Pershore 1, Kidderminster 3.

PERSHORE Hockey Club suffered their second defeat of the Ener-G League season against Kidderminster, who retain their 100 per cent record.

The hosts dominated early possession and were camped in the visitors’ half for the first 15 minutes. Fine passing combinations from Pete Powell, Jamie Hughes and Paul Grummitt created a number of opportunities, but Pershore were unable to find the target.

The visitors then took control of the game in a slack 10-minute spell for Pershore.

Gareth Rushton failed to control an innocuous- looking aerial ball and the Kidderminster centre-forward pounced on this mistake, rounded the keeper to slot home.

Pershore then failed on two occasions to make an effective clearance and were punished each time as they finished the half three goals down.

The Vale side came out firing again, encapsulated by the tireless running of George Darling and Ali Sanderson.

Pershore won several short corners early in the second period and Ed Deacon fired home to reduce the arrears.

Despite being the team most likely to score next, frustration started to creep into the Pershore ranks and Steve Ridsdale was shown a yellow card for dissent.

Chances came and went for Pershore but they were denied thanks to some fine work by the Kidderminster keeper.

Ridsdale was then allowed back onto the pitch from his sin-bin, but then was rapidly shown a red card for repeating his earlier offence.

Pershore can rue a slap-dash 10-minute spell and ill-discipline for costing them at least a share of the spoils, and must try and take the positives into Saturday’s game away at Rugeley.

Pershore seconds beat Redditch thirds 2-0 in their latest clash.