Grice is on fire in front of goal as Foley Meir cruise
MARK Grice helped himself to eight goals as Foley Meir became the latest side to put Florence to the sword in the Staffs Couty League Premier Division.
Grice was celebrating his hat-trick inside 25 minutes, but wasn’t in the mood to stop there as Foley Meir ensured there was no festive cheer for the back markers.
He added a further five goals in the second half, while doubles from Luke Lewis and Jimmy Wildman, plus efforts from Sam Arnold, Dan Counter and Ben Rowley completed the rout.
Silverdale Athletic are seven points clear at the top of the table heading in to the new year following their 6-2 home victory over Brererton Social.
Jake Braxton Lloyd set the ball rolling in the 17th minute and Kingsley Gyamfi’s double (23 and 38) ensured that the table-toppers were on easy street.
Gyamfi completed his treble in the second half, while Dom Thorley and Alex Djukic were also on the mark. Liam Franklin and Alex Beech netted for the visitors.
Redgate Clayton enjoyed a productive day on the road as they won 2-1 at Stafford Rown.
Stafford held the half-time advantage thanks to Duffy’s 41st-minute strike.
But Ben Matthews found the back of the net in the 63rd and 79th minutes to ensure that Redgate travelled home with the points in the back.
Cheadle Town won a fivegoal thriller at Wolstanton.
Dave Ashley and Daniel Mackintosh scored for the home side, but Cheadle wrapped up the spoils courtesy of goals from Keeling, Derbyshire and Oxburrow.
Alsager Town found their shooting boots to return from Eastwood Hanley with a 4-1 triumph.
Daniel Begius, Scott Edwards, Thomas Kirkham and Adam Cooper netted for the winners, with Callum Jackson grabbing a consolation for Eastwood.
Honours were even in the match between Walsall Phoenix and Tunstall Town.
Leo Thompson scored twice for hosts Walsall, but Kieron Ball and James Mccarthy ensured that the sides couldn’t be separated.
In Division One, Tim Bowyer’s hat-trick proved to be decisive in Redgate Clayton Reserves’ 4-3 home win against Staffs Moorlands.
Bowyer’s treble was added to by Chris Miller as Redgate managed to hold off their rivals.
Dec Heath, Rich Smith and Tom Brindley replied for the Moorlands.
Table-topping Audley ended the year on a high with a 4-2 win at Ball Haye Green.
Jake Gordon and Jamie Rhead were on the mark for the hosts, but it wasn’t enough as Audley had Yiannis Ionnous, Connor Jones, Cal Middleton and Ben Longstaff on the scoresheet.
Norton Wanderers fought back from a goal down to win 4-1 at Market Drayton Town.
Martin Lalley put Drayton ahead in the third minute, but that was as good as it got.
Daniel Johnson levelled after 25 minutes, before Tim Moss struck twice before halftime to put Wanderers in the driving seat.
And the spoils were wrapped up early in the second period when Mitch Marcisz netted.
Walsall Phoenix Reserves won 3-2 at Milton United.
Jak Corns, Alan Wilkes and Riess Davies were the heroes, while Liam Curley and Danny Shelley replied for Milton.
Foley Meir Reserves and Whittington played out a 1-1 draw.
Foley took an early lead, but were pegged back 20 minutes from time.
In Division Two, leaders AFC Alsager were held to a 2-2 draw at Acorn Albion.
Jordan Rigby and Josh Clayton scored in the second half for the high-fliers, but Joe Slater and Nathan Deacon ensured it was a point apiece.
Gareth Birks grabbed a hattrick in Hawkins Sports’ 4-1 win at Featherstone.
Tom Wilson added to Birks’ treble, with Marcus Bailey’s strike proving to be no more than a consolation.
Lichfield City won 3-0 at Audley thanks to Dan Thurstance’s double and a Jacob Lawson effort.
Cheadle Town Reserves led at half-time at Cannock United, but returned home empty-handed. Kai Wilson edged them ahead, but Tom Lane (62) and Dan Mayo (80) turned the tables.
Craig Saville and Jason North netted for Hilton Harriers in their 2-1 win at Coven Athletic, while Chesterton and Newport Town drew 2-2.