Weekend football round-up

FC STRATFORD cruised into the semi-finals of the Les James Challenge Cup as a dominant first-half performance saw them thrash Knowle 7-2 at the DCS Stadium.

Dave Poulson's side led 5-0 at the break with goals from Ash Wilkes, Jay Tilbury (2), Luke Mooney and Martin Kendashki.

Wilkes' second put Stratford 6-0 ahead before Knowle struck back twice to add some respectability back to the scoreline.

Tilbury then completed his hat-trick with Stratford's seventh on 70 minutes.

In Midland League Division Three, Alcester Town secured their seventh league win of the season after edging out Castle Vale Town 2-1 at Stratford Road.

Marc Grogan put Alcester ahead just before half-time and the striker then doubled Alcester's lead early in the second half.

Vale got one back, but Alcester held strong to seal the points and remain sixth in the table.

Shipston Excelsior suffered only their third league defeat of the season as they were thrashed 5-0 by Montpellier.

Midland League Division One's bottom club Southam United picked up only their third point of the season as they fought out a 2-2 draw with Pelsall Villa at Banbury Road.

Sean Brain and Daniel Holloway got the goals as Littleton beat Racing Club Warwick 2-1, while Studley lost 3-2 at home to Heather St Johns.

In Midland League Division Two, Gary Davison enjoyed a dream start as manager of Earlswood Town as his new look team swept aside Sutton United 5-1.

Earls led 4-0 at the break with strikes from Nicky Playdon, Mark O'Donnell, Justin Best and Danny Holliday.

Holliday got his second to make it 5-0 before Sutton got one back via the penalty spot.

Full reports, reaction and more pictures in this week's Herald.