Stone 2, Pershore 1.

PERSHORE'S latest DTZ League fixture was played away at Stafford in what has traditionally been a high scoring and entertaining fixture.

Pershore started this fixture with a much-changed side, which saw Attwood and Crowley making their first appearances of the season and Hughes and Ridsdale playing despite carrying nasty back injuries.

Pershore started brightly and had a huge amount of possession in the opening 20 minutes but as in previous weeks failed to capitalise on this possession and seize the initiative with an early goal.

Pershore were able to stifle the occasional Stafford attacks with Attwood being outstanding in defence.

The visitors grew in confidence and played some excellent hockey but then Stafford struck. Pershore lost possession in midfield and Stafford broke at pace creating an opportunity which they duly slotted home.

Stafford then took control of the remainder of the half and Pershore had to thank Wright, in goal, Attwood, Hawkes and Hughes for some excellent defending to stop them going a further goal behind.

Stafford started the stronger side in the second half and playing some good possession hockey Pershore were made to chase the ball for long periods but Stafford never looked like scoring thanks mainly to the excellent marshalling of the defence and midfield by Hawkes and Rushton.

As the half progressed,Pershore were forced to commit more and more players forward looking for the equaliser which stretched the defence leading to a string of short corners one of which Stafford converted thanks to a miss hit shot that wrong footed the keeper and defence.

Pershore continued to press and Stafford had a player sent off for swearing. Pershore reverted to two at the back, went for broke and created a number of chances which they failed to convert.

The losers returned home considering themselves slightly unlucky and hoping for better fortunes against Market Drayton at the High School on Saturday.