Littleton 2, Earlswood 0

LITTLETON made it eight wins on the trot as they consolidated their position at the top of Division Two of the ICIS Midland Combination.

They are now three points clear of Barnt Green Spartak who have two games in hand.

Earlswood were a good side who came full of confidence after beating Bromyard of the West Midland Premier League in a cup tie last week.

In the first ten minutes, though, it looked like Littleton would swamp their opponents as they launched attack after attack.

Billy Hiden was put through but Peter Maguire in the Earlswood goal turned his shot round the post. This was quickly followed by an almighty scramble in the Earlswood six-yard box which saw four shots blocked.

The next chance fell to Matt Edwards whose pass saw him get clear but his shot was beaten out by Maguire.

Earlswood then began to get the measure of their hosts as they came much more into the game. In Jason Hall and Ricky Eden they had two quick forwards who needed careful watching as they have real pace.

Littleton were gradually forced back and the game was played out much more in the middle of the park.

The pattern continued in the second half but Littleton seemed to last the pace better and went ahead after 69 minutes.

As he had done so often before, Darren Reeves provided the opening. Picking up the ball some 35 yards out, he resisted three tackles and shot for goal. Maguire made another good save but quickest to react was Adie Wilde who gleefully smashed the rebound into the net.

Reeves almost doubled the score when fed by Mark Gledhill but his shot went just wide. At the other end a last-ditch tackle by Robbie Harris denied Jason Hall.

The goal Littleton needed to settle the game came four minutes from time. Nick Burrows cut in from the right from where his first effort was beaten down but he was on hand to convert the rebound for a seventh goal in seven successive games.

Despite one or two late alarms, Littleton kept another clean sheet, a sixth in the last eight games during which time they have conceded just two goals.

Littleton visit Cadbury Reserves in the League Knockout Cup on Saturday.