STAR 1, MALVERN TOWN 0

MALVERN Town turned in another poor performance on their visit to lowly Star on Saturday in the Banks's Premier Division.

Malvern took up the running early on and in the opening 15 minutes squandered three easy chances to take the lead. The easiest was after only two minutes when Phil Slade had played the ball through to Joe Maidment but with only the Star keeper to beat, he ballooned his shot high over.

The wind and rain made good football difficult but Star had a good chance themselves to take the lead when, from a free kick by Stuart Clarke, Gary Link rose above the Town defence to head just wide.

Star came more into the game in the second period and Adam Moss had to go full length to keep out a shot by Clarke.

Malvern tried to get some sort of rhythm going but their passing and movement off the ball was lack lustre.

Malvern paid the penalty in the 80th minute when Nick Clayton was adjudged to have tripped Clarke in the box and up stepped skipper Steve Broome to score with ease from the resulting penalty.

Star then had little difficulty hanging on.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Town are away again against Causeway United (3pm) and then on Tuesday evening are due to play Tividale at Langland Stadium in the second round of the League Cup, kick off 7.45pm. The Reserves are at home tomorrow against Sikh Hunters, kick off 3pm.