24/10/03 - Cox and Halion strike for Town

BRIERLEY HILL & HAGLEY 1, MALVERN TOWN 2

Following an even opening spell, during which the home side hit the post, Town took the lead when Dean Roberts set up Des Cox, who fired the ball home off the underside of the crossbar to give his side a 24th minute lead.

Five minutes later, Scott Morris and Rik Halion combined to enable Halion to waltz through the home defence and put Town two goals to the good.

An excellent Richard Perry strike from a free kick in the 37th minute, gave the home side a lifeline, but other than a missed opportunity shortly after the break, it was Town who remained in control and fine saves from the home keeper denied both Roberts and Nathan Owen the opportunity to extend Town's lead.

The games closing moments were played out without any real incident, as Malvern continued to cement their place as league leaders.

Although Town were never really at their best in this game, a poor surface, virtually deprived of grass right through the centre of the pitch, made fluent football difficult.

But had Town been able to settle on their two goal advantage, they looked more than likely to have gone on and added to their score, but overall they have to be happy with another three points which keeps the momentum going.

After the game Town boss Neil Hunt said: "We were a little disappointed with the manner of the Brierley Hill goal, as we were slow getting the wall organised and they took full advantage. The goal also gave them a lifeline, just as we were looking to take control.

"But there were some plus points, we looked a better unit when we switched to a back three and Pete Nightingale did well in goal on his debut.

"To be fair to Brierley Hill, they are probably a better side than their record suggests, they have had a tough start to the season and played most of the top sides, so we are pleased that we did enough to keep us in pole position."