MALVERN Vale Academy were dumped out of the Cheltenham Association League's Minor Charity Cup quarter-finals at Division Two high-fliers.

The visitors have been climbing Division Four but an impressive showing from Cheltenham Civil Service Reserves' Jack Horrell proved too much in a 7-1 thumping.

However, Vale opened the scoring on seven minutes with only the eighth goal scored against the hosts in 15 games this season.

Good work down the left by Ash Griffiths saw Anthony Cakebread played in and he fired home.

But the lead was shortlived as on 12 minutes a long ball over the top was not dealt with by Michael Buckland and Jack Costerton headed over the advancing George Weaver.

As the half progressed there were chances for both sides in a fairly even contest.

Civil Service's new signing Horrell from Southern League side Cirencester Town was the difference, causing problems and being unlucky not to score on several occasions.

After the break, Vale began to struggle with Horrell as his fitness and skill levels told, running the show in the middle of the park.

He was brought down on 49 minutes and from the resulting free-kick Daniel Boerby headed past Weaver.

Six minutes later, Costerton grabbed his second after the ball rebounded to him in the box after a Weaver save.  Horrell slotted home a free-kick from just outside the box as the visitors could not weather the storm.

Chances at the other end were limited to a few long-range efforts from Ben Harrington who returned after a spell away at university.

As the onslaught continued, Horrell grabbed a second and Costerton completed his hat-trick to make the score 6-1.

Substitute Lawrence Gorry, who moments earlier hit the post when faced with an open goal, rounded Weaver and fired past defender Les Brown on the line to complete the scoring.

But Vale gave their all until the final whistle.

They have been drawn at Division One leaders Cheltenham Civil Service firsts in the Senior Charity Cup second round on Saturday, January 6.

Welland Reserves host Andoversford thirds on Saturday in Division Four.

Meanwhile, Hanley Swan beat Shurdington Rovers 3-2 in the Junior Charity Trophy quarter-finals.

Second-placed Upton Town thrashed Kings 6-0 in Division One with Simon Craddock, Matthew Hindmarsh, Max Phillpotts and Luan Gashi among the scorers.

Welland lost 2-0 at Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two leaders Whaddon United.

Fifth-placed Welland return to action at home to Whitecroft on Saturday, December 30.