Church Stretton Town Football Club remain top of Mercian League Premier Division after 5-1 hammering at Morda

Stretton’s joint-boss Joe Leask said his side’s defending was ‘uncharacteristically poor’ after their first loss in 10 matches.

Centre-half Matt Newton scored Stretton’s goal with a downward header but Leask later admitted it was ‘a game to write-off’.

Stretton were trailing 2-0 when Paul Smith had a penalty-kick well saved after a foul on Aaron Gough.

Just before half-time, Morda rubbed salt into Stretton’s wounds with a third goal.

Stretton host ninth-placed Telford Juniors this Saturday.

Stretton, meanwhile, will travel to Wrockwardine Wood Juniors in the Shropshire FA Challenge Cup second round on Saturday, December 1.

Bishop’s Castle also had a bad afternoon, going down 3-1 at Madeley Sports in Division One.

Luke Mellor, who hit Castle’s goal, will be leaving the country on December 1 to take up a ski instructor’s job.

“It was a bit of a disaster,” said Castle player-manager Andy Green, who rattled the crossbar with a 30-yard lob.

“We played on an artificial pitch and the match officials weren’t too happy because there were lots of pitch markings and no corner flags,” he said.

“Madeley were the better team and we were probably lucky not to lose by more. We had our chances in the first-half but we didn’t take them.”

Castle travel to table-topping Ketley Town, who have won 13 of their 14 games, this Saturday.

“We are the only team to have beaten Ketley and that was the first game of the season,” said Green, who has a goalkeeping headache. “Joe McKay is away every other week but Matt Ellison used to be a keeper and, hopefully, I can persuade him to play.”

Norbury sealed a 3-2 victory at Hinstock Falcons in the second round of the Shropshire FA Sunday Challenge Cup.

Kieran Mulloch fired in Norbury’s winner after Jake Cintra and John Hudson had previously struck. Norbury will host A1 Scaffolding in the third round on December 9, while Stretton Galaxy entertain Monkmoor.

Lisa Preece hit a brace as Ludlow Ladies slipped to a 6-4 defeat at Pershore in a thrilling game which was given the go-ahead at the 11th hour.

Loz Smith and Kerry Taylor also netted for Ludlow, who had little time to warm up and trailed 2-0 inside 20 minutes.

Ludlow’s team showed spirit throughout on a heavy pitch.

DAVE Nash’s late strike sealed a superb comeback triumph for Woofferton in Herefordshire League Division One. They recorded a 3-2 win over Ledbury Town Reserves.

Si Bradley and Jack Pound also netted second-half goals for Woofferton, who trailed 2-0 at the interval.

Steve Chadd’s Woofferton defended poorly in the opening half and conceded two goals inside 20 minutes.

However, Woofferton hit top gear after the restart with brothers Si and Walt Bradley providing a goal threat.

Si Bradley reduced the deficit, curling in a free-kick before Pound headed home the equaliser soon afterwards.

Nash grabbed the winner for Woofferton, firing in a low drive with five minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, Chris Breakwell’s brace led Woofferton Colts to a crushing 6-0 home win over Weston in Division Two.

Jabez Smith, Craig Morris, Oliver Lewis and George Piper also scored for Colts, who were in top form.