Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Richard Beale, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Phil Rowe, 9. Gary Birch, 10. Sean Dowdall, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Damien Charie, 14. Karl Johnson, 15. Rob Holdcroft, 16. Paul Szewczyk, 17. Dave Haywood.

Substitutions: Szewczyk for Birch (76 mins), Charie for Dowdall (87 mins), Holdcroft for Beckett (90+1 mins).

Goals: Rowe (39 mins), Dowdall (44 mins).

Sutton Coldfield Town : Sutton Coldfield Town: 1. Chris Gemmell, 2. Leon Blake ©, 3. Darren Massingham, 4. Nathan Moran, 5. Adam Hughes, 6. Craig Thomas, 7. Matthew Dodd, 8. Leon Doughty, 9. Justin Rowe, 10. Mykle Beckley, 11. Jimmy Quiggin. Subs: 12. Matthew Jackson, 14. Neil Watkins, 15. Steve Behan, 16. Sam Wilson, 17. Liam Hebberd.

Substitutions: Hebberd for Blake (11 mins).

Rushall Olympic extended their 100% home record to five games as they progressed into the Third Round Qualifying stage of the F.A. Challenge Cup for only the second time in twenty seven seasons of entry into the competition. On this occasion it was highly fancied neighbours and league rivals Sutton Coldfield Town who were vanquished at Dales Lane by a comfortable 2-0 margin that was accomplished in a six minute spell prior to the interval.

Although the visitors arguably enjoyed the lion's share of possession at times during the game and looked particularly dangerous down the flanks, they never capitalised and were guilty of failing to make any appreciable incursion into the final third of the field that meant Rushall custodian Tony Breeden enjoyed a relatively easy afternoon against his former employers.

The home side signalled their intentions as early as the tenth minute when Richard Beale's hooked 18 yard volley flashed marginally wide of the top left corner, while three minutes later Sean Dowdall ran menacingly through on to an up and under but lost control at the critical moment, allowing Matthew Dodd to make up ground and produce an excellent block challenge as the ball span out for a corner.

Sutton had previously been forced to reshuffle their ranks after losing Leon Blake on 11 minutes following a purely accidental kick to the head. Although the visitors skipper had continued to play gamely on he was clearly not right and was subsequently substituted.

On 34 minutes Royals 'keeper Chris Gemmell did very well to block out Gary Birch's 8 yard drive after the front runner latched on to a ball played in behind the Sutton defence from the left channel, but Sean Dowdall's follow up from close range was deflected over the bat to relative safety.

With the home side apply some telling pressure as the first period drew to a close, it was no surprise when the Pics grabbed the initiative on 39 minutes when Sean Dowdall held the ball up extremely well in a central position, prior to picking out Gary Birch to his left with a slide rule pass. As his strike partner took up possession and darted into the periphery of the Sutton penalty area a first time drive was blocked out by Chris Gemmell, but the stopper could do little to prevent the rebound looping up into the path of midfielder Phil Rowe who nodded home into an empty net from close range.

Right on the stroke of half time and Olympic doubled their advantage as Tony Breeden's long clearance out of his hands bounced nicely into the path of Sean Dowdall who went storming clear of the visitor's defensive ranks, prior to gathering his composure and drilling the ball clinically home past Chris Gemmell's despairing dive from just inside the box.

The second period continued in very much the same vein as the first with the visitors proving at times to be most industrious, but once again failing to carve out a goal scoring opportunity worthy of note as the home defence mopped up any danger most effectively, while Pics stopper Tony Breeden was once more essentially untroubled.

Just after the hour mark Sean Dowdall got behind Sutton's defence towards the left by-line, but his blistering drive from an acute angle rippled the side netting.

The long awaited and much anticipated debut of Rushall striker Paul Szewczyk came with 14 minutes remaining in place of Gary Birch and with his very first touch sent a rasping 20 yard low drive towards the bottom left corner, that was only matched by an excellent save from former Olympian Chris Gemmell in the Sutton goal who dived full stretch to divert the ball for a corner.

As the game progressed towards an inevitable conclusion, the Royals melancholy was deepened in the fourth minute of stoppage time when they found themselves down to ten men after stand-in skipper Nathan Moran was adjudged to have raised an arm towards Rushall substitute Damien Charie and referee Mr. Davies had no hesitation in immediately dismissing the central defender from the field of play.

