Richards-Burke bags brace as Stratford Town's youngsters see off Alvechurch

STRATFORD Town Youth continued their impressive run of form as they repeated their FA Youth Cup success over Alvechurch with a comfortable 3-0 win in a MFYL Premier Division South clash at the Triplex Sports Ground on Thursday evening, writes Bryan Hale.

Yet it was the Church who started the brighter of the two sides although without being able to create any really clearcut chances, and as Town gradually began to settle down both Caine Elliott and James Pomeroy went close to giving them the lead as half-time was reached with the game still goalless.

But it was Town who upped their tempo right from the start of the second half. Dan Atkins surged into the penalty area ten minutes into the half only to be brought down with Town’s fervent pleas for a spot-kick being waved away.

But Alvechurch’s reprieve was to prove shortlived as soon after Robbie Sone threaded the ball through to Harry Hartin who slotted the ball past the advancing keeper.

From then on, Town took control and only a string of saves from the Church keeper kept his side in the game, but in spite of his heroics Town doubled their lead with a quarter of an hour to go when Tyrike Richards-Burke reacted the quickest after the Church defence had failed to clear a corner.

And it was Richards-Burke who added Town’s third ten minutes later as he outpaced the tiring Church defenders to fire into the bottom corner.

There was still time for more superb goalkeeping to prevent Elliott and Callum Gallagher extending Town’s lead still further, and Darren Timms’ side are now up to third spot in the table, only two points behind Gloucester City and Worcester City and with two games in hand over both.