Pershore Town 3, Meir KA 1

A TENTH straight win has strengthened Town's position at the top of the Midland Combina-tion's Premier Division.

It took the hosts less than a minute to breach the Meir defence but Pershore were lucky still to be ahead at the break.

Paul Jones was the man to give Town an early boost. Rik Halion and Gary Mole combined cleverly to release Jones and the striker made no mistake from ten yards.

Steve Bott hooked narrowly wide in the 11th minute as Meir threatened to hit back and, four minutes later, Pershore keeper Neil Turner brilliantly saved a 30-yarder from Steve Griffiths.

There were two more scares for Colin Shepherd's title chasers before the break. Full back Chris Jew cleared a Griffiths header off the line, while Errol Thomas saw his chip shot float inches wide.

PL:46mole.jpg:Jumping to it: Gary Mole has played a huge part in Pershore's gallop to the top of the MIdland Combination and he was in fine form as Town recorded identical 3-1 scorelines in their last two outings

Pershore were reliant on the break and their only effort at goal saw Mole's shot saved by Richard Johnson.

The visiting goalkeeper, however, was helpless three minutes after the restart. Mole won a tackle on halfway, released Nathan Owen, who skipped past the last defender before beating Johnson with a low drive.

Town now seemed well in control but they were rocked back on their heels 25 minutes from time when Bott deservedly netted.

However, it took resilient Town only nine minutes to restore their two-goal cushion when Jones grabbed his second after more incisive play from Mole and Owen.

That was the last goalmouth action in a fine advert for the Premier Division - a title they last won in 1994 when a final day victory over Saturday's opponents took Town into the Midland Alliance.

A continuation of their marvellous league form will ensure a repeat and a swift return up the league ladder after the disappointment of relegation last term.

Premier Division

P W D L F A Pts

Pershore Town 14 11 1 2 35 16 34 Romulus 13 10 2 1 31 13 32

Nuneaton Griff 13 9 2 2 28 14 29

Studley BKL 13 8 4 1 24 8 28

Alvechurch 13 8 1 4 23 17 25

Coventry Marconi 14 8 0 6 38 24 24

Meir KA 11 6 4 1 21 10 22

Kings Heath 13 5 3 5 16 15 18

Blackheath Inven 14 5 3 6 22 27 18

Sutton Town 13 4 4 5 22 18 16

Coventry Sphinx 13 5 1 7 14 18 16

Northfield Town 13 3 6 4 19 28 15

Cheslyn Hay 12 4 2 6 16 16 14

Alveston 13 3 3 7 14 33 12

Continental Star 13 3 2 8 20 27 11

Handrahan Timbs 12 3 1 8 12 19 10

Feckenham 12 2 4 6 18 28 10

Southam Utd 13 3 1 9 18 30 10

Massey Ferguson 13 2 4 7 20 32 10

Bolehall Swifts 10 2 3 5 12 19 9

Highgate Utd 11 2 3 6 13 25 9