JOHN Maffei enhanced his reputation as the best striker in local football with the winner for league leaders Brintons Athletic in a 3-2 win at local rivals Chaddesley Corbett.

Maffei was quiet for 84 minutes but was on hand to slam home the impressive Steve Mares' knock-down to the delight of his team-mates.

If the veteran Maffei had been playing for Chaddesley, the home side could have won comfortably.

They created many chances but failed to take them though still deserved a share of the spoils.

Keith Elliot was trying to dictate the game for Brintons in a poor first half though apart from young Patrick Moreve he had little support.

Chaddesley showed no fluency but looked dangerous on the break with Craig Webb and Lee Jordan causing all sorts of problems.

Man-of-the-match Webb opened the scoring, racing through to slide past the advancing Jim Pickett.

The home side should have increased their lead but L Jordan's effort went agonisingly wide.

And Elliot's industry was rewarded when he snatched Brinton's equaliser with a lob to make the scores level at half-time.

The second half improved but Brintons snatched a comic second to take the lead.

Keeper Anthony Shuck ran out of his goal to clear and collided with two team-mates to leave a grateful Sam Pountney a tap-in against his former club.

Chaddesley played some of the best football of the match and equalised when Andy Shuck, knowing partner Lisa was expecting a baby at any time, headed home a free-kick.

Brintons lost Elliot through injury which gave Chaddesley the upper hand but Maffei secured the points with his late strike.

Shaun Fry and Craig Pratt missed two late chances but it should not be long before Chaddesley start climbing the table. They have signed Andy Pratt, a local 20-year-old striker.

Fixture, Saturday: Chaddesley v Brintons (2pm, Worcestershire Junior Cup round two).

Chaddesley: Anthony Shuck, Evans, Darby, Ash, Phillips, Baylis, Birch, Andy Shuck, Jordan S, Jordan L, Webb, Pratt, Williams, Knight, Burton, Potter, Kilgour, Baynton, Roberts, Fry (players meet at Longmore for 12.45pm).

Brintons: Pickett, Perry, Smith, Carter, Humber, Pountney, Gallagher-Kennet, Elliot, Moreve, Maffei, Stewart, Symons, Gardiner, Cronin, Tongue, Price (players meet at Chaddesley for 1pm).