MALVERN Town U18s play their biggest ever fixture when they travel to Meadow Lane on Monday night to play Notts County in the FA Youth Cup (7.45pm).

Town have earned the right to take on the youngsters of the Nationwide League Division Two side following an impressive qualifying campaign, which has seen them battle through three rounds and put pay to the hopes of Rushall Olympic, Hucknall Town and Lye Town.

The Town youngsters have made an excellent start to their season and a number of players have already featured in the reserve side, whilst skipper Jay Thomas and Shaun Harris were recently called into the first team squad.

Also, Town players Simon Baker, Anthony Smith and Olly Endacott featured in the Worcestershire County side's recent success against Surrey.

Ironically, Town surrendered their unbeaten record this season, when they went down 2-0 to League leaders Moor Green at the Langland Stadium last Monday, a defeat which saw the visitors mantain their 100 per cent start to the season.

Malvern's youth team manager Les Jones did acknowledge though that the visitors were the best team Town have played this season.

Jones said: "The difference from most of the sides we have played, was the speed in which Moor Green did things, either with ball or closing us down, so in some ways it was a good experience, especially in light of this Monday's game, when we can expect the same and more."

Jones will select from: Hooper, Thomas, Baker, Shipman, Finnegan, Edwards, Smith, Aston, Mclaughlin, Fletcher, Endacott, Harris, Knapper, Weekes, Lampitt, Tomkins, Chance, Plant, Rimmell Hands, Hathaway, Rawle and Marshall.

The tie has also stirred up considerable interest and two coaches will be making the trip to Nottingham, the earlier coach leaving at 4pm is full, and the second coach, leaving the ground at 5pm was almost full. There might still be places and interested parties should ring Geoff Allen on 01684 574068 during office hours for details.

The Town U18s are now at home in the Midland Youth League on Thursday (October 23).

Stourport Swifts are the visitors and kick off is at 7.45pm.

Reserves

THE Town Reserves gave a good account of themselves against an experienced Bilston side in the Express and Star West Midlands League Division One (South) last Saturday.

Goals from Rob Perrins and Luke Marshall always looked likely to keep Town in the hunt, but a 70th-minute goal from the visitors secured the three points.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Town reserves are at home again in the league, when they entertain Leominster Town (2.45pm).