Pershore Town travelled to Carterton looking to progress to the last sixteen of the Hellenic League Challenge Cup.

Despite sitting 14th in the division below, Carterton came into the tie on a strong run of five straight wins — including an impressive 3–0 victory over promotion-chasing Redditch Borough.

Pershore made an uncharacteristically fast start, taking the lead inside 90 seconds when a pinpoint Macca King cross was headed against the upright by Cal Harper. Jack Griffiths-Perry reacted quickest to fire home the rebound.

Just minutes later came a moment of controversy. Harper again latched onto a superb through ball from King, breaking clear one-on-one, only to be bundled over from behind as he prepared to shoot. Strong appeals for a penalty and a red card were waved away by the referee.

The visitors continued to dominate, and on 17 minutes doubled their lead. A Cian Sheehan clearance was flicked on by Griffiths-Perry to send Joel Hill through on goal, and the striker finished emphatically from the left side of the area.

Carterton, however, found a way back into the game on 22 minutes. A short corner routine ended with a clipped cross into the box, and with Pershore’s back line slow to step up, a home attacker was left unmarked to head past Joe Cunneen.

Conditions made life difficult as heavy rain left a slick surface and players occasionally lost their footing. Two minutes later, Cunneen had to react quickly to parry a long-range effort before the onrushing forward knocked the rebound wide, colliding with the keeper in the process.

On the half-hour, good work from Sheehan saw him beat several players before feeding Griffiths-Perry, who in turn slipped in Joel Hill. Hill’s neat turn and shot drew a fine reaction save from the home keeper. Jude Hill then fired just wide from distance before Griffiths-Perry twice went close, as Pershore passed up chances to put the game to bed before the break.

The visitors continued on the front foot after the restart, with Reece Day supplying Jude Hill, whose effort flew wide from range. On 52 minutes, Day sent Griffiths-Perry down the wing, his cross finding Sheehan at the back post — only for his strike to hit the upright.

Around the hour mark, Carterton enjoyed a spell of possession, with a long-range free kick their best chance, sailing just over the bar.

Ty Griffin forced a save before Pershore restored their two-goal cushion on 67 minutes — a corner not fully cleared and Day firing home from the edge of the box.

Joel Hill went close again from a free kick, bending just wide as Pershore pressed for a fourth.

Carterton’s frustration showed late on as their goalkeeper was sin-binned for dissent, leaving an outfield player to take over between the posts for the closing minutes.

Pershore made the extra man count, with the replacement keeper’s clearance falling to Kyle Clayton. He combined with Lucas Colley and Jude Hill before Colley’s cross was swept home by substitute Archie Thurston to make it 4–1.

In stoppage time, there were still chances — Colley fired wide, Isaac Nharo saw a shot blocked after good work from Griffiths-Perry, and Perry himself had the final effort of the match — but the visitors couldn’t add further gloss to the scoreline.

An excellent all-round performance saw Pershore comfortably progress to the last sixteen, where they will face Hereford Pegasus in the next round.