Weekend football round-up

RYAN Watson helped himself to four goals as Alcester Town warmed up for Wednesday's big derby against FC Stratford with a 7-2 thumping of Birmingham Tigers.

Jamie Bailey, Max Crisp and Louis Bridges were also on target as Alcester bounced back from the previous weekend's defeat to GNP Sports in emphatic fashion.

“In spells I thought we played some excellent football, we kept the ball moving and played forwards at the right times," said Alcester boss Danny Janes.

"However, towards the end I thought we were very average, we lost our shape and it was frustrating. The best teams maintain good habits for 90 minutes, we did not do that."

FC Stratford maintained their promotion push with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over CT Shush at the MoodChimp Stadium.

James Gifford gave Stratford an early lead before Matthew Pemberton's deflected effort sealed the points in the second half.

Central Ajax's promotion hopes were dealt a blow following a 4-1 home defeat to Bartestree.

The game was as good as over at half-time with the visitors leading 4-0, before Matt Trinder made the scoreline more respectable with a late consolation.

Elsewhere in Midland League Division Three, James Drinkwater's goal earned Shipston Excelsior a 1-1 draw at Inkberrow.

In front of a big attendance of 1,889, Racing Club Warwick's hopes of a top-four finish in Midland League Division One took a knock with 3-2 defeat at Ilkeston Town.

Ilkeston raced into a 3-0 lead before two late goals from substitute Sean Kavanagh set up a nervy finish.

Elsewhere, Studley and Littleton both suffered home defeats. Studley lost 3-1 to Nuneaton Griff, while Littleton lost 2-0 to Heath Hayes.

In Midland League Division Two, Earlswood Town battled back from 2-0 down to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Bloxwich Town.