ICA Juventus' League Cup defence gathered pace at the weekend with a comfortable 7-1 win at Ryhall.

Last season's Junior Alliance Cup holders made short work of their Division Two hosts, hitting six first-half goals at Parkfield Road to move a step closer to getting their hands on the Youth League version.

Strikes for James Nespoli (2), Reece Currie (2), Jack Raynor and Myles Hyndman before the break put the city side in the driving seat.

And while ICA did take their foot off after the break another goal – for Patrick Holding – put the final gloss on the result.

Manager Gino Nespoli said: "We were always comfortable but you can never go to places like Ryhall and just expect to get the win. They made us work for it and never gave up even when the goals started to go in so full credit to them.

"After knocking in six first-half goals we did ease up and changed a few things around knowing we were in the last eight.

"There are certainly some good teams left in the competition but we are as good as any of them and we would love to go on and win it again."

But the one trophy Nespoli really wants to get his hands back on is the Hunts Cup.

He said: "We won it last year and it is our priority again, as it gives us the chance to test ourselves against different teams.

"This Sunday we are up against Godmanchester, a side I know little about, but we are full of confidence and really looking forward to it."



THE team beaten by ICA in last season's final will not be making a return to Chestnut Avenue this time.

Bourne tumbled at the second hurdle with a 5-2 home defeat to Division One rivals Deeping who have now beaten the reigning champions twice in seven days.

Last weekend Chris Lovesey's side beat the Wakes 5-4 in the league while goals for Sam Thompson (2), Liam Buttery, Dan Woods and Stef Ladley dumped them out of the cup on Sunday.



ONE of the other big names in the top flight were also given a real cup scare.

Trailing 3-0 at half-time, Eye United faced the very real prospect of tumbling out of the cup at the hands of lowly Division Three Long Sutton.

But two goals from Ash Watson and one each for Sam Duffy and Andy Buckle saw Andy Phillips' side snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.