THE Chequers 1 Freemasons 5

Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger League Division Four. Below-par Chequers came crashing back down to earth with a heavy defeat after a great start to their league campaign.

Despite a tremendous win at Alvechurch Sports and Social the previous week, they were well and truly caught out by local rivals Freemasons.

Chequers were slow out of the blocks when Dave Wallett was released through the defence within the first few minutes to put the visitors ahead.

But worse was to follow as Melvin Hawkes was judged to have brought down an opponent in the penalty box and Mark Bert slotted home the spot-kick.

New signing Hawkes was otherwise voted man of the match for a solid display in central defence.

The second period started disastrously when Wayne Barnett's in-swinging cross was flicked past his own keeper by the unlucky Simon Morris, Chequers' top scorer at the other end with five goals.

But they picked their display up slightly and pulled a much-needed goal back when Steve Nicholls grabbed his first of the season from close range after Dale headed on Oliver Thomas' flag-kick.

Dale again came agonisingly close to scoring moments later before Freemasons added two late goals.

First, Barnett's low corner sneaked in at the near post and then Kris Deakin blasted home a cross to rub salt into Chequers' wounds.