Pershore Tn 0, Bromsgrove Rvrs 3

SAM Bowen didn't get a kick yet Bromsgrove ended Pershore's WFA Senior Urn hopes in emphatic style, writes Mervyn Collins.

Admittedly, the former Evesham man only arrived on the pitch in stoppage time but he didn't touch the ball, unlike Jon Ford and Joe Licata, who looked a class above this standard.

It wasn't as easy as the score suggests for Rovers, who were lucky to be on level terms at half time.

A couple of early Town centres just evaded attackers at the back post, while Simon Brain made a hash of the clearest chance of the night after Garry Crewe squared the ball into his path ten yards from goal.

Niel Turner made a superb stop to keep out Liam O'Neil's 32nd minute shot and the home keeper then produced two more smart stops as Broms-grove stepped up a gear.

A wicked bounce, however, left Turner stranded when Kevin Banner broke the deadlock after 53 minutes and the scorer was again given plenty of time and space to set up Chris Porter for a second 13 minutes later.

Another ex-Common Roader, Matt Coppin, replaced Licata before Ford's long ball released Banner for Broms-grove's third two minutes before Bowen's late call.

It did prove a good night for the Midland Combination side with the sight of former manager Mick Preece in the stand.

He was in "good spirits" 13 days after the mayhem at Marconi, while replacement Dave Connell will have been pleased to see his side return to "real" competitive action after a short lay-off.

Saturday's return to league action provided few thrills and the scoring was completed within the opening five minutes.

Mark Cartwright gave Kings Heath the lead after a mere 90 seconds but Town hit back through Crewe.

Goalkeeper Turner then saved his side with a point-blank block but it was at the opposite end that the best chances fell.

Paul Court, Jon Gregory and Joe Maidment all went close before a last-gasp header from Colin Fulloway was hacked off the visitors' line.

Pershore visit high flying Division One outfit, Leamington, on Saturday in the Endsleigh League Cup.

The club is staging a fireworks display at King George's tomorrow evening from 7pm. Adults £1, children 50p.