Pershore 2nd Xl 2,

Market Drayton 2nd Xl 1

PERSHORE'S inability to convert chances in front of goal meant that their latest Coaching Solutions league match was much closer than it should have been.

They dominated the whole game with Ben Wright and Pete Moreby giving them a solid defensive base from which to mount attack after attack only to see their efforts come to nought. They were even denied a penalty when the foot of a Market Drayton defender diverted a goalbound shot on to the crossbar, an action which left him with a pronounced limp for the next ten minutes.

They were also grateful to an excellent goalline save at full stretch by Iain Rushin, which meant that the scores remained level at half time.

Pershore's continued pressure was eventually rewarded with a well-worked short corner routine finished off in style by Gavin Pugh. Pugh then got his second with a clever finish, but several more chances were wasted before Market Drayton got a short corner themselves from which they scored after a goalmouth scramble left the centre-forward with an easy opportunity.

A valuable three points but a goalscorer must be found if Pershore are to challenge for honours in future.

Whitchurch 3rd XI 2 , Pershore 3rd XI 4

THE home side stunned Pershore with an early goal when their left winger burst through the Pershore defence and fired the ball into the roof of the net with a reverse stick sweep from an acute angle.

Pershore settled into the game and Neil Herman began to dominate the right side of the midfield. He made several penetrating runs and managed to regularly feed the ball to the Pershore forward line.

Pershore equalised following a short corner. The corner routine did not go exactly to plan, but the ball ran loose to Neil Herman who scored from close range. Pershore added a second goal through the experienced Mark Passmore.

Early in the second half Whitchurch again put pressure on the Pershore defence, marshalled well by Mike Handley and the home side were kept at bay. Pershore added a third goal when Herman hit a powerful shot from the edge of the shooting circle only for Whitchurch to reduce the deficit when a right wing cross was hit home from close range.

Pershore made the game safe with a final goal from Anthony Handley to record their second win on the trot.

Pershore's 1st team were awarded a 3-0 win when Standard failed to produce a team.