WORCESTERSHIRE were desperately unlucky to lose their opening match in this season's Midland Counties Youth Football Championship.

They went down by the odd goal in three when entertaining Lincolnshire at Pershore Town.

Lincolnshire took an eighth minute lead with a fine goal. Neil Waterhouse broke down the right and his cross to the far post was headed back by Danny Madison for Ricky Belding to side-foot into the net.

Worcestershire battled back with Craig Selby brushed off the ball as he was about to shoot and David Powell seeing his shot deflected just wide of the post.

With Luke Paskin in dominant form at the heart of the Worcestershire defence, Lincolnshire's fine midfield approach play was largely blunted.

Goalkeeper James Lambley made two fingertip saves from James Tilley and David Powell to safeguard Lincolnshire's narrow advantage at the interval.

After a bright opening to the second-half, Worcestershire were rocked when Lincolnshire doubled their lead after 55 minutes.

Goalkeeper Chris Higgins misjudged Danny Madison's inswinging corner and agonisingly saw the ball roll into the net off the far post.

Undeterred, Worcestershire worked tirelessly to get back into the game, but James Tilley shot wide from six yards and substitute Ross Harris saw his rasping drive just clear the crossbar.

Worcestershire were offered a lifeline four minutes from time when the referee spotted a push in the penalty area and Paskin netted from the resultant penalty kick to reduce the arrears.

But with time running out David Powell saw this shot well saved by goalkeeper Lambley to deny Worcestershire a share of the points that their performance deserved.

n There are a few places still available for a referee's course starting on Friday, November 18 at the Worcestershire FA headquarters in De Salis Drive on the Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate near Droitwich.

The course starts at 7pm with a 9pm finish and continues for ten weeks.

For further information contact the Worcestershire FA Referees' Co-ordinator Bill Allsopp 01299-826654 (evenings) or the Worcestershire FA 01905-827137.