Step 5/6 round-up: Five star performance closes the gap at the top

The hosts took the lead against Studley in the ninth minute when Charlie King threaded the ball through to Will Whieldon, who beat advancing goalkeeper Tom Carter.

Studley came close to an equaliser in the 15th minute, but otherwise Brocton were dominating the game and saw several chances spurned.

They eventually doubled their lead just before half-time when Christian Blanchette tapped home the rebound after his initial shot was saved, to take a 2-0 lead into the break.

Brocton found their clinical edge in the second half and after going close on a number of occasions, before scoring their third in the 84th minute in fortunate circumstances as Studley goalkeeper Carter saw a back pass go through his legs and into the net.

Whieldon smashed home Brocton's fourth four minutes later before 16-year-old Jude King rounded it off with a calmly finished fifth.

Brocton boss Alex Curtis said: “It was a very good performance. We started quickly and just kept going. Missing Tony and Reg, the lads that came in have stepped up and put in a fantastic performance. 

"Their keeper had pulled out a couple of worldies. Macca (Wilson) did really well and again shows the benefit of promotion from the Under 21s. Really pleased for Jude, a great finish. He has deserved that.”

The win puts Brocton one point off league leaders Lichfield, who lost 3-0 away at Shifnal.

Elsewhere in the league, OJM Black Country beat Northwich Victoria 4-0, while Stourport Swifts won at home by the same scoreline against Wolverhampton Casuals.

Joe Hanson, Billy Moore and a Connor Deards brace secured the points for Stourport.

Goals from Jordan Davies and Todd Sherwood claimed a much-needed 2-1 victory for Dudley Town at Highgate United, while AFC Wulfrunians drew 1-1 with Uttoxeter Town and Tividale lost 3-2 at 1874 Northwich.

It was a bad day for Stone Old Alleyians, who were smashed 6-0 at home to Atherstone Town.

In the Midland League Division One, Gornal Athletic comfortably won their mid-table clash against Saffron Dynamo.

Goals from Nathan Jones, Jay Rossiter, Luke Sidaway and Nathan Weir secured the victory.

Smethwick Rangers also won, beating Birstall United Social 3-1, while Cradley Town beat Leicester St Andrews by the same scoreline on their travels.

Wednesfield were on the end of a 4-1 defeat at Kirby Muxloe, while Bilston Town lost 2-1 at Nuneaton Town.

In the North West Counties League Division One South, Stafford Town were on the right end of an eight-goal thriller at Eccleshall.

Patryk Mazurkiewicz opened the scoring for the visitors after eight minutes before Matthew Hearsey added a second less than 20 minutes later.

James May notched Stafford's third on the half hour mark to put them firmly in control, before Mazurkiewicz scored his second five minutes from half-time.

The forward was not done there, however, as he completed his hat-trick three minutes into the second half to make it 5-0.

Liam Hallam and Mitchell Glover got goals back for Eccleshall, but they proved to be consolations as Mazurkiewicz scored again in the 92nd minute to round off the win.

Elsewhere in the league, Wolves Sporting lost 3-1 at Sandbach United.

In the Hellenic League Division One, Bewdley Town lost 2-1 at Clanfield 85.