Football: Ball Green aiming for Trophy success

GOAL-SCORING midfielder Lee Roden hopes Ball Green Working Men's Club can go one better than last season and reach the final of the TB Williamson Trophy.

Roden's Coors League Division Three side reached the semi-final of the county cup in March, only to crash out 6-0 to the Six Towns United juggernaut.

They started their campaign this term with a 2-0 win over Potteries League Division Two high-fliers Eaton Park, thanks to Roden and a wonder goal from James McQueen.

"We've got a good side, stronger than last year, and we're hoping to do well. You just know at any stage you might meet someone like Six Towns, but it'll be a good test," said Roden, whose side will play Adderley Green in round two.

"Eaton Park played well and had the better of possession, but just couldn't score. We took our chances and James scored from an angle which surprised everyone.

"We're aiming for promotion this year. It will be tough, but we're confident and if we can have good runs in the cups then so much the better."

Joe Sargeant's brace helped Crown Red Street stun highly-fancied The Bradley 3-1. Rich Adams got the other goal for Crown, with prolific Godfrey Johnson bagging for Bradeley.

AFC Clayton, from Coors Division Three, thrashed Division One side Kidsgrove WMC 4-1. Lee Wilshaw, Ryan Allcock, James Hillman and Nathan Tew ensured Clayton are a surprise name in the draw for the second round.

Matt Clowes (2) and Wayne Rushton helped Coors Division Two side Corner Pin ease past Leek's Hare and Gate Strollers 3-0.

A Dan Massey penalty finally won it in a shoot-out for Newcastle and Hartshill against Knutton Matthey Reserves, which had ended 2-2 after 120 minutes.

Josh Cartlidge had already netted twice from the spot to keep Newcastle in the game, with Dean Beardmore scoring both for Knutton.

Longton Ashwood won 5-4 on penalties against AFC Crompos after it was 2-2 at the end of extra-time.

Coors Division Three side AFC Smallthorne humbled Division One's Silverdale Athletic 5-2 with goals from Bradley Beale (2), Corey Chevin, Brian Johnson and Thomas Hancock.

Chris Carter got two as Plaza hammered Blacksmiths Arms, from the Uttoxeter League, 7-0. Liam Shaugnessy, Ryan Boulton, Rob McAskill and Wayne McAskill also netted.

Nick Ward and Liam Shotton both hit hat-tricks as Darcys routed Vodafone 10-4. Steve Brannan, Liam Gallagher, Matt Elkin and James Dunn were also on the mark for Darcys.

There were hat-tricks from Aaron Cooper and Matt Cockfield, too, as Adderley Green won 7-2 against Castle Mora.

Andy Bell hit four, Dale Burnham three and Chris Dempsey two in Social Services' 11-1 pelting of Hawk FC.

Ross Neale, Grant Bithell and Carl Wright grabbed two apiece as Golden Cup smashed White Lion 7-2. Brian Hallam scored both for White Lion.

Glen James was another with a double as he helped Cuckoo beat City Traders outfit Holditch Miners 5-1.

Glen opened the scoring for Cuckoo against Holditch with a 30-yard belter, then added a quickfire second as his side were three up within five minutes, going onto win 5-1.

Liam Dann (2) and Ben Dodd (2) helped Staff of Life beat Northwood Merx 6-0.

Michal Kalisz grabbed four in Polonia's 9-4 thumping of RC Spittal Brook.

Carl Jukes came off the bench to help AFC Moorlands beat Travellers Rest 2-1. Jukes added to a strike from Tom Flanagan to secure the win, with Nathan O'Neill on the mark for Travellers.

Bignall End Reserves paid the price for missing a penalty, hitting the woodwork twice and seeing numerous chances saved as they fell to a 4-1 loss to Bench and Bar.

Tom Sinitto, Gaz Bailey, David Guest and Matty Melvin got the goals for Bench, with Leigh Hattersley replying for PDSL Division Two Bignall.

Oak Tree won 3-0 at The Furlong, thanks to first-half goals from Callum Roberts, Josh Madade and Ciaran McKinne while Matt Redshaw's hat-trick set up a 6-1 win for JCB Lakeside over Fegg Hayes.

Clayton Harwood netted twice in Three Tuns's 4-1 win over Steeplechase, Ash Clay got two in Abbot's Bromey's 3-2 defeat of Pegasus and Mitch Barnett snatched a brace in Shamblers Reserves' 5-0 battering of Cheadle Town End.