in both the league and cup competitions.

Philip Spindley and Peter Neal were also on hand to send Epworth crashing out, in what is now their last action for two weeks, when they will return to Carousel Cup action against Brumby.

In Division Two, Crowle Town Colts were on the wrong end of a 5-3 thriller with Crosby Colts Reserves.

Slipping to a fifth league defeat of the season, Crowle scored goals through Danny Smyth - who notched twice - and Ben Simpson.

Crowle are in Tortank Barton Brotherhood Cup action this weekend against Bruces Beacon before facing bottom of the league East Drayton in a crucial league clash the following weekend.

Epworth Town Reserves, however, have continued their 100 per cent start to the season with another impressive victory, subjecting Midtown United to a 7-1 mauling.

Neil Jones - not usually known for his goalscoring - hit a hat-trick for the league leaders with Stuart Rae Ritchie and Chris McCormick also scoring two goals each.

Epworth goalkeeper Chris Stanley will be disappointed, however, as an uncharacteristically poor moment for the Epworth defence allowed Jordan Fields to grab a consolation and cost Stanley and Epworth a clean sheet in an otherwise impressive performance.

Epworth’s winning run will be tested this weekend in a big local derby as they travel to face Westwoodside Rangers in the Johnsons Transport Ironstone Cup on Saturday.

Rangers head into the game against in-form Epworth on the back of an entertaining 3-3 draw with third placed Scotter United Reserves.

Owen McCaughey was on target twice with Harry Scott scoring the other for Westwoodside, as they claimed a third win in five league games.

n Ironstone FC are through to the fourth round of the Lincolnshire County Sunday Cup after a 5-0 win over Rustons United.

The trip to Lincoln represented a tricky tie for Ironstone, but they took to the task professionally on a difficult surface in windy conditions.

It took until the 40th minute for the deadlock to be broken after a tight opening spell, Steph Rusling getting on the end of a cross to give the visitors the advantage at the interval.

The second half saw Ironstone playing into the wind meaning more passing into feet, which proved to aid their cause as more fluent play saw Max Richards notch a hat-trick.

Mark Gravel was also on the scoresheet to make it five and mark an impressive display for Ironstone who eagerly await the next round draw after an accomplished second half.

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