WORCESTER'S promising run ended with a 4-0 defeat at fourth-placed Stratford in Midland Men's League Division One.

The city side felt confident after much-improved performances and results but they had to absorb plenty of early Stratford pressure.

And the second-from-bottom visitors were on the end of some robust challenges as a feisty first half ended 0-0.

Stratford came out strongly at the start of the second period and Worcester soon found themselves three goals down mainly due to their own errors.

They continued to battle but Stratford won a penalty flick near the end which they converted to complete the scoring.

Worcester host third-placed Hampton-in-Arden on Saturday.

The seconds took on Sutton Coldfield at Nunnery Wood expecting a hard game after losing 7-0 earlier in the season.

But Worcester started well with two early goals and then a penalty corner to make it 3-0 at half-time.

Jack Barnes got a fourth in the second half and with sold defending the hosts ran out 4-1 winners.

Rob Goodman (2) and Jez Drake scored the other goals.

The thirds lost 4-2 to Old Silhillians with Elliott Lamond on target.

The result of the day came from the fourths who beat Stratford 6-3.

Skipper Nat Garfield (2), Malcolm Evans, Alex McDonald Smith, Daniel Howgego and Max Batchelor hit the target.

The fifths could not emulate that performance and lost 5-1 to Bromsgrove Worcester sixths fell 3-1 to Old Hales with an Andy Griffin strike.

Due to injuries and half-term availability issues the seventh XI could only muster nine players which made the visit to second-placed University of Birmingham even more challenging.

They duly lost 17-0 despite a Herculean effort against a far better team.

Worcester women’s fifth-placed firsts lost 2-0 at Bloxwich in Midland League Feeder West on a slippery pitch.

The game started evenly with a few more chances coming the visitors' way.

But Bloxwich built momentum and put Worcester under pressure for long periods with keeper Jaime Lewis making fine saves to keep them out.

Near the end of the first half the hosts found a way through to take the lead.

After a stern talk by coach Tom Howard, Worcester upped their game at the start of the second period and put together sustained attacking moves.

Second-placed Bloxwich’s defence and keeper held firm though and about 15 minutes into the half they scored a second.

Worcester visit Stratford on Saturday.

There were no other women’s games or junior fixtures due to the half-term break.