Weekend football round-up

FC STRATFORD continued their push for promotion with a thumping 9-0 victory over Midland League Division Three strugglers Leamington Hibernian.

James Gifford helped himself to a hat-trick to go alongside singles from Stephen Barrett, Daniel Stokes, Nicholas Cox, Ashley Wilkes, Alex Andrews and Freddy Murphy.

The win moves Stratford up to fourth in the table, 11 points behind second-placed Bartestree, but with eight games in hand.

Another promotion-chasing side, Alcester Town, handed out a 6-0 thrashing to Coventrians at Stratford Road.

Chris Mills claimed a treble, with the other goals coming courtesy of Kieran Downey, Matthew Seeley and Louis Bridges.

“In first half I felt we were outstanding," said Alcester boss Danny Janes.

"Tactically, in terms of our shape in possession, we were excellent and Coventrians could not get near us.

"We moved the ball quickly but showed patience, waiting for the right moments to play forwards.

"We were ruthless in front of goal and deserved the five goals, defensively we looked very strong.”

Shipston Excelsior slipped down to eighth in the table following a 3-2 defeat at home to Bartestree. James Drinkwater and Joe Godson were on target for Steve Hedderman's side.

In Midland League Division One, Racing Club Warwick put on a poor showing as they went down 1-0 to Pershore at Townsend Meadow.

Elsewhere, Studley lost 1-0 at Ilkeston Town, while Littleton were sunk 3-1 at home to Cadbury Athletic.

In Midland League Division Two, Earlswood Town were swept aside 3-0 by Droitwich Spa at The Pavilions.