FLYING Church Stretton extended to four points their lead at the Mercian League summit with a 5-0 whitewash of backmarkers AFC Bridgnorth reserves.

Hat-trick hero Dean Richards got the ball rolling, converting Aaron Gough’s clipped ball with a deft header with Gough making it two from Tom Hancock’s centre.

Richards then crossed for Matthew Newton to add a third and the leading scorer doubled his personal tally thanks to another assist from strike-partner Gough.

Richards rounded off the scoring to take his total to 23 goals from 14 league matches so far this season.

Stretton’s hopes of lifting the crown were boosted by a defeat for Gobowen Celtic, who had started the day second, but victories for Madeley Sports and Oakengates Athletic maintained the pressure.

Elsewhere, Clee Hill United remain in the thick of the chasing pack after winning 4-2 at Shifnal United 97.

In Division One, Brown Clee warmed up for their derby date at home to Craven Arms Town with a 5-2 success at Whitchurch Alport Juniors, a haul that moved them up to eighth in the standings.

Meanwhile, Bishop’s Castle maintained their 100 per cent record in the Montgomeryshire League Division Two with a 5-0 win at Newtown Wanderers.

The visitors did not have it all their own way early on and had soaked up their fair share of pressure before Ben Phillips teed up Kieron Mulloch for the first shortly prior to the interval.

Mulloch’s angled drive took matters away from Newtown 10 minutes after the restart and the game was up when George Mellor slotted home one-on-one.

George Mellor then set up brother Jack for the fourth with Niall Thomas completing the scoring.

Castle sit fifth in the table but only three points off top spot with at least four games in hand on the teams above them.