KIDDERMINSTER firsts knew they were in for a tough test at home to unbeaten league leaders Wednesbury on Saturday - and so it proved as they went down 4-2.

Although the result sees the town team tumble down to sixth in the league, skipper Chris Pocknell spoke highly of his players.

"A result against Wednesbury was always going to be a big ask and I was pleased with the spirit and fight the guys showed. If we can take that desire into the rest of our fixtures then we can soon claw our way back into the top four."

Despite Kidderminster starting brightly, Wednesbury soon settled into their stride and took the lead when Ravi Bhart fired in a low left hand corner flick.

Kidderminster hit back when Matt Edwards roofed his shot after good work by Paul Grummitt and only fantastic saves from the Wednesbury keeper denied Pocknell and Tom Jarvie.

With the scores all level at the break the second half was closely contested before Wednesbury showed their class with a double from Subash Mehria and Bhart grabbing his second to put them 4-1 up.

Now playing for pride, Kidderminster took advantage of Wednesbury easing off to claw a goal back from Pocknell's one-handed strike, but it was too little too late.

Kidderminster bid to bounce back away at Solihull Blossomfield on Saturday.

Kidderminster seconds face an uphill task to avoid relegation with a series of difficult fixtures coming up following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Yardley. Chris Brazier got their goal. Tom Roberts rifled in the goal that gave Kidderminster thirds a well-earned win over Wednesbury, with man-of-the-match, keeper Tom Eales also playing a major part in the success. They travel to Stafford at 4pm on Saturday.

Kidderminster Ladies claimed an impressive scalp by beating second-placed Cresconians 1-0. In an even first half poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept the match scoreless.

But Kidderminster made the breakthrough after the interval when Kerry Venskus fired home from a short corner.

And despite being reduced to 10 players late on, they secured a win with some superb defending from player of the match Jeanette Jarvis. They will be hoping for more of the same when they travel to Droitwich at 10.30am on Saturday.