6:00pm Wednesday 10th March 2010
WORCESTER’S Midlands Women’s League Premier Division title bid suffered a blow with a 2-1 defeat at main rivals Kettering.
But they also beat Leicester Seconds 2-1 to ensure a two-point lead over the Northamptonshire club with two games left.
The big re-arranged clash with Kettering saw Worcester, already missing skipper Rachel Creese, suffer two early injuries and their keeper was kept busy.
Although Helen Reeves went close at the other end, the visitors were pleased to be level at the break.
After Charlotte Roberts almost broke the deadlock, Kettering scrambled home an opener and then added a well-crafted second goal.
Helen Barnes cleared off the line before Elaine Shepperd put Worcester on the scoresheet from a short corner with five minutes left.
The previous day, Worcester started slowly and were indebted to fine saves by keeper Issy Davies.
Worcester improved and were rewarded with a goal on 20 minutes when Sophie Stock’s strike from a penalty corner was deflected in.
Leicester equalised after a penalty corner following a dubious green card for a visitors’ defender.
Sade Gerald bagged Worcester’s winner a minute from the end following a Lucy Scales pass.
Creese and Roberts did well in midfield, while Kate Martin, Scales and Julie Harwood also impressed.
Worcester Thirds saw off Bournville Thirds 4-0 in Worcestershire League Division Three with a dominant display.
The fourth-placed hosts took a fifth-minute lead via Erin Clark, followed by two further goals from Nina Moore and Holly Smith.
Worcester only finished off one of their many second-half opportunities through Clark.
Their player-of-the-match was Rose Parsons.
Worcester lost 3-2 at Barton in a mid-table BodyKraft Men’s League Midlands Division One battle.
Josh White scored the only goal as the seconds recorded a fine 1-0 win over high-flying Khalsa in Midlands Division One.
Worcester Badgers Pippins made good use of the wings in a 4-0 win over Bournville.
Scott Smith scored with a reverse-stick shot before quick passing moves led to three more goals.
Alex Wagner, Tom Dalton and Edward Brown struck, while Bournville had an effort disallowed for a raised shot at a penalty corner.
Worcester Badgers Potters won 1-0 at a more experienced Droitwich side.
Chances were missed by both sides but Worcester gained in confidence as the hosts struggled.
Joe Hughes scored from a short corner, while nine-year-old keeper Max Butterfield made excellent saves backed up by good defending from Nicholas Pearce and Marcus Holden.
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