A BRACE of goals from striker Jamie Clarke guided Pershore Town to their first victory of the Midland League Division One season as they defeated visitors Southam United 2-0 on Tuesday.
Town controlled the game for large periods and should have won by a bigger margin as boss Quentin Townsend enjoyed victory against his old Saints side.
Captain Shaun Griffiths had a header cleared off the line after 11 minutes and Sean Cooke – making his first appearance of the season – had a left-footed effort saved soon afterwards.
Town’s pressure finally told when Ollie Casey put through Clarke to beat the keeper with a left-footed effort after 32 minutes.
A few minutes later, the same combination repeated the move with the same outcome and Pershore were 2-0 up.
The second half followed much the same pattern as Will Gayton’s free kick went just over the bar and substitute Damien Fearn shot wide from a narrow angle having intercepted a poor clearance from the Southam keeper.
Town substitute Kallum Powell had a couple of opportunities to further increase the lead late on, but this was a well deserved three points for Pershore who are likely to face sterner opposition at Atherstone Town on Saturday and against Racing Club Warwick at the King George V Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).