PERSHORE took the derby honours with a 5-0 win over local rivals Evesham in ENER-G Men’s League West Midlands Division Two.

The rearranged mid-week clash began as a cagey affair and the stalemate was sustained for 20 minutes.

Pershore finally unlocked the defence after Paul Murphy drove the ball into the danger zone for Gareth Rushton to score with a deflected effort between the keeper’s legs.

The hosts doubled their lead when Stephen Ridsdale’s fine pass provided a simple goal for Rushton who completed a 15-minute hattrick thanks to a cruel deflection.

Evesham exerted 10 minutes of second-half pressure but fine defending kept them off the scoresheet.

Pershore extended their lead with a fourth from Rushton before an Anthony Handley solo effort capped a much-improved display.

Evesham lost 2-1 at West Bromwich last weekend with Marcus Humpston scoring.

Second-placed Pershore host Ludlow on Saturday (1.30pm), while second-frombottom Evesham entertain Yardley.

Meanwhile, Pershore seconds lost 3-0 at fellow promotion- hopefuls Wednesbury in West Midlands Division Two.

They had most of the possession but were denied by the keeper and conceded three first-half goals to defensive mistakes.

The thirds had a doubleheader, drawing 4-4 with Market Drayton thanks to goals from Mike Handley (2), Joe Broome and Phil Hutchinson.

They then lost 2-1 to runaway leaders Aldridge and Walsall but played well with Hutchinson on target.

Leaders Pershore triumphed 7-1 at Old Halesonians in Worcestershire Women’s League Division Two ahead of Saturday’s potential title-decider at home to Droitwich Spa (noon).

Player-of-the-match Ceri Barber and Nicki Passmore broke up the play early on before Emma Gardner gave them the lead.

Gardner provided a brace for Kate Adams with crosses, while Claire Chadwick dominated the right wing.

Old Hales hit back early in the second period but Adams completed a four-goal haul alongside strikes from Mary Small (2).

  • Evesham Badgers were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Leamington.

The hosts had more possession and chances, opening the scoring when Ed Betteridge crossed for Frances Russell to finish at the far post.

Evesham began the second period in the same vein with Dan Smith and Scott Ricketts putting the visitors under pressure.

But they did not make their superiority count and tired late on with Leamington eventually beating defiant goalkeeper Roanne Foister following a penalty corner move.