Rushall Olympic: Breeden, Gough, Haywood, Cooper, Barrow, Preston, Beckett, Holdcroft (78), Charie (76), McMahon (65), Barnfield. Subs: Rowe (78), Johnson, Szewczyk (65), Brindley (76), Gayle.

Chasetown: Evans, Branch (J), Branch (M), Slater, Thomas, Williams, Clamp, Hawkins, Perry, Perrow, Holland. Subs: Smith (D), Edwards, Smith (S), Spacey, Woodvine.

Goal: Perrow (35)

This was billed as a Boxing Day cracker that should have been a great game for what was Rushall's biggest crowd of the season so far. However nothing could have been further from that as both teams struggled in a game that was stopped every other minute by a referee who booked six players in a game that did not have a bad foul all afternoon.

It was was undoubtedly a very dour game, but it was Chasetown who settled the quicker of the two sides and a good move down the right hand side saw Mark Branch send over a telling cross, but the visiting forwards could not make any contact.

On twenty-one minutes Rushall had a great chance to draw first blood when Paul McMahon headed a cross from the left narrowly wide of the post.

Chasetown got what turned out to be the all important goal on thirty-five minutes when one of the several free kicks that was awarded throughout the game was played into the box were Dean Perrow was first to react by turning the ball just inside the near post.

To sum things up, that was about as good as it got as both 'keepers didn't have a save to make throughout the remainder of the game.

The second half was a little better for Rushall, but if either of these two sides are going to make the end of season play off's, never mind win the league, they will certainly need to play much better than this.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Ian Cooper (Holdcroft 74 mins), 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Damien Charie, 10. Paul McMahon (Szewczyk 65 mins), 11. Neil Barnfield (Rowe 65 mins). Subs: 12. Phil Rowe, 14. Rob Holdcroft, 15. Karl Johnson, 16. Paul Szewczyk, 17. Chris Brindley.

Goal: McMahon (42, 62), Barnfield (50) Szewczyk (88)

Malvern Town: 1. Lewis Skyers, 2. Aaron Drake, 3. Warren Howes, 4. Simon Baker, 5. Matt Aubrey, 6. Jamie Hyde, 7. Dean Spiers (Edwards 74 mins), 8. Andy Crowther, 9. Dan Harding-Hall (Farnsworth 63 mins), 10. Chris Hughes, 11. Damion Jarrett (Lacey 63 mins). Subs: 12. Bryan Craven, 14. Tom Lacey, 15. Tony Farnsworth, 16. Phil Harris, 17. Paul Edwards.

Rushall Olympic reeled off their third consecutive victory and clean sheet in British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands action as they romped home to an emphatic 4-0 success against lowly Malvern Town to begin their festive programme with a real cracker.

Manager Paul Holleran made one enforced change with midfielder Ian Cooper making his full debut after front runner Harry Harris ended his successful one month loan spell from neighbours Walsall and was immediately farmed out to Blue Square North outfit Hinckley United for another month instead.

Relegation haunted Malvern Town arrived at Dales Lane having recorded only one solitary victory in their previous nineteen games and in the opening stages their cause was hardly helped when their striker Chris Hughes had to be hastily patched up after sustaining a rather nasty looking cut to the head.

Rushall were otherwise quickly on to the offensive and with only two minutes on the watch Paul McMahon centred from the left by-line to the near post where strike partner Damien Charie could only flick the ball the wrong side of the upright when well placed.

On 12 minutes debutant Cooper found himself in the referee's book for what appeared to be a harmless looking shoulder to shoulder challenge, but a minute later the midfield anchorman was almost on the score sheet after a fine move that initially saw a raking cross field ball played to Dave Haywood down the left channel. As the wing back in turn picked out Cooper on the edge of the box his lofted drive rose marginally over the bar.

Cooper was again unlucky in the 34th minute when another good move was orchestrated between front runners Charie and McMahon that allowed the midfielder to be teed up for an 18 yard drive that was again lifted just over the woodwork.

