Pershore 0, Kynoch 1

PERSHORE'S good start to the year in the Coaching Solutions League came to an abrupt end last Saturday.

Despite having much of the game, it was Kynoch who scored the only goal after 15 minutes from a well-executed short corner.

Pershore had a number of good chances, but wasted them all. They chased the game harder in the second half and some excellent defending from Peter Powell and Rob Curley allowed them to commit more to the attack.

Despite having the vast majority of possession, the home side continued to waste short corners and good positions. Graeme Rushin's frustration that culminated in a yellow card summed up the day!

The loss put a severe dent in Pershore's promotion hopes ahead of another tough game on Saturday at home to Standard.

Division Two (top)

P W D L F A Pts

West Bromwich 16 15 1 0 89 12 46

Stafford 16 13 1 2 63 23 40

Pershore 16 12 1 3 55 25 37

Kingswinford II 2, Pershore II 1

PERSHORE took the lead in the first minute with a fine goal from Anthony Handley, but they were soon pegged back.

Despite hitting both posts and the crossbar, Pershore were unable to regain the lead and a late goal by the home side stole the points.

The losers, though, were heartened by the return of James Hector and Andy Gould additions that will add strength to the side for the forthcoming fixtures.

Pershore III 2,

Market Drayton III 1

IT WAS left to the third team to gain any points in the Coaching Solutions Leagues with a fine win.

Pershore decided to give youth its fling by playing Sam Howell, Luke Dalley and Chris Ridings up front and they rose magnificently to the challenge. The former, in particular, caused real problems for some experienced defenders.

It was from one of Howell's runs that Ridings scored with a clever reverse flick under the goalkeeper.

An excellent passing movement involving Tom Handley, Iain Rushin and Neil Herman then provided the opportunity for Ridings to set Dalley up for a first-ever goal.

Pershore kept up the pressure and Dalley might well have scored several more with a kinder bounce of the ball.

Market Drayton did manage to get one back late on in the game but it was too little too late. Pershore make the long trip to Whitchurch this weekend when they will be hoping to continue their good form.