Newtown 2, Pershore 2

IF PERSHORE'S own promotion prospects have now disappeared, they will continue to have a huge impact on which teams do eventually secure a move up the Coaching Solutions League ladder.

They started well against the section leaders with Anthony Handley driving down into space on the right flank and the back four mopping up what pressure was thrown at them.

Gareth Rushton went close and most of the early exchanges saw Pershore on top and wondering how their hosts find themselves top of the pile.

Luck might be one of the answers as Newtown took a fortuitous lead before good umpiring allowed them to score second before half-time.

Pershore fightbacks are becoming legendary and true grit showed through yet again as mounting pressure was rewarded.

Rob Curley failed to connect as he wanted with a drag-flicked short corner but the lower trajectory seemed to fox the Newtown keeper and Pershore moved a goal closer just before the break.

Confused and upset by a resurgent Pershore's style of play, the hosts rarely threatened in the second half.

Russell Scudamore started to play with his usual fluency and, although Handley turned an ankle, Pershore were in the ascendancy and Toby Whiting levelled the match with a short corner strike before almost snatching victory with a late effort.

Pershore II 3, Yardley II 2

AS the Coaching Solutions League reaches its climax, mid-table Pers-hore came into Saturday's game safe in the knowledge that their season is on the wind down!

The home team, though, came out of the traps playing a fluent passing game that created several early openings but goals weren't forthcoming.

Just as Pershore seemed to be running out of steam, a good move down the right involving Tony Grove and Martin Thomas presented centre back Ben Wright with a clear shot at goal that finished high in the roof of the net.

A swift counter attack from Yardley produced an equaliser after they outnumbered a napping Pershore rearguard.

The second half had barely registered on the umpire's watch when Yardley were fortunate to be awarded a short corner that they utilised fully to take the lead.

The goal seemed to galvanise the entire Pershore team and straight from the restart they began to turn the screw on their opponents.

Rob Smith took the game by the scruff of the neck and his dynamic running led to a frantic scramble that ended with Mark Passmore turn the ball home from a yard out.

With time running out, Pershore grabbed a deserved winner courtesy of Passmore who found the net after good work from Pete Boyce.

Other result: Pershore III 2 (2) (Luke Dalley, og), Evesham III 4 (0).