COSELEY based Beacon Lions boosted their early hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Beacon League's Wilkes Tranter Chell Cup with a second successive group win this week.

The Lions struck back from a two goal deficit against visiting Claregate Park Rangers to emerge victors by the odd goal in five.

Kyle Matthews gave Claregate the perfect start with a first half double, before the Lions reduced the arrears as half time approached.

In an equally exciting second period, Beacon added a further two goals to make it maximum points from two games in the qualifying stages. Securing the spoils for the Lions were Jason Wood (two) and Sam Stevens.

However, in the Paycare Development Division, local rivals AFC Sporting Gornal and Dudley Rangers United both lost ground on runaway leaders Bloxwich Rangers U21s who crushed Norton Canes 8-0 to go eight points clear.

Second place Sporting Gornal went down as Coven United's battlers struck back in splendid fashion, after trailing at the break, to emerge worthy 3-1 winners.

Coven, who had gone down 2-1 at Sporting in The Sports Shop Kingswinford Clinton Cup two weeks earlier, were indebted to goals from Tyrique Douglas, Liam Harris and Leigh Tye-Wilson. Sporting had been given a first half advantage through Ravel Wallace, but this time it was Coven's day.

Penn Rovers were fourth place Dudley Rangers' visitors and, like Coven, it was the former who chalked up a third league success this term with a comfortable 7-3 score line.

Six players shared the goal limelight for Penn, including two-goal Brayden Rhodes, who was well supported by Lewis Edwards, James Craig, Ray Davies, Callum White and Jake Badger. Responding for Dudley were Callum Campbell, Alex Lowke and an own goal.

Back with the Chell Cup and Sedgley & Gornal United opened their qualifying fixtures with a well earned 5-2 away triumph over Cannock United. On target for S & G were the quintet of Joe Jones, Tom Timmins, Andy Day, Ashley Walker and Conor Kelly.