HOCKEY: Simon Burkes gave Kidderminster an early lead but they let it slip in a 3-2 West Midlands League Premier Division defeat at Old Silhillians.

Burkes struck from a penalty corner within five minutes of the start at Solihull but Old Sils came back strongly and equalised from a penalty corner 10 minutes later.

Scores remained level until after the break but the home side took the lead early in the second period with a well-worked goal, rounding keeper Martin Roberts.

Kidderminster leapt to the counter-attack, raining shots on the Old Sils' goal. Despite excellent work by the goalkeeper, an offence on the line resulted in a penalty flick.

Andy Pocknell, signed from Stourport, converted with an unstoppable effort.

It set up a manic last five minutes with play going from one end of the pitch to the other.

But Old Sils clinched the game with a controversial short-corner goal as Roberts deflected the initial shot into the path of a forward.

He appeared to control the ball with his body before slotting home the winner.

Kidderminster were unlucky not to force a draw, winning a penalty corner in the last minute.

But despite a vicious drag flick from Richard Wheeler, the keeper again produced a fine save, deflecting the shot wide.

However, Kidderminster produced an excellent team display and were unlucky not to get the result they deserved.

There were superb individual efforts, notably from another new signing, ex-Stourport player Paul Edwards, who was excellent at sweeper.

Kidderminster 2nds 0 Redditch 1

The game had almost everything with two disallowed goals for Kidderminster, a missed penalty flick and a yellow card for each side.

Neil Furminger had what looked a good goal disallowed from a penalty corner as the umpires were unsure whether it had gone in.

It was all square at the break before Kidderminster continued to dominate and won a penalty for a foot on the line.

This wa missed and then another effort was ruled out before Redditch broke away to score the winner from their only clear chance.

Kidderminster 3rds 1 Old Silhillians 12

Harborne 6 Kidderminster 4ths 0

The fourths had no answer to a much stronger and confident side who scored three goals in each half after putting the town under pressure from the start.

Upton 1 Kidderminster Ladies 0

Kidderminster were holding on for a draw until Upton grabbed the winner 10 minutes from time.

The visitors started brightly, despite missing several senior players and having two making their debuts.

They were extremely unlucky not to score in the opening 20 minutes but Upton piled on the pressure after the break.

Battling Kidderminster had no regular defensive players and Upton's attacks finally paid dividends.

Fixtures, Saturday: Old Wulfrunians v Kidderminster 1sts (1.30pm), 2nds v Old Wulfrunians (1.30pm), Evesham v 3rds (3pm), 4ths v Stourport 7ths (3pm), Ladies v Droitwich (noon).