JAMIE Clarke scored a hat-trick as reigning champions Pershore Town came from behind to win a thrilling Worcestershire FA Senior Cup tie at local rivals Malvern Town 4-3. 

Pershore raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Clarke and Danny Murphy but Carrick Hill and Matt Turner scored within ten minutes of each other to draw the home side level by half-time.

The Hillsiders completed the turnaround on the hour when Hill headed home from a corner for his second of the evening.

But the see-saw nature of the match had a further twist left as Clarke equalised on the counter before the striker grabbed his third of the night after rounding Keiron Blackburn to stick home the winner late on. 

Winning boss Danny Janes praised his side’s character for causing what was another cup upset to add to his growing CV. 

"Big result that was underpinned by a big performance," he said.

"As a group we reflected on what we lacked in our last two games, we focused on specific details and challenged the players, and they certainly responded.

"We took the game to Malvern and deserved our lead, I thought the players were outstanding in the opening 25 minutes.

"Malvern them came into the game which you expect, they are a good side with some very good players and then the momentum is with Malvern in the second half as they are rejuvenated. We concede a soft third goal again from not doing our jobs, which is so unlike us.

"In that moment, I knew it would be evident which players could show the qualities we spoke about before the game. To lose a 2-0 lead, on top of two disappointing defeats, it is very easy to hide and let the game by pass you.

"The players' character, resilience and bravery to come back and turn the game around was a proud moment, they were a pleasure to manage."

Whilst it was all smiles for Pershore, Malvern co-manager Stephen Cleal was less than impressed with his side after they surrendered their second-half lead. 

"It was always going to be a game where both sides had chances," he said.

"Two attacking sides who score lots of goals. But we didn't hit the levels we are capable of, especially in the first 25 minutes.

"Went 2-0 down but managed to come in at half-time level and then we got ahead and we thought, can we go on now and finish the job.

"But we let them in too easily and it's disappointing but credit to Pershore."