Pershore Town 0, Bolehall Swifts 2.

PERSHORE Town entertained 10-man Bolehall Swifts in the Athium Midland Combination Premier Division and were left still searching for their first win and opening goal of the season.

Bolehall immediately put hosts Pershore on the back foot, forcing four corners in the opening six minutes, the latter of which saw the first clear-cut chance when Simeon Smith’s shot was deflected wide.

On 18 minutes, Bolehall went ahead. Starkey won the ball in midfield and found Munsall on the right. His deep cross hit a Pershore defender and looped into the air.

It was not dealt with by the home defence and Michael Swan arrived in the six-yard box to place a point-blank header from a tight angle past home keeper Dave Adey.

Swifts’ Starkey was given a straight red card for a tackle on Louis Loader. Pershore, with the extra man, started to create chances with Louis Bridges making his debut, shooting narrowly wide and forcing two corners in as many minutes with Dane Aldington heading just over from one of them.

However, on 23 minutes, the visitors doubled their lead when a long ball out of defence was headed on by Swan over the top of the Pershore defence.

Smith then outpaced Lewis Critcher and scored with a low shot across the goalkeeper.

Pershore rallied in an attempt to get back into the game before half-time.

Josh Quaynor had a fierce shot inches wide and Ryan Cantrill and Bridges both failed to convert Insall’s low, driven cross.

Critcher headed just over from a Will Gayton corner. A great turn and shot by Cantrill in the penalty area was just wide with five minutes before half-time. A Bridges shot was easily collected by Acton in the Swifts goal.

However, Adey was called upon to make the save of the game when a Bolehall free-kick was headed down by Smith into the path of Todd Perry.

His fierce shot was turned round the post.

Town came out at the start of the second-half with more purpose.

A Loader free-kick was met by Bridges who shot over the bar when in the six-yard area within five minutes of the restart.

Bolehall re-organised, content to see the game out and chances became less frequent.

Late Pershore efforts by Bridges, Insall, Ben Smith and Gayton all saw Acton equal to them.