Sutton Albion 1 Craven Arms 5

BUILDING on a number of improved performances recently, the Arms finally got it all together to record their first win of the season in the Premier Division of the Shropshire County League. Tom Hollinshead led the way with a hat trick.

Starting confidently the visitors were quickly into their stride to take a three-goal lead inside the first half-hour. Dave Humphreys made a good run down the wing, and his cross picked out Hollinshead to score the first inside the first ten minutes.

Humphreys then turned goal-scorer, calmly slotting the ball into the far corner five minutes later. The same player was then instrumental in setting up the third, Mark Blent heading home from another accurate cross.

The game could then have turned away from Craven Arms, Sutton gave them-selves a boost with a goal from a free-kick before the break, and then they lost star man Humphreys with a nasty gash. They were expecting an onslaught from the home team in the second half, but in practice it never materialised.

Hollinshead first beat the offside trap, and then took advantage of some slack marking to add two more goals and complete a hat trick. Craven Arms played out time to complete an emphatic win. This week they visit Highley Welfare.

The Sunday side went down 2-1 at home to Madeley Town in the Ironbridge Sunday League. The visitors opened up a two-goal lead in the first half but had to withstand a fight-back from the Arms in the second. Hollinshead was again on target but could not repeat his Saturday performance to steal the points.