FOR the second week running St Martins have beaten the top team without conceding a goal, and now find themselves two points clear with games in hand.
With all the team playing well, especially Chris Smout, ex-professional Lee Mills was not allowed a sniff at goal, with all his efforts coming from free kicks.
Two minutes from the start, Paul Hughes passed to Mark Lunt on the left - the ball finding its way to Chris Bishop who opened the account, scoring from 10 yards.
After 10 minutes St Martins should have increased their lead. An excellent pass to Bishop from Jack Harris set him up, only to be denied by an excellent save from Ant O’Connor, who pushed the ball over the bar for a corner.
Thirty minutes into the game, Paul Hughes crossed from the half-way line to Bishop who scored a brilliant goal from 20 yards, catching the ball on the volley, before it even hit the ground.
On the stroke of half-time, Ian Heathcock was brought down on the right in the box, Bishop completing his hat-trick with the spot kick.
At half-time, the Saints were 3-0 up, after one of their best-ever first halves.
After a half-time talking to, Shifnal emerged with more purpose.
Carl Edwards was tested by a looping ball which nearly caught him off his line, but he somehow managed to tip the ball over the bar for a corner. This was a crucial save, without which the game might have had a different result.
Five minutes later, new signing Tim Nunnerley weaved his way into the box and was brought down by two players. He took the spot kick, sending the ’keeper the wrong way to make it 4-0.
More good work from St Martins could have seen them go further, but they were denied the chance to put away a fifth goal.
Despite three penalties, it was not a dirty game, with young referee Adam Dean keeping a good handle on proceedings.
This week, the Saints go back to Shifnal for the Ron Jones Memorial Cup, with a 2.30pm kick off.