WITH external cup competitions involving many clubs, Bell Inn 98 overcame an improving Inter-thornes side at Lower Howsell Road to go three points clear at the top of the Malvern Football League.

Tony Reynolds secured his second hat-trick in successive weeks and his goal tally was equalled by strike partner Darren Cooke. Ben Ledbury, Anthony Evans and David Beech notched up the other goals for the Bosbury-based outfit.

Interthornes, sponsored by Willie Thornes and with some new additions to the side had Adam Judem and Steve Price to thank for their goals, and had a chance for a third but were denied from the penalty spot in the closing stages of the game. Final score 2-9 to the Bell Inn 98.

Talbot Head still looking for their first points of the season were defeated 3-0 by Morgan Aero 8 who recorded their first victory of the campaign.

Kempsey United's impressive start to the season continued as they defeated Callow End Harriers 5-1 at Dukes Meadow.

United took a 3-0 lead in at the half-time interval. Ryan Lee scored a brace, Steve Frear, Stuart Stanton and Luke Yeomans were on target for Kempsey with Callow Ends Harriers reply from Carl Monk in the second period.

In the first round of the Worcester Royal Infirmary Minor Cup Club AC 30 breezed through to the second round with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Red Lion Falcons at Perdiswell, Worcester without their injured top scorer Jason Payton Smith.

Brewery kick-started their indifferent league form with a well deserved victory over Virgin Sports of the Worcester League winning 4-1. They did everything but score in the first 45 minutes as chance after chance went begging and they were punished in the 40th minute as Virgin Sports took a 1-0 lead into the interval.

The second period however saw Brewery take their opportunities and Mark Davis, a brace from Alan Barnes and a fourth from Owen Meekes, after unselfish play from Mark Herbert, saw them through to the next round.

Fromes Hill looked early contenders for an embarrassing exit from the competition as they went 4-0 down against Keyz RM. But they fought back to draw level at 4-4, until a late effort saw them bow out by the odd goal in nine.

This Sunday sees the return to a full league programme and two sides looking to maintain their 100 per cent league record meet as Bell Inn 98 entertain Bull Allstars.

In the Under 18s Youth Division sponsored by the Soccer Site Campden Town await the visit of Malvern Town, both early season victors.