AFC ALSAGER SEIZE THEIR CHANCE TO RETURN TO THE PREMIER DIVISION SUMMIT WITH IMPRESSIVE VICTORY ON THEIR TRAVELS

AFC Alsager returned to the top of the Staffs County League Premier Division with a 2-0 victory at Ashbourne,

The travelling Swans took the lead in the fourth minute through the impressive Fin Pattison, but were forced to wait until added time at the end of the game when Callum Parker notched their second to secure the vital three points. Redgate Clayton’s attempts at gate-crashing the top two were halted by Wolstanton United when the two sides met at the Bradwell Community Centre.

Two Peter Ford first-half goals set Stant on their way, but found themselves reduced to 10 men midway through the first period. A 51st-minute Jack Finney strike gave Dan Dawson’s visitors a glimmer of hope, but to no avail as Andy Taylor’s hosts held on for the win.

Both sides sit second and third respectively, level on points, but Gate have the all-important superior goal difference and with two games in hand.

Foley Meir raced into a three-goal first-half lead over visitors Leek CSOB at the Mcintosh Arena, their strikes coming from Courtney Franklin after just four minutes with a second from Serkari Ahmadi after 20, the third coming from Angel Errico five minutes later.

Keilan Bond’s Old Boys rallied somewhat in the second half and reduced the arrears after 55 minutes with a Daniel Cope goal. Alsager Town are sixth in the table after hitting six at Lichfield City Casuals.

Joel Jones was the star of the show bagging five for himself with the sixth coming from skipper Dan Biegus. The solitary reply for the hosts came from Ralph Clarke. Walsall Phoenix, in eighth position, now under the stewardship of Scott Hale, set aside a recent spell of indifferent form by thrashing Ball Haye Green 5-0.

The Phoenix men on target were Romano Graham, Tyler Nelson, Henry

Roper, Dan Burgess and Ollie Burn. Buxton ended their league campaign for the season with a smash-andgrab result at Silverdale Athletic. A fairly tepid affair sprung into life in the 22nd minute when a Tom Lewis cross from the left somehow eluded Bucks keeper Michael Brennan and looped into the far corner.

The second half started with a little more purpose, Dale creating many openings with Matt and Jack Barlow squandering good openings to extend their lead.

On the counter attack Buxton created a few problems for the Silverdale defence through the pace of Malique Hamilton and Freddie Payne.

Silverdale were finally undone in the 70th minute when a through-ball was seized on by the speedy Payne who coolly slotted the ball past Scott Leese to level.

With Buxton now in the ascendency, a series of good interplay around the right side of the host’s penalty area resulted in Malique Hamilton divert a shot past the flailing Dale keeper to fire the travelling Derbyshire side into the lead with five minutes remaining.

The recent form of Abbey Hulton United has helped them ease away from the bottom two with their latest success coming against nearneighbours Hanley Town. Nasser Mansour was on target twice and another from Josh Bowden helped them to a 3-0 win.

A Max Marshall hat-trick helped Rugeley-based Brereton Social storm into the Challenge Cup final at the expense of City of Stoke.

The 3-0 victory now means they face either Redgate Clayton or Foley Meir in the final at Hanley Town on May 16.

In the President’s Trophy semi-finals, Wolstanton United Reserves won 3-2 at FC 41.

In the fifth minute Richard Owen gathered possession and once clear, chipped the ball over the advancing goalkeeper to put the visitors ahead. On 10 minutes, Mike Mackintosh drove into the penalty area and was brought down and a spot-kick awarded. With regular penalty taker only named on the bench Mike Mackintosh stepped up to send keeper Jack Grocott the wrong way to double the lead.

In the 33rd minute Wolstanton made it three following excellent work on the left by Jake Vernon whose cross fell perfectly for Richard Owen to volley home from close range.

In the 56th minute Wolstanton gave away a penalty which was duly converted.

The hosts gained encouragement and raised their game, managing to reduce the arrears further.

A brace each for Audley Reserves’ Jake Peake and Jack Whittingham helped their side cruise past Andy Gill’s Whittington side.

Ethan Christie scored the solitary goal in a 4-1 defeat for the hosts. In Division Two, Cheadle Town Reserves drew 1-1 with Milton United Reserves.

In the Macron Cup, City of Stoke Reserves eased past Chesterton with a 4-1 away victory. Cresswell Wanderers were victorious when they travelled to Florence where a Lewis Burton brace was enough.

Brereton Social Development made light work of Huthman FC.

Rhys Baker, Alex Ford and Dominic Rowles were all on target for the Rugeley-based side in a 3-0 victory.