Shropshire Premier Division

Prees United 1

Hopesgate United 3

Prees have maintained their symmetrical record in the Shropshire Premier Division after they were beaten at home by lowly Hopesgate United.

A goal from substitute Rich Dodd was their only consolation in a game where Prees were expecting to take all three points at the Rec Ground and leaves them with a record of 12 games played, with six wins and six defeats, in sixth place.

They are now 15 points behind leaders Shrewsbury Juniors, having played the same number of games and will be playing for pride for much of the season.

Hopesgate arrived at the Rec second-from-bottom – where they remain – but recorded only their second win in nine league games and are now level on points with Telford Juniors Reserves and St Martins Village.

Prees will aim to bounce back from defeat with a win over Stoke Heath, as they ‘host’ the team seven points behind them in the league on Saturday, January 25.

Both Shrewsbury and Wellington Amateurs Development scored six to stay in the top two, level on points but Juniors have three games in hand.

West Midlands Regional League

Premier Division

Wem Town 1

Shawbury Town 2

Wem are back in the bottom three of the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division after they were beaten at home by relegation rivals Shawbury United on Saturday.

Wem started the derby clash with Shawbury outside of the bottom three but they saw their nearby rivals leapfrog them out of the drop zone.

But despite Chris Peel’s goal, the 10 men of Wem were beaten after Callum Briscoe was given his marching orders.

Club bosses said on Facebook: “Not good enough today in a derby game. Well done Shawbury United. We have to improve ready for next week.”

The Reds will travel to fifth-placed Wolverhampton Casuals on Saturday, aiming to bounce back but were buoyed by defeat for second-from-bottom Dudley Sports, losing 7-3 in their derby with Dudley Town.

It was derby day all round as Casuals drew 0-0 with Wolverhampton Sporting Community.

Shifnal Town got back to winning ways after their two defeats in a row, including the midweek loss to second-place Bewdley Town, who have now cut the lead at the top to six points.

Town beat Pershore Town 3-2, while Bewdley pulled off a 2-1 away win at Worcester Raiders to reignite the title chase at the start of the year.

Dudley Town’s win moves them five points clear of Black Country Rangers, who beat bottom side Cradley Town 3-0 to jump over Wolverhampton Casuals.

Bilston beat Darlaston Town (1874) 7-2, while AFC Bridgnorth and Smethwick Rangers shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

North West Counties Football League Division One South

Abbey Hulton United 0

Ellesmere Rangers 2

Ellesmere Rangers overcame Abbey Hulton United to put more distance between themselves and the bottom of the table.

An own goal in the first half gave Rangers a one-goal lead which they held onto heading into half-time.

Emmanuel Williams grabbed the side’s second of the afternoon in the second half to give his side some breathing space.

The Ellesmere men held on for the three points and as a result, move up to 16th place in the league table.

Liam Cairns was called into action between the sticks for Rangers early in the game as United had their first attempt on goal with a dangerous free-kick.

But from there onwards, the Meresiders started to find their feet and looked the stronger side.

They came close through a George Taylor header which struck the post after a well-worked free-kick routine.

Moments later though, they had the ball in the back of the net.

Karl Bailey found some space on the left wing to deliver a dangerous cross into the area which confused the defenders and saw one of them divert the ball into their own net.

After the goal, Abbey enjoyed a good spell with a handful of chances sailing wide or over, but they were unable to beat Cairns and went into the break a goal behind the visiting Rangers men.

United made a fast start to the second half, with an effort hitting the woodwork in the first five minutes.

But they were made to regret their missed chance in the 65th minute when Rangers doubled their lead through Taylor who had the simple task of tapping in a Dave Howarth cross from close-range.

The only real highlight for the rest of the game was Manny Williams’ last ditch tackle which denied a goal-scoring opportunity for United.

The game remained at 2-0 and Rangers were able to celebrate after picking up their sixth league victory of the season.

The win puts them on 22 points from 22 games and puts them seven points clear of bottom place.

They face Wythenshawe Amateurs away on Saturday.

Cheshire Football League

Malpas sat the weekend out but will return to face a Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves side that were hit for nine goals last Saturday.

The Oxhays side will need to put a run together if they are to challenge the top of the table.

Cuddington caused a shock in the cup beating Winstanley Warriors 4-2, while Windle Labour beat Cheadle 9-0.