MELKSHAM Town A, who have recently missed out on top two finish, kept their hopes of claiming silverware this season alive thanks to 2-1 victory at Heytesbury in their EJ Shanley-sponsored Spring Cup second leg clash that earned Barry Holloway’s team a 5-1 aggregate success over their second division opponents.

Three up from their first leg meeting Melksham as good as put the tie to bed when Dan Moore scored a sublime goal on 15 minutes. Flicking the ball over his head, he turned and volleyed into the top corner from 20 yards out.

Heytesbury gave themselves a glimmer of hope when deep in first half injury time Kieron Edwards arrived at the back post to turn in a Leigh Kennedy corner.

With 10 minutes remaining Melksham sealed their spot in the quarter-finals when Jordan Kirk netted to make it 2-1 on the day and 5-1 on aggregate.

Melksham, who are the new cup favourites, will host second division Trowbridge Wanderers Reserves next weekend looking to book their place in the last four.

Third Division Aces FC, who had a walkover into the quarter-finals following the withdrawal of Westbury Town, progressed into the semi-final wth a hard-fought and sporting 3-2 win over Calne Eagles.

The victory owed much to the goalscoring form of Aces FC’s top scorer Mike Little and a man-of-the-match performance from their goalkeeper James Moody, who pulled off a string of outstanding saves throughout the match.

Calne Eagles got out of the blocks quickly in the first half and forced a succession of earlier corners. It was during this spell that James Moody denied both Russell Driver and Gary Wootten with two great reaction saves from headers which looked destined for the back of the net.

At the other end, despite not enjoying a great deal of possession, Aces always looked dangerous through frontman Mike Little, who forced a great save out of goalkeeper Andy Windsor after 18 minutes.

Little was also denied once again moments later by a superb last-ditch tackle from full back Lawrence Elliott.

Nonetheless, Aces did open the scoring after 25 minutes in rather fortuitous circumstances when a rather tame shot from striker Greg Richardson deflected off defender Gary Wooten, which left keeper Andy Windsor totally wrong-footed.

Undeterred by this setback Calne continued to be the most creative team and they were rewarded with two quick goals before half time.

Firstly, Karl Sharratt scored from just outside the box with a sweet left-footed shot. Then free-scoring winger Mickey Taraskevics scored in typical goal-poaching fashion when fired home a rebound after James Moody denied Russell Driver with yet another save.

In the second half Calne continued to play the better football and created numerous good chances to score.

Taraskevics was a constant threat and he twice denied through a mixture of good goalkeeping and last ditch defending.

Brett Cullen also saw a close-range header tipped over the bar by another superb save from James Moody and when Calne did finally beat Moody though a Jordan Winter header, the crossbar came to the rescue.

However, Aces kept themselves in the game and equalised with 25 minutes remaining when good work from Greg Richardson set up his strike partner Mike Little to score from 6 yards out.

After equalising Aces FC slowly started to show the form that has seen them keep track with the run-away chasing pack in Division Three this season.

They stated to stretch Calne frequently on the break and it was perhaps not surprising when Mike Little scored his 33rd goal of the season to make the score 3-2 with 15 minutes remaining.

In the closing stages Calne tried gallantly to get back into the game and force extra-time, but Aces held out to book their place in the semi-finals where they will face either FC Box Steam Brewery or Trowbridge Rangers.

After suffering relegation from Division Two, Worton & Cheverell hopes of salvaging something from what has been a dreadful season for the villagers lie in success in the Spring Cup and a 6-2 success at home to third division Hilperton United Reserves means that they move into the last four hopeful of reaching the final of a competition that they believe they have a chance of winning.

Goals from Jack Pearce and Scott Stroud inside the opening 15 minutes gave Worton the perfect start. Shaun Daniels pulled a goal back for Hilperton in the 21 minutes but five minutes later a Matt Hale goal had restored Worton two goal advantage.

Jamie Sandy made it 4-1 on 79 minutes before three goals in the final four minutes bought the curtain down on Hilperton’s final game of the season.

A second for Daniels on 88 minutes being a consolation for the losers as goals for Luke Chant (87 minutes) and Jamie Sandy two minute later substitute Jamie Sperring who had only been on the field a few minutes added number six for Worton who will now go head-to-head with Melksham Town A or Trowbridge Wanderers Reserves for a place in the final.