POWICK highlighted their intentions in the Worcester Saturday League division one when they crushed second-placed Kempsey United with an emphatic performance.

KEMPSEY UNITED 1, POWICK FC 6

Under manager Andrew Brown, Powick are now 11 matches unbeaten and defeated their closest rivals with only five league games remaining.

Due to suspensions, changes to this week's team were inevitable, Matt Cole partnered Stu Harvey up front, Phil Skilton came into the team to assist Steve Hodges in the centre of defence allowing Kevin Downes to push up into his favoured position of midfield.

Kempsey were the only team not to have lost to Powick in the Phipps Cup group stage with two respectable draws.

They started the game at a very high tempo and if it wasn't for Steven Newman, who made two fine saves in the opening minutes, Powick could have found themselves behind.

After the initial scare Hodges, Skilton, Beats and Humphries really did play a huge role in limiting Kempsey to minimum opportunities and releasing the more attackminded midfield.

Wet and muddy conditions forced the game to become a scrappy affair and with Abba, Dakin, Downes and skipper Henderson getting stuck into the midfield battle. The Kempsey tempo started to dwindle as Powick's strength and determination began to take its toll.

The breakthrough came just before the stroke of half-time when Kevin Downes chipped the ball over two defenders while on the run and then chipped into the box for Stu Harvey to net with an unstoppable header.

Powick went 2-0 up when the home keeper failed to hold a Downes shot and the ball fell to Stu Harvey to tap in, and Harvey scored again from close range after Kordas burst through and squared the ball back.

The fourth goal came from good play out wide by Henderson and Humphries on the left-hand side when Henderson crossed for Stu Harvey to grab his fourth of the game.

Downes got on the score sheet for all his outstanding efforts when he was played in by Abba to burst past the defence over 30 yards out and to fire in from 20 yards.

Kempsey found a break-through when a left hand side free-kick was played deep into the Powick box, where a scramble took place and the Kempsey centre-back blasted it in from 12 yards.

The last goal was a soft one to concede by Kempsey keeper Willetts. He spilled a poor Harvey cross into the path of the lurking Humphries who scored from close range for 6-1.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Powick are at home at Dyson Perrins, against Oak Apple in the Phipps Cup group stages.

Powick have already qualified for a semi-final tie against Inkberrow A. A win for Oak Apple would see them qualify in second position. Meet at 1.15pm, any problems ring Andrew or Lee.

Thanks to Sponsors QED Enterprises for their support.