Seven up as Shawbury close in on title

Boss Dave Richards described the performance as the best in his five years in charge as goals from James Askey, Shaun Davies and Steve Faux secured the rout.

The result leaves Shawbury 10 points clear at the top of division with Bridgnorth, who secured a 4-1 victory at Stone Old Alleynians, having two games in hand.

Richards said: "It was a really impressive display and probably the best I have seen in my time in charge.

"Cradley are no mugs and they came with a strong side but as soon as the whistle blew we were excellent.

"If the lads perform like that, there isn't a team in the division that can live with them and that is with no disrespect to the other sides.

"That is now the benchmark for the remaining games of the season."

Prior to Bridgnorth's win against Stone Old Alleynians, Mark Clyde's side had drawn two and lost one of their last three league fixtures.

And Richards believes that blip has seen his side grow in confidence, he said: "I'll be honest I'm not 100 per cent sure what clicked to make us play so well.

"But I hope I'm not too sure for the rest of the season! We played well at Pegasus Juniors but lost the game and I think Bridgnorth's wobble opened the door for us again really.

"The lads are determined not to let this opportunity slip, as they showed against Cradley."

Shawbury now have just five games left to play as they look to clinch to the title. Next up is a re-match against Cradley followed by a trip to Gornal Athletic who currently sit 17th in the table.

Richards believes those two games will go a long way to deciding their fate, continuing: "The next two games are going to be massive for us. It's just a case of matching what Bridgnorth do.

"But we know winning the next two will see us take a giant step forward. Bridgnorth have got games in hand but they are not easy. We just need to stick to what we do best, and tick away the games.

"We might be in a great position but it's up to us to get ourselves over the finishing line."

Elsewhere, Shropshire's success in the division continued with third-placed Haughmond securing a 1-0 win at Black Country Rangers.

The result leaves Haughmond three points behind, Bridgnorth but having played a game more.

Ellesmere Rangers made it a quartet of Shropshire victories on Saturday as they ran out 2-1 winners away at Dudley Sports.

That result leaves the side sitting ninth in the table with eight games still to play.

They return to action tomorrow night when they travel to take on Wolverhampton Sporting Community, with Bridgnorth travelling to take on Tipton Town on Wednesday.

Leaders Shifnal Town put on a four-star display as they tightened their grip on the Division One league title with a 4-0 win at Penncroft.

Tom Hill hit a hat-trick with Nathan Jackson netting the other as the Shropshire side went 12 points clear of AFC Ludlow.

Ludlow themselves were impressive winners – 3-0 at FC Stafford – and they have two games in hand on Shifnal.

But, with four games left for the leaders, it will take a huge turnaround in fortunes if they are not crowned champions.

It may have been a carnival atmosphere at Park Hall, but St Martins had little to cheer as they crashed 5-1 to Hereford Lads Club.

Taking to the pitch before The New Saints' Welsh Premier League title triumph later in the day, St Martins took the lead through a fine strike from defender James Durnam.

But that was as good as it got as two defensive lapses saw the depleted hosts trail 2-1 at the interval, before the Hereford visitors took charge with three more goals in the second period.

With three league games remaining, the Saints remain fourth in the table, and will look for an improved showing on Saturday at Wrens Nest.

Newport Town have won promotion after cruising to a 5-1 home win over Malvern Under-21s.

Thomas Horton netted twice with Joe Cuff, Robbie Millington and Neil Brasenell getting one apiece as Nathan McAuley's men clinched their place in Division One.