Shifnal Town lose at leaders amid 11-goal thriller and high-scoring draws - round-up

A testing start to Elliott Bennett’s management career at Shifnal Town continued with a 3-0 defeat at soaring table-toppers Bootle.

Former Shrewsbury star Bennett opened up as a boss with a victory over 1874 Northwich seven days earlier, but a tough double followed against some of Northern West’s hardened outfits.

A 4-0 home defeat to play-off occupiers Witton Albion last Wednesday was followed by Saturday’s reverse at Bootle, who have won 12 from 13.

The hosts made early dominance pay through Lewis Doyle on 21 minutes and added another couple through Ben Hodkinson either side of the break, the first a spectacular strike from range.

Bennett included recruits Ben Kaninda, the defender formerly of Shrewsbury and Wycombe, and returning goalkeeper Andy Wycherley. Shifnal have a free week but the challenges continue with next weekend’s visit of second-placed Hanley.

Whitchurch Alport picked up just a third win from 12 Midland Premier contests this season with an important three points over Uttoxeter.

Alport, in 16th, put four points between themselves and the visitors with the 2-0 Yockings Park success.

Ollie Holden’s early strike after two minutes settle the nerves and a close contest was put to bed five minutes from time as Adam Hailes curled in to cap a welcome victory for Jayson Starkey’s side.

Alport head north west to second-placed Runcorn on Tuesday night.

A goal fiesta between rock-bottom Widnes and Dawley Town saw 11 scored but Jack Hodnett came up trumps for visitors Dawley to settle a stunning contest 6-5 in North West Counties First Division South.

Hodnett’s late double including an 85th-minute winner saved the day for the mid-table Jockeys, who trailed 4-3 at half-time and 5-4 on the hour, despite Ross Jones firing a hat-trick.

A remarkable contest finally swung Dawley’s way as they led for the first time with the clash’s 11th goal.

The goals flowed in games involving AFC Bridgnorth and Market Drayton Town, too, as both had to settle with a point from 3-3 draws.

Nothing could separate in-form AFC Bridgnorth and fellow high-flyers Barnton as the Shropshire visitors clinched a point through Sam Preece midway through the second period, seconds after falling behind.

The Meadow Men had been 2-0 up in Cheshire through Nehemia Zazi and De Quarnai Williams.

Market Drayton also let a two-goal lead slip in a mid-table contest in the Black Country at Wednesfield, where all six goals arrived before the interval.

A Konnor Higgins double inside a quarter of an hour handed the Gingerbread Men a dream start but Wednesfield had turned it around for the lead after just 32 minutes.

Owen Beaman netted five minutes before the break to ensure a point for Drayton in response to last Tuesday’s battling 2-0 defeat at Bridgnorth.

A Ben Davies hat-trick helped earn Allscott Heath an impressive 6-0 victory over fifth-bottom Foley Meir.

Jacob Welch, Kian Newnes and Matt Gritton were also on target for the hosts, who climbed to eighth, just four points off the play-offs.

Shawbury United, in 15th, were beaten 2-1 by Cheadle Heath Nomads and relegation occupiers Telford Town were dealt a cruel 95th-minute 1-0 home defeat by promotion-chasing Wolves Casuals.

Ludlow Town dropped to 14th in Hellenic Division One after a 4-1 defeat at high-flying Cheltenham Saracens.