Romulus : 1. Matt Harris ©, 2. Glen Jones, 3. Tom Wilmore, 4. Mike Batchelor, 5. Melvin Gourlay, 6. Gavin Winsper, 7. Martin Crawford, 8. Richard Batchelor, 9. Tyrone Fagan, 10. Gem Mills, 11. Lee Hatfield. Subs: 12. Colm Tiernan, 14. Lei Brown, 15. Steve Day, 16. Leon Mitchell, 17. Paul Hunter.

Substitutions: Brown for Winsper (40 mins), Mitchell for Crawford (53 mins).

Goals: Fagan (pen) 58 mins; Mitchell 77 mins.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Karl Johnson, 3. Richard Beale, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Phil Rowe, 8. Rob Holdcroft, 9. Gary Birch, 10. Damien Charie, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Chad Sheppard, 14. Sean Dowdall, 15. Matt Hawker, 16. Grant Beckett, 17. David Waple.

Substitutions: Dowdall for Birch (65 mins), Sheppard for Preston (65 mins), Hawker for Sheppard (83 mins).

Goal: Barrow 38 mins.

Cradley Town : 1. Adam Lane, 2. Fraser Houston, 3. Luke Bradley, 4. Grant Goodhead ©, 5. Richard Moreton, 6. Ian Cooksey, 7. Michael McMahon, 8. Adrian Jones, 9. Ismale Reid, 10. Kirk White, 11. Ben Sanderson. Subs: 12. Chris Morris, 14. Euder Spence, 15. Shaun Maynard, 16. Ohinnira Riley, 17. Richard Williams.

Substitutions: Maynard for Bradley (79 mins), Morris for McMahon (88 mins), Riley for White (88 mins).

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Rob Holdcroft, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Karl Johnson, 6. Niki Preston, 7. David Waple, 8. Chad Sheppard, 9. Gary Birch, 10. Sean Dowdall, 11. Matt Hawker. Subs: 12. Damien Charie, 14. Richard Beale, 15. Phil Rowe, 16. Neil Barnfield, 17. Lee Barrow.

Substitutions: Barnfield for Hawker (88 mins).

Goal: Dowdall (27 mins).

Rushall Olympic's fringe players were handed an ideal opportunity to impress against managerless Midland Football Alliance bottom markers Cradley Town in a Birmingham Senior Cup First Round encounter at Beeches View Avenue, but the end result was merely a cheerless paltry single goal victory to the visitors that at least gave their manager plenty to mull over.

The Pic's weekend FA Cup progress at the expense of the Black Country outfits peers and league pacesetters Atherstone Town appeared a world away as the hard working hosts made their higher league guests appear distinctly mediocre. However, during the first period although Rushall initially forced the pace of the game they had to wait until the 23rd minute to register their first noteworthy attempt on goal when Matt Hawker's 35-yard effort was driven straight into 'keeper Adam Lane's midriff.

A minute later and a good move saw Gary Birch's initial shot deflected clear before Rob Holdcroft's follow up strike from 15 yards whistled wide of the left upright.

What turned out to be the only goal of the game arrived on 27 minutes when an initial rising drive from Gary Birch ricocheted off the cross bar and strike partner Sean Dowdall reacted quickest to head the loose ball home from close range with Town's custodian still beaten all ends up by the initial effort. Brave Cradley's best effort of the first period fell to front runner Ismale Reid whose 25 yard free kick was struck marginally over the woodwork.

The second period proved to be no more inspiring for the sparse number of spectators, but four minutes following the restart Rob Holdcroft turned his marker before cutting inside the left edge of the box and sending a rising drive from 15 yards towards the top right corner that was ultimately diverted by a defensive header for a corner.

Only a fine block from Rushall's Tony Breeden on 55 minutes saved his sides blushes and prevented Town from restoring parity, parrying out a vicious 15 yard drive from a front runner after the visitors defence were caught napping. However, a minute later Gary Birch should have extended the visitors lead, but as Rob Holdcroft's header sent his colleague clear into a one-on-one situation with 'keeper Adam Lane, the forward rushed his finish and simply drilled the ball straight into his adversary legs from just outside the box.

As Cradley pressed for an equaliser, Ismale Reid's long range strike 13 minutes from full time was safely held by Olympic stopper Tony Breeden. However, Rushall almost had the final word on 87 minutes when Lee Gough did well to surge to the right by-line and flash a low centre across the face of an open goal, prior to David Waple latching on to the loose ball and side footing on to the crossbar from just inside the box.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Richard Beale, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Phil Rowe, 9. Damien Charie, 10. Gary Birch, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Karl Johnson, 14. Chad Sheppard, 15. Rob Holdcroft, 16. Matt Hawker, 17. Mark Gayle.

