Weekend football round-up

MATT Layton claimed a hat-trick as Central Ajax edged out Shipston Excelsior in a seven-goal thriller at London Road on Saturday.

Layton's treble and one from Adam Trinder cancelled out Shipston strikes from Nick Shurmer, Chris Mills and an own goal.

This was Shipston's eighth league defeat of the season and leaves them two points adrift at the bottom of Midland League Division Three.

In Midland League Division Two, FC Stratford slipped to a 3-1 defeat to promotion-chasing Northfield Town at the Arden Garages Stadium.

James Macmillan struck for Nick Ballinger's side, but the visitors took all three points with goals from Ben Boazman, Liam Spink and Josh Westwood.

Earlswood Town were also beaten as strikes from David Phelan (2), Connor Perry-Holmes and George Tolley saw them lose 4-0 at Feckenham.

Racing Club Warwick made it ten games unbeaten in Midland League Division One with a 2-1 success at Studley.

Buoyed by the return of Trea Bertie and midweek signing of Chris Johnston, Racing got off to a good start and led 1-0 through Jak Jeys on 15 minutes.

Ben Mackey doubled Warwick's lead in the 65th minute, before Shay Palmer got one back for Studley shortly after.

Warwick goalkeeper Charlie Bannister then produced a fine save late on to ensure the Racers left with all three points.

Littleton claimed their first point of the season as they fought out a 2-2 draw with NKF Burbage at Five Acres. Antonio Alcaraz Zamora and Matthew Iorns both netted for the home side, who remain bottom of the table.