A MAKESHIFT Malvern Town side travelled to Midland Alliance table-topping Chasetown and returned home with a resounding 4-2 victory on Saturday.

CHASETOWN 2, MALVERN TOWN 4

Unfortunately the victory was marred by captain Rikki Halion breaking his leg in the 40th minute.

The game started brightly but in the 8th minute the referee rightly awarded Chasetown a free-kick 30 yards out but inadvertently pointed Malvern's way. As the Malvern players were advancing upfield Steve Edwards played the ball to Chasetown's man of the match Steve Ball, who headed home with Malvern's defence stranded in no man's land.

Malvern equalised seven minutes later when Nathan Jukes picked up the ball on the left and crossed for Danny James to head home from close range. Both sides tightened up their defences after this and the game was restricted in the middle of the park.

Following the loss of Rikki Halion just before half time, Neil Hunt used the interval to re-organise his side and within the first five minutes of the restart created two chances. Firstly Dean Roberts' cross into the box was headed out for a corner, then the corner was headed on towards the back post but no-one was able to get on the end of it.

Malvern took the lead in the 65th minute when a good through ball was played to Roberts who pulled it across for Scott Morris to score.

Malvern continued to press and in the 74th minute a free kick by Nathan Jukes found Morris who put his header wide. However a minute later Phil Preedy ran down the left wing and pulled the ball back for Jukes to fire in a 20 yard shot into the net.

In the 85th minute the ball fell to Richard Tomkins on the half way line and he played a superb ball through to Phil Preedy who rounded the keeper before slotting the ball home.

In time added on Lee Bullimore headed home to make the final score 2-4.