MALVERN TOWN 2, WOLVERHAMPTON UTD 1

MALVERN Town went back to the top of the Express and Star West Midlands League Pre-mier Division, with Saturday's incident-packed victory at the Langland Stadium .

From the start, the visitors' approach was intimidatory, but Town kept their heads and Dave Alden rescued them with a brave save at the feet of Mark Habbershall after five minutes.

After that they always looked the more likely side to score and came closest in the 16th minute when Scott Morris volleyed against the underside of the crossbar.

Success came in the 21st minute, a well worked corner between Craig Williams and Lee Hooper saw the latter play the ball into the path of Dean Roberts to score.

Shortly after, Roberts fired narrowly wide but a second goal arrived in the 30th minute, when Morris won the ball superbly in the air and set up Hooper.

United gave themselves a lifeline on the stroke of half time when a ricochet off Roberts saw the ball fall into the path of Habbershall, who rounded Alden to slot home

The second period saw Town continue dominate possession and in the 53rd minute Roberts, in full flow, was crudely taken out on the edge of the United area. The resultant free kick from Rik Halion was easily saved by the United keeper.

But on the hour mark, the game exploded when Scott Morris's late challenge on a visiting player saw virtually the entire Wolverhampton side surround him. Morris was dismissed after the fracas along with United's Ian Banks and, after the intervention of the linesman, Malvern's Adam Baldwin.

Fortunately, the game was played out without further incident. The visitors were unable to make their extra man tell, although Alden did pull of an outstanding save pushing away a 20-yard drive in the 73rd minute.

Tomorrow's game against Wednesfield kicks off at 2.45pm and Town select from: Alden, Nightingale, Chalmers, Cannon, Clayton, Williams, Halion, Baldwin, Morris, Goodman, Roberts, Cox, Hooper, Haines, Owen, Fryer and Walker.

General manager Richard Anson said, "We have said before, that if you are to have any ambitions to win a championship, you simply cannot afford to drop points against teams at the wrong end of the table, and that will be impressed upon the player's before tomorrow's game."

Town have no midweek fixture but in other news, the club has been drawn against Midland Combination Divison Two side Droitwich Spa in the first round of the Smedley Cook Cup.

n Town Reserves continued their recent good form, with a 6-2 away win to Cradley Town Reserves in the Express and Star West Midlands League Division 1 (S).

Malvern established a 4-0 lead within the first 20 minutes, adding the other two during the second period. Scorers were the returning Rob Perrins, David Knapper, Luke Marshall, Jamie Thomas and Michael Roberts.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Reserves entertain Bilston Town in another league fixture (2.45pm).

n On Tuesday night, the Under 18's convincingly saw off Alvechurch 6-1, in the Midland Youth League, to set up a mouth-watering game at home to Moor Green on Monday evening. Town's undefeated youngsters take on a Moors side, who so far have a 100 per cent record at the top of the table. Kick off is 7.45pm.

Against Alvechurch, Malvern actually went a goal down on 20 minutes before netting three times in the ten minutes before half time. Victory was finished off with a much stronger second half display. There were three goals from Shaun Harris and one each from Olly Endacott, Lee Tomkins and Luke Marshall.

The Under 18's eagerly anticipated FA Youth Cup 1st Round Proper tie away to Notts County, has been arranged for Monday, October 20 at 7.45pm.

A supporters coach will be leaving the Langland Stadium for County's Meadow Lane Stadium at 5pm. The cost is £5 and places can be reserved through club officials or on 01684 574068.