CRICKLADE suffered semi-final heartbreak for the second successive weekend after an extra-time defeat at the hands of Liden, who go on to face Swindon Eagles in the Cirencester & District under 15 League Cup final.

With Liden in cup action, Cirencester Juniors took the opportunity to extend their lead at the top to four points, while Malmesbury continued their pursuit of Mitel in the under 14 Division.

Under 14

Reigning champions Highworth are out of this season's title race after a disappointing 2-1 home defeat at the hands of mid-table Tetbury.

Highworth will count themselves unlucky not to have picked up a point after starting the game with 10 men and having a late goal ruled out for offside.

As it was, the visitors made the most of their man advantage when Ali Acktar beat the Highworth offside trap and slotted in the opening goal.

A fine save from Ben Goodey on 46 minutes kept out the Tetbury attack, but Goodey was powerless to prevent Acktar doubling his tally on 50 minutes with a cool finish from eight yards.

Highworth thought they had scored on 54 minutes after a good break down the left wing by Luke Adams, but the strike was ruled out by the assistant's flag.

Lorien Bardwell did pull one back for the home team on 58 minutes but it was a case of too little too late.

Mitel remain favourites to succeed Highworth as champions, although Malmesbury closed the gap at the top.

The leaders were not in action so Malmesbury's convincing 4-0 win at Bourton reduced the deficit to two points, although Mitel do have a game in hand.

Elsewhere in the under 14 section, Wroughton were 4-3 winners against Cirencester Juniors and Croft went down 2-1 at Cirencester Centurions.

Under 15

Title favourites Liden will face Swindon Eagles in the League Cup final after securing a thrilling 2-1 victory over Cricklade in extra time.

Cricklade aiming to avoid a repeat of their county cup semi defeat last weekend had taken a first-half lead through Matt Buck following a Joey Dorey pass.

Liden improved after the break but Cricklade managed to stand firm until five minutes from time when Liden scored a dramatic equaliser.

Liden took the upper hand in extra time and Cricklade keeper Dave Johnson was forced into a string of fine stops before his resistance was broken deep into the second period.

Swindon Eagles enjoyed a more comfortable passage to the final, beating Stratton Juniors 4-1.

In the league, Cirencester Juniors made the most of Liden's cup preoccupation to move four points clear at the top of the division.

A narrow 1-0 win at Wootton Bassett was enough to pull Ciren away from the pack, but with two games in hand, Liden remain favourites for the championship.

Malmesbury gave themselves every chance of finishing in the top four with a 6-3 win over lowly Northleach.