BRACKNELL Cavaliers put down a marker in the BTDSFL Premier Division title race when the early season pace-setters upset current champions FC Fernhill with a lively 4-2 victory at Bracknell Sports Centre, writes Nick Carpenter.

A feisty clash produced three red cards, two for Fernhill and one for Cavaliers.

Dillon Warburton fired Cavs into the lead then controversy followed when a Fernhill player was sent off for handling on the line, with Shaun Andrews converting the resulting penalty to double his side’s lead.

A Ryan Whyte strike made it 3-0 to the leaders, but Fernhill hit back and netted either side of the interval to make it 3-2.

However, their hopes of snatching an equaliser were dashed when a second player was red carded.

Cavs also had Jack Hill sent off following a flare-up on the pitch, but Ted Munson scored their fourth at the death to secure all three points.

The victory keeps Cavaliers two points clear of nearest rivals FC Meta who ran out 5-0 winners at home to Raglan.

Meta and Cavaliers are scheduled to go head-to-head this Sunday in the final round of league games of 2016.

Golden Farmer Rangers are three points off top spot in third place. They did their goal difference a world of good with an 8-0 win at Braybrooke Athletic.

Division One

LEADERS Crowthorne Inn had no fixture which gave Finchampstead Reserves the opportunity to close the gap with a 1-0 win at home to Sandhurst FFC.

Whitegrove stunned Bracknell Forest 10-3, thanks to an Alfie Sparrow hat-trick, plus two each from Justin Swyer, Lee Kilmartin and Shy Hussey and a single Lee Blackman goal. Ben Lawrence, Davey Blackmore and Matt Davis replied for Bracknell Forest.

Division Two

Goals from player-manager Calvin Grainger, Tommy Marshall, Martin Lorezana, Mitch Carpenter and Matt Scrace helped Berkshire All Stars stay top after their 5-2 win at Berks County FC.

Sean Hanley hit four for Binfield Royals as they trounced Winnersh Town 8-1 to go second in the table.

Liam Hartley, Sam Wilson, Henry Forrester and Joe Hardy grabbed Binfield’s other goals. Roger Taylor replied for Winnersh.

WAB are up to third following their 2-1 win at bottom side Hope & Anchor, Tom Smith and Alex Badshal scoring for WAB.

Club 8 lost 3-2 at Newbold College and Warfield United edged out Bracknell Saint Germain 2-1. Bracknell Athletic were awarded a walk-over when Berkshire United couldn’t field a full side.

Division Three

SILVER Birch stay top despite going down 2-1 at FC Harmanswater. James Presta and Chris Willis scored for Harmanswater. Jack Hellewell replied for Silver Birch.

Ashridge Park U21s, who are in second, also slipped up, losing 4-1 at Woodley United Reserves, Ewan Gander with the Ashridge consolation.

Third-placed Bearwood Wanderers closed the gap and have games in hand on the top two after their 6-1 win at Winnersh Rangers.

Jack Wheeler’s strike wasn’t enough for AFC Crowthorne Reserves as they were held 1-1 at Bracknell Falcons.

Bracknell Royals won 4-0 at home to Bracknell Titans and Finchampstead Sunday A beat Bracknell Cavaliers U21s 4-2.

BTDSFL Senior Cup

LAST season’s beaten finalists Binfield Club Athletic went out in the quarter finals after a thriller against AFC Crowthorne.

Crows’ top scorer Joao Jardim fired them into an early lead then hit his second of the game from a free-kick just before the interval.

Binfield pulled one back through Tom Williams, but Crows keeper Brad Watchorn stunned Bins when his long punt sailed over his opposite number Liam Blee into the net.

Straight from the restart CJ Welsh then lobbed Blee to put them 4-1 up.

Binfield fought back and two late goals from Tom Williams and Lewis Crossan set up a nervy finish, but Crows held on.

Crows will now face Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW in the semi-finals after their 3-2 win against Hurricanes. Jonny Clifford grabbed a brace and Ben Winship also scored for the winners.

The other semi-final will be between Finchampstead Sunday, who beat Intercity FC 4-1, and the winners of Morale Madrid and Crowthorne Inn who play in January.

Finch shared the goals around with Mike Starnes, Gareth Ainsworth, Byron Hobbs and Joe Cumner on target.