Pershore 5,

Atherstone Adders 1

PERSHORE signed off for Christmas with a resounding victory that had looked highly unlikely in the first half.

Despite dominance both in territory and possession, the hosts were unable to find the required composure in front of goal.

Atherstone defended with nine players to deny space to the home side, while their only attack of the half forced a short corner that was dispatched with aplomb.

Their joy was soured slightly when their centre forward was sent off for persistent foul play.

The second half saw a more cultured performance from Pershore with Peter Powell removing any attacking threat from the Adders.

The equalising goal came from Vincent Crowley who smashed the ball in from the top of the circle.

There followed two apiece for Richard Lisle and James Rayner - the pick an inspired solo effort from the latter who ghosted down the right wing and unleashed a thunderous shot that found the net from an almost impossible angle.

Pershore II 0,

West Brom III 2

PERSHORE'S mixture of new and experienced faces again put in a resilient performance against a more physical visiting side.

Excellent defending from Richard Ludlow and Rob Smith frustrated the opposition's attack and Pershore threatened themselves with Graham Handley and Chris Ridings making good progress down the wings.

West Brom eventually took the lead in fortunate fashion with Smith making a valiant effort to save a shot only to see the ball ricochet off the bar on to his head and over the line.

The Black Country side came out strongly after the restart and scored again to the obvious surprise and delight of the right winger.

Both sides continued to press and Pershore had a shot cleared off the line when a goal might just have been the spur needed to mount a late fightback.

Division Two (top)

P W D L F A Pts

West Bromwich 12 11 1 0 56 9 34

Stafford 12 10 0 2 45 18 30

Pershore 12 9 1 2 40 20 28

Standard 12 7 2 3 23 22 23

Kynoch 12 6 2 4 42 24 20