DESPITE the sub zero temperatures across the country last weekend, Worcester Raiders and Pershore Town both recorded big wins in the Hellenic League Division One.

Being at Sixways certainly helps in these wintery conditions for the Raiders and they were celebrating wildly at full-time after an impressive 2-1 win over previous league leaders and title contenders Clanfield 85, a win that took them to the summit of the Division One table.

Joe Billingham and Connor Deards scored in quick succession minutes before the break to see them hold a 2-0 lead.

A late goal from George Seacole for Clanfield gave them hope and it was a nervy finish but in the end Worcester held out to record their sixth win in a row in all competitions and their fifth straight league victory.

"We are obviously over the moon with that result," said manager Mark Owen to BBC Hereford and Worcester after the game.

"But I didn't think the performance was that great but second-half, other than the goal, we controlled the game and overall, really pleased.

"Once they scored it was back to the walls but we showed good character to cross the line.

"We could have been a few more goals up early on and the game got ragged but the conditions were difficult with the wind levelled things a bit.

"But like I say, we got another three points and we're now top of the table.

"There is still a long way to go but we have gone from about sixth or seventh a few weeks ago to now being top, the lads have been brilliant."

It was also an emotional afternoon for forward Isaac Cooper, who lost his good friend Leon Taylor last week and he dedicated his performance to him and was seen post match wearing a t-shirt with his face on it.

READ | Tributes roll in after Darlaston striker, 36, dies

A gofundme page was set-up for Taylor’s partner Kelly and his two children Tia-Nicole and Theo, which you can donate to here.

Elsewhere in the division, Pershore Town were 3-0 winners over Malmesbury Victoria.

James Baldwin scored early on in the first-half before Aaron Brett doubled the lead with 43 minutes on the clock.

Petar Tochnchev then made sure of the points with 12 minutes to play to ensure Pershore just about remain in the play-off hunt as we approach the half-way stage in the season.