EAST Christchurch SSC gave their confidence a boost ahead of Thursday night’s Mark Hart Sunday Senior Cup Final showdown with Talbot Rangers – when they ran out 5-2 winners against Wakanda in Hayward Sunday League Division One.

The reigning champions were three goals ahead by half time thanks to Jamie Trimble and a couple of goals from Mal Thomas.

Wakanda came back after the break with goals from Flyn Weardon and Fatah Makhloufi but their revival was halted by the introduction of Callum Dickenson for the hosts.

The East Christchurch substitute netted with his first touch to make it 4-2 and skipper Sam Kennedy completed the scoring with a free kick into the top corner.

Talbot went second in the table after shading it 2-1 against JP Morgan thanks to goals from Rhys Newman and James Whitfield. Estaban Delia-Villalba was the JP Morgan scorer.

Second-placed Parley Sports saw their Division Two title hopes disappear when Alderney Manor upended them 3-0 courtesy of Toby Williams and a couple of goals from Tom Smart.

Wiseguys returned to winning ways to subdue Bournemouth Sports Mercury 4-0 with goals from Andy Gagan, Teddy Hills, Steve Haime and James Morris.

Newtown Athletic kept alive their title hopes when Liam Holland (2) and Lewis Tapley ensured a 3-1 success against AFC Wimborne. Nathan Santangelo-Barber was the Wimborne marksman.

Matty Chapman-Burnett struck for pacesetters Vienna Suttoners but they were beaten for the first time in Division Three this season when Ben Collie and Ryan Finch gave nearest rivals AFC East Christchurch the edge 2-1.

The Christchurch side have games in hand to catch Suttoners and their day got even better when promotion rivals Bearwood Broncos crashed to a 4-0 defeat against AFC Fiveways, who netted through Jack Leatherbarrow and a Scott Davidson hat-trick.

At the other end of the table, AFC Burton reserves climbed to seventh after Sam Nash scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Bournemouth Athletic, who replied through Tyler Molyneaux.

Portchester went level on points with Division Four leaders Vienna Suttoners reserves with a game in hand after Will Thomas and Shane Fox gave them the verdict 2-1 against third place KB Sports. Morgan Elavia was the KB scorer.

West Mullen completed their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Canford Rovers with goals from Jamie Robinson, Dan Warrilow and Jack White.

Charlie Ryan, Josh Smith and Adam Walsh netted for Division Five runners-up Grange Athletic. But they had to settle for a point when Jamie Cooper, Alex Airey and Ben Lees earned Upton Sociedad a 3-3 draw.

Paul Leaborne netted for Kirkfield United but Parkstone just got the better of them 2-1 thanks to goals from Matt Knight and Dylan Bennett.

Bottom placed Forest United recorded their first league win when they conquered New Milton Borough 2-1 through Dean Lovell and an own goal. James Bates replied for Borough.

JP Morgan reserves are now just two points adrift of the summit in Division Six with two games in hand on leaders Woodville Wanderers, who have completed their fixtures.

Biddy Abdul, Lloyd Wallen and Callum Hare gave the MA Hart Nicholas Read Cup finalists a vital 3-1 success against West Howe reserves, who replied through Ellis George.

At the other end of the table, Boscombe Celtic reserves signed off with their first win of the season after beating fellow strugglers Quayside 8-3.

Alex Rossi bagged a hat-trick for Celtic whose other goals came via Joe Clarke, Telmo Goncalves, Dan Hallworth and a Paul Sarge brace. Sam Grimes (2) and Tom Shutler were the Quayside scorers.

Elsewhere, Reece Malkin gave Christchurch the verdict 1-0 against nearest rivals Hamworthy Recreation in the Under-18 Division.

Ringwood Town took over in second place, eight points behind Christchurch with four games in hand, following their 3-2 win over Lymington Town.

Alex Turner, Lewis Pateman and Dylan Cooper were the Ringwood scorers with Oscar Cain and Saul Scriven on target for Lymington.

Ringwood’s next game will be the Endeavour Cup final against Hamworthy Recreation on Sunday at Hurn Bridge (4.45pm).