The visitor's first worthwhile effort of the first period didn't arrive until six minutes before the interval when Jamie Hyde progressed impressively down the left flank, before cutting inside and flashing the ball invitingly across the face of goal - but nobody was on hand to make a telling connection.

Although the unseasonal intermittent rain continued to fall upon Dales Lane, threatening to put a real dampener on proceedings, the Pics brightened things up immediately by taking a deserved 41st minute lead. As Richard Beale's free kick from the left flank was curled into the danger zone the unmarked Paul McMahon was presented with an early Christmas gift of a free header that the striker planted firmly into the left side of goal from 12 yards out past static 'keeper Lewis Skyers.

The second period was barely five minutes old when the home side stamped their authority on the fixture by doubling their advantage when Beale picked out the surging run of Neil Barnfield with a slide rule pass and as the midfielder progressed into the confines of Malvern's penalty area the ball was dispatched clinically into the bottom corner past the unprotected custodian.

To their credit the visitors continued to plug gamely away and on 57 minutes former Olympian Hughes should have done much better against his former charges when following a goal mouth scramble in the wake of a second successive corner the forward failed to hit the target and instead somehow blazed wide of the right hand post from close range.

Just after the hour mark Town saw one of their coaching staff dismissed from the technical area for alleged comments directed towards the match officials and within a minute they found themselves further adrift when an almighty mix-up between defender Warren Howes and his goalkeeper resulted in Rushall's McMahon picking up possession on the right side of goal and driving home into the far corner from close quarters. Although Damien Charie made a late run towards the goal line and could have claimed the goal for himself, the front runner was a complete gentleman and allowed his strike partner to take the plaudits.

Malvern responded on 71 minutes when Howes' unleashed a speculative 40 yard drive, but home 'keeper Tony Breeden had the relatively simple task of smothering the ball in his midriff. However, the visitors were presented with the perfect opportunity to restore some pride with only three minutes remaining when Lee Barrow handled at the right near post in attempting to block an incoming close range drive and referee Mr. Bate had no alternative but to award a penalty kick in the visitors favour. Fortunately, Pics stopper Breeden was in no mood to relinquish his clean sheet and as ex-Olympian Matt Aubrey struck a perfectly good conversion attempt from 12 yards towards the left side of goal; his adversary guessed correctly and dived full length to brilliantly repel the effort.

As the game progressed to a conclusion Olympic were now pressing further forward in search of a fourth to boost their goal difference and on 88 minutes substitute Paul Szewczyk was unfortunate when he turned and fired just wide of the woodwork from the edge of the box. However, the target man was not be denied a minute later when Beale completed his third assist of the afternoon to pick out Szewczyk with a fine pass who took the ball in his stride and confidently drove home into the bottom corner from 16 yards out on the right side of the area.

Stourport Swifts : 1. Chris Jay, 2. Andrew Smith ©, 3. Adam Robinson, 4. Peter Wood, 5. Steve Frost, 6. Richard Colwell, 7. Scott Stamps, 8. Craig Webb, 9. Adam Blake, 10. Craig Marshall, 11. Ryan Broadhurst. Subs: 12. Alex Lavery, 14. Chris McComisky, 15. Gavin Knight, 16. Adam Harris, 17. Darren Andrew.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Le e Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Grant Beckett, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Harry Harris (Cooper 85 mins), 8. Richard Beale (Holdcroft 87 mins), 9. Damien Charie, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Rob Holdcroft, 14. Ian Cooper, 15. Phil Rowe, 16. Karl Johnson, 17. Paul Szewczyk.

Goals: Harris (66), Charie (81)

Stourport Swifts, who were keen to impress new manager Neil Hunt, almost fell behind after 3 minutes when Rushall Olympic were the first out the traps. Captain Lee Barrow's free kick from half way was flicked on by Neil Barnfield for Richard Beale to smash a low drive from 12 yards, only for a splendid save by Swifts 'keeper Chris Jay.

