MALVERN TOWN 3, BUSTLEHOLME 1

MALVERN Town's impressive run continued on Saturday when they ran out 3-1 winners when Wolverhampton based Bustleholme were the visitors to Langland Stadium for a Banks's Brewery Premier League game.

Malvern went straight on to the attack from the whistle and a free kick by Steve Walker was headed into the arms of visiting keeper Nigel page by John Wade.

Malvern continued to push forward with the wind behind them and Joe Maidment went close with a stinging shot which scraped the post after good work by Darren Wade.

Bustleholme tried hard to get into the game but on 26 minutes suffered a setback when the Town were awarded a penalty when Peter Woodbine handled in the box. Paul Ashby stepped up to rifle the ball home giving Page no chance.

On 38 minutes Malvern increased their lead when, after good work by the Wade twins Darren and John, the former played a superb ball into the path of Paul Ashby whose first time shot found the corner of the net.

Bustleholme finished the half on top but couldn't break down a solid Town defence with Mick Lowe outstanding.

It didn't take long for Malvern to increase their advantage when the second period got underway. On 48 minutes Andy Shepherd found the net after Joe Maidment had done the spadework.

The home side got complacent after this and the visitors took full advantage of the wind in their favour and on 64 minutes Ross Sanders in the home goal saved brilliantly one handed from Matthew Guy to prevent them from reducing the arrears.

Back came Malvern and on 78 minutes a free kick by Maidment was firmly headed against the bar by Shepherd but it rebounded to safety.

Two minutes later the home side should have increased their lead when a fine ball from Dene Whittal-Williams found sub Rob Perrins on the edge of the box, he turned his marker but with only Page to beat, shot wide of the post.

With time running out Bustleholme broke swiftly and after good work by Marcus Brown, he set up Matthew Guy with the easiest chance to make the final score 3-1.

Tomorrow, (Saturday) the Town travel to Walsall Wood for a Banks's Brewery Premier League encounter. Kick off 3pm.

Manager Joe Rawle hopes to have Luke Chadwick and Nick Clayton back from unavailability and holidays respectively to give him a full squad to select from: Sanders, Chadwick, Bastock, Lowe, Cotterill, Walker, Maidment, Whittal-Williams, Ashby, Shepherd, Wade (D), Wade (J), Perrins, Slade and Clayton.