Egerton 3 Old Xaverians 0

AFTER three successive wins since the turn of the year, Egerton are a team transformed.

Those victories have yielded 13 goals, and Yellows progressed to the last eight of the Northern Cup as a reward for the latest on Saturday.

"The boys can't wait to play again already," admitted co-manager Graham Egerton afterwards.

From the moment Ashley Wells put them in front, after Josh Bates and Andrew Brown had combined, they rarely looked likely to lose at the weekend.

Chris Trowbridge ought to have doubled their lead, only to shoot wide, while Nathan Billingham was unlucky when his free kick from distance came back off the crossbar.

A second goal did arrive shortly after the interval, when Rory Pownall rose highest to meet Billingham's first-time cross with a powerful header.

Trowbridge then turned provider for Wells, but he was denied by the visitors' goalkeeper.

The hosts continued to dominate, and Brown's dribble deserved better than for substitute Aaron Best to fire straight at Old Xaverians' custodian.

Egerton's place in the quarter finals was secure when Wells despatched a shot into the bottom corner after pressure from Trowbridge and Brown had created an opening for him.

Old Xaverians, who play in the Liverpool Old Boys Amateur League's second tier, rode their luck late on when Yellows twice sent shots against the woodwork.

"The tempo and quality the lads showed in training on Thursday was carried into the game," added Egerton, back on the touchline after the birth of his daughter last month.

"We controlled the ball for long periods, and it was great for me to see us create so many chances."

His players turn their attention next to the Cheshire League's JA Walton Challenge Cup this weekend, when they visit Mersey Valley for a group-stage encounter.

Egerton Davies (GK), Maunder, Waxman, May, Pownall, Devine, Brown, Bates, Billingham, Wells, Trowbridge Subs Mayers, Worral, Best, Beresford