PERSHORE Town suffered their second successive defeat at the start of the Midland League Division One season as they were beaten 4-1 at newly-promoted Chelmsley Town on Tuesday.
A depleted Town squad, due to holiday commitments, were well beaten as Gary Turner scored a hat-trick for the hosts.
Jamie Clarke scored for Town after 41 minutes to make it 1-1 with a left-footed lob from the edge of the box over the advancing keeper.
However, that was as good as it got for the visitors, for whom Clarke had Town’s other best efforts with the nearest being a close range header well saved by Chelmsley’s keeper.
On Saturday, Quentin Townsend’s Town side were beaten 3-0 by visitors Nuneaton Griff but the scoreline does not tell the whole tale.
In a nutshell, Town failed to take their chances and the visitors – who finished third last season – did.
Whilst Griff had more of the ball in midfield, it was Town that created the better chances.
Will Gayton tested the Griff keeper after 15 minutes with a right-footed shot and went close again after 28 minutes when, having been put through, he slipped the ball just wide of the post.
The visitors took the lead after 33 minutes when John Russell turned his defender and placed a left-footed shot just inside the far post.
Town spurned a good opportunity to draw level just before half time when Gayton choose to pass rather than shoot when through on goal.
Griff extended their lead after 51 minutes when Town failed to clear and Tom Bates scored from close range.
Town continued to push with further efforts from Gayton and Clarke and Griff also cleared two efforts off the line, including a header at the back post from Will Stallard, one of several Pershore debutants.
However, Griff extended their lead in the 73rd minute when Jack Colley was allowed to drive through Town’s midfield to despatch a left-footed shot from 25 yards past keeper Shaun Edwards.
Pershore entertain Southam United at the King George V Stadium in their next game on Tuesday, August 23.