Saltash United...3 Wadebridge Town...2

THE Ashes ended a run of five games without a win with a 3-2 victory over a hard-working Wadebridge side at Kimberley Stadium last night.

Saltash would have taken a fourth minute lead, in the SWPL Premier, but for the reactions of Bridgers goalkeeper Ellis Glassup who dived bravely at the feet of Carlton Farnham.

The home side made the breakthrough on 15 minutes when Farnham made room on the right before firing the ball across for Sam Hughes to dive full length and send his header in to the corner of the net.

The lead was doubled, nine minutes before the break, when Nathan Cudmore's headed back-pass beat his 'keeper – and Marc Thorne fired into an empty net.

The visitors grabbed a lifeline when Paul Grills smashed home a far post volley in first half stoppage time.

Wadebridge began the second half brightly, but found themselves 3-1 down on 83 minutes when Danny Lewis swung the ball across for Hughes to head home from close range.

The game was in the second minute of stoppage time when Simon Poole capitalised on an error in the home defence to head Wadebridge's second.

Torpoint Athletic...2 Probus...1

TORPOINT are through to the semi-finals of the Rowett Insurance ECL Cup after last night's victory at The Mill that was more comfortable than the final scoreline suggests.

After a fairly even first half, Torpoint opened the scoring on 55 minutes when Mark Sotheron headed home Tom Payne's corner.

It was another Sotheron header, this time from Darren Hicks' free-kick, that doubled the home side's lead 15 minutes later.

It was not until the final minute that Aaron Moysey hit a late consolation for Probus.

WESTINSURE DEVON ST LUKES CUP SECOND ROUND Torquay United...6 Plymouth Parkway...0

A COMBINATION of Parkway being weakened and the Gulls starting with 11 professionals meant this result was no surprise at Plainmoor.

Torquay boss Paul Buckle paid Parkway the compliment of fielding three of his first team squad plus eight professionals who were not involved last Saturday against Port Vale.

Parkway manager Dave Leonard, meanwhile, with tonight's vital league game against Clyst in mind, included second-teamers Chris Thirkettle, James Pearse, Phil Daniels and Kirk Smith in his starting line-up.

The result was his side were under pressure from the first minute with Mark Ellis firing home at the near post to open the scoring on seven minutes.

Mustapha Carayol's strength and pace was causing problems for Parkway.

Only fine saves from Ben Elphick kept the Gulls at bay before Josh Knight raced in from the angle of the box to neatly chip the ball over the onrushing Parkway 'keeper and make it 2-0 at the break.

Parkway did not give up running and chasing, and it was not until the 69th minute that Parkway substitute Marc Bonney brought down Carayol for the Torquay striker to send Elphick the wrong way from the spot-kick.

Two more goals followed, as Parkway fell apart in the next five minutes, with Danny Stevens' solo effort and Carayol's close range shot making it 5-0.

Carayol completed an 11 minute hat-trick when he lashed the ball home from 12 yards to complete the scoring on Monday night.

The Gulls now travel to Bideford in the quarter-finals.

KARL CURTIS and Paul Baker missed Parkway's St Lukes defeat at Torquay, but return to the squad for the visit of Clyst Rovers to Bolitho Park in the SWPL Premier tonight (7.30pm).

Parkway boss Dave Leonard will have to make changes from the starting line-up who thrashed Holsworthy 9-0 last Saturday as midfielder Lee Doel starts a lengthy suspension.

Defender John Heveran is off crutches and on the road to recovery, but unlikely to figure tonight.

Victory is a must if Leonard's side are to close the gap on leaders Buckland to nine points with three games in hand.

Parkway (from): B Elphick, M Bonney, M Hawke, J Fenwick, N Kinsman, K Curtis, P Baker, D Smith, A Sargent, J Morris, C Wright, L Edwards, M Cusack, K Curtis, P Baker.

SALTASH United and St Stephens Borough try to complete their delayed ECL Supplementary Cup first round tie at Kimberley Stadium tonight (7.30pm).

Ashes boss Andy Hatch is still without unavailable Reece Toull but otherwise selects from a full squad for the local derby against the Division One leaders.

Borough boss Phil Bennett awaits news on goalkeeper Dave Green, Max Parfit and Dave Wright before naming his starting line-up.

Saltash (from): L Carew, A O'Rourke, A Nickson, L Withey, M Toms, D Wilkinson, J Carmichael, C Butler, C Powell-Thomas, S Taylor, A West, L Jacketts, J Manuel, L Doddridge, L Maddocks.

St Stephens Borough (from): S Borthwick/D Green, W Swales, A Wright, S Ticehurst, L Fedrick, S Fort F J Pierre, M Budd, D Bradley, N Holliday, A Sinclair, L O'Rourke, M Parfit, D Wright.