A REFEREE has been praised for not brandishing any red cards after tempers flared during Tenbury United's game against Ewyas Harold.

A scuffle involving 20 players ensured during last Saturday's 1-1 HFA County League Division match at Palmer's Meadow.

But David Sallis managed to restore order without issuing any cards.

“There was a tackle on one of their players who has then retaliated,” said Tenbury player-manager Aaron Morris.

“I’ve gone in to break things up and more and more players piled in.

“I thought the referee handled it well.

"Some would have sent players off but there had been nothing much in the game and he just booked a couple from each side which settled things down.”

Morris put United ahead from close range after his initial header had been saved before the visitors levelled with a free-kick.

"We had a few players missing but it just shows the strength in depth of the squad that we have this season,” added Morris.

“We are happy with where we are in the table as we have games in hand but already played the top four clubs.”

Tenbury are now unbeaten in four games and host Westfields Reserves this Saturday in the HFA Charity Bowl.

League rivals Orleton Colts also produced an impressive display to draw 4-4 with another of the front-runners, Holme Lacy.

Trailing 3-1 at the break, the home side upped their game in the second half and two goals from Martin Jones and Jabez Smith earned them a share of the points.

In Division One, Orleton Colts Reserves were convincing 4-1 winners at Ewyas Harold Reserves.

The goals were shared around with Connor Davies-Austin, Brandon Himsley, Sam Thomas and Kyle Whitticase all on the scoresheet.

Shawbury United seem to have turned the corner in the Premier Division of the Midland Football League, following up last week’s victory over high-fliers Worcester City with an excellent 3-3 draw at one of the other fancied clubs this season, Coventry United.

The home side had the better of the first half and led 2-0 at the break.

But Shawbury reduced the arrears early in the second half through a Ben Cullen header and after Ian Havard saved a Coventry penalty, skipper Sean Evans netted the goal of the game when he charged forward before unleashing a powerful 25-yard drive that flew into the net.

The home side were then awarded a second penalty, this time converted, but Shawbury continued to press and grabbed a deserved equaliser deep in stoppage time when Steve Faux’s ball into the box eluded everyone and nestled into the far corner.

Church Stretton continue to struggle near the foot of West Midlands (Regional) League Division Two following their 2-0 defeat at AFC Bilbrook.

They head to another mid-table side AFC Broseley on Saturday.

Goals from Ben Black and Nathan Giles weren’t enough to stop Craven Arms Town from slipping to a 3-2 defeat at home to Prees in Premier Division of the Sportsjam Shropshire League while in Division One, Brown Clee lost 3-0 at high-flying Coven United.