Pershore Town 0, Bromsgrove Sporting 4

IN-FORM Sporting recorded their fourth straight win in the Midland Combination Premier with a comfortable victory at their county rivals.

The Rouslers started well and striker Chris Russell flashed a shot across the face of Pershore's goal.

With the home side trying to close the Rouslers down and stop them getting into a rhythm, there was always a danger that their tight marking would give them few options in open play.

But Mark Bellingham opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he raced onto Danny Morris' incisive lofted pass and slotted the ball past keeper Matt Oliver.

Pershore opened up as they pushed for a leveller and Sporting took advantage of the extra space when good work by Bellingham and Brett Mander set up Russell and his volley made it 2-0.

Three minutes later, Quentin Townsend gave away a free-kick just outside the box and Danny Ludlow's daisy cutter flew through a gap in the wall and into the back of the net.

Veteran striker and former Bromsgrove Rovers player, Mark Owen got into a couple of good positions before the interval but the defensive duo of Joe Cole and Danny Morris mopped up any threats that Pershore posed.

For much of the second half, Bromsgrove attempted to stretch the home defence making good use of wide-men Ludlow and Sean Williams.

Bellingham bagged his 29th goal of the season when he squeezed an accurate effort past the post to complete a good day's work for Bromsgrove.

After the match, coach Les Palmer praised his team.

He said: "We worked hard particularly in the first half and I was pleased with a three-goal lead at half-time.

"We slowed down a bit in the second half but our defence remained solid."

Pershore: Oliver, Webb, Blood, Townsend, Hunt, Walsh, Bridges (Goodlad, 76), Dane Aldington, Walsh, Owen, Fern (Kennedy, 56).

Subs not used: McLoughlin, Crane.

Sporting: Bedford, Mander (Duggan, 66), Jones, Wilkinson, Cole, Morris,Williams, Darkin (Clarke, 66 mins), Bellingham, Russell (Poyner, 62), Ludlow.

Sub not used: Ashman Referee: Mr C Rendett (Halesowen).

Attendance: 154 Sporting Man of the match: Sean Williams