Evesham 3 Pershore 5
West Midlands Division One
A RESILIENT Pershore took the spoils in Saturday’s Vale derby.
Russ McGettigan struck first for the visitors when he converted Anthony Handley’s cross and Ed Deacon doubled the lead with a ferocious short corner strike.
Evesham pushed hard for their chances and answered back with a short corner goal of their own and soon afterwards they levelled.
Shortly before half time another run from Anthony Handley saw him link up with McGettigan and Anthony Handley scored with a reverse stick shot which soared into the top of the goal.
In the second half Rob Smith, Graham Handley and Gareth Rushton had chances before Anthony Handley struck again to make it 4-2.
A superb individual goal gave Evesham hope but Pershore clinched the points when Smith found skipper Russ Scudamore who made no mistake.
Evesham’s goals were scored by Ed Betteridge, Simon Chatterley and Marcus Humpston.
With two matches remaining, the first of which is at home to Oswestry on Saturday, Pershore are now looking to secure a third placed finish.
All support is welcome for Saturday’s match, which takes place at Prince Henry’s High School and starts at 1.30pm.
Evesham travel to Droitwich on Saturday.
PERSHORE 3rds were 3-0 winners at Kidderminster as they maintained their good form.
Good work from Russ Burford and Pete Moreby on the left had already created some half chances and the inevitable goal came after good break-up play by John Sharratt, who was able to squeeze the ball to Gavin Pugh who fired it at Jason Brown and he squared to Alex Brown to flick home into the corner of the goal.
Pershore’s dominance continued and was rewarded with an excellent goal after Alex Brown unselfishly played in Jason Brown to fire the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
The Brown combination was now on fire and a third goal soon followed as this time Alex netted.
The second half was a much closer affair, with Pershore’s Scott Attwood influential and Phil Steers and Taylor majestic in defence to help record another clean sheet for Pershore.
PERSHORE Ladies’ final home game of the Worcestershire League Division One season saw them draw 1-1 against second placed Harborne 3rds, who were desperate for three points in their bid to win the league.
Both teams opened strongly but it was Pershore who initially put together the better ball transfer, with strong and quick passing from Emily Capaldi through the centre reaching Claire Chadwick and Lottie Cox on a number of occasions in the Harborne D, opening up scoring opportunities.
The visitors grabbed the lead before the break but, inspired by the half time words of coach Martin Ebbage, Pershore produced a strong second half performance and Nicki Shepherd and Heidi Deacon in the centre impressed, whilst Kate Adams threatened in the D.
Pershore’s second half pressure saw them rewarded with a short corner and Emma Gardner stepped up to fire a great strike into the left hand corner of the goal to level the score.
Pershore continued to attack on their right through Gemma Pinney and again through their centre and in the last few minutes they had a chance to win the game, but unfortunately just could not capitalise.
Pershore finish their season at Tenbury on Saturday and still hope to finish in the top half of the table.