Les James League Cup quarter-finals

Sharpness 2 Ruardean Hill Rangers 1

Sharpness progressed to the semi-final with a 2-1 victory over Ruardean Hill Rangers, writes Ron Holpin.

The home side started well and went close on three occasions early on.

On 16 minutes Tom Freeman headed wide following a free-kick and then Will Lacey skied a great chance over the bar a couple of minutes later. Brad Hewer was next up and should have scored but shot straight at keeper Tim Yemm.

Rangers first chance came in the 34th minute when Steve Coombs broke through the home defence and then saw keeper Dan Hobbs pull off a great save. Sharpness went ahead in the 36th minute with a cross come shot from Sam Strickland that flew over Yemm and into the net at the far post.

Sharpness made it 2-0 just before half-time when Alex Gayner’s shot came back off the post straight to brother Dan who slotted the ball past keeper Yemm. Rangers came out with renewed vigour in the second half and should have pulled a goal back when Shaun Tingle had a clear shot on goal but hit it straight into the arms of Hobbs. Just five minutes later they did get a goal back and it came after a terrific run by Luke Brown who laid the ball off to Steve Clarke to drive past Hobbs.