Pershore 1, Newent 4

DESPITE their intensive pre-season training Pershore still proved to be short of match fitness against a useful Newent side.

Captain Rushin has insisted on a concentrated effort by all concerned to make immediate improvements to ensure that the team can compete effectively this year.

Stewart Speake, who was surprisingly released by the club to Worce-ster during the summer, has cont- roversially been re-appointed as trainer/coach despite last year's difficult season.

There are positive signs, however, that the squad is starting to gel and the return of key players will further boost chances of a good season. In the meantime some younger, less experienced players, are contributing well to the cause and showing signs of growing confidence.

Both teams played reasonably well in the first half with not much difference in terms of possession. How-ever, Newent proved to be far more clinical in front of goal and scored three times to take a lead they hardly deserved.

A second half rally by Pershore enabled them to pull a goal back quickly through Matt Hughes who scored a classical left-winger's goal by racing around the defence to slot home a through ball from hard working brother, Jamie.

This prompted a series of excellent moves but, as tiredness set in, a final and decisive goal by Newent killed the game.