IT was a week of shocks on the Redbox Signmakers Beacon Championship front as the top two, including Dynamo Dudley, were on the receiving end, writes Dave McLean.

The reigning champions slipped to a third league setback, crashing 6-2 at neighbouring Coseley rivals Beacon Lions, for whom Jordan Kelly and Jason Wood bagged doubles.

However, while they did not lose ground of leaders Kurdish United, the Dynamo outfit did slip a place to third spot as Claregate climbed one rung with a 4-2 win at Codsall Station. Kurdish failed to take advantage, losing 3-2 at previously winless Cannock United. The top three are all locked on 19 points.

In the battle for Paycare Development Division honours, runaway leaders Bloxwich Rangers under-21s moved another giant step towards the crown when edging home 3-2 against nearest challengers AFC Sporting Gornal.

This ninth league triumph of the season enabled Bloxwich to open up a massive 11-point advantage over second place AFC Sporting, who have played two fewer matches.

First half goals from Reece Berry and Mitchell Kroth put Bloxwich in the driving seat, before Sporting struck back with efforts from Stuart Brown and Jordan Robinson.

In what proved a thrilling end-to-end encounter, Josh Kirby pounced for the Bloxwich winner with just ten minutes to go.

Picking up maximum points and a third Paycare win were Coseley based AFC Springfield as they emerged worthy 5-1 victors over visiting Norton Canes, goals from Jon-Paul Shaw (two), Sam Smith, Jordan Norris and Ben Walton, with Brad Paul responding.

The final fixture of the week saw Trysull Tigers open their Sports Shop Kingswinford Clinton Cup group qualifiers with a resounding 9-1 home success over Dudley Rangers United Four league matches are scheduled in both the Redbox Signmakers and Paycare Development sections this weekend before the Beacon set up takes a two week break over the festive season, returning on Sunday, January 6.