Division 1 leaders BCS Bardwell were given a mighty fright by third division pacesetters Finmere before scraping through 3-2 in the Jersey Cup first round, writes David Gregory.

Dick Auger, with a goal either side of half time, had put Finmere in the driving seat.

But a late double from Darren Ali and a last minute penalty by Shaun Adams spared Bardwell's blushes.

Merton handed out an 8-2 thrashing to Abba Athletic thanks to some inspired half-time substitutions.

Gareth Barrs and Louis Godfrey had fired Merton into a 2-0 half-time lead before subs Nick Neale (3), Ian Jones and Adam Morris stretched their advantage.

Barrs, with his second, rounded off the onslaught, while Peter Walsh and Alan Hutchinson were on song for Abba. Adrian Thomas hit a hat-trick as Steeple Aston cracked three goals in each half to knock out The Tally 6-1.

Michael Black (2) and Scott Powles also netted for Steeple Aston, who were also indebted to the heroics of goalkeeper Ashley Clark.

In Division 2, leaders Cutteslowe suffered a setback when they went down 2-1 at home to BCS Bardwell Res.

Chris Ellis grabbed both Bardwell goals before the interval, while David Thomas replied with a 30-yard pearler.