Dudley Rangers and Goldthorn FC served up a sparkling game of football in the Paycare Open Age Division of the Beacon Sunday League.  

A very even first half, with both teams playing good football. 20 minutes through the first half Goldthorn took the lead through Greg Corbett.  

Rangers’ goalkeeper Elliot Faulkner stopped them from increasing their lead with two excellent saves, including a double save just before half-time.  

Midway through the second half, Alex Cameron missed a penalty, but George New converted a well taken corner with a neatly placed header to draw level.  Two late goals in the last ten minutes turned the game in favour of Dudley; the first drilled into the bottom corner of the far post by Scott Fisher, the second a well hit left-footed strike from the edge of the box by Joe Snipe, which left the keeper helpless to save.  

This was a fitting tribute to his father, who passed away earlier in the week, for whom a minute’s silence was observed before the game.

The other game in the Paycare Division featured last year’s champions Brandhall and Trysull FC.  A good contest in the first half with both sides creating chances ended 0-0.  Straight after the restart, leading goalscorer Kyle Armstrong with a powerful right footed low drive hit with venom into the bottom corner gave Brandhall the lead.  

Both sides created further chances, but Blaine Hughes, Brandhall goalkeeper, was equal to everything that came his way, to leave Brandhall 1-0 winners and pushing strongly for another title.

AFC Bloxwich met Swan Dive FC in the Nuneaton & District Football League in the BCFA Sunday Amateur Cup.  The first half was stalemate 0-0, although Bloxwich had their chances but couldn’t convert.  

On 63 minutes Swan Dive took the lead with a breakaway goal against the run of play slotted home by Nathan McInnes.  Five minutes later Reece Berry was brought down and TJ Hughes converted the resulting penalty by rolling the ball into the bottom corner, the keeper going the wrong way, to level the scores.  

On 75 minutes, good team play across the pitch ended with Reece Berry slotting the ball through to Jordan Spragg to hit home for a 2-1 lead.  Bloxwich defended well in the last 15 minutes to send them through to the next round.

All other games were postponed due to bad weather.

Report submitted by Beacon Sunday League