CHURCH Stretton boss Scott Peever insisted there had been no panic in the camp after his troops got off the mark in the new Salop Leisure League at the third time of asking.

Stretton put two narrow defeats behind them to pick up their first points as James Hill hit a hat-trick and Dean Richards also scored in a 4-1 win at Shifnal Town Development.

“I don’t think anyone was panicking three games in but it’s always nice to get off the mark and it was a fairly comfortable win,” said Peever.

“It’s common knowledge we’ve been quite reliant on Dean for goals the last two or three years so if James chips in more, it’s only going to help.”

Ludlow climbed to fourth in the early standings with a big 6-1 win over AFC Bridgnorth Development as Kieran Dovey bagged a treble. Owen Holdsworth, Ryan Lewis and Jordan Morris also netted.

Josh Carpenter hit a hat-trick as Clee Hill United made it two wins out of two in the Herefordshire Premier with a thumping 5-0 victory at Bartestree. Steven Preece and Calum Gibbons also netted.

There was no such joy for Ludlow Colts, who suffered a 5-1 home loss to Ewyas Harold, who top the early standings above Clee Hill by virtue of goals scored.

In Division One, both Tenbury sides have maximum points after two games as United won 3-1 at Holme Lacy Reserves while Town edged a thriller 4-3 at home to Civil Service.

Mark Boucker, Mike Foster and Mike Morris netted for United, while Dec Bright bagged a brace in Town’s win with Al Bright and Robbie Gittens getting their other goals.

“It’s been a good start,” admitted United boss Aaron Morris. “I can’t grumble even though we should have had more goals in both games.

“If we can keep this same squad of players I don’t think we will be far away at all but it is still early days.”

Ludlow Colts Reserves got off the mark with a 1-0 win at Fownhope but Woofferton suffered a second successive defeat in Division Two, losing 3-1 at Ewyas Harold Reserves.