Tenbury United 2 Wrens Nest 1

PAUL Smith’s second-half chip gave Tenbury their maiden win of the season in Division 2 of the West Midlands League.

United missed a host of chances in front of goal but produced a much stronger defensive display.

United took a while to settle at the start of the game, but then opened the scoring with a fine individual strike.

Sam Williams picked the ball up in attack, beat two defenders and fired it home from outside the box.

There were more chances, with Aaron Morris striking the crossbar.

At the other end Alex Bright made a fine save, but was then guilty of giving away a penalty, which Wrens Nest converted to send the sides in all-square at the break.

Tenbury restored their lead just before the hour-mark when Smith spotted the visitors’ keeper off his line and chipped the ball over his head.

Wrens Nest threw caution to the wind in the closing stages but the home defence looked solid.

Tenbury almost snatched another goal at the death. Aaron Morris fired the ball just the wrong side of the upright from halfway, with the Nest keeper still racing back from supporting an attack.

Meanwhile, Clee Hill gained their first Division 1 point of the season in the Shropshire League when a second-half strike from Pat Sloan cancelled out a first-half goal from the home side, Hopesgate.

The Hill keeper drove the ball into an attacker when an intended back pass fell marginally short, and the ball ended up in the back of the net to give Hopesgate their goal.

The visitors played well in the second half but missed several chances before Sloan levelled the score 10 minutes from time.