Pershore Town 1,

Ledbury Town 5

FORMER Evesham United favourite Phil Preedy returned back to The Vale to help end Pershore's hopes of a cup final place.

Tuesday's Worcester Royal Infirmary Senior Cup semi-final added another chapter of woe to the home side's season with Preedy firing in the opener after 27 minutes.

Ledbury were well on top an doubled their advantage five minutes later when Robbie Colwell netted.

Adam Ward gave Pershore hope with a speculative 30-yarder that flew over the head of the visiting goalkeeper but an own goal from Adam Simpson within a minute of the restart ended any hopes of a home fightback.

Another error at the back involving Ward and Colin Fulloway gifted Colwell a fourth.

Simon Judge missed a great chance to reduce the arrears after 64 minutes but he headed Tony McLean's cross over the top when well placed.

Ledbury completed their nap hand 16 minutes from time when skipper Stuart Hall fired a free-kick into the top corner.

Nigel Russell's men will be hoping for a change in fortune on Saturday when they stay on home territory when facing Fernhill County Sports when a place in the final of the Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup is the prize for the winners.

The sides meet just 14 days after County Sports inflicted a 2-0 defeat on their Midland Combination Premier Division rivals.

Pershore were second best throughout on that occasion and were lucky to escape with such a small losing deficit.

There will have to be a vast improvement on recent form if the King George's outfit aren't to suffer a semi-final sickener.