Express & Star

FA Vase: Rico Taylor is the star man as Sporting Khalsa march on

Rico Taylor was the star of the show as Sporting Khalsa won a 10-goal stormer at Stone Old Alleynians in the FA Vase.

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Taylor scored Khalsa’s fourth, fifth and sixth – in the space of just eight minutes – as Ian Rowe’s side came out 7-3 victors.

With the triumph, they made it to the first round and have been drawn at home against Winsford United, of the North West Counties Premier, on Saturday, October 13.

Lee Chilton also enjoyed an impressive afternoon – scoring twice and having a hand in the first five strikes.

His first contribution was an assist, creating an opportunity which Dan Westwood gratefully finished 20 minutes in.

Westwood returned the favour by putting the ball on a plate for Chilton to convert, doubling their lead.

Chilton then smashed his second past Stone keeper Adam Alcock just before the break.

In the second period, Taylor wriggled his way past a few defenders – after Chilton’s pass – and made it four.

Chilton set Taylor up again to make it 5-0 and Chilton’s replacement, Johnny Haynes, was the provider for Taylor’s third.

Dave Meese netted the seventh, to the delight of Rowe.

But the Khalsa chief was disappointed to see his charges concede three in just four late minutes – Daniel Dolman, Jack Tomlinson and Samuel Wilson with the goals.

“For 87 minutes, it was great – a job well done,” said Rowe.

“Conceding three in such a short space of time was totally uncharacteristic of us. It isn’t a habit that I want to get used to.

“We should have been purring about Rico’s hat-trick in the dressing room but we were a bit disappointed with those late goals.

“Our keeper made a few good saves in the first half as well.

“All being said though, we’ve progressed and that’s what we wanted.

“We got ourselves some goals as well, we were clinical.

“Although we weren’t happy with the defending at the end, had somebody offered us 7-3 I would have snatched their hand off.”

On the draw, he added: “We know absolutely nothing about them, but we’re at home so we can’t complain. We’ll try to get them watched.”

Khalsa’s Midland Premier rivals Walsall Wood have a replay tonight at Oak Park after drawing 2-2 at Uttoxeter Town.

Dean Rathbone and Paul Sullivan were on the mark for Wood. If they win tonight, they will head to Smethwick, who progressed by winning 1-0 at Littleton.

Lye Town got through with a 2-0 win against Bolehall Swifts and are set to host Chelmsley Town, who beat Tividale 3-1.

AFC Wulfrunians are out though, after losing 2-1 to Wellington.

Dudley Sports, of the West Midlands Premier, exited the Vase too at the hands of Hanley Town.

Tony Gore’s men were downed 4-0 at Hillcrest Avenue. Cradley Town lost 2-1 to NKF Burbage while Wolverhampton Casuals fell to a 1-0 defeat against Romulus.

Wednesfield advanced with a 5-2 victory against Bromyard Town and are due to head to Coventry United.

Black Country Rangers set up a trip to Hucknall Town by beating Dudley Town 4-0.

Bewdley Town will travel to Shepshed Dynamo following a 1-0 success as Ashby Ivanhoe.

And in Midland Premier action, Amo Sandur’s Wolverhampton Sporting were beaten 3-2 by Worcester City.

Brocton turned on the style in the second half to run out 4-0 winners against Nuneaton Griff in the Vase.

For most of the first half, the game looked delicately poised with neither side able to take control.

Probably the best chance of the early exchanges went to Kyle King for Griff, who got in a great position and lobbed Brocton’s keeper Mark Wiggins, only to see the keeper twist and stretch to tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

At the other end, Josh Wilson played in Rohan Wedderburn-Spencer but his shot found visiting keeper Jack Tregartha.

Griff’s cause wasn’t helped when Ryan Ball, who had already earned several tickings off from the referee, was sent off.

when he decided to take exception to a foul by Harrison White which left the Badgers’ Matt Kimmins on the floor. Ball foolishly raised his hands and was sent off.

It did not take too long for Brocton to make the extra man count. Jack Weldon kept his cool in the box and gave the Badgers the lead on 55 minutes.

On the hour, Lee Osborne increased the hosts advantage from the penalty spot, slotting home after he had been bundled over after receiving an inviting pass from Kimmins.

Substitute Nathaniel Lewars powered a header home on 65 minutes and, just before the end, Osborne converted again.

The win for the Badgers, of the Midland League Division One, set up a home tie with Highgate United.

Heath Hayes, also of Division One, were knocked out with a 4-0 defeat at Saffron Dynamo.

In the West Midlands Premier, Bilston Town’s struggles continued as they were thrashed 7-0 by high-flying Shropshire outfit Haughmond.