Green win away at closest title rivals to go four points clear with three left to play

BALL Haye Green are now four points clear at the top of the Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Division after a convincing victory over their nearest rivals.

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Green recorded a 3-1 win away against nearest challengers AFC Alsager on Saturday to put them in a good position at the summit with three games to play.

All looked bright for Keiran Mear's side when Louie Downs fired them ahead on 17 minutes but on the half-hour the speedy Archie Ellams levelled for visitors.

In the second half, a quick-fire brace in the 64th and 67th minutes from Ball Haye Green's James Halfpenny sealed the points to give Dave Bailey and Keilan Bond's, right, men some breathing space.

Ball Haye Green now face Wolstanton, Brereton Social and Rocester at home while AFC Alsager have three away fixtures at Wolstanton, Brereton Social and Silverdale Athletic.

Third-placed Brereton Social were surprisingly held to a one-all draw at The Red Lion Ground by Leek CSOB.

The Old Boys went ahead in the 14th minute through centre-back Sam Wainwright but Matty Ainger's men drew level just after the half-hour when Konstantinos Mario found the net.

Rocester rediscovered some form with their second successive home win to move into fourth position after a 2-1 victory over Newcastle Town thanks to goals from Jordan Dodd and Alex Seale.

Silverdale Athletic travelled to Northwood Stadium to face FC41 for the second time in a week and again handed out a 5-1 thrashing to the bottom club.

Aaron Johns hit a hat-trick for Allan Davies' visitors while Macauley Davies and Dom Thorley also found the net while Will Ellis scored a consolation for the home side in the final minute.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher's AFC Crewe side showed their resilience during a feisty encounter with visitors Audley at Wood Park, after being reduced to ten-men on the stroke of half-time.

In a tight affair, a rare attack for the South Cheshire side down the left produced a ball across the face of goal that was tapped in from close range by Komo Ezaye on the half hour.