TEENAGER star Macauley Stone proved he can rise to the occasion by notching four goals for Tenbury United in an emphatic HFA Charity Bowl win against Leominster Town.

Stone now has five goals in his last two games and will be a key player for United when they lock horns with rivals Tenbury Town in an eagerly awaited derby next weekend.

“It was only his second game and initially he wasn’t going to play,” said Tenbury joint-manager Aaron Morris.

“But he texted me on the Friday saying he was available.

“He came on at half-time and scored four goals.

“He is a goalscorer and we are very pleased with him.

“For a 16-year-old lad to do that is brilliant.

“He just has to work hard now and keep at it.”

Ryan Morris opened the scoring for United in the first half before Ashley Giles doubled their advantage.

Stone then took centre stage after the break, with Aaron Morris and John Bradley also getting on the scoresheet.

“Leominster aren’t the team they used to be, but you still have to beat what is in front of you,” said Aaron Morris.

“We played good football, which was good because our confidence was knocked a bit after losing to Fownhope in our previous game.”

Morris said, despite Stone’s exploits, Gaz Edwards was the man-of-the-match.

“He was very efficient and played the ball a lot around the back,” said Morris.

“It was very pleasing to get a clean sheet.

“Nick Stocker also set up four goals and did very well.”

United will entertain Ewyas Harold in the semi-finals on January 17. Neither United or Town play this weekend and will have an ideal opportunity to rest before clashing at Palmers Meadow in the semi-finals of the Worcestershire Minor Cup.

Town go into the game on the back of a 5-0 win against Civil Service in Herefordshire League Division Two.

Mark Boucker grabbed a hat-trick, with Alex Bright and Henri Harvey-Smith, who made a welcome return after being sidelined for 15 months, also getting on the scoresheet.

Boucker also missed a penalty in the game.

“I think missing that woke me up,” said Boucker.

“I was delighted with the hat-trick, but I should have scored more."

Boucker said it was great to see Harvey-Smith return to the side.

“That was the highlight of the day for me because he came back into the side after a lengthy lay-off after dislocating his knee," said Boucker.