WEST Malvern finished the year in a dismal fashion and once again it was the same old story with players crying off at the last minute and one failing to turn up.

PLUMBERS ARMS 5, WEST MALVERN 1

The 11 that did play performed reasonably well but due to one with flu they played all the second half with ten men in this Worcester Saturday Division One match.

Plumbers got off well and were a goal up inside ten minutes. Poor defensive play allowed the centre forward to score from 12 yards. Although the West played some attractive football at times there was no bite up front with centre forward Lee Tracey playing in midfield.

After 30 minutes Plumbers increased their lead with a defensive mix up when Ken McEwan shielded the ball for Steve Newman who failed to collect it and the player walked the ball into the net.

The West rearranged their team in the second half with Duncan McKerracher playing sweeper and for a time they held their own but with ten players they began to tire.

Plumbers played the long ball over the top and it was no surprise when they went three up. They continued to press forward and after 70 minutes made it four. The West retaliated and Lee Tracey reduced the arrears but Plumbers came back to score a fifth.

That was the last game of the year and the West begin 2004 on January 3 away at Inkberrow, players meet at 1pm at Eurohaus or notify manager if not available.

West Malvern would like to thank Amey and the Cross Keys for their sponsorship for 2003.