United book their place in cup's second round

TENBURY booked their place in the second round of the Worcestershire Junior Cup with a confident performance against their Kidderminster Premier League hosts from Stourport.

Manager Colin Powell used the opportunity to rotate the squad and give regular squad members some match practice.

The visitors started well and took the lead in the 14th minute when Ryan Morris, usually a mid-fielder but playing up front, raced on to a through ball from Graham Caldicott to drive home the opening goal.

United had several chances to extend their lead but Ashley Botwood's free-kick rebounded from an upright and Caldicott downward header from close range bounced up and over the bar.

There was an element of fortune about Tenbury's second goal when a header from John Welsh appeared to be safely gathered by the Arley goalkeeper only for him to drop it at the feet of Welsh who gratefully slid the ball home.

After the break Arley stepped up the pace and almost reduced arrears when an excellent free kick took a deflection and was heading goalwards until Byron Davies somehow changed direction in mid-dive to flick the ball over the top.

The tenacious Arley continued to push up looking to get back into the game but were kept out by a well organised United defence.

With time running out Arley stretched themselves too far and, when they lost possession, United swept down field to put the result beyond doubt.

George Pearson streaked down the right flank and when challenged swung over a cross for the supporting Caldicott to fire the ball home from a narrow angle at the far post.