A FIRST-half brace from Max Jarrold laid the foundations for Church Stretton Town’s 3-0 win at Ketley Bank United in the Mercian League Premier Division.

Ross Ramuite sealed the win for Castle, who had an effort from Tom Hancock ruled out in the opening half.

Neil Castle and Scott Peever impressed for Caste, who could now rise to fourth in the table.

Stretton joint-manager Joe Leask said: “We understand that Ketley Town have folded and that should benefit us. We scraped together a side and lost 2-1 against them earlier in the season. When the points are taken off teams, we could rise to fourth.”

Mark Griffiths scored from the penalty spot but Bishops Castle Town were thumped 4-1 at home to in-form Wroxeter Rovers in Division One.

Castle manager Andrew Green said: “Wroxeter have been on a fantastic run – they have not lost for 30-odd matches. They were too good for us.

“We could have called off the match but we wanted to play and it was ashame we lost.”

The wet weather, once again, decimated last weekend’s football programme in the Advertiser patch.

Braces from Will Caswell and Shane Jennings fired Orleton Colts to a 6-1 win at Sinkums in the HFA Burghill Cup quarter-finals.

Mike Shilcock and Kenny Edwards also scored for Orleton, who will play the winners of Saturday’s tie between Ewyas Harold Reserves and Woofferton.

Steve Chadd’s Woofferton will be without influential striker Danny Gower, who is suspended for the trip to Ewyas Harold Reserves.

Woofferton’s Dave ‘Magnum’ Thomas said: ''It's going to be tough without Dan, but our other strikers Dave Nash and Simon Bradley have been in good form.”

Craig Morris scored twice, while Jamie Blythe and Simon Oakley also on target in Newcastle’s 4—0 home win over Bronllys in the Mid Wales League South.

Dewi Allan’s powerful shot hit the bar for Newcastle, who moved to within three points of the leaders.

A double from Lisa Preece led Ludlow Ladies into the second round of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Women’s County after a 4-1 home success over Worcester Ladies.

Kevin Powell’s Ludlow side fell behind but levelled before half time through Preece. mmy James, Kerrie Taylor and Preece, her second, also netted for Ludlow, who ran out emphatic victors.