West Midland Police Res 2, Littleton 1

AFTER an excellent run of 12 successive victories, Littleton were thwarted by the woodwork and a strengthened Police outfit.

The game was very much one of two halves with the visitors dominating the opening 45 minutes and the Police, who included several first teamers, to the fore after the break.

Littleton went close after ten minutes when a 25-yard drive from Simon Brain was tipped over by the keeper. An almighty scramble followed the flag-kick but the hosts hacked the ball clear.

Five minutes later the framer of the goal again saved the hosts when Brain's shot slammed against a post shot across goal and then hit the inside of the opposite upright before rebounding to safety.

However, the table toppers took the lead after 25 minutes. A corner from Phil Haines was flicked on and Brain was on hand to convert.

Still they kept pressing and Nick Burrows headed just wide, followed by a Matthew Edwards free-kick that struck the crossbar.

The second half was a complete reversal with the Police using their greater height and weight to dominate matters and put their opponents under intense pressure.

Richard Cox volleyed over from a corner, then Neil Fletcher drove over the bar. Pressure continued and only a great double save from Adam Moss kept the scoreline blank.

However, Moss was helpless to prevent an equaliser when Kevin Usher scored from close range 19 minutes from time.

The scorer soon made it 2-1 when his fierce free-kick from the edge of the box found the net.

Littleton almost equalised in the final minute as the Police sought to protect their narrow lead but the woodwork intervened again as a shot from Robert Hands was pushed on to the bar before being scrambled clear.

Littleton will be hoping for a quick pick-me-up when they entertain close rivals Droitwich Spa on Saturday.

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts

Littleton 16 11 1 4 49 19 34

Droitwich 15 9 3 3 38 23 30

Barnt Green 13 9 2 2 37 14 29

Fernhill CS 14 9 1 4 31 18 28

Cadbury 16 8 3 5 36 38 27

WM Police 18 7 3 8 33 40 24

Archdale 16 7 2 7 28 33 23

Central Ajax 15 8 1 6 40 25 22

Halfords 16 6 4 6 20 22 22

Enville 17 6 6 5 23 29 21

Leam Hibs 16 5 5 6 32 39 20

Earlswood 14 4 3 7 21 26 15

West Hagley 16 1 6 9 20 39 9

Chelmsley 14 1 3 10 27 41 6

Hands Utd 14 1 3 10 15 43 3