PERSHORE Town bounced back from an opening day defeat to sink visitors Studley 2-0 in their first home match of the Midland Football League Division One season at the 2020SolarPV Stadium on Tuesday.
An entertaining match saw a closely contested first half end goalless, but only after both keepers had made good saves.
Town’s Andy Yarnold saved well early in the match and again later when clutching a swirling effort from Studley’s Danny Byford.
Joe Walsh could have opened the scoring for Town when well placed midway through the first half, but he failed to connect properly when well placed.
Matt Mitchell struck a fierce shot which was well saved by the Studley keeper as both teams had chances to score.
Town took control in the second half, as Michael Skerrett went close and Walsh hit the post with a left-footed effort.
The hosts finally opened the scoring in the 72nd minute when a lofted ball into the box was chested down by Skerrett to Steve Webb, who stroked home with his left foot from 12 yards.
Having taken the lead, Town became more confident and Ellis Blakemore tested the visitors’ keeper on a couple of occasions.
It was Blakemore’s long cross-field pass ten minutes from time that found Webb on the right side who beat the full back and pulled back his cross for Peter Jenvey to finish from close range.
Town, who entertain Heather St John’s on Saturday before visiting Nuneaton Griff on Wednesday, were beaten 5-0 at early pace-setters Leicester Road on Saturday.
The scoreline was not a reflection of the match as Pershore started very brightly and within the first ten minutes could have scored three times.
Skerrett turned his marker after two minutes and fired just over the bar, whilst Blakemore and Adam Laight also went close as Town looked dangerous, playing good, attacking football.
Goals change games though and the hosts scored twice before half time.
Pershore started positively in the second half but conceded ten minutes after the break, following which Leicester Road took control as the hosts scored twice in the last minute to complete the scoring.