Rushall came close again on 12 minutes when Damien Charie bust into the box but his finish went wide of the target, but again rampant Rushall should have scored a minute later, when a Barrow free kick, from 25 yards out, once again saw Swifts keeper Jay make another great save.

The first half Pics kept pressing and found Grant Beckett in outstanding form in the Rushall engine room. Lee Gough was the next Pics player to try his luck, after one of his surging runs down the right wing he cut into the box and his shot was blocked by Swifts Robinson.

The home side tried in vain to mount attacks on the Rushall goal, but failed to create any real chances.

The start of the second period on 47 minutes Rushall were lucky not to go a goal down, when a glorious chance fell to Craig Marshall who smashed his finish over the bar from 6 yards. Less than a minute later Swifts Ryan Broadhurst also missed a glorious chance from 12 yards out, again going over the bar and untesting Pics keeper Tony Breeden.

That became a wake call for Rushall who then started to turn the screw on Stourport, with the industrious Beckett finding through balls for Harris to come close on 51 minutes and Damien Charie moments later.

On 63 minuets Paul Szewcyzk replaced Paul McMahon for Rushall, and that seemed to change the game, when less than a minute of coming on Szewcyzk laid a ball square in the box for Harry Harris to smash a low drive from 12 yards through a packed goal mouth to put Rushall into the lead.

Rushall again threatened on a few more occasions when Beckett and Barnfield started to find the front line of the Rushall attack with telling passes.

On 82 minuets Barnfield again became the architect and from the centre circle made an inch perfect pass for Charie to run through and produce a cool finish past the helpless Jay from 15 yards and wrap the game up and the points for Rushall.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Rob Holdcroft (Beale 69 mins), 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Harry Harris, 8. Grant Beckett (Brindley 83 mins), 9. Damien Charie (Rowe 47 mins), 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Phil Rowe, 14. Ian Cooper, 15. Richard Beale, 16. Karl Johnson, 17. Chris Brindley.

Goals: McMahon (15), Beckett (41p) Hayward (88)

Rocester: 1. Dean Latham, 2. Danny Smith, 3. Carl Allen, 4. Nick Ward, 5. Mark Ruddock, 6. Ben Henderson, 7. Martin Gadsby (Maxwell 53 mins), 8. Martin Heath, 9. Dave Shaw, 10. Gary Beardsley, 11. Ashley Sheridan (Read 61 mins). Subs: 12. Ishmale Read 14. Rory Maxwell, 15. Mark Hodson, 16. Richard Owen, 17. Adam McMahon.

Goals: Shaw (55), Beardsley (69) Read (72)

A shambolic second half defensive collapse saw last season's Staffordshire Senior Challenge Cup finalists Rushall Olympic relinquish a commanding 2-0 interval lead against Midland Football Alliance title chasers Rocester at Dales Lane by conceding three goals in a farcical 15 minute spell. However, the drama proved not to be over as the Pics eventually went out 3-1 on penalties after making it three-all in the second minute of stoppage time - with the only saving grace being that the half frozen crowd were spared the prospect of extra time as both sides opted to progress straight to a spot kick shoot out.

Manager Paul Holleran once more opted to go with an unfamiliar looking 4-4-2 formation that saw Walsall loanee Harry Harris drop into a wide right role as the newly returned Paul McMahon led Rushall's attack against one of his form sides. Meanwhile, Rob Holdcroft was drafted in at the expense of Richard Beale, while newcomer Ian Cooper was named as a substitute.

Title chasing Rocester were clearly up for the challenge of getting one over their higher league hosts and made life extremely uncomfortable for Rushall throughout the contest - although it was the hosts who were largely their own worst enemy on the night. However, it was the Pics who somewhat surprisingly took the lead on 15 minutes in ruthless fashion when Niki Preston did exceptionally well to win possession deep in his own half and progress forward, before spraying a fine pass in towards Harry Harris down the right channel. As the wide man took a touch an inspired piece of creativity picked out Paul McMahon on the left corner of the Romans box with a long looping pass that the striker duly controlled and fired first time over advancing 'keeper Dean Latham into the back of the net for a wonderfully worked goal.

