Stone Old Alleynians 1 Lads Club 2

SIXTEEN-year-old debutant Lewis Fletcher was the Lads Club hero in the city side's West Midlands League Division One away success.

Fletcher was introduced at the interval and, within minutes, outpaced the home defence before passing the ball past the advancing goalkeeper into the corner of the net.

"For young Fletcher to come further forward than he is used to playing, dribble the ball 20 yards and still have the composure to pass the ball into the corner of the net was top class," said Lads club coach Richie Jones.

"We defended superbly and deserved the three points.

"Matt Evans and Liam Jones were absolutely brilliant at the heart of our defence."

Lads CLub had taken the lead after only five minutes when good approach play set up Richie Maturi to shoot home from eight yards.

But Stone had the better of the first period on a very heavy pitch although Lads Club Steve Bell was not tested until just before the break when Russ DeMatteo cut to hit a curling shot into the top corner from 25 yards.

After Fletcher's goal, Kalum Wildig had an opportunity to put the result beyond doubt but hit a post from a tight angle.

Stone continued to look dangerous going forward but the visiting defence held on strongly to earn the three points.

Ledbury Town, meanwhile, continue to slip down the table after a 3-1 reverse at mid-table Shenstone Pathfinders.

Town, who are now 13th, scored through Jamie Welch's chip over the keeper but, although making the home defence work hard, conceded three easy goals.

At the other end of the table, second-placed Bartestree look like being the only side that runaway leaders Bridgnorth will not defeat this season.

The Shropshire side have won 20 of their 23 games this season.

But Bartestree held them to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, following on from a 0-0 stalemate at the leaders' headquarters earlier in the season.

Haughmond, who are third in the table, four points behind Bartestree but with six games in hand, also shared the spoils with Bridgnorth in a 1-1 draw but then lost the return 3-1.