STAR performer Jack Downing got the ball rolling and teed up the decider as Pershore Town eased to a 3-0 victory over troubled Bolehall Swifts on Tuesday.

Downing planted a downward header from Chris Bright’s cross to the right of keeper Lee Paintain two minutes into the Midland Football League Division One showdown.

The striker then proved to be a persistent thorn in Swifts sides as Pershore largely dominated with Shaun Griffiths having an effort cleared off the line and David Wilson missing in front of an open net during a goalmouth scramble.

Bolehall then went close three times either side of the interval with Liam Taylor’s free-kick tipped over by Toby Wilcox, Dan Wain heading over from the corner that followed in first-half stoppage time and Kory Burke blasting against the bar shortly after the restart.

From there, Town regained control with Tez Morton lobbing into an empty net after Paintain rushed out to block at the feet of Charlie Anagho-Ntamark 11 minutes from time.

Substitute Alfie Bloomer guided in from 20 yards after receiving Downing’s low pass from the left with three minutes remaining.

  • Brendan Kelly made a winning start to life as a manager as Bromsgrove Sporting trumped Boldmere St Michaels 4-0.

Jason Cowley (2), Richard Gregory and John Pykett got on the score sheet as Sporting shrugged off recent troubles to move three points clear at the top of the Premier Division.