Ten minutes later and McMahon almost grabbed a second goal when Damien Charie beat the visitors off side trap and from the right flank centred invitingly into the danger zone where his strike partners shot on the run at the near post just shaved the top intersection of the woodwork from 10 yards.

Although Rocester's talented young side were enjoying a great deal of possession they found themselves two goals behind on 40 minutes when Charie's darting run into the right side of the box was halted by the on rushing custodian who perhaps somewhat harshly was adjudged to have taken out the front runner in full flight within the confines of the area. After referee Mr. Bratt pointed straight to the penalty spot the conversion opportunity was lapped up by the unfamiliar frame of Grant Beckett who calmly placed the ball down and clinically drilled home into the left side of goal, giving the Rocester stopper little chance.

The interval ultimately proved to be Olympic's undoing as they returned to the fray on an increasingly frosty night with little or no appetite for the game. Indeed, within seven minutes of the restart they were given a shot across the bows when only a timely block by the chest of skipper Lee Barrow prevented Rocester from pulling a goal back as exposed 'keeper Tony Breeden gratefully mopped up the danger.

Unfortunately the home side failed to heed the warning and on 55 minutes offered the Romans a way back when they carelessly lost possession in a crucial area and front runner Dave Shaw had ample time and space on the edge of the box to pick his spot and rifle home past the Pics custodian.

The 68th minute saw Rocester deservedly restore parity when Gary Beardsley didn't require a second invitation to take advantage of some truly awful defending and fired home with an essentially fine finish. Still Olympic's calamitous defensive short comings were exposed once more two minutes later when this time substitute Ishmale Read was allowed to work his way all too easily between central defenders Barrow and Preston, prior to driving home low past the unprepared Breeden from the edge of the box.

Falling behind finally stung the home side into a fight back of some fashion, but it was the second minute of stoppage time before they managed to salvage a draw when Dave Haywood picked up possession some 25 yards out and drilled home an unstoppable low drive through a crowded goalmouth, less than a minute after a massive shout for a blatant defensive hand ball within the confines of the Rocester box was incredibly waived away by the match referee.

After both sides opted to abstain from the opportunity of a 30 minute period of extra time on a rapidly freezing pitch, Rushall's poor record in penalty shoot outs was not about to desert them as they ultimately failed in three of their four attempts from the 12 yard mark as Beale's opener was cancelled out by Danny Smith and then as Lee Gough skied his effort off the cross bar Rory Maxwell gave the visitors the advantage. McMahon and Haywood both saw their efforts easily saved by Rocester's hero Latham. Despite the Roman's Read missing the target completely in between, it was left to Shaw to convert the winning spot kick to send his side through to a Semi-Final meeting at lowly Eccleshall and the perfect opportunity to reach the Final for only the second time.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Lee Williams, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Richard Beale (Holdcroft 87 mins), 9. Damien Charie (Francis 70 mins), 10. Harry Harris, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Rob Holdcroft, 14. Phil Rowe, 15. Francino Francis, 16. Matt Hawker, 17. Chris Brindley.

Goal: Harris (46)

Cinderford Town: 1. Paul Tassell, 2. Olly Holder, 3. Jack Hadland, 4. Neil Griffiths ©, 5. Greg Lewis, 6. Jamie Addis, 7. Ben Gasgoyne, 8. Craig Tait, 9. Dave Wilkinson, 10. Darryl Addis, 11. Tim Haddock. Subs: 12. Marvin Thompson, 13. Stephen Cowe.

Walsall loanee striker Harry Harris was the toast of Dales Lane as the 18-year-old first year professional grabbed the all important winner in this crucial British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands encounter as Rushall Olympic finally tasted victory for the first time since the end of October.

