Handley treble in Pershore win (From Evesham Journal)

Handley treble in Pershore win

8:00pm Sunday 7th October 2012 in Sport

ANTHONY Handley scored a hat-trick as Pershore started their ENER-G West Midland Division Two campaign with a 4-2 win over Barlaston.

Despite not hitting top form, the hosts created several early chances down the right flank through Gavin Pugh and Graham Handley but it was Barlaston who took the lead with their first opportunity.

From the restart, Pershore equalised when some slick interchanges between Gareth Rushton and Russ McGettigan created the chance for Anthony Handley to fire home.

Steve Ridsdale gave the Vale side the lead going into half-time following a short corner.

Pershore kept pressing after the break and extended their lead when Ed Deacon intercepted a pass and beat two players before finding Handley for his second goal.

Barlaston hit back with another well-taken goal but the hosts regrouped and Handley completed his hat-trick.

• Kate Adam also netted a hattrick to give Pershore ladies a 5-1 win at Worcester thirds in their opening Worcestershire Women’s League Division Two game of the season.

Adams broke the deadlock from a short corner but Worcester were soon level going into half-time. However, two secondhalf goals from Mary Small and another two from Adams secured victory.

There was also some good defending from the experienced Sam Witheford and Bobbie Handley as well as a fine debut from Abby Harris in goal.

• Pershore men’s seconds won 9-1 at Evesham despite conceding the first goal within five minutes.

The visitors started to put their passing game together and led at the break through Ollie Betteridge and man-of-thematch Ali Sanderson.

Betteridge’s second soon after the resumption gave the visitors a cushion before a further three goals from Sanderson, two from Toby Whiting and a good finish from Mike Doust completed the rout.

• The thirds went down 3-1 to Bromsgrove in a friendly.

Pershore’s only goal came via a fine finish from Paul Grummit.