Monday 25 February 2013

PERSHORE TOWN SPRING A SURPRISE

PERSHORE TOWN  3 v 1  ATHERSTONE TOWN  23/2/2013

(MIDLAND COMBINATION, PREMIER DIVISION)




Here is a view from the ground with Pershore Abbey in the background.

I decided today to visit the King George V Playing Field ground of Pershore Town in their league game against Atherstone Town. Originally I had been looking to travel to Runcorn Town to see their FA Vase 5th Rd clash with Walsall Wood but after seeing the weather forecast with possibly poor visibility and likely snow showers, thought better of it. So in the end I plumped for Pershore and took the 20 minute bus journey to a ground I have not visited for 2 years.

Pershore is a pleasant place to visit and I had a quick look round the local shops and had a take away meal of burger and chips, eaten in the park with a good view of the 10th century Abbey.

The crowd was officially 33 for the visit of 3rd placed Atherstone and at least a third of these were supporters of the visiting team. The weather was cloudy and chilly but thankfully without any wind.

Pershore found themselves on the back foot for the first 5 minutes but it was they who took an unlikely lead through their No.9, Phil Marsh. 5 minutes later and the same player scored again!

So lowly Pershore had shocked the visitors and it made for a interesting contest. Atherstone continued to have most of the possession but Pershore looked dangerous on the break. Atherstone did reduce the deficit but Pershore struck again soon after, Phil Marsh completing a great first-half hat trick. 
 Phil Marsh (centre) is congratulated by 2 team mates on scoring his 3rd goal.

As the pitch is surrounded by metal fencing on 2 sides where people can view the game without payment, you get asked from time to time, what the current score is. I notice there is one young guy taking photos from outside the fence, while taking his dog for a walk. Very enterprising!




For the first 30 minutes in the 2nd half, the game is a more even affair but as it progresses, Atherstone press more and more in search of a vital goal. In stretching themselves, Marsh almost scores again. With 5 minutes to go I decide to go for the next bus home. Pershore are able to repulse the increasingly frantic visitor's attacks without much trouble. Pershore have played very well, while Atherstone have not been at their best.



As a result of their defeat Atherstone have dropped down to 4th place from 3rd as Nuneaton Griff have an impressive away win at Brocton with 6 games in hand too! They, along with Walsall Wood, look like the likely champions at this stage. Pershore are unbeaten in 7 games now and their chances of survival look good. 

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