LES JONES has challenged Pershore Town to continue their upturn in fortunes by taking their encouraging home form on to the road.
The Plums moved out of the bottom two in the West Midlands League Premier Division for the first time in five months after goals from Matt Pinder and Sam Clark secured a 2-0 home victory against Wellington.
It was a remarkable turnaround, having lost 11-0 at Wellington in September, with boss Jones praising the defensive fortitude which earned their first clean sheet in league matches this term.
But, after now chalking up four wins in the last five home fixtures, Jones urged the players to follow it up when they visit Shifnal Town on Saturday.
Victory in Shropshire would elevate Pershore to within one point of their hosts and Jones said it was important to maintain the positive momentum.
“We’ve shown we’re a competitive side now and we go to Shifnal with a fighting chance to come away with some points,” said Jones.
“We deserved to win against Wellington and it was good to be able to follow up the match the previous week against Pegasus.
“The pleasing thing was how we were able to see out the game. Against Pegasus, we were 4-1 up going into injury time but then gave away a soft penalty and conceded another goal, but last weekend we showed we are learning, we showed we know how to win.
“When you haven’t been in that position for a while, you have to learn how to get across the line. That then builds confidence.
“We haven’t won away since I’ve been manager and that’s the incentive now when we go to Shifnal. It won’t be easy but we’re moving in the right direction.”
Pershore’s only away victory so far this term came on August 18 when they won 2-1 at Pegasus.
Last weekend, Pershore got the breakthrough goal against Wellington on the hour mark.
Andy Pawson provided the diagonal pass and Pinder nodded home at the far post for his seventh goal of the season.
Clark added the second five minutes from time, slotting home with a crisp finish after a good run by Jordan Hayward for his third goal of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Pershore have arranged their Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup quarter-final tie at home to Fairfield Villa for Tuesday, February 5.