WALSALL WOOD F.C. 3 PERSHORE TOWN F.C. 2 

Pershore Town travelled to bottom club Walsall Wood on Saturday in the first qualifying round of the F. A. Vase. Pershore went into the game full of confidence following their away win last week and were two goals ahead at the half way mark, only to allow Walsall to take the game to extra-time where they conceded a goal to crash out of this years Vase.

 The home team started very brightly and in the first minute Walsall Wood nearly opened the scoring when a neat interchange of passes between Lewis Taylor Boyce and Tom Howard saw Howard shot well saved by Jamie Lambert in the Pershore goal. Pershore then settled down and started to create a number of chances. Will Gayton had a shot which went just wide of the Walsall right had post, a shot from Nathan Jukes drifted off target in a strong blustery wind. Chris Cornes and Ryan Cantrill both had chances to open the scoring and Dane Aldington had a good effort well saved by the home goalkeeper as Pershore dominated the first 20 minutes. Walsall had a great chance against the run of play when they won a direct free kick taken by Mark Bandurak which Lambert managed to get to but only manage to punch the ball away and Nathan Jukes managed to complete the clearance. Moments later Pershore were unlucky when a superb pass from Gayton gave Chris Cornes a great opportunity but his shot was deflected off the goal line by a Pershore player. Pershore made the break through on 37 minutes when Chris Cornes played Ryan Cantrill in on goal and Cantrill slid the ball past the keeper in to the left corner of the goal. Pershore doubled the lead 4 minutes later when a probably the best move of the game involving a number of players created space for Steve Webb to score. Half time 2-0 to the visitors.

 Walsall Wood as expect started the second half by applying a bit of pressure on the Pershore goal but without really creating any clear cut chances, but after a short time the pattern of the first half was restored with Pershore looking more in control of the game and creating the better chances. The first real chance of the half fell to Pershores Louis Bridges but he shot straight at the Walsall goalkeeper. Walsall Wood were given a foot hold in the game when after a good spell, Tim Beattie conceded a penalty which Mark Bandurak converted, sending Lambert the wrong way. Conditions worsened with a strong wind making ball control difficult for both teams. Pershore then had chances to extend their lead with an attempt just over the bar from Will Gayton and further attempts from Cantrill and Cornes. Pershore rued the missed chances when the home side pushed forward looking for the equaliser and it came when Jamie Lambert misjudged a ball from Mark Bandurak and the ball finished up in the left corner of the goal.  Pershore heads dropped and Walsall had more purpose about their play. Lewis Taylor Boyce had a shot well saved by Lambert and the home side has more chances with one effort cleared off the goal line by Tim Beattie. Pershore had a couple of half chances but failed to finish and extra time beckoned.

 Walsall Wood continued to look the more determined side during the first period and within minutes of the restart a pass from Adam Langley found Lewis Taylor Boyce who made it 3-2. Walsall continued to push forward and create chances but failed to convert any of them. Pershores task was made even harder when they were reduced to 10 men when Louis Loader was sent off for a second bookable offence. The game continued to be end to end with both teams creating and missing chances, Walsall taking advantage of their one goal advantage and running down the clock with Pershore growing more and more frustrated. Pershore had most of the play in the last five minutes but just could not find the equalising goal.