Football
Saints make a point at Pershore

Pershore Town 3 Southam United 3

SAINTS squandered a two goal advantage but held on to gain their first Athium Midland Combination point of the season on Tuesday night.

Caretaker manager Barry Shearsby, in charge following the resignation of Luke Fogarty, saw his side storm into a commanding 3-1 interval lead only to be pegged back after the break.

Saints dominated the opening exchanges but Pershore broke the deadlock after 18 minutes from the penalty spot following a foul by Adam Hart.

The visitors got back on level terms after 24 minutes when Ross Briscoe released Simeon Smith who neatly finished.

Three minutes later the lively Martin Thompson was brought down by keeper Matt Ramage, who was fortunate to just receive a yellow card, and Craig Watkin converted the resulting penalty to send Saints into the lead for the first time in six matches.

Then, a powerful header from Briscoe was picked up by Smith whoset up Thompson to open his account for Saints with a shot into the bottom corner.

Another penalty brought Pershore back into the game in the 61st minute and they equalised seven minutes later after poor Saints defending.

The crossbar came to Saints rescue as Pershore attacked again, before a good move involving substitute Joe Williams and Smith set up Thompson, who was again denied by Ramage..

On Saturday, Saints had lost 2-0 at home to Coventry Copsewood who triumphed thanks to second half goals from Curtis Jackson and substitute Petajon Gordon.

Despite no goals in the opening 45 minutes, there were plenty of chances for both sides in an end-to-end encounter.

James Hardie hit a free kick over the bar, while keeper Richard Obimpeh saved Simeon Smith’s header from Craig Watkin's free kick.

The best chance fell to Copsewood’s Gordon who lobbed over an empty net three minutes before the break.

It took two good saves from Ollie Manuel to keep Saints in the match at the start of the second half, but Copsewood took the lead in the 58th minute when a low cross was turned in by the unmarked Jackson.

Saints were almost level within a minute, but Smith was denied by the crossbar, before Brad Rees shot straight at Obimpeh.

Copeswood made Saints pay by doubling their lead from a corner through Gordon.

A good save by Manuel and the bar prevented Copsewood adding to their tally.

Saints visit leaders Walsall Wood on Saturday before entertaining Racing Club Warwick at Banbury Road on Monday (3pm).

Racing Club, who were without a match on Saturday and suffered a 2-1 defeat at Earlswood Town on Tuesday night, entertain Pershore Town on Saturday (3pm).

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