Comeback kings Kurdish up for the cup

They crushed basement outfit Cannock United 14-0, taking full advantage of their game in hand on reigning Redbox Signmakers champions, second-placed Dynamo Dudley.

Claregate’s drive for their first league crown remained firmly on course as five-goal Kyle Matthews led this spree, closely followed by Simon Stokes with four and man-of-the-match Luke Pinnock, who fired a hat-trick.

Single efforts from Rodney Williams and Jon Wilson helped secure a club record Beacon victory for Claregate, whose previous best league finish was last season’s fourth place.

“It’s in our own hands now. We can’t be caught if we win our remaining four games,” said delighted Claregate boss Gary Cooper after this latest outcome.

Claregate, who lost by the odd goal in five when they met Dynamo a few weeks ago, have still to meet Shere Punjab Wolves, Sedgley & Gornal United, Fiveways Inn and third-placed Kurdish United.

In the only other Beacon fixture getting the go ahead, Kurdish won a thrilling last-match group decider against fellow contenders Sedgley & Gornal to qualify for the last four knockout stage of this season’s Wilkes Tranter Chell Cup.

S&G knew only a win against Kurdish would guarantee their place in the semi-finals and they appeared to be on course after taking a 3-1 interval advantage thanks to Jack Kelly (two) and Tom Timmins.

However, Kurdish stormed back after the restart to retain an unbeaten Chell Cup group record, finishing top of qualifying group B

Securing a 5-3 victory for Kurdish were Sarhang Rawf (two), Sarkar Ahmedi (two) and Loqman Mohamed.

United will be joined in the knockout stages by either Dynamo Dudley or Codsall Station whose scheduled clash this week was one of six postponements.