Newton Poppleford exited the Bill Slee Cup, beaten 3-2 at home by Bampton in a compelling contest that could have gone either way.

The Popples made a bright start and good link-up play down the right between Mark Pavey and Mark Tett ended with a cross that Matt Rasmussen turned home to open the scoring. Bampton hit back and only a smart goal line clearance by Sam Hawkey denied them an equaliser.

A controversial penalty was awarded when Popples goalkeeper Alex Bowring was adjudged to have fouled an non-rushing Bampton player, but the glovesman saved the spit kick and Popples led 1-0 at half-time.

Bampton made a storming start top the second half and, when awarded a second spot kick, made no mistake and then quickly added a second to lead 2-1.

Pavey quickly restored parity with a strike from an acute angle. Popples boss Neil Wood, in a bid to force a winner before extra-time, made three changes, but, within five minutes of the new men coming into play Bampton had regained the lead with a sweet strike.

Cameron Pow, Adrian Parr and Mark Pavey all went close and Popples threw everything into seeking a third goal, but it was not to be.

This Saturday (October 8), the Popples face the same opposition in a Macron League Division Three game. Bampton have won all three of their league outings so far.

Popples boss Wood says: “I have no doubt the league meeting will be another cracking game. Last Saturday’s cup tie was a close encounter. We played well, but they just edged it. However, we had a couple of key players missing and they’ll be back for the league game and that makes me quietly confident that we can get something from the game and end the marvellous start that Bampton have made this season.”