Wimbledon are up to fifth in the MHL Premier Division table after a 4-2 win at Cannock on Saturday.

A Phil Ball brace, plus strikes from Phil Roper and Michael Hoare did the business for Wimbledon, who host Reading this weekend.

The first half was end to end with both sides having opportunities, but it was the visitors who struck first. With the interval approaching Wimbledon embarked on a sweeping passing move down the left hand side of the pitch.

This Wimbledon side have pace and the speed of the attack meant that they had at least one man over in front of goal.

That was Ball, who had the composure to take the ball around a defender before hitting a firm reverse stick shot past Cannock’s James Fair.

The hosts regrouped in the second half and put Wimbledon under pressure and were awarded short corners.

James Bailey in goal was saving everything until one was partially cleared only to be swiftly returned to the far side of the D to allow Peter Jackson to convert.

Cannock appeared to be in the ascendancy but it was short lived.

Two minutes later, another lightning Wimbledon passing move from one end of the pitch to the other saw Roper haring into the D and unleashing a vicious reverse stick shot that whistled past Fair’s head to regain the lead.

Both sides were looking dangerous and Cannock had a short corner goal disallowed before Wimbledon struck again from their own short corner on 55 minutes when the ball was slipped to Hoare who scored from the edge of the D.

Cannock had more short corners with Bailey making saves but on 55 minutes, but Ball scored his second from yet another short corner to put Wimbledon in total control at 4-1.

Cannock grabbed a consolation goal on 69 minutes.

Wimbledon battled to earn the victory with skill, impressive covering and work rate and when they attacked at pace from midfield, always had a little bit too much for Cannock.

Team: Bailey (GK), Woods, Weir, Marsden, Hawes, Hoare, Cerulus, Ball, Brogden, Roper, Loic, Sloan, Hanspal, Ebbers, Farrant, Kinder.