Earls bounce back and Romans are in seventh heaven

EARLSWOOD Town stormed to a first league win of the season in stunning style, seeing off visitors Coventrians 6-1 at The Pavilions.

Braces for Luke Woodward and Harry Dixon, a solo strike from Jake Potter and an own goal saw the Earls take the points and it could have been even more convincing had player-manager Joel Hughes converted a second half penalty.

This was a much-needed win following midweek 6-0 drubbing at Littleton and lifted the Earls off the foot of Midland Football League Division Two.

The hosts were in front after just three minutes, defender Woodward rising highest to power home a header from Dixon’s corner.

Coventrians hit back with a similar move four minutes later as Lewis Pearson’s header found the net only for Potter to race on to a Hughes flick in the 14th minute to prod home his second of the season.

It was 3-1 just two minutes later when Woodward headed in another corner and the home side

ensured it was a five-star show by the interval as Dixon grabbed a quick-fire double, firstly with a sweetly-struck free-kick into the bottom right corner before beating the off-side trap to make it 5-1.

The hosts were less dominant after the break but won a penalty in the 63rd minute when Potter was hacked down only for Hughes’ effort to be saved.

Jon Rooney then diverted a Potter effort into his own net to complete the scoring.

In the Premier Division, Studley were denied their first win of the season when visitors Tividale grabbed a last gasp equaliser.

Oscar Barry put the Bees ahead on the half-hour when the Tividale keeper failed to deal with a long throw and that was how it remained until deep into added time when central defender Mohammed Sahil Sajad fired in a 20-yard equaliser through a crowded area.

In Division One of the Hellenic League, Lewis Allton scored a second half goal to hand Southam United a 1-0 win at home to Wantage Town.

But there was disappointment for league rivals FC Stratford who lost 3-2 at Cheltenham Saracens where Anthony Umoh and Robbie Sone were on target.

Alcester Town played their first home game in the Herefordshire League Premier Division and celebrated with a 7-2 victory over visitors Worcester United. Adam Bourn bagged a hat-trick, there were two goals for Daniel Murphy and one apiece for Jake Wicketts and substitute Jack Nicholls.