TOP-of-the-table Church Stretton will hope to bounce back against second-placed Hodnet on Saturday after getting hammered at Allscott in Mercian League Premier Division.

Ashley Wells opened the scoring for the visitors, but that was as good as it got for Stretton as the hosts took advantage of Stretton having a weakened team to comfor tably win the match.

“It was a bad day at the office,” said Church Stretton joint-manager Joe Leask.

“We had a very depleted side out and I started at centre- half, which is a position that I have never played before.

“I got injured after five minutes and was replaced by Phil Hill, who’s a decent defender, but is approaching his mid-40s.

“Both of our centre-halves were missing, but I cannot criticise the lads who were out there because they gave 100%.

Stretton hist second-placed Hodnet on Saturday.

“It’s a bit of a false league really because we have played more games than everyone else, but nothing is won or lost in December.

“We are certainly contenders for a top-three finish and will need to beat teams like Hodnet if we are to achieve that.”