W M Police 0, Pershore Tn 1

(abandoned at half-time)

AN ICY pitch halted Town's recent good run in the Midland Combination Premier Division after Lee Tustin had seemingly put them on their way to another win.

The home goalkeeper pointed out to the referee that a small area inside the six-yard area had become hard and, after an inspection by the officials, the match was halted prematurely.

The decision wasn't taken too kindly by the visitors but not one Police player reappeared for the second half - a sure sign they didn't fancy it!

The rest of the Tally Ho pitch was perfectly playable but the referee deemed the surface unsafe and the game was abandoned.

There were few goalmouth incidents in the first half although Pershore had a let off when Michael Mason's diving header rebounded off an upright.

Mason's 32nd minute centre was then acrobatically sent narrowly wide of Neil Turner's net but, five minutes later, Tustin wasn't quite so wayward.

Tom Martin's attempted back pass fell short of its intended target and the visiting striker nipped in to run on and drive the ball past the exposed keeper from 15 yards.

Pershore will be hoping for better fortune with the elements when they entertain Handrahan Timbers on Saturday (2.45pm) and, again on New Year's Day when they play host to Alveston (2.45).

Friday night's freezing temperatures didn't stop the majority of local sport being played with Littleton and Bishampton both in league action and only two matches were postponed in the Stratford Alliance. Turn to page 39 for full reports.