Mould got their promotion charge back on track in emphatic style as they crushed a Stillman side who looked odds-on for elevation to the top flight a matter of weeks ago.

From the opening minute Mould looked the hungrier of the two sides - knocking the ball about confidently and carving the Stillman backline at will. The only surprise was that it took a full five minutes before Mould opened the scoring when an incisive Mould pass found KNIGHT on the edge of the box and he drove it into the top corner. Minutes later it was two as OWEN seized on another throughball and smashed it past the keeper.

The onslaught didn't stop there. First Knowles was unlucky from a firm header from a corner, and then Dunkley and Knowles again went close. However Mould weren't held at bay for long when a looping shot from KNIGHT eluded the keeper to make it 3-0. KNIGHT completed his hat-trick when he rounded a flailing Stillman defender and flicked the ball home.

Mould then decided to unleash Leese from his goalkeeping duties, replacing him with Cox. Ten minutes later it was five, as LEESE played a neat one-two and fired underneath the despairing keeper.

By now Mould were rampant in all areas of the pitch, though they still allowed Stillman a consolation goal as the match entered the final quarter. It didn't matter, as shortly after some neat footwork by OWEN allowed him to drive the ball left-footed into the net.

The next to try his luck was Machell on a rare foray. Shimmying this way and that, he darted into space on the left flank. Owen sought him out with another fine pass leaving him with just the keeper to beat. Surely he would bag his first of the season now. Another feint and a step-over and the keeper was lying on the floor with the goal at his mercy. Surely now, surely? He opted for the little flick over the prostrate keeper. That must be in..... Somehow..... no.....Stubbing his toe into the turf and knocking the ball all of a foot it was chance gone - with a finish that would have made the absent Master's rib injury even worse.

All was forgotten as some more neat interplay and footwork allowed COX an opportunity that he finished with aplomb - driving it into the bottom right hand corner.

As the showboating began the chances continued - in particular only an amzing double save by the Stillman keeper from Owen preventing him from completing a well deserved hat-trick.

Mould: Leese, Knowles, Dunkley, Owen, Cox, Knight, Machell
MoM: Owen - for a fine all-round display

Mould FC

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