Round-up: Boss hoping for more after Lye stun leaders

Lye inflicted a first defeat of the season on the Midland Football League leaders, who were without regular goalkeeper Andre Mendes after he was stranded on the motorway.

Goals from Luke Sidaway, Alfie Steward and Ethan Moran put the Black Country club into a 3-0 half-time lead and though the visitors came back in the second half, scoring twice in five minutes through Sean Cooke and Mamadou Djabi, the home side held on.

"I thought it was a deserved victory,” said Ball. “We were well worthy of the half-time lead, it could have been four.

"And the break they regrouped which they were always going to do and came at us but we soaked it up well and hung in there for the win.

"It hasn't been the best start to the season for us but hopefully we can use this result as a platform to build something for the rest of it.”

Brocton boss Alex Curtis was left fuming at a refereeing decision after his team were beaten 4-2 at home by Abbey Hulton.

Goals from Christian Blachette and Will Whieldon had the home side leading 2-1 at the break but the afternoon turned on the sending-off of Kenny Devoir.

The latter was dismissed for what referee Lisa Rashid deemed the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity when he brought down Aaron Bott but Brocton argued Tom Vaughan was between the striker and the goal.

Curtis said: “We were comfortable at 2-1 and looked the team most likely to score when the referee makes that decision. 

“Even the opposition manager is laughing and saying it was never a red card. “We played some great stuff again today and continued to create chances. We should be talking about that, not a referee that ruins the game for everyone.”

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, a hat-trick from Daniel Munday earned AFC Wolverhampton City a 3-1 win at Highgate United.

Ryan Snape scored late on as Dudley Town snatched a 2-2 draw at Whitchurch Alport but there was agony for Tividale, who fought back from two goals down against Hanley Town only to be beaten by Brayden Barlow’s winner five minutes from time.

Gornal Athletic closed to within two points of Division One leaders Sutton United thanks to a thumping 5-0 win over Saffron Dynamo.

Mitch Botfield led the way for the Peacocks with a hat-trick, with Traevay Wright also bagging a brace.

Cradley Town’s difficult start to the season continued as they were beaten 3-0 away at Ingles, while Bilston Town were unable to build on a strong start in their 2-2 draw with North Kilworth.

Goals from Sam Yankson and Jordan Crump put Dave King’s team into a two-goal lead but the visitors hit back to level - courtesy of an extraordinary own goal - with Bilston ending the match a man down after Haydn Hall was sent-off.

“That’s us - we score goals, we let goals in,” said King. “At times, we are unbelievable. At other times, we are very naive. It's mad, managing this team, absolutely mad."

Stafford Town exited the Macron Cup at the first round stage on penalties after they drew 1-1 at home to Cammell Laird.

Eccleshall and Wolves Casuals went through after wins over Market Drayton and Shawbury respectively but it was a day to forget for Wolves Sporting, who were hammered 7-1 at Telford Town.