Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger

District Football League

RUSSELL Greenwood struck a Mark Hughes-style hat-trick as Victoria Barnt Green Reserves pulled off their best performance of the season in a 6-1 drubbing of The Chequers in Division Four.

Joint Chequers managers Clive Price and Mick Hawley will still be wondering how they went from winning 6-1 the previous week to Sunday's performance at Wast Hills.

Vics were 4-1 up by half-time, and Greenwood and Danny Hobbis's pace and movement up-front could have put the score into double figures by the final whistle.

As it was, a combination of poor finishing, the woodwork and a few saves from stand-in keeper James Reece kept the score down.

It was a terrible start for Chequers when Alan Vaughan curled home a fierce 25-yard free-kick via the crossbar.

But they set about putting the record straight and Damian Sherrard equalised with a penalty after Simon Morris had raced onto Mike Dale's back-heel and been brought down.

However, the rest of the half belonged to the home side and a sharp Sparky-style volley on the edge of the area by Greenwood put them ahead again.

Then a good move moments later was capped with Daniel Hobbis' finish as the Chequers defence was caught dozing.

Rampant Greenwood -- making his first full start of the season -- pounced in the box again to fire under Reece and add a fourth goal before half-time.

The visitors pushed forward a lot in the second half but could not find the net and always faced problems with the quick breakaway. Victoria extended the lead to 5-1 when Adam Davies scored to cap a fine man-of-the-match performance in midfield. The match ball went to Greenwood with a curler into the top left corner after the post had denied him.

Merlin's winning run continued this week with an easy 7-1 win at Claines Sunday in the Worcester Minor Cup second round.

Division Two outfit Merlin controlled the game from the off and it was no surprise when Steve Dipple's low cross was finished by Lee Jones on the back post.

Merlin created chance after chance and went further in front when Jones again converted another low drilled cross, this time from Justin Evans.

Merlin made the half-time score 3-0 when Jones fired into the far corner to complete his hat-trick.

The second half was much the same and when Evans was pulled down by the keeper, Anthony Morgan coolly slotted home the penalty for goal number four.

Merlin were enjoying themselves and playing some great football. Goal number five was scored by Alan Holdom and the sixth came from some quick thinking from a throw-in. The home keeper gave away the throw and Merlin reacted quickly to take advantage of the keeper not being in the box, and Pete Dipple lobbed the ball into the net.

A rare Claines attack saw them awarded a penalty to make it 6-1, but there was still time for one more Merlin goal, again scored by Pete Dipple.

Division Three form-guys Chawson Old Boys turned in their best performance of the season to beat Southside United 4-1.

This superb result reversed an earlier defeat as the Spa side stay top of the league.

Old Boys were lively from the start with Neil Williams and Mark Seager causing mayhem in the home defence. It was no surprise when the two linked up for the first goal, which Williams netted.

Straight from the kick off Old Boys increased their lead when Phillip Wood spotted the keeper off his line and chipped him Beckham-style from the half way line.

This goal seemed to dishearten the home side and Wood was inspirational again, planting an inch perfect free kick on Derrick Adams' head to score.

Man-of-the-match Adams added the fourth when Stuart Perry found Seager, who lost his marker and unselfishly squared for Adams to touch home.

Southside grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot in the last minute.

Results, Division One: Bromsgrove Town 1 Turks Head 2. Meadow Park Premier 1 Mostyn Rangers 4. Victoria Barnt Green 3 Alvechurch Darts 4.

Division Two: Barley Mow 4 Waseley United 1. Central Park 9 Turks Head Reserves 3.

Division Three: Olympico 1 Sporting Harborne 10.

Division Four: Abbeydale 9 Riverside 1.

Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger Cup round two extra time/penalties: Woodbourne Sports 5 New Olympic 2.

Rose Bowl round two extra time/penalties: Alvechurch Darts Reserves 4 Barley Mow Reserves 2.

Youth Division: Bromsgrove Town Youth 3 Church Hill United 0.

Birmingham County Youth Cup: Coventry Sphinx 5 Headless Cross 3.

Worcester County Cup: Austin Ex-Apprentices Reserves 3 Castle 6.

Brinton Arms 2 Stourport Town 1. Crabmill 1 Lodge Park 2.

Freemasons 6 Swan Sports 2. Greyhound Hunters 2 Arley Kings 1. Hartlebury Taverns 8 Kimal Athletic 2.

Real Archers 5 Bromsgrove General Reserves 1. Red Lion Falcons 1 Forest Falcons 0. Sporting Highfield 2 Pillar of Salt 4. Wilden Village Reserves 1 Ringspanners 2.