Reg Davis Memorial Cup First Round

Sharpness 3 Winchcombe Town 0

SHARPNESS progressed through to the second round of the Reg Davis Memorial Cup with a comfortable victory over Winchcombe Town.

The Sharks started this encounter slowly and could have been behind within five minutes but for a very good save from Ashley Collard, who reacted quickly following a defensive error to close the forward down and block his effort.

The home side took advantage of the visitors' missed opportunity when Tom Frankham opened his account for the season.

After stealing the ball in the middle of the pitch Frankham went on a great run, evading two opposition players before playing a one-two with Ian Watkins and finishing smartly into the bottom corner.

Sharpness continued to press and doubled there advantage midway through the half. A superbly delivered cross from Brad Hewer on the right was met with a thumping header from Ben John, which left the Winchcombe goalkeeper with no chance.

This breathed confidence into the home side and it wasn't long before they increased their lead further.

This time the move came down the left with Watkins delivering a good ball into the box towards young 16-year-old debutant Harry Aldridge.

He showed good vision to lay the ball off for John, whose initial shot and rebound were blocked before Aldridge rammed the ball home.

The second half was a much more even contest with the visitors having plenty of possession without really creating any goal scoring opportunities due to the dogged play of Frankham and Tim Thomas in midfield and determined defending of the back four.

Sharpness will now play Ramblers in the second Round on Wednesday before travelling to newly-promoted Newent on Saturday for their first league game of the season.

Sharpness: A Collard, Stutter, Freeman, Gibbs, Diurno, T Thomas, M Frankham, Hewer (King 75), Aldridge (Bennett 63), Watkins, John. Unused Sub: R Collard.

Goalscorers: T Frankham, John, Aldridge.