JOINT boss Nick Stocker wants Tenbury United to use the pain of last season’s collapse to fuel a sustained challenge for honours this term.

United qualified for their second semi-final of the campaign courtesy of Alex Lombardi’s opener and a brace from Gavin Podmore in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Home Lacy in the Herefordshire Charity Bowl.

And with the Palmer’s Meadow outfit in the thick of the battle for the Herefordshire League crown, Stocker wants no repeat of the poor form that blighted their last title bid.

Stocker told the Tenbury Advertiser: “We have had a really good start to the season. This is our second semi-final and we are second in the league.

“Apart from a silly slip-up against Westfields Reserves, it has been a very positive start. We are a few games behind the others but if we win them we will be one point behind leaders Hinton and still have to play them twice so it looks like another tight season.

“We were in a similar position last season alongside Wellington but the wheels came off over the Christmas period so hopefully those experiences will help us this time."

The hosts, without the services of injured top scorer Mike Foster and goalkeeper Ed Kerby, made a sluggish start and were grateful to come in for half-time with the score-sheet blank.

But a change of shape along with a few choice words from Aaron Morris, in sole charge with Stocker unavailable, seemed to do the trick.

Podmore was played through to hit a post 10 minutes into the second half with Lombardi on hand to tuck home the rebound and break the deadlock.

Substitute Chris Patton did the leg work for Podmore to get his name on the score sheet with an eye-catching volley to double Tenbury’s lead with 65 minutes played.

Podmore then showed composure to lob the visiting goalkeeper to make it three and although Holme Lacy pulled one back, United comfortably qualified for a last-four showdown with league rivals Ewyas Harold.

“It was a really good win by all accounts,” said Stocker. “From the feedback I received, it was probably the poorest we had played in that first half and we were lucky to get in at 0-0.

“Whatever Aaron said to the lads must have done the trick because the lads dug in and showed real character. Historically, we have always done well in this cup so we hope to get to the final again.”

On Saturday, United will look to keep on track in the league when they host Pegasus Reserves (2.30).