MALVERN Rangers were due to open their Express & Star West Midland League Division One (South) programme with an away trip to Wyre Forest tomorrow (Saturday) but this game has been postponed because their council-owned pitch will not be available.

A disappointed Rangers secretary Brian Burge said: "Apparently the council over there will not mark out the pitch or put up the goalposts."

Rangers now have to wait until the following Saturday (August 25) to make their debut in the highest-graded level in their history when they are away again to Ludlow Town Reserves (2.45).

WESTFIELDS 2, MALVERN RANGERS 5

LAST Tuesday evening Rangers travelled to Hereford Leisure Centre to play what turned out to be Westfields Reserve side

Rangers were quite comfortably the better side underlined by two Stuart Harvey goals before conceding on unnecessary penalty shortly before half time. Westfields equalised fairly early in the second half, Rangers struggling to regain their early supremacy.

However once Richard Forde had regained the lead for Rangers they again took control and further goals were added by Rob Perrins and Stuart Harvey to give Rangers a comfortable 5-2 victory.

On Saturday Rangers travelled to newly promoted Worcester League Premier Division side Powick and an early solitary well worked and well taken goal by Simon Rea was enough to give Rangers a narrow 1-0 victory in what was their least convincing performance to date.

On Wednesday (August 21) Rangers travel to Perrywood for another friendly, kick-off 6.30pm against last season's Premier Division opponents.