This season saw the Beacon Sunday League receive a major boost in applications for its relatively new over-30s section.

Membership reached 16 teams at the start of this campaign, split into two sections of eight. And, just two months into their respective fixtures, that take place once or twice of month, several teams are already proving you are never too old to kick a ball, writes Dave McLean.

In fact, several over30 outfits have impressed as they push for league glory, including AFC Broadlands, who this week made it a three match winning start in the Advanced Recruit Western O30s section as they stormed back from two goals in arrears at the break to grab a battling 3-2 triumph over visiting AFC Codsall Veterans, who had led 2-0 at the interval through Dan Ludlow and a Matt Fellows penalty.

Showing he has a keen eye for a goal was Scott Sandland who, for the second time this season, bagged a hat-trick for AFC Broadlands who take over top spot from fellow unbeaten Springvale Veterans Albion, who have a match in hand.

These were the only over 30 fixtures on the day, while currently showing the pace in the Mini-Pro Golf Parks (Wolverley) Eastern section are Casuals FC with three straight wins so far.

They head the pack by three points from Bilston Old Boys Veterans, with third place Down Syndrome Awareness Veterans having picked up four points from their opening two fixtures.

In the open age Concentric Sales & Lettings Championship, table-topping Claregate Park Rangers dropped their first points of the season when held to a 1-1 home draw against third place Widdas FC.

Claregate made a strong start and broke the deadlock after just eight minutes when Isaac Meggoe fired home following a corner that was headed down by Mark Thomas.

In what proved a tight affair, Widdas eventually got back on level terms through Nathan Guest with 15 minutes remaining, as Claregate's advantage at the top was cut to five points.

Closing the gap on pacesetters were fellow unbeaten Blades FC, who made it four wins in six when hitting lowly Codsall Station 6-1, goals from Jack Hill (two), Alex Clarke, Lewis Worsey, Connor Potts and Lewis Round.

Moving above Widdas into third place were Dudley Rangers United as they had Carrick Chaney notching a treble in a 5-0 away success at Gunmakers Arms. Completing the nap hand for United were Joe Thomas and Anton Nesbeth.

Sedgley Sporting and CTS United appeared well matched in a closely fought encounter, before an early second half effort from Jack Kelly made the difference in favour of the latter, who climb one place.

In the Paycare Development Division, Sedgley Rangers held on to a two point lead after emerging 6-3 victors against visiting Kewford Eagles West, with Alex Pinches bagging a fine double.

Also on the mark for Rangers, who made it eight wins in nine, were Joe Waterfield, Brad Ormerod, Connor Beasley and Jermelle Banner. In response, Brandon Snow hit two and Jack Dando completed the scoring.

Although they have played a game more, second place Brandhall Colts continue to chase down the leaders after crushing luckless AFC Sporting Gornal 9-0.

There were two hat-tricks in this clash, from Kyle Armstrong and Brandhall central defender Brayden Birch. Liam Jones, Chester Jephthah and an own goal also helped the Colts march on!

It was one defeat in nine for Gornal Rangers as they kept up their push for league honours with a narrow 2-1 success at home to battling Wombourne Athletic. This outcome enabled the former to move into the top three.

"This game was a good advert for the league. There was good football throughout," said Gornal official Tom Gwinnell. The hosts, who had held a narrow single goal lead at the interval, had Ty Markland and Jake Penn netting, with Will Fellows keeping things close.

There were plenty of smiles in the Lane Head Titans camp as the league newcomers chalked up their first league win, running out 1-0 victors over visiting AFC Willenhall.

Clayton Haywood snapped up a first half pass from Josh Langley to secure all three points for Lane Head, who move out of the basement two as a result. "I'm delighted we've picked up our first points," said Titans manager Dean Gallagher for the Bloxwich based outfit.

Moving up into the top half were Sedgley & Gornal United East after they emerged worthy 4-0 winners at Sporting Black Country, with the trio of Dan Creswell (two), Leighton Rose and Matt Dobson inflicting the damage.

Wolverley-based Hagley United had to wait until the very last seconds to edge home 2-1 against Sedgley White Lions West.

It was a third league triumph for United, who led early on through Ben Kent, before Jake Hayfield levelled just before the interval. Stuart Butcher emerged the late hero as he slotted home in the 89th minute to earn Hagley a third league success this term.

Report submitted by Beacon League