Deeping Rangers are beaten by Blackstones in the Hinchingbrooke Cup

A superb second half display helped seal Blackstones' place in the semi-finals of the Hinchingbrooke Cup on Tuesday night.

The Stamford side netted four times in the second period of their last eight tie with neighbours Deeping Rangers.

Although the Clarets halved the deficit shortly after the visitors had opened up a two-goal lead, Stones finished strongly to claim their second higher level scalp of the competition.

They had ousted Eynesbury Rovers in the last round and were again worthy winners in the quarter-final clash at the Haydon Whitham Stadium.

Both sides had struggled to create clear-cut openings in the first period of the game with Stones threatening the home goal with a couple of early efforts from range through Joe Graham and Tom Edwards.

Recent Stamford signing Tiago Nassunculo - playing for Stones under dual registration - then saw a decent strike palmed to safety by home goalkeeper Aaron Butcher.

Luke Hunnings then headed just over against his former club after a dangerous setpiece delivery from Nassunculo.

Rangers had their best spell towards the end of the first half with Cal Davies being crowded out in the box when well-placed while Matt Sparrow dragged a shot wide of the far post.

Jonny Lockie headed just over from a Tom Smith cross before Tom Waumsley had an effort ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time after heading home a Sparrow centre as the opening half finished goalless.

The goals then started to flow in an action-packed start to the second period.

Deeping thought they had been awarded a penalty when Lockie went down under a challenge from Kyle Rowell.

Although the referee initially pointed to the spot, he changed his mind after consulting with his assistant who was nearer the incident and indicated the foul had been committed outside the area.

Stones efficiently dealt with the resultant setpiece and swiftly swept forward where half-time substitute Jack Wilson found space to drill a shot into the bottom corner of the home net.

The lead was then doubled shortly after with Wilson again on target as he steered home a pinpoint free-kick delivery from Kieran Duffy-Weekes at the back post.

Rangers responded immediately and got themselves back into the game within 60 seconds as the ball broke for Dan Dougill on the edge of the area and he drove home their opening goal of the night.

The pendulum looked to be swinging back in Deeping's favour but they were unable to breach a well-organised Blackstones back-line while the visitors were a constant threat on the break.

Butcher clung onto a first-time shot from Duffy-Weekes at full stretch before the home goalkeeper stuck out an outstretched leg to thwart Nassunculo after he had glided past a couple of challenges.

Deeping's best chance of equalising fell to substitute Elliot Foster after a skilful move created space in the box but he thumped his cross-shot over the bar when several team-mates were better placed in the area.

Two goals in the final 12 minutes then wrapped up the win for Stones with another substitute, Jordan Neil, at the heart of them.

He led a rapid raid in the 78th minute before picking his pass to send Nathan Rudman clear and he slotted home his first goal for Blackstones with a composed finish.

Neil then raced away six minutes later as Rangers pushed more players forward before rounding Butcher and tapping home to secure the semi-final spot.

It was another impressive midweek display from Blackstones who must now continue their season-long quest to back up those wins with Saturday successes.

They travel to Birstall United in Division One on Saturday looking to replicate the excellent 4-0 win over the Leicestershire side when the two teams met at the start of last month.

Deeping are again without a Premier Division North match on Saturday as their recent stop-start run of fixtures continues to stall their bid to pick up any momentum.

Deeping: Butcher, Duncliffe, Smith, Dougill, Burton-Jones, Tinkler, Lockie, Hook, Waumsley, Sparrow, Davies. Subs all used: Moxon, Cole, Vieira, Foster.

Blackstones: Dalton, Tudosa, Rowell, Peasgood, Hunnings, Short, Edwards, Duffy-Weekes, Graham, Rudman, Nassunculo. Subs all used: Ferguson, Grunsteins, Neil, Venni, Wilson. Attendance: 158.