CHURCH Stretton were left to rue a host of missed chances as they could only draw 2-2 at lowly Whitchurch Alport in Mercian League Premier Division.

Stretton led 2-1 at half-time through goals from Aaron Gough and Ashley Wells, but were made to pay for not extending their lead in the secondhalf when Whitchurch equalised 15 minutes from time.

“It was a particularly disappointing day as we missed three or four clear one-on-one’s and we should have been 4 or 5-1 up at half-time,” said Church Stretton joint-manager Joe Leask.

“These are the sort of games we know we should win and that type of performance has shown us that we are probably not ready to challenge at the top of this league.”

Stretton will hope for maximum points this Saturday when they host ninth-placed Ketley Bank.

Clee Hill manager Wayne Whitbread felt the referee cost his side a point in their 4-2 defeat against local rivals Bishop’s Castle in Mercian League Division One.

Goals from Luke Mellor, Gareth Bromley, Andy Green and Dan Dawson won the points for Castle, but Whitbread was left to rue two goals that were disallowed.

Adam Warren put the ball in the net when the score was 3-2, but the referee had already blown his whistle for an earlier free-kick to Hill. At the death, Jack Seymour saw his effort ruled out for offside.

“The referee apologised afterwards, saying that he should have played advantage to us and was too quick to blow for a free-kick. It’s the way that it’s going for us at the minute,” said Whitbread.

The home side’s goals came from Ryan Harper and Seymour.

Clee Hill do not play this weekend, but Bishop’s Castle face a tricky away match at fourth-placed Oswestry Lions.

Newcastle 1 Penybont 1

MIDFIELDER Jimmy Thomas struck a second-half leveller for Newcastle, who picked up a useful point against the Mid Wales League South leaders.

John Goodridge’s much-changed team battled throughout and gave their best display of the campaign so far.

Newcastle will be looking for a similar performance this Saturday when they host Sennybridge, who dumped them out of the league cup a fortnight ago.

Penybont gave the champions a scare in the first minute with a longrange effort that struck a post.

But the introduction of the experienced Graham Jones at the back, in his first outing since injury in February, settled Newcastle’s nerves.

Penybont took the lead on 30 minutes when striker Kevin Bufton bundled the ball over the line after a long free-kick had deceived Newcastle keeper Ben Harvey.

Newcastle picked up the tempo in the second-half and Craig Morris twice brought fine saves from the Penybont goalkeeper when clean through.

Morris hit the crossbar before midfielder Thomas got in behind the visiting defender to draw his side level.

Both sides searched for a winner and Penybont had a late shout for a penalty-kick waved away by referee Simon Crowther.

Woofferton Colts 6 Kingstone Harriers 1

WOOFFERTON Colts have got sixappeal after thrashing Kingstone Harriers in Herefordshire League Division Two.

Jake Collett, Craig Morris, Chris Breakwell, George Piper and Tom Ballard got the goals for Woofferton.

Duncan Morris’ Colts go to Fownhope Reserves this Saturday for a league fixture, while Steve Chadd's Woofferton have another weekend off.

• BUCKNELL led 2-0 against highflying Builth Wells Reserves before being held 2-2 in the Mid Wales League South.

Goals from Wayne Davies and Dave Humphreys put the hosts 2-0 ahead before Builth levelled prior to the break though Joel Metcalf and Gareth Jones.

• WE wish to point out that the minute’s silence reported in last week’s sports pages at Woofferton Football Club was in memory of Bill Moore, a big Shobdon supporter.