FOLLOWING their satisfying 3-1 victory over Drakes Broughton the previous week, Wanderers ended their season with a convincing win against Bromyard.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U14s 4, BROMYARD TOWN JUNIORS U14s 1

It was their 20th of this campaign and confirmed their top three spot in the Mercian Festival League.

Wanderers went ahead within five minutes when a delicate chip by Luke Butler found Ryan Mansbridge in space on the right and he banged in the goal. Bromyard fought back well and equalised with a fierce shot by Nathan Perry but Wanderers took their lead into half time when Paul Jordan picked out Ryan Mansbridge, who headed home.

Bromyard had most of the play in the first half and were unlucky to be behind and Wanderers' difficulties were increased when they went down to ten men early in the second half when their battling defender Matt Hutchinson was injured. They were only kept in the game through some magnificent saves by goalie Max White and determined defending by Ted Grizzell and Marc Heptinstall.

Whenever Wanderers managed to get out of their own half they looked dangerous. Paul Jordan crossed into the penalty area and James Lush, fresh from his hat-trick heroics of the previous week, had no trouble heading the ball home. The final goal came from a cross by right winger Lewis Hooper, which Ryan Mansbridge netted.

Malvern Town Wanderers are sponsored by Pole Elm Garage, Callow End.

NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U13s 6,

LYPPARD REALITY U13S 0

ON another wet evening, Newtown Sports Colts entertained Lyppard Reality in a Mercian League fixture.

On a slick surface, the midfield of Edwards, Hale, Caffull, Jaye and Milward found it difficult to judge their weight of pass. With lots of early possession and territorial advantage, Twinberrow and Buckle had several half-chances to open the scoring but the conditions made it difficult for them. As the half wore on, Lyppard gained in confidence as the Colts failed to turn their advantage in to goals. However, with Elmes, Roskams and Scullion trying to play football from the back, the Colts eventually got their reward. Following more concerted pressure, the ball fell to Hale, who from the edge of the box finished coolly. Whilst this settled the Colts, Lyppard nearly grabbed an equaliser just before half-time when they broke in numbers, but Johnson in goal, did enough to prevent a clear strike on target.

In the second half, Powell and Crane came on for the Colts, who started more brightly. With the ball holding up, more of the passes found their player, and Hale was soon on target again to increase the lead with another well struck effort. The Colts were well in the ascendancy and Hale completed his second hat-trick in two games with another cameo dribble and shot. Crane notched a header, while Edwards' cross was turned in his own net by a defender, and Buckle completed the rout when following up Twinberrow's effort that hit the post.

LYPPARD RANGERS U12s 0

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12s 4

A LACK lustre first half produced no goals, with both sides looking hot and tired at times.

Banks, Titmuss and Downes worked hard in defence, Bottomley made hopeful breaks down the left wing and Wren produced his usual reliable and skilful midfield play. But Malvern could not close down the attack although Bakithonasis was unlucky not to score from several plucky shots.

In the second half Wanderers found their form. The first goal came from a powerful Howie shot taken at the edge of the area, and his second followed soon after. Asquith was busy in the midfield with nice passing moves and the Wanderers attack continued. The relentless Scullion found the net with a well placed header from a cross. The fourth goal was a rocket shot from Ball, taken from the edge of the area. Further defensive work came from Webb and Whittle, stopping Lyppard from producing any effective attack against this confident Wanderers side.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12S 1,

GOODREST JUNIORS U12s 0

MALVERN ground out another important win in this Mercian Elgar U12's match against stiff opposition.

Both sides had to work hard to control the ball on a bumpy pitch but it was Malvern who most looked like scoring, and the only goal came when Bakothanasis headed home from close range.

Goodrest responded in the second half with some spirited counter attacks but were denied a goal thanks to some robust defending by the Wanderers back line. Malvern had chances to increase the lead but were denied by the Juniors goalkeeper.

SUFFOLK RANGERS U12S 1,

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U12S 3

MALVERN put in one of their best performances of the season to earn runners up position in this very competitive match.

Both teams played excellent football but it was Wanderers who took the lead with a move involving 3 quick passes, covering the length of the pitch, and finishing with Bottomley launching an unstoppable drive into the back of the net.

Suffolk responded immediately but the back line of Banks, Titmus, Webb and Wren made a number of crucial tackles. Rangers looked to have scored in the latter part of the first half but were denied by an outstanding save by Wheeler.

With their backs to the wind in the second half Suffolk threw all they had at Wanderers and Asquith, Ball and Whittle had to work overtime to stem the flow. Rangers break finally came when a header took a wicked deflection to beat the unfortunate Wheeler

Malvern continued to hit back on the break and with Howie, Johnson and Scullion causing all sorts of problems for the Rangers defence Ball was on hand to place a header into the corner of the net.

Malvern put the game beyond reach when Wren had time to play a lofted ball over the keeper. Overall a keenly contested match in which all of the Malvern players played a crucial part.

MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS COLTS U9s 2, GOODREST BOYS U9s 4

THIS was a keenly contested last league match of the Mercian Festival season.

The game started with pressure at both ends, calling for good goal keeping from Callum Bradford and reliable defence from Myles Cunningham and Brandon Hudson. Harry Tawse was unlucky not to score after Alex Williams and Tom Busher produced some nice passing moves in the midfield. Goodrest scored just before half time with Malvern unable to close down their earlier attacking play.

In the second half Goodrest quickly took the upper hand, scoring three more in quick succession. Wanderers then found better form with a well taken goal from Stan Mason. Max Howie proved solid in defence and Joel Wright produced some speedy play. Mason scored a second goal but Malvern's change of pace had come too late in this hard fought game.