TEN-MAN Black Horse’s FA Sunday National Cup dream is over after they bowed out at the quarter-final stage for the second year in a row.
Luton side St Josephs went through 4-1 after Bromsgrove League Premier side Black Horse had Rees James sent off in the 29th minute at Arlesey Town’s Hitchin Road home.
Charlie Clayton opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot during the second half, before adding two further goals to wrap up his hat-trick.
With five minutes to go, Black Horse player-manager Ricardo Richards reduced the arrears, although there was still time for Connor Vincent to put the gloss on the Saints’ semi-final berth with the final goal of the afternoon.
In Division One of the Bromsgrove League, third-placed Crown Internazionale stepped up their title charge with a straightforward 3-0 win over Catshill.
Connor Cashmore’s double, plus one from Sam Horton, ensured a positive return to action after five weeks without a fixture.
Internazionale, with 13 points, are narrowly behind leaders Kings Heath Albion (16pts) and Broughsons (15pts), while Catshill remain fifth on seven points.
Duke of York were unable to prevent a second loss of the season in Division Three, despite Tom Keogh’s brace in a 3-2 reverse against Studley Rangers.
Sixth-placed Studley (12pts) have subsequently closed the gap to fifth-placed Duke (14pts) to two points.
Cookley Sports Reserves were too hot for AFC Blackwell to handle in a 5-1 thrashing in the semi-finals of the Worcestershire FA Sunday Minor Cup.
Blackwell, flying high in second in Division Three, were no match for the Kidderminster & District League outfit, who will now face the winner of Gruppo Select and Cofton Old Boys in the final.
Chaddesley Ravens Dynamo reached the semi-finals of the Kidderminster Hospital Minor Cup after dispatching Kidderminster’s Sporting Rangers 5-1.
Ten-man West Heath Allstars earned a place in the Worcestershire FA Junior Cup, last four with a 3-2 victory over Waggon & Horses. The red-hot Allstars have won seven in a row and are 12 games unbeaten.
That run was certainly under threat when Tom Ferguson capitalised on a misjudged cross from Craig Steventon to put the Kidderminster & District League visitors in front.
Steventon, however, atoned for his error with a hand in the equaliser. His punt upfield sent Elliott Weston through on goal and the latter coolly took the ball past a defender before slotting home to draw West Heath level.
Christopher Fox went close to putting the hosts in front when directing a header wide while Aaron Tullett’s free-kick effort from outside the area was tipped onto the bar.
With Waggon’s physical game working in their favour, they resumed the lead through Dan Hickman’s well-taken strike.
But Allstars were positive in their response and earned a penalty that was dispatched by Michael Ryan to level once more.
From then on, Division Two leaders were in the ascendancy, and struck again mid-way through the half.
Picking up possession from Bradley Hendry’s pass, Jake Wicketts embarked on a mazy run down the left flank that ended with a sumptuous finish inside the penalty area.
Despite having Weston sent off for two bookings, West Heath were able to ride the storm for the final 15 minutes to seal victory.
Division One’s Hizza United have been dumped out of the competition however, after going down 4-3 to Kidderminster side Pockets.
After going two goals behind to early strikes from Ryan Derrick and Ryan Rowe, United hit back after a red card for Pockets goalkeeper Jack Bough.
Ryan Elvy’s 20th-minute stunner, followed by Martin Young’s effort from the edge of the penalty area three minutes later, drew the visitors level.
But despite the man advantage, Hizza fell behind once again when Derrick struck his second of the game, this time from the penalty spot. Pockets then regained their two-goal cushion through Derrick’s hat-trick strike, again from 12 yards, to stun the visitors.
Though United halved the deficit through a Dan Flowers own goal, they were unable to haul themselves back on level terms despite Dan Cole hitting the bar in the second half.
