MALVERN registered more than five goals in a game for an incredible 10th time this season, as they brushed aside Ettingshall at the Langland Stadium on Tuesday night.

MALVERN TOWN 8, ETTINGSHALL HT 0

But more importantly, the result saw Town increase their lead at the top of the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division table to five points, although nearest rivals Tipton now have two games in hand.

Signs of things to come were not evident in a fairly lacklustre first half during which Malvern had only Gordy Beauchamp's 20th minute goal to show for their efforts.

During this first period Town tended to surrender possession too easily and their general all round play lacked a cutting edge.

But all that changed during the second half.

Immediately after the re start, Lee Hooper crossed for Phil Preedy to head home and in the 48th minute Preedy crossed for Cox to convert Malvern's third goal.

Town were now rampant and Nathan Jukes rifled home their fourth strike on the hour mark and in the 71st minute, Rik Halion rose superbly to head home Hooper's corner.

Just four minutes later, Cox and Jukes combined brilliantly and the latter converted with conviction to secure his second goal and Malvern's sixth.

Although the visitors were now clearly reeling Town showed no mercy and fit again striker Dean Roberts came off the substitutes bench to close down a poor back pass and 'round the goalkeeper, to slot home his 21st goal of the season in the 85th minute.

But it was Des Cox who had the final word, when he strode through a beleaguered Ettingshall defence and placed the ball expertly past the visiting keeper for his second goal of the night and Malvern's eighth.

After the game Town boss Neil Hunt said: "I know 8-0 sounds an easy win, but we had to earn the right to succeed tonight.

"We weren't convincing during the first half and they caused us a few problems, in fact the dressing room was a bit flat during the interval and we really had to talk ourselves up.

"But we could not ask for anymore during the second half and credit must go to the team for responding in the way they did," he said.