QUENTIN TOWNSEND says Pershore Town need to enjoy, rather than fear, their Easter double-header against two of the top six teams in Midland League Division One.
On Saturday Town travel to sixth placed Hinckley before welcoming table-toppers Bromsgrove Sporting to the 2020SolarPV Stadium on Monday (3pm).
Pershore felt they could have secured more than a single point from their last two games, losing 1-0 at home to in-form Heath Hayes on Saturday and then twice leading at Studley, only to have to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Townsend says the Town squad will view the Easter games as a test of how they are shaping up for next season, as well looking to upset two of the biggest clubs in the division.
“It’s a good opportunity to see how we compare,” he said.
“Hinckley were one of the title favourites but they will probably feel they have underachieved to be where they are, while Bromsgrove are top of the table and looking strong.
“There’ll be good crowds and they are great games to look forward to.”
On Tuesday Pershore struck first at Studley, with captain Shaun Griffiths heading home from close range following an Oliver Casey corner.
A similar effort allowed Dan Stokes to level for the Bees five minutes later, but Townsend’s side went into the interval 2-1 ahead after Gareth Evans punished a mistake from a Studley defender to fire past the keeper from 12 yards.
Pershore rarely looked troubled in the second period and only the woodwork denied them a third goal when Dane Aldington hit the post.
However, Studley grabbed an equaliser five minutes from time when the visitors failed to clear and Stokes’ shot found the net from close range.
On Saturday Pershore gave as good as they got against Heath Hayes but went down 1-0.
The only goal came on 16 minutes when Dimitri Dunkley rifled a 25-yard left-footed shot into the net.
In an evenly contested match, chances were at a premium, but Town went closest through striker Evans, who hit the post with one effort moments after the goal and then unleashed a couple of long range strikes after the break.
