HOCKEY: The late withdrawal of two players forced Kidderminster to field a young side as day one of the West Midlands Premier League campaign hit a sour note.

Kidderminster lost 5-1 at home to Streetly and there was also trouble after the final whistle following a red card for the visitors during the game.

A Streetly player was sent off for striking captain Chris Pocknell with his stick in an off-the-ball incident, creating an ugly end to a competitive fixture.

Stronger Streetly dominated the early stages and grabbed two first-half goals from penalty corners.

Kidderminster fought their way back with man-of-the-match Neil Jackson dominant in midfield.

The pressure resulted in Kidderminster winning a series of penalty corners before Richard Wheeler converted one with a deft flick.

In the second half, Streetly scored a third but Kidderminster were unlucky not to narrow the deficit.

An effort from Jackson was judged not to have crossed the goal-line and Streetly then made sure of the result by snatching two late goals.

Streetly 2 Kidderminster 2nds 1

Looking for their first win in more than a year, the seconds made a bad start as the home side scored from their first attack.

But Kidderminster eventually forced their way back into the game with Neil Furminger equalising from a penalty corner and new signing Tom Adams voted man-of-the-match.

In an even second half, Streetly grabbed the winner five minutes from time with a penalty flick after a foot blocked a shot on the line.

Kidderminster 3rds 4 Market Drayton 0

Keith Burgess, Craig Siwicki, Paul Rhodes and Eddie Pietkowicz scored the goals in a comfortable win at King Charles I High School.

Kidderminster 4ths 1 Kings Heath 6ths 3

The fourths began their first league game of the season well and were level at the interval through a Steve Elmer equaliser.

But Kidderminster were unable to convert their chances in the second period and the visitors capitalised on slack marking to score twice more.

Former firsts keeper Chris Lloyd made several good saves.

Kidderminster Ladies 1 Evesham 0

Skipper Kay Macdonald scored the only goal in the Worcestershire League opener.

Kidderminster were unlucky not to score before the break and their defence held firm in the second half with the new keeper making important saves.

The goal arrived 15 minutes from time when Rachael Fidoe was fouled after a great right-wing run from her own half and Macdonald converted the resulting short corner.

Fixtures, Saturday: Old Silhillians v Kidderminster 1sts, 2nds v Redditch, Old Silhillians v 3rds, Harborne 5ths v 4ths, Upton v Ladies.