Slick Southam go to town on Pershore

Midfielder James Hardie picked up his third man-of-the-match award in the row as Saints crushed Pershore Town to move into second place in the Athium Midland Combination, writes David Hucker.

With Jamie Coleman passing a late fitness test, manager Luke Fogarty was able to name the same defence for the second match running.

But, with Coleman lasting just 13 minutes and Robbie Beard also going off injured, he had to shuffle his pack before play reached the half-hour mark.

“It’s a shame for Jamie as it looks as if he will be out for some time,” said Fogarty.

“Thankfully, we had Charlie Neale back in the squad and, not only did he play well in defence, he scored a goal as well. Robbie has a bruise on his calf and should be fit for next weekend.”

Saints put the visitors under pressure from the kick-off and took the lead after 16 minutes when Jack Taylor scored from the penalty spot after Brad Rees was brought down in the act of shooting.

They doubled the advantage in

the 25th when a corner from John Blunsom was headed across goal by Quentin Townsend and substitute Charlie Neale rose above the defence to guide the ball home.

Pershore were reduced to ten men when Tim Beattie kicked out at Beard, but it also meant the end of the match for the Saints striker, who limped off to be replaced by Ross Jackson.

Saints came out strongly after the break with visiting keeper James Carter denying both Rees and Luke Swinnerton. But they got their third through Andy Millan, whose 52nd- minute header was his first goal since rejoining the club.

Taylor went close but Carter just got his fingers to the shot, before Millan bagged his second after good work by Swinnerton.

The post denied Millan his hat-trick and both Jackson and Marc Passey could have added further goals.

Matthew Ross, whose transfer from Henley Forest was only completed during the morning, came on for his debut before a deep cross from Blunsom was headed on by Millan to Rees, who put the ball into an empty net to make it five.

Saints are at home again tomorrow when they take on Bartley Green (3pm) looking to avenge last month’s 1-0 away defeat.