Football: Fairbanks at the double to seal Wolstanton's final place

ROB Fairbanks came up with a timely double to fire Wolstanton United into the Staffs FA Vase final.

The striker netted twice as the Bradwell-based outfit came from behind to beat West Midlands Premier side Stafford Town on their own patch.

Spencer Gunnall drilled the home side in front, but Fairbanks had levelled matters before the break.

He struck again after half-time and then a Mark Grice goal seemed to have made it comfortable for United.

Henderson did pull a goal back for Stafford, but Wolstanton held on to book their place in the final.

They could play fellow Staffs County League Premier Division side Hanley Town, whose semi-final against Sporting Khalsa – another West Midlands Premier side – was postponed.

Meanwhile, Cheadle Town returned to the top of the Premier Division after seeing off Alsager Town.

Goals from Oliver Jepson, Alex Wood, Dan Rooksby and Jon Evans sealed a 4-2 win against Alsager Town.

Abbey Hulton United are just a point further back in second place, with a massive six games in hand.

But they were pushed all the way by a plucky effort from Keele University.

Nathan Chinn-Shaw gave the title favourites the lead and Lee Cropper added a second.

Dan Brundrett pulled one back, but Shaun Rhodes increased the lead for United before Mikey Hewitt's second for the students.

Bottom club Florence have given themselves a decent chance of avoiding relegation by following last week's first win of the season with an even better one.

Steve Allen led the way with a four-goal blast and Tom Paylor was also on target in a stunning 5-0 win against Eccleshall.

Norton produced a superb second-half performance to clinch the points in a goal-fest at Ball Haye Green.

The visitors scored all six of their goals, which included a Dominic Thorley hat-trick, after the break on their way to a 6-3 success.

Nathan Rowley's double handed Audley the points at Biddulph Town, while Redgate Clayton claimed a similar result at home to Newcastle thanks to Ryan Green and Wayne Glover.

Dan Holdcroft's double, combined with goals from Tom Moss, Dave Shaw and Scott Edwards, saw Kidsgrove claim an impressive 5-0 win at Stretton.

Division One leaders Uttoxeter Town lost a league game for the first time this season.

Martin Stanier's first-half strike was just enough to give Hanley Town Reserves a hard-earned victory.

But second-placed MMU failed to take maximum advantage when they were held by Abbey Hulton United Reserves.

Two goals from Luke Bentley were cancelled out by Sam Luke and Sam Rabbit.

Tom Bisson struck twice to put Wolstanton United Reserves on their way to a 6-1 mauling of Redgate Clayton Reserves, while Foley were also among the goals with Carl Bachelor and Matt Wooliscroft hitting two in a 5-0 success at Sandbach.

Division Two leaders Hall Heath maintained their position when they raced to a 3-0 win at FC Vibromax JCB in Rocester.

Dan Sedgewick's double was added to by a Ricky Thompson strike.

Silverdale Athletic remain hot on their heels though, as Kentley Jenkins, Alex Djukic and Charlie Ryles helped claim a 3-0 victory at Stapenhill.

Cheadle Town looked to be on their way to a comfortable three points when they went three up at home to Biddulph Town Reserves before the break.

But the visitors were having none of it, and went on to claim a fabulous victory thanks to a Shaun Vincent hat-trick and a Tom Roper goal.

GUY PEARSON