MALVERN Town hope to put their indifferent league form behind them on Saturday (Sept 7) when they entertain Notts Alliance Senior Division One outfit Rainworth Miners Welfare in the first round of the FA Carlsberg Vase at the Langland Stadium (3pm).

Little is known about Town's visitors, other than they were beaten finalists in 1981-82 and reached the first round proper last season, before going out 5-0 at Studley BKL, who narrowly defeated Town on penalties in last season's WFA Senior Urn semi-final.

Town general manager Richard Anson said: " I don't think we should read anything into the small amount of detail we know about them, as things can change so quickly in non league football, all we know is that we need a good result tomorrow after our indifferent start and this will be impressed upon the players before tomorrow's game.

"The Vase is a good competition to progress in, as it can quickly attract interest throughout the town and help raise the profile of the club nationally."

Town are likely to be without Dene Whittal - Williams tomorrow who is due to return from holiday, but not in time to take his place in Town starting line up.

Gary Smith, who has only just returned from injury, has now suffered another knock and is doubtful, whilst Dave Cannon is hoping to shake off an ankle injury picked during Tuesdays 4-2 friendly defeat against Worcester City.

Leading scorer Dean Roberts has a slight hamstring strain, but is expected to be fit.

Definitely out is striker Billy Davis, who broke a bone in his foot during last weeks game at Kington. Davis is likely to be out for at least six weeks.

Town select from: Alden, Thomas, Cannon, Davies, Clayton, Brighton, Wade, Ward, Walker, Owen, Hooper, Cox, Roberts, Williams, Halion, Smith and Jones.

The winners of Saturday's tie will visit Town's Express and Star League rivals Brierley Hill in the second qualifying round, scheduled for September 21st.

Any replay will be at Rainworth on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Town's reserves went down 3-1 against their Bustlehome counterparts in the Express and Star League Division One (S) last Saturday, and on Saturday visit Hinton in another League fixture (2.45pm).

The Town U18's have been gifted a place in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup, following Holbeach's withdrawal from the competition prior to last Wednesday's scheduled tie at the Langland Stadium.