Yardley 5, Pershore 0

PERSHORE'S league campaign got off to the worst possible start when they lost heavily to Yardley in Saturday's DTZ League match.

Credit must be given to the opposition for playing some good aggressive hockey which constantly put Pershore under long periods of pressure. It was obvious though that Yardley were vulnerable in defence which would explain their relegation last season.

Pershore's occasional attacks looked promising but, as in recent weeks, there was insufficient support from the midfield.

As a result the Pershore forwards could only reach their opponents 25-yard line before being outnumbered and channelled into the corners.

The hosts were content to probe from all angles without ever really threatening the Pershore goal. Yardley did win penalty corners and scored twice from similar routines.

A naive Pershore team then conceded a third penalty corner to the same move again in the second half.

Two further goals from open play sealed Pershore's fate.

Pershore II 1, West Bromwich 1

THE visitors were very well organised, fit and skilful and it took some steady defence, good goalkeeping and poor finishing to restrict them to a one-goal lead at half time.

A lack of match practice was evident when Pershore were in possession with many passes failing to reach their intended target.

The experiment of playing Massing-ham at centre forward wasn't a great success, his undoubted ability and pace over the ground being wasted as the lone forward.

Pershore turned round for the second half determined to put into practise the demands from the captain and started to dominate the game.

Taylor took over at centre forward and on another day would have scored a hat-trick. It began to look as though the home side was set for defeat, especially as they had two goals disallowed, but eventually Massingham managed to flick the ball home to secure a point. There was still time for West Bromwich to come back, but it was Pershore that came closest to scoring the winner.