Substitutions: Holdcroft for Beckett (77 mins), Sheppard for Rowe (80 mins), Hawker for Barnfield (89 mins).

Goals: Charie (25 mins), Birch (42 mins, 69 mins, 89 mins).

Atherstone Town : 1. Richard Williams, 2. Chris Tullin, 3. Dominic Reece, 4. Danny Haynes, 5. Lee Everitt ©, 6. Ashley Wells, 7. Ezekiel Tomlinson, 8. Nathan Jones, 9. Luke Barlone, 10. Roy Dunkley, 11. Craig Civzelis. Subs: 12. Harry Hambleton, 14. Gareth Williams, 15. Stefan Beale, 16. Adam Wood, 17. Delton Francis.

Substitutions: Wood for Haynes (36 mins), Hambleton for Barlone (55 mins), S.Beale for Tomlinson (65 mins).

Goals: Dunkley (12 mins).

Rushall Olympic progressed into the Second Round Qualifying phase of the Football Association Challenge Cup for only the second time in fifteen seasons thanks to an excellent 4-1 success at home to Midland Football Alliance pacesetters Atherstone Town.

The Warwickshire outfit arrived at Dales Lane full of confidence and with 9 minutes on the watch only a good solid parry from Pic's stopper Tony Breeden kept out Luke Barlone's smart drive from 15 yards out after the home defence were caught napping.

Atherstone's initial surge only served as a precursor to what was about to follow when a 12th minute centre from the right was flicked on towards star striker Roy Dunkley who buried a firm header unchallenged past Rushall's exposed custodian from close range.

The hosts finally began to get their act together following the shock of falling behind when on 22 minutes Gary Birch met a centre from the right, but planted his header marginally over the crossbar from 8 yards.

Olympic deservedly restored parity in the 25th minute when Lee Gough launched a trademark long throw into the danger zone that was flicked towards the far post by Phil Rowe, where Damien Charie was on hand to head home from close range.

On the half hour mark Phil Rowe spurned the perfect opportunity to give his side the lead, but after being sent clean through the ever influential midfielder pulled his rushed drive from the edge of the box wide of the left upright when presented with more time to gather his composure.

Town remained a significant threat to the Pic's, which was displayed for all to see on 32 minutes when from nowhere Dominic Reece smacked a venomous first time volley on to the crossbar from fully 40 yards out, although 'keeper Tony Breeden appeared to have the danger covered.

There were some anxious moments for the visitors in the 34th minute when the game was then held up for some time after Danny Haynes slumped to the floor behind play and required treatment, prior to the defender leaving the field to a warm round of applause and being replaced by former Olympian Adam Wood.

As the home side pushed for an opening with the first period drawing to a close on 42 minutes a moment of individual brilliance from Gary Birch gave his side the advantage at just the right moment. As the front runner picked up possession on the right face of the Adders penalty area he took a touch and in one flowing movement curled the ball beautifully around the despairing dive of 'keeper Richard Williams into the left side of goal.

In the third minute of first half stoppage time excellent work again by Gary Birch saw the striker hold the ball up before driving towards the left by-line and threading a fine pass through to Damien Charie at the near post, who could only fire across the face of an open goal with Town's custodian committed.

Seven minutes after the commencement of the second period and Rushall were quickly back on to the offensive as Grant Beckett's exquisite 25 yard snap shot from the right face of Atherstone's box heading for the top left corner was only bettered by a brilliant fingertip save from stopper Richard Williams, who diverted the ball for a flag kick.

As the home side continued to seek an extension to their slender advantage a spell of pressure on 69 minutes finally yielded big dividends when Damien Charie was needlessly tripped from behind by Adders skipper Lee Everitt and referee Miss Ihrangova had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Striker Gary Birch promptly placed the ball down on the 12 yard mark and consummately slotted home into the bottom left corner, sending 'keeper Richard Williams the wrong way in the process.

Despite going further adrift, to their credit Atherstone continued to gamely battle on and in the 72nd minute only a brave save from home 'keeper Tony Breeden at point blank range kept out a stinging snap shot from Roy Dunkley, turning the ball around the post for a corner with one hand just as the visiting support were about to celebrate. However, the finally word naturally had to come from Gary Birch who in the first minute of injury time completed an excellent hat-trick on his Dales Lane debut when he was sent racing clear of his marker, before calmly wrong footing the Town custodian and rolling the ball into an empty net from twelve yards.

