A welcome sense of predictability returned to life at Market Drayton as they roared into the second round of the Shropshire Challenge Cup.

Another day of off-the-field drama at Greenfields didn’t show any noticeable signs of filtering onto the pitch as Drayton strolled to a 10-1 success over County Premier League side St Martins.

While the visitors put up a plucky fight for the first hour of this contest, the five-division gap separating the two teams was clear for all to see.

Many observers – and the UniBond League division one south club themselves – will feel Drayton should have been placed in the Shropshire Senior Cup rather than the Challenge version.

And what ended a hopelessly one-sided encounter would have done little to alter that argument.

That said, St Martins found themselves level after 31 minutes as Chris Bishop levelled an early opener from Drayton’s Gary Anslow.

The visitors equipped themselves well in the opening period, but slowly the class began to tell and Drayton stamped their authority on the clash with goals from Gareth Gates and Martyn Davies before half-time.

Paul Bowyer and Nicky Porter then got on the scoresheet, before five goals in the final half-an-hour gave the scoreline a harsh slant from the St Martins viewpoint.

Bowyer – normally a centre half but playing in midfield – went onto complete his hat-trick while Jason Frances scored twice and provided the cross which was glanced into his own net by the head of Karl Vickers.

The comprehensive victory gave Drayton a welcome boost as they prepare for the long jaunt to struggling Spalding in the league tomorrow.

“I saw Spalding last week and they have got a good left winger and striker we will need to be wary of,” said coach Mick Murphy.

“But we are going there confident. Our initial aim was to get to 40 points this season to make sure we stop in the league. We have got 22 from 11 games so hopefully we can get up to 40 as quickly as possible.”

Tom Ward, Stuart Ellis and Tom Rodgers are all still sidelined but club captain and keeper Andy Pryce may be fit after a finger problem.

By JAMES GARRISON