Oakengates Athletic flying after Elsmore hat-trick

Former Shawbury United striker Matthew Elsmore was the star of the show with a hat-trick as Oakengates ran out 6-3 winners at Prees.

Dale Meredith, Jeraine Reynolds and Alex Scott also found the net for the second-placed visitors, who are now just a point behind leaders Madeley Sports.

Emrah Ciftci, Jamie Parry and Louis Williams scored for Prees.

Rock Rovers, who sit fourth in the table, and Church Stretton served up a real goal-laden thriller at the Shrewsbury Sports Village.

Rock romped into a 4-0 half-time lead but Stretton, who travel to Shifnal United 97 this weekend, launched an impressive recovery after the break to pull level at 4-4 thanks to a Sean Gough brace which was added to by Robert Johnson and Dean Richards.

But Stretton's hopes of clinching a stunning victory were then dashed as Rock struck twice late on to finally run out 6-4 winners.

Next up for Shrewsbury side Rock on Saturday is a trip to Prees.

Gobowen Celtic lost ground on the leaders after being held to a frustrating 2-2 draw at home to basement side FC Hodnet.

Celtic paid for a poor start, finding themselves two goals down before restoring parity courtesy of replies from Richard Hardy and Rich Morris.

Boost

Oakengates Rangers have opened up a five-point gap at the top of Division One following a five-star show at Albrighton.

Owen Shedden bagged a hat-trick to help fire Rangers to a 5-0 success. Jami Millman and Shaun Wray added the other goals.

Shrewsbury Juniors were the latest team to boost their goal difference at the expense of backmarkers Denso – with James Jehu scoring six times in an 18-0 demolition.

Third-placed Juniors, who head to Albrighton on Saturday, eased to a convincing sixth win from seven games this season against a team whose goal difference is now minus 104 just eight matches into the campaign.

Six-goal Jehu was joined on the scoresheet by Daryl Rogers, who found the net four times; there were hat-tricks for Jordy Davies and Mike Duncombe while Andy Webb and Aaron Wiliams also weighed in.

Joe Dawes and Oliver Todd were on target to earn Madeley Sports Reserves a 2-1 win against Stoke Heath.

Zaki Ward and Ben Steven both struck twice as Oswestry Town Reserves bagged a 4-2 success away to Riverside.

Tom Everall struck twice in Brown Clee's 3-1 win at home to Whitchurch Alport Juniors.