SKIPPER Sam Churchley netted twice to help Henley Forest of Arden crush FC Stratford HGC 9-0 and open a three-point gap at the top of Stratford Alliance Division One.
The top versus bottom contest at Stratford Road went the way of the table-toppers who recorded their biggest win of the season.
Thomas Tarbuck also scored twice for Henley, with further goals coming from Tom Byrom, Daniel Hagyard, Charlie Vale, Henri Lewis and David Tibbitts.
Inkberrow Reserves are now Henley’s nearest challengers after they leapfrogged FC Wickhamford into second place after a 2-1 win. Sam Steele hit both goals for Inkberrow, who have four games in hand on the leaders, with Jack Steele replying.
Champions Claverdon remain in contention in fourth place, five points behind with three games in hand, thanks to a 7-1 win at home to Bretforton Old Boys.
It was only 1-1 at half-time but captain Tommy Williams smashed home four goals, adding to two from James Bramwell and one from Joseph Knight.
Callum Law was another four-goal marksman, firing Alcester Town Reserves to a 4-1 home success against Welford. Dino De Angelis bagged a 78th-minute goal for Welford.
Top-scorer Sam Jalowiecki completed a hat-trick to give title-chasing AFC Stratford the points in a 3-2 win at Inkberrow A in Division Two. Ben Rogers and Oli Wilkins were the Inkberrow scorers.
Four goals from Owen Clarke sparked Shipston Excelsior Reserves to an 8-2 victory at basement side Blockley Sports. James Coe, Stephen Cross, Sunil Nand and substitute Adam Foskett added to the Shipston tally, with Sean Bennett on target for Blockley.
South Redditch Athletic booked their place in the final of the Division Two KO Cup after sweeping aside hosts Tysoe United 6-1. Benjamin Higgins scored twice and Patrick Carr, Gary Harvey, Daniel Montgomery and Callan Towler also netted, with Kieren Dudfield scoring for Tysoe.
South Redditch will meet table-toppers GSH United in the final on a date to be arranged.
FC Wickhamford head to Droitwich Spa U21s in a Worcestershire Minor Cup semi-final on Saturday. The winners meet Bredon or Malvern Vale.
