Shawbury surge seven points clear at top

The goals flowed for Shawbury after a scoreless first-half as they ran out 3-0 winners at Dudley Town – a 19th win from 28 league games this season.

Dan Beddows broke the deadlock for Shawbury 10 minutes into the second-half.

Mattie Elsmore expertly curled a free-kick from the edge of the box to double the advantage.

Then came the goal of the season contender from Ellis, an unstoppable waist-high volley from an Elsmore cross to set the seal on another good day's work.

Haughmond, in second place, had a free week, but Matt Burton's men return to action with a trip to bottom side Tipton Town on Saturday.

The Shrewsbury club also hit the road tomorrow night when they will travel to Bewdley Town.

AFC Bridgnorth came from behind to grab a vital home win against Wolverhampton Sporting Community and remain on the tail of leaders Shawbury.

The visitors went ahead just after the half-hour mark as Daniel Westwood curled a sumptuous effort from outside the box into the top corner.

But Liam Bood struck on the stroke of half-time, before Jason Pike's penalty midway through the second-half won it for Bridgnorth.

Ellesmere Rangers boss Richard Brown thinks that his side's thumping 11-1 victory over Tipton Town can be the catalyst to landing a top-four finish in the Premier Division.

Rangers, who hosted the tie at London Road on the 4G surface with their Beech Grove home under refurbishment, thrashed the basement boys to climb within eight points of fourth place, with games in hand.

Ryan Booth and Louis Irvine both struck hat-tricks for the rampant Meresiders, with Jud Ellis adding a brace and further goals from Josh Brown, Connor Courtney and Brendan Price.

Former defender Brown has been praising a Rangers defence who have only conceded one goal in four games, but the Meresiders boss insisted words had been said about the lack of goals.

He added: "The defenders were keeping us in it but we haven't been taking our chances lately. Chances have been coming but have not been converted. Hopefully scoring a load will breed confidence.

"Our average age is just 20 and they're all learning. We go to Stone Old Alleynians in the league tomorrow and we must be switched on because they're playing well and will punish us."

Rangers, despite their numerous games in hand, are handed an ill-timed free weekend this week as scheduled opposition Wolverhampton Sporting Community are in Staffordshire Vase action.

Wem Town fired eight goals past Bartestree to the delight of the Butler Sports Centre home crowd as they looked to close the gap on the Division One top four.

Fourth-placed Hereford Lads Club made up ground on St Martins in third but Wem did themselves no harm in sticking with the pace-setters in Saturday's goal-fest.

Adam Jones and Mathew Owen both fired braces for the hosts whose Herefordshire visitors were unable to live with Josh Gough's men.

Jim Astley, Matty Cohen, Chris Peel and Jake Brown added the others on a comfortable afternoon.

Wem hold games in hand on St Martins, Shifnal Town and AFC Ludlow, who are third, second and first respectively.

An upturn in form now sees them on a run of three wins, after previous victories at Bustlehome and against Shenstone Pathfinders.

Seventh-placed Darlaston Town (1874) visit the Butler Sports Centre tomorrow night.

Tom Hill's solitary goal was enough to hand Shifnal Town a vital win at Kington Town and close the gap on leaders Ludlow to just six points.

An uneven surface looked to have got the better of Shifnal during the first period, but they hung on and it paid dividends as a much-improved second-half was enough to clinch the points.

St Martins saw their winning run come to a halt after slipping to a 2-0 loss at Hereford Lads Club in Division One.

After five wins on the bounce, the Saints were looking to keep the momentum going, but were grounded by their Herefordshire hosts to slip to third in the table.

They made the trek with four first teamers missing, but started well enough in an even opening.

St Martins, however, were unable to maintain the momentum in the second period, as they struggled to keep possession.

They went behind on the hour when Herbert headed in a cross from Jamie Cuthbertson, before Tom Harding added a second five minutes later.

The Saints had their chances, but it was not to be as they look for a swift riposte in Saturday's home clash with Team Dudley at Park Hall.