Express & Star

Premier flying high after four-goal burst

Promoted FC Premier U21s maintained their impressive start to the season with a 4-1 success at Shere Punjab Wolverhampton in the Concentric Sales & Lettings Beacon Championship.

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The visitors fought back from a half-time deficit after Razwan Akhtar had given Shere a narrow interval lead.

Four goals in the last 30 minutes, a brace each for Gianni Singh and Kasen Peace, secured a welcome three points for FC Premier who remain unbeaten, sitting second in the table behind Sedgley & Gornal United on goal difference.

Leaders Sedgley & Gornal let a two-goal lead slip as Beacon Lions capitalised on defensive errors to earn a share of the points.

Andy Day opened the scoring and Rion Francis Mills netted his seventh goal of the campaign to put the hosts firmly in the driving seat, but the Lions, who are also in good form, roared back with second-half goals from Reece Dabbs and Kieron Grew to maintain their unbeaten start.

Claregate Park Rangers picked up their first win of the season, hitting Codsall Station for six and delighted manager Gary Cooper commented: “I was really pleased with our performance, we played some of our best football for a long time, particularly in the first half.”

Prolific marksman Kyle Matthews returned to the starting XI and helped himself to four goals while Yusuf Esmail and skipper Danny Jones completed the scoring for Rangers.

Codsall created several opportunities, with their two decisive efforts being converted by Richard Hale and Robin Davies.

Trysull Tigers were moments away from a first victory of the season but were hit by a last-minute equaliser in a pulsating clash with Claregate Park Rangers 2nds.

Steve Rickhuss gave the Tigers a 68th-minute lead from the penalty spot, following up after his initial effort had been saved, But with time running out, Connor Forrester fired home to level with seconds remaining.

CTS United and Wyrley Athletico are setting the pace at the top of the Paycare Development Division and the formidable duo hit 14 goals between them in two goal-laden fixtures.

CTS (Coseley, Tipton, Sedgley) registered a third straight victory with an emphatic 8-0 triumph over struggling Coseley FC.

The trio of Jay Crumpton, Sam Astley and Aaron Norton all hit doubles with Luke Hickman and Jack Gold adding the other goals.

Hot on the heels of CTS are Wyrley, who swept aside the challenge of AFC Sporting Gornal to complete a 6-2 victory.

Three goals inside the first 20 minutes from Josh Foster, Cory Crutchley and Rhys Owen set them on their way and second-half goals courtesy of an Alex Stokes double and Anthony Ison completed the rout. Sporting’s replies came from Jordan Robinson and Jordan Meades.

Essington AFC recorded back-to-back victories with a 2-1 success over visiting Cannock United. George Swain found the target for Cannock but singles from Leon Bastable and Curtis Tonks moved the hosts up to third in the table.

Newcomers Health Direct Afternoons are also finding form after an opening-day defeat and they picked up a second consecutive win with a 4-1 triumph at FC Premier 2014.

Tomos Aitchison and Nathaniel James found the net with Jermelle Banner going one better with a brace. The hosts’ consolation came from Matt Guy.

Daniel Woodward was a two-goal hero for Gornal Rangers as his side picked up their first win of the campaign at the expense of Penn Rovers. Tahi Markland was also on target with Jake Badger replying for Rovers.

Sedgley Rangers and Dudley Rangers United were involved in a six-goal thriller with the latter coming out on top. It was 1-1 at the break, but Dudley moved through the gears in the second half to take all three points with goals from Callum Campbell (two), Sam Collier and Joe Snape. Sedgley through Brad Ormerod and Joseph Waterfield.