Following a winless November, manager Paul Holleran once more opted to shuffle his pack in search of a winning formula as Lee Williams, his former captain at Halesowen Town, made a promising debut in midfield, while Richard Beale returned in place of Phil Rowe after missing the midweek F.A Trophy defeat at Ossett Town.

The commencement of the game was delayed by some 15 minutes due to the late arrival of a last minute replacement assistant referee, but when it finally began it was the visitors who almost took the lead in only the third minute when Olympic's defence were caught cold. As front runner Dave Wilkinson was allowed to run 20 yards at goal his eventually pacey 25 yard drive had to be extremely well blocked out at full stretch by home 'keeper Tony Breeden to his left, prior to the danger being cleared.

As Rushall responded on 21 minutes a probing long ball over the top of the Foresters defence picked out a surging run by the lively Damien Charie, but his volley from just inside the box was well held by what was to become the key figure of 'keeper Paul Tassell.

Moments later an intelligent interception by skipper Lee Barrow sent the ball forward and also Harry Harris scampering clear of the Cinderford defence, who in turn played a fine ball inside into the path of Damien Charie, however his strike partner's miscued first time drive from 15 yards went well wide of the right post.

On 36 minutes there was some consternation within Pics defence when a Cinderford free-kick from the right channel was swung into the far post where Neil Griffiths' header was only partially repelled, before Town's skipper then had time to pick up the loose ball, but fortunately only succeeded in firing into the side netting from close range.

A minute later as Rushall countered, Neil Barnfield should really have done much better when, despite looking blatantly off-side, was allowed to run through on the visitor's goal but sent the ball tamely wide of the left upright from the edge of the box with a rushed effort.

With the half time interval fast approaching another timely clearance by defender Lee Barrow again sent Damien Charie racing clear of the Cinderford rear guard, but his low 20 yard strike was well smothered by the assured grasp of custodian Paul Tassell.

With first half injury time remaining the home side were extremely fortunate not to go in a goal down when 'keeper Tony Breeden appeared far too lackadaisical in allowing a speculative 40 yard effort from down the left channel strike the foot of his right hand post and rebound back into play, to all intents and purposes looking as though he assumed the ball was going out for a goal kick.

Right at the outset of the second period it was Olympic's turn to catch their revivals cold and with less than a minute on the watch a quick fire flowing move saw Grant Beckett thread the ball through to Richard Beale, whose centre picked out Harry Harris and the front runner clinically rifled home from 15 yards to give the home side a crucial advantage.

Five minutes after taking the lead a long throw by Lee Gough from the right caused more problems within the Foresters defensive ranks and as the ball dropped nicely for Harry Harris 12 yards out, only an instinctive one footed save by Paul Tassell kept that danger at bay, while Richard Beale's immediate follow up snap shot from the edge of the box was smartly tipped over by the stopper for a corner.

As play moved to the other end just before the hour mark Rushall's Tony Breeden had to be at his very best to smother out a vicious 15 yard drive as Cinderford pressed to restore parity.

The introduction of Francino Francis in place of Damien Charie gave the Pics a more physical presence up front for the final 20 minutes of the contest and on 74 minutes the substitute displayed some great skill down the right flank to turn his marker inside out before delivering a low centre across the face of goal that was missed by everyone.

Moments later as Olympic continued to push forward Neil Barnfield got behind the Cinderford defence, but his first time low drive from only 8 yards out was very well blocked out by Paul Tassell.

With 12 minutes remaining Rushall breathed a sigh of relief as Town danger man Ben Gasgoyne cut in from the right channel and let fly with an ambitious 30 yard strike that flew marginally wide of the left upright with Tony Breeden at full stretch in the home goal.

On 86 minutes Harry Harris had the ball in the back of the net following a spell of penalty area pinball, but an assistant referee's flag was already raised for an offside decision against Neil Barnfield who had earlier seen his close range snap shot very well blocked out by the Cinderford custodian in the build up