Hambleden reached the Wycombe Senior Cup quarter finals last Saturday, after a well deserved victory over old league rivals Downley Albion, who now play in the Aylesbury football league.

Hambleden have now earned themselves a lucrative tie at the South Midlands league side, Holmer Green sometime early in January.

An early scare for Hambleden on 8 minutes saw Downley's striker, Johnny Mason clean through, but he was hunted down by stand-in defender Ryan Kemp, who timed his challenge perfectly inside the box to knock the ball out for a corner.

But it was Hambleden's striker Steve Sanashee who opened the scoring on the 13th minute putting Hambleden ahead with a shot from the edge of the box after a well worked move involving Paul Rodrigues, Jamal Maknin and Adam North.

Downley's Mason was able to redeem himself on 22 minutes after his side was awarded a dubious penalty.  It didn't take long though for Hambleden to regain their lead; on 30 minutes a move starting at left back with North found Marcus Cook, who played it inside to Maknin; he switched play to Chris Brunning and his inch perfect cross found right back Tommy Martin unmarked, who headed home from 12 yards.

Hambleden extended the lead further on 36 minutes; a poor goal kick by Downley's keeper Chris Bampton found Hambleden's Stuart Macleod, who headed the ball back over the Downley defence for Sanashee to steal in and slip the ball under Bampton's body.

Hambleden were in control, quickly robbing Downley of the ball following the restart; Brunning and Maknin overlapped on the right and Martin's pin point cross was headed over Bampton from 18 yards by Sanashee for a well deserved first half hat trick, his first for Hambleden.

Downley managed to pull a goal back just on half time; a break away by Mason was ushered out wide by Martin, who unfortunately slipped, allowing the Downley striker to cross into the box; he found Jody Smith who smashed home from six yards.  Half time score 4-2.

After the break Hambleden restored their 3-goal advantage on 48 minutes; a touch of fortune as Rodrigues had strayed offside, but the ball came off a Downley defender, and Rodrigues lobbed the keeper from 20 yards.

Hambleden seemed to take their foot off the pedal, as Downley started to press them.  Goals on 65 minutes by Smith and a header by Richards on 82 minutes left Hambleden on tenterhooks for the last 8 minutes, which also saw Downley have a goal ruled out for offside, but take nothing away from Hambleden, they did deserve the victory overall.  Final score 5-4.

TEAM : Clarke, Martin, R.Kemp, Hobson, North, Brunning, Mcleod, Maknin, Marcus Cook (Matt Cook 65), Sansahee, P.Rodrigues, Markwell (82).