Evesham United : Evesham United: 1. Nathan Vaughan, 2. Anthony Watson, 3. Joe Clarke, 4. Danny Hodnett, 5. Steve Hands, 6. Steve Lutz, 7. Simon Fitter, 8. Danny Scheppel, 9. Mark Owen, 10. Danny Lennon, 11. Liam Givans. Subs: 12. Peter Wood, 14. Lorcan Sheehan, 15. Allondo Davis, 16. Michael Hayden, 17. Paul Dipple (GK).

Substitutions: Davis for Clarke (68 mins), Sheehan for Lennon (84 mins).

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Richard Beale, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Niki Preston, 6. Lee Barrow, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Phil Rowe, 9. Gary Birch, 10. Sean Dowdall, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Damien Charie, 14. Karl Johnson, 15. Rob Holdcroft, 16. Matt Hawker, 17. Chris Brindley.

Substitutions: Holdcroft for Beckett (74 mins), Charie for Birch (84 mins), Hawker for Dowdall (89 mins).

Goals: Rowe (68 mins)

Rushall Olympic registered their first away success of the campaign thanks to a ruthless Phil Rowe finish with twenty minutes remaining that sent title hopefuls Evesham United tumbling to a single goal defeat at their adoptive St. George's Lane ground in Worcester - with the Robins conceding the first goal in five home games this season in the process.

Manager Paul Holleran made a couple of changes from the previous weekend's line-up that progressed into the next stage of the FA Cup as the suspended Chad Sheppard was replaced by fit again Grant Beckett and loan striker Gary Birch made his debut in place of Damien Charie, who dropped to the bench.

Evesham were first to threaten on nine minutes when visiting custodian Tony Breeden did well to gather up Joe Clarke's dipping low drive from 15 yards out after The Pic's backline failed to clear the danger with a defensive header.

Lee Gough was unlucky in the 16th minute when great vision from Sean Dowdall saw the striker push through a quickly taken free-kick in a central position out to the right flank that the Pic's wing back rapidly latched on to, prior to cutting inside and firing venomously just inches over the crossbar.

As the hosts responded midway through the first period Olympic skipper Richard Brown was forced to hook the ball off the goal line after a teasing centre from the right channel dipped unexpectedly into the danger zone.

Just before the hour mark Rushall almost paid dearly for relinquishing possession far too cheaply when their own free-kick into Evesham territory broke down and the home side countered, but the Pic's were eventually relieved to see Danny Lennon's vicious strike from the left corner of the box fire marginally wide of the target.

The game slowly began to turn in the visitors favour on 64 minutes when Gary Birch rattled the Robins crossbar from 10 yards out with a shot on the turn after latching on to Lee Gough's long throw from the right.

Five minutes later and Sean Dowdall tried his luck from fully 30 yards out but fired just shy of the foot of the right post with a dipping drive.

Olympic's near misses served only as a precursor of what was to follow when in the 70th minute the ball was played across field from the right via Sean Dowdall into Gary Birch, whose fine raking pass into the path of the in-rushing Phil Rowe was taken in the midfielders stride and lashed clinically into the bottom right corner from just inside the box.

The remainder of the encounter saw United attempt to restore parity, but the Pic's defence remained resolute and refused to yield as their hosts were calmly kept at bay until full time.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Richard Beale, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Chad Sheppard, 8. Phil Rowe, 9. Damien Charie, 10. Sean Dowdall, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Karl Johnson, 14. Matt Hawker, 15. Rob Holdcroft, 16. Chris Brindley, 17. Mark Gayle (GK).

Substitutions: Holdcroft for Sheppard (69 mins), Hawker for Dowdall (75 mins), Johnson for Rowe (79 mins).

Goals: Dowdall 46 & 74 mins, Beale 59 mins

Boldmere St Michaels: 1. Paul Fellows, 2. Ray Shelton, 3. Jack Brown, 4. Thomas Stephenson, 5. Daniel Parker, 6. Matthew Black, 7. Maxwell Bissell, 8. Stephen Poole, 9. Tobias Salmon, 10. Jason Holmes, 11. Kirk Smith. Subs: 12. Tom Clews, 14. Neil Hanlon, 15. Joe McGrath, 16. Nathan Gough, 17. Stephen Johnson (GK).

Substitutions: N.Gough for Bissell (43 mins), Clews for Poole (69 mins), Hanlon for Black (83 mins).