Tenbury Ladies 0 Pershore Ladies 1
Worcestershire League Division One
PERSHORE Ladies moved into fourth place as they gained revenge for their opening day defeat to the same opposition.
The visitors knew that slick passing on a slow pitch and stern defending with focus on the Tenbury centres could see them seal victory, whilst Tenbury focused their attack through their centres and right wing and put together some decent spells of play, although they struggled to break through into Pershore’s D thanks to great defending from Zoe Nicholson and Nicki Sheppard.
Pershore slowly started to take hold of the first half and there were some great attacks through Dani Cook on the left as she drove forward into Tenbury’s D.
Pershore’s goal came before half time when Heidi Deacon intercepted in the centre and provided a pass into the D to Kate Adams who smashed the ball home.
Pershore should have had a clearer advantage by the break and their profligacy could have cost them as Tenbury stepped up their efforts in the second half but, despite winning a number of short corners, the hosts did not capitalise on any pressure created.
Pershore saw a few fair chances of their own go amiss in the second half and, although all players had a great defensive game, Pershore need to finish more slickly in the D to achieve the scorelines their attacking play deserves.
A home game against Bromsgrove 2nds is next up on Saturday for Pershore.
Oswestry 5 Pershore 3
West Midlands Division One
DEPLETED Pershore faced a tough task as they travelled to Shropshire on Saturday and so it proved as the squad of 11 visiting players slipped to defeat.
The hosts dominated the majority of the first half and, after withstanding some heavy pressure, Pershore finally conceded two goals close to half time.
In the second half Pershore pulled a goal back when Graham Handley capitalised on good work from Gareth Rushton to score.
Oswestry’s left winger restored his side’s two-goal advantage but valiant Pershore stayed in contention when Tony Handley hammered the ball to brother Graham at the back post to net his second goal of the game.
However, Oswestry then went fully on the offensive and with 15 minutes to go they received a penalty flick after the ball hit Karl Lawson on the line.
Robert Curley tried his best to stop the flick as he dived the right way, but the ball flew just a small fraction above his stick and into the goal before another goal made sure of victory for the hosts.
Pershore had the final say when Robert Handley assisted Toby Whiting, who just needed a touch in the D to make it 5-3.
Despite losing, Pershore believe they played well and a close result against a good team offers them encouragement ahead of Saturday’s visit to Newtown in Wales.
