DEFENSIVE problems contributed to the downfall of Badsey Rangers who found the net four times in Saturday's Stratford Alliance Journal Premier Division clash yet still finished up on the losing side.

The game featured nine different scorers with the handful of marksmen on target for Halfords helping to clinch the top flight points.

Henley Forest and Badsey United featured in a five-goal thriller that again resulted in misery for the villagers as hosts Forest ran out 3-2 winners.

Greg Castle scored four times as Stratford Spartak banged in nine without reply against Southam, while Jim Shearman's brace helped Ilmington overcome FISSC.

A single Chris Valentino strike, meanwhile, earned Quinton victory at Kenilworth.

Adam Taylor was also the sole marksman as Halfords Reserves won at Blockley, while Kenilworth Town matched that 2-0 margin of victory when playing host to Ilmington's second string.

The other Cutler Division Two clash saw Bidford's second string score twice but those goals were cancelled out by Andy Borton as Long Compton eased to a 5-2 victory.

Tony Egan's double helped Studley Nags Head to a 2-2 Herald first division draw at home to Alcester Lions, but Badsey United's Shaun Carter's brace against Henley Forest proved fruitless.

Nev Drumm bagged two for the visitors who won a thriller by the odd goal of seven.

Shipston Excelsior also found the net four times at FISSC, where the goals came from Simon and Kevin Plank, Steve Hedderman and Gareth Williams.

Results

Journal Premier Division: Badsey Rgrs 4, Halfords 5; Henley 3, Badsey Utd 2; Ilmington 4, FISSC 2; Kenilworth A 0, Quinton 1; Stratford Spartak 9, Southam 0.

Herald Division One: Badsey Utd Res 3, Henley Res 4; FISSC Res 1, Shipston 4; Studley NH 2, Alcester Lions 2.

Cutler Division Two: Bidford Res 2, Long Compton 5; Blockley Spts 0, Halfords Res 2; Kenilworth B 2, Ilmington Res 0.

Fixtures for Saturday

Journal Premier Division: Badsey Rgrs v FISSC, Henley v Quinton, Ilmington v Southam, Stratford Spartak v Badsey Utd.

Herald Division One: Badsey Utd Res v Bidford, Bodrum v Henley Res, Broadway v Shipston, Cubbington v Littleton, FISSC Res v Alcester Lions, Tysoe v Studley NH.

Cutler Division Two: Bidford Res v Ilmington Res, Blockley v Red Alert, Dog & Pheasant v Badsey Rgrs Res, Long Compton v Halfords Res, Welford v Park Tavern.