Football: Midland Alliance

STUDLEY'S Keiron Cross proved a reluctant match-winner for the club's latest cup scalp, according to manager Kevin Rowlands.

Cross was not named among the visitors' five penalty takers in last week's

Worcestershire Senior Cup victory over Evesham United because he told the Bees boss he did not want to take a spot-kick.

But following a dramatic 3-3 draw against a side who play two divisions

above them, Cross watched 12 penalties hit the back of the net before he got the

dreaded call.

"He wasn't named in the five," said Rowlands, "and as sudden death started he started shuffling further away from the penalty spot!"

But Cross followed the lead of team-mate Quentin Townsend and delivered a true spot kick as Evesham's Anthony Watson missed the decisive kick in an

8-7 penalty win for the serial underdogs.

But victory came at a cost with midfielder Adam Blake impressing enough for Evesham to snap him up for their Southern League Premier Division relegation scrap.

Now Rowlands is looking ahead to a quarter-final at home to Conference

North side Moor Green. Although three divisions separate the sides, the Bees knocked Bob Faulkner's side out of last year's competition en route to the final.

Studley's reward for their shock Birmingham Senior Cup victory over Tamworth is a trip to another Conference North outfit in Hednesford Town. Rowlands was disappointed to avoid the professional sides but welcomed the chance of another upset.

"It's difficult not to be disappointed after beating Tamworth but I don't think Hednesford will be too delighted at drawing us either," said the Bees manager.

Studley's Midland Alliance trip to Biddulph Victoria fell victim to the

weather on Saturday but at least Lee Ross was on target, the striker scoring

in Feckenham's 4-0 Midland Combination victory over Massey Ferguson after arranging a quick loan once news of the Biddulph washout came through.

Ross is back in contention for Studley when they play host to Malvern Town on Saturday while midfield pair Jason Dyer and Simon Fitter are available after completing bans.