Pershore 5, Standard 1

PERSHORE maintained their push for promotion by making it four wins from five in the Coaching Solutions West Midlands Division Two League.

Right from the first whistle they applied themselves to the task in hand, playing confident and tactical hockey.

It's a reflection of their confidence that, for the third successive week, a defender scored from open play with James Massingham stealing up from left back to turn in a cross from Russell Scudamore.

The visitors rarely looked like scoring and, when they did threaten, Stuart Speake and Peter Powell mopped up well at the back.

Pershore's second goal was another well-worked move from right back, through the midfield to the right byline and a powerful finish by the excellent Jamie Hughes.

The second half saw more of the same with the third goal coming from the penalty spot after Scudamore's shot was kicked off the line by a defender.

Robbing

Toby Whiting scored from the spot then finished the contest with his side's fourth after robbing a defender before beating the last man and opposing goalkeeper and rolling the ball home.

Anthony Handley's performance up front also deserved a goal and he was rewarded minutes from time, reverse sweeping a loose ball inside the far post.

Goalkeeper Chris Graham hadn't touched the ball at any point in the game and was unlucky when a weak Standard shot bobbled over his foot at the death.

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts

Newtown 5 5 0 0 28 4 15

Kynoch 5 5 0 0 17 10 15

Pershore 5 4 0 1 27 6 12

Berks & Balsall 5 3 0 2 32 14 9

Kingswinford 5 3 0 2 24 10 9

Barlaston 4 2 0 2 9 9 6

Ather Adders 5 2 0 3 10 11 6

Ludlow 5 2 0 3 15 20 6

Chad Corbett 5 1 0 4 13 27 3

Malvern 4 1 0 3 4 35 3

Standard 5 0 1 4 6 18 1

Aston Univ 5 0 1 4 4 25 1

Streetly II 2, Pershore II 3

PERSHORE continued their successful start to the league campaign when they came from behind twice to secure a fine away win against the runaway leaders.

The visitors were always on the back foot, although resolute defending by Ben Wright, Tony Groves, Gavin Pugh and the central midfield duo of Simon Ball and Scott Attwood made sure that Pershore were always in the game.

Streetley scored first but swift counter attacking moves through Rob Smith, Mark Passmore and Martin Thomas kept Pershore in the game.

An incisive move down the left by Chris Ridings soon set up a goal for debutant Thomas to level the scores.

This joy was shortlived when Streetly netted a second but the visitors continued to battle and their efforts were rewarded early in the second half with a fine solo effort by Thomas.

Streetly were then reduced to ten men following a cynical tackle on Smith and Pershore's confidence rose again as they pushed for the winner.

Unbelievably it arrived with Thomas completing his hat-trick in style following great support play by Passmore.

The ambitious club is actively seeking new players of all ages and abilities, call Toby Whiting on 01386 422614.