MALVERN Town begin a trio of crucial Christmas period Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division fixtures, when they play host to Smethwick Sikh Temple tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 2.45pm.

Following the Smethwick game comes the Boxing Day home derby with third-placed Ledbury Town (11am) followed by a visit to fourth placed Tipton Town on Saturday, December 28, (2pm).

Town will go into these games full of confidence, having secured victories in their last five league games and earned a place in the semi-final of the Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup.

Town's league form has now seen them move into eighth place and with a number of the leading sides playing each other this weekend, victory against Smethwick, who Town defeated 2-0 away last weekend, would set Malvern up perfectly for the Ledbury and Tipton games.

Town should be at full strength for the Smethwick game with the exception of the suspended Dave Cannon and the recuperating Lee Hooper, although Steve Walker has a slight hamstring problem which might make him doubtful.

There is also a possibility of a new face in the Town line up for this Saturday's game. A seven day notice of approach was made to another West Midlands League Premier Division side last week, leaving sufficient time for the player to be included if he agrees to the move.

Otherwise Town boss Neil Hunt will pick from: Walton, Williams, Roberts (P), Clayton, Palmer, Walker, Goodman, Owen, Cox, Halion, Walton, Johnson, Davis, Roberts (D) and Rose.

Youngster Joe Leighton will be added to the squad for the Ledbury game as might Dene Whittal- Williams.

Whittal-Williams featured for Town earlier this season, but the Preston University-based student linked up with Lancaster City. However an ankle ligament injury has curtailed his chances at City and, fitness permitting, Whittal- Williams, who is now on University leave, might well be included in the Town squad during the Christmas and New Year period.

Commenting on the upcoming games Town general manager Richard Anson said: "This is a massive period for us and we cannot afford any slip up this Saturday, especially with most of the leading sides playing each other, so we certainly won't be taking anything for granted.

"The Ledbury match, of course, is one we are all looking forward too, we have heard a few rumours about the large number of supporters they are likely to be bringing to the game and we really do urge as many local people as possible to get down to the ground and get behind us, certainly the match is likely to attract our biggest crowd for years.

"Ledbury have done well since getting promoted two seasons ago and they have one or two players who would be comfortable at a higher level, but so do we and it should be a very competitive contest. But first and foremost in our minds is the need for three points on Saturday," he said.

Town Reserves

THE Town Reserves continued their improved recent form and climb away from the lower reaches of the Express and Star West Midlands League Division 1 (S) table, with an excellent home 0-0 draw against title chasers Chaddersley Corbett.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Reserves test their credentials against another title chasing outfit when they visit Bewdley Town (1.45pm).

Youth team

THE Town U18s kept the pressure on the leading sides in the Midland Youth League, following a 5-1 win at Bromyard Town on Tuesday.