HOCKEY: Stourport were far too slow to get going and paid the price in a 2-1 National Hockey League Division One defeat at Chelmsford.
But they had an effort disallowed and claims for a penalty brushed off in the last five minutes.
However, Chelmsford let Stourport have plenty of ball in midfield before hitting them twice in the space of eight minutes.
Midfielders Philip Goode and Iain Mackay struck to give Stourport a tall order.
Matt Simkin injured his Achilles tendon and his replacement in goal, Ian Evans, immediately saved a penalty stroke.
With five minutes to go, Stourport's prolific Laith El Khatib reduced the arrears in open play and also hit the post in an attempt to equalise.
But despite their efforts, Stourport could not find a way back into the clash.
The firsts now embark on the indoor programme, resuming National League Division One activity at home to top-of-the-league St Albans on February 2.
Stourport 2nds 6 Shrewsbury 1
The seconds have scored 40 goals in their last six league matches.
David Knott notched up a remarkable seventh hat-trick of the season with other goals added by Andy Pocknell (two) and Phil Lashford.
Cannock 3 Stourport 3rds 0
Stourport's shortage of fire power cost them dear as they conceded two goals from penalty corners in the first half.
The visitors conceded another from open play near the end.
Cannock 6ths 1 Stourport 4ths 2
A dour grudge match at Cannock saw abuse from the touchline and Stourport's chairman Steve Taylor receiving a temporary suspension.
Youngsters Paul Floyd and Ben Madden secured the points.
Edgbaston 8 Stourport 5ths 0
The euphoria of the previous week's victory over Bournville was soon forgotten as Stourport were thrashed in Birmingham.
Stourport 6ths 0 Olton 5
Stourport were the better side in the first half against an experienced Olton side but went behind to a soft goal.
Though they continued to have more of the play, they only had one shot and no short corners.
Olton went on to take control in the second half.
Old Halesonians 0
Stourport Badgers 1
The young Stourport side gained their fourth 1-0 league victory as Alex Vale again scored the winner in the first half.
The average age of the side was just 12 at one point, apart from the experienced Steve Li.
Kit Pannell showed ability beyond his years and Chris Panteli had his best game of the season.
In the second half, David Lewis made two excellent saves to deny Old Hales.
Stourport U-16s 9
Kidderminster 1
Stourport opened the defence of the Worcestershire U-16 League with a comprehensive victory over their neighbours.
The away side had no answer to Phil Baldwin, who scored four goals, and two-goal midfielder Dan Packwood.
Adam Crouch (two) and Melissa Kennedy finished off an excellent attacking display.
In goal, Rob Farmer produced several excellent saves to deny Kidderminster any way back into a one-sided game.
l Stourport Ladies firsts collected all three points in the Worcestershire First Division without hitting a ball.
Opponents Pickwick Old Sils were unable to field a side and conceded the match.
Stourport Ladies 2nds 3
Tenbury 2
Stourport fought back from a 2-1 half-time deficit to beat their visitors in the Worcestershire Second Division.
Tenbury went ahead in the sixth minute with a penalty flick but Stourport equalised through captain Teri Baron.
The scores remained level until five minutes from the break when Tenbury added another penalty flick.
Stourport fought back to equalise again through Baron.
Fran Long, one of three first team players in the side, scored from a long corner to secure Stourport's victory.
Pershore 2 Stourport 3rds 0
A two-minute slip in concentration just before half-time in Worcestershire Third Division cost Stourport as Pershore nabbed two quick goals.
Stourport had pushed forward in the opening minutes but Pershore began to pressure.
The defence held firm, nullifying short-corners with a resolute performance, until the two minutes when it all went wrong.
Stourport could not find the net on the break in the second half.
Fixtures, Saturday, Men: Cannock v 2nds (1pm), 3rds v Edgbaston (2.30pm), Kings Heath v 4ths (2pm), 5ths v Leek 4th (2pm), Edgbaston v 6ths (noon), Badgers v Lichfield; Ladies: 1sts v Dudley (1pm), Bloxwich v